260 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



is present with us. He has had large experience in the agri- 

 cultural department in New Hampshire, and as a farmer, 

 and we will all be glad to hear from him, if he will speak to 

 us at this time for a few minutes. 



Mr. Humphrey. I do not know, Mr. Chairman, how 

 long your few moments mean. If you want me to speak 

 but live minutes, say so ; or fifteen or half an hour. 



The Chairman. We have an hour's time. 



REMARKS OF MOSES HUMPHREY OF CONCORD, N. H. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, — The subject that 

 has been presented to us by our lady speaker is a subject of 

 great interest to me. I want to say to you that more than 

 fifty years ago I chose for a wife a farmer's daughter. I 

 lived with her fifty-six years, and I tell you, if there is any- 

 thing in the world that has made me, it is that woman. 

 [Applause.] I tell you, if you have not looked that ground 

 over fairly and squarely, you do not know how much the 

 influence of a wife is over a man ; no matter what position 

 he holds, whether in the government or as a farmer, or in 

 any other business. I married a farmer's daughter, and that 

 is the kind for the young and old to get wherever they go. 

 If you want to succeed in life, you want to get practical 

 common sense. If you find men or women that have risen 

 to eminence in any part of the country, you will find that 

 they have come from the farm, where the habits of industry 

 are taught the boy and girl from youth up. The habit of 

 industry is everything to a man, anywhere and everywhere ; 

 and, if you bring your boys and girls up to such habits, they 

 do not have much fol-de-rol or nonsense about them ; they 

 are looking forward for business. You have got to start with 

 a good foundation to make the right men and Tvomen for the 

 country. Look all over this country and see who controls 

 it. Where did they come from? Who were they? To a 

 large extent our leading men were farmers' boys, their 

 mothers were farmers' wives ; and, if you trace their ances- 

 try, you will find that a large portion of them came from 

 New England, and my experience proves that you will trace 

 them back to a New England farm. 



