1889.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 259 



been teacher, member of school committee, and not without 

 experience as a woman of affairs. Now she longs for land 

 to till, and, having secured a liberal addition to the family 

 garden, four o'clock on many a summer morning finds her 

 busy with hoe or rake. 



In parting with my farmer's wife I adjure her to cultivate 

 the grace of contentment. Such a charm is this that no 

 woman can afford to try to hold sway over the hearts of 

 home without it. Look sometimes down instead of up the 

 line. I remember a little poem called " Contentment," in 

 which a widow and her son are represented " as having 

 nothing, yet possessing all things." The hut, into which the 

 rain enters and the snow drifts, contains a chair, a little 

 three-legged stool, and a box spread with a clean white cloth 

 and scant fare. The mother draws a furrowed hand across 

 her boy's locks, and bids him go to bed, as he has warmed 

 the toes enough, and the fire won't last. She has no blanket 

 to wrap about him, but she covers him with boards that have 

 been warmed by the fire. He turns towards her a smiling 

 face, and asks, "Mother, what do the poor boys do that 

 have no boards ? " 



" Some murmur when their sky is clear 



And wholly bright to view, 

 If one small speck of dark appear 



In their great heaven of blue. 

 And some with thankful love are filled 



If but one streak of light, 

 One ray of God's good mercy, gild 



The darkness of their night. 



" In palaces are hearts that ask, 

 In discontent and pride. 

 Why life is such a dreary task. 

 And all good things denied. 

 ^ And hearts in poorest huts admire 

 How love has in their aid 

 (Love that not ever seems to tire) 

 Such rich provision made. — Trench. 



The Chairman. The subject is open for remarks, and I 

 hope the ladies and gentlemen present will give it the con- 

 sideration its importance deserves. Mr. Moses Hxjmphrey, 

 President of the New Hampshire State Board of Agriculture, 



