180 Gov. Wrighfs Address. [Oct., 



of labor and expense, and that the farmer who pursues this im- 

 proved system of agriculture, can, like the merchant and me- 

 chanic referred to, enter the market with a better production, at 

 a cheaper price, than his less enterprising competitor. 



This change in the agriculture of our state and countr}^, opens 

 to the mind reflections of the most cheering character. If carried 

 out to its legitimate results, it promises a competition among our 

 farmers, not to obtain the highest prices for inferior productions, 

 but to produce the most, the best, and the cheapest of the neces- 

 saries of human life. It promises agricultural prosperity, with 

 cheap and good bread, furnished in abundance to all who will eat 

 within the rule prescribed by fallen man, in the sacred volume of 

 the Divine law. 



Steady resolution and persevering energy, are requisite to carry 

 forward these improvements to that degree of perfection dictated 

 alike by interest and by duty; and the stimulus of a steady and 

 remunerating market will rouse that resolution and nerve that 

 energy. Without this encouragement in prospect, few will per- 

 severe in making improvements which require close and constant 

 mental application, as well as severe physical laqor. Agriculture 

 will never be healthfully or profitably prosecuted by him whose 

 controlling object is his own consumption. The hope of gain is 

 the motive power to human industry, and is as necessary to the 

 farmer as to the merchant or manufacturer. All who labor are 

 equally stimulated by the prospect of a market which is to remu- 

 nerate them for their toil, and without this hope neither mental 

 activity, nor physical energy, will characterize their exertions. 

 True it is that the farmers of our country, as a class, calculate 

 less closely the profits of their labor and captital, than men en- 

 gaged in most other pursuits, and are content with lower rates of 

 gain. The most of them own their farms, their stocks and farm- 

 ing implements, unencumbered by debt. Their business gives 

 but an annual return. They live frugally, labor patiently and 

 faithfully, and at the close of the year, its expenses are paid from 

 its proceeds, the balance remaining being accounted the profits of 

 the year. Although a moderate sura, it produces contentment, 

 without a computation of the rate per cent, upon the capital in- 

 vested, or the w^ages it will pay to the proprietor and the members 

 of his family. The result is an advance in the great object of 

 human labor, and, if not rapid, it is safe and certain. It is a sur- 

 plus beyond the expenses of living, to be added to the estate, and 

 may be repeated in each revolving year. 



If, however, this surplus is left upon the hands of the farmer, 

 in his own products, for which there is no market, his energies 

 are paralyzed, his spirits sink, and he scarcely feels that the year 

 has added to his gains. He sees little encouragement in toiling 



