ODDSPELLS. 21 



they grow upon. And at the present clay, how few compared 

 kith the great mass of practical farmers, know any thing of the 

 principles of this noblest of human arts. Much remains to be 

 <nown, but enough is already understood, if properly applied, to 

 jidd immensely to the productiveness of the soil and the happiness of 

 )ur race. 



ODD SPELLS. 



BY GILES B. KELLOGG. 



I. TiiE Farmer. 

 •' The best part of the population of a country are the cultivators of the soil 

 idepen dent farmers are every where the basis of society, and the true friends of 

 jberty." — Andrew Jackson. 



I love to contemplate the quiet life and the honorable occupa- 

 on of the farmer. What pursuit is more useful than his .? Dili- 

 ence in his business reaps the promised rewards of charity— a 

 puble blessing. He cannot be useful to himself in his calling 

 fithout bemg useful to others. The faithful discharge of his du- 

 ;es has a reflex and self-improving action. The influence of his 

 bmple IS contagious and beneficial on others. On the products 

 f his industry depend for subsistence the larger portion of the 

 uman family. With his prosperity is identified the prosperity of 

 /ery other branch of labor ; and the well being, the advancement, 

 le power of the country, may be measured and pretty accurately 

 itermmed by the position and the influence which he occupies 

 id exerts. As a general fact, no nation ever became wealthy, 

 )werful and great, whose cultivators of the soil, the men who 

 med and held the plough, were ignorant, degraded and servile ; 

 ■id an enlightened, industrious and prosperous farming commu- 

 -ty never conferred other than a high character on its nation. 

 And then again his occupation is one of moral dignity. His 

 'iployments are among the creations of the great Architect of the 

 i,ime-work of nature, and intimately associated with His wisdom, 

 godness, power and constantly superintending care. In the pur- 

 suit of his labors he becomes a co-worker with that great and 

 ^od Being, of his dependence on whom he is constantly reminded, 



