26 



in life as well as to ours. There are few -ways of employing 

 capital in Avliich the risk of loss is so small as in farming. 



Hence, we should naturally expect the return to be corres- 

 pondingly small, but on nn average, sure. And I have some- 

 times thought, that if the excess of profits over the losses in 

 the different branches of industry could by anj' means be as- 

 certained, we should perhaps find ours not very far behind the 

 rest. It is true that agriculture does net present the iioss'ihili- 

 ties of obtaining fortune or fame, which are so attractive in 

 commercial or professional life ; but it does not involve the 

 hazard. AYe can scarcely conceive of an agricultural Vander- 

 bilt or Astor. The farmer's gains depend upon the same rules 

 of business which ensure success in any other calling. Brains, 

 energy, and executive ability, applied to the culture of the 

 land, will not fail to reward their possessor ; moderately per- 

 haps, but sufficiently for all the ordinary needs of life. 



We must remember, too, that distinguished success in any 

 piu'suit falls to the lot of but few. 



" The \ns,r\y fail, the one succeeds ;" 



and if we think our neighbor's prosperity is greater than ours, 

 it is but fair to conclude that the ftuilt is })artly in ourselves. 



We have thus taken a view of our occupation only from the 

 narrow ground of pecuniary interest. 



It does not come Avithin the scope of my present purpose, 

 to discuss the aesthetics of agriculture, or its relations to the 

 happiness of those who make it the occupation of their lives ; 

 but I desire to remind you, in closing, that this aspect of our 

 vocation should not be disregarded. There is no branch of in- 

 dustry, which has in itself so many elements capable of produc- 

 ino; ease and content, as husbandrv. ]\Ien of all trades and 

 professions, work and drudge in the hope that they may some 

 day obtain a competence, and retire to a landed estate to enjoy 

 the fruits of their labor. But Avho ever knew a farmer to re- 

 tire from the farm to mercantile or professional life, or even to- 



