125 



his lelfiurc in acquiring nsefiil infbnnation from books, he will 

 be proljably the more intelligent of the two. 



Fourth ; The small opportunity for gaining distinction in 

 anv public capacity. It may be questioned whether this dlfs- 

 tinction is as enjoyable in possession as in anticipation, for we 

 know " uneasy lies the head that Avear*! the crown ;"' liut if one 

 lias the ability to rise in public life, there certainly is nothing 

 in farming as a pursuit to hold him back. 



The liistory of this nation abounds in illustrations of this 

 trntli. From Washington down the line of presidents, and 

 among the statesmen of tlic country, too, we find eminent 

 names distinguished l)oth for success in public life and for in- 

 terest in agriculture. Webster's biography gives an account 

 ot' the intei-est which he took in his farm, and some of his let- 

 ters mention his oxen in a way Avhich shows he had a true 

 farmer's regard for his team. So, then, let us be good far- 

 mers, and if needed in any otho- place, have no fear but that 

 we shall be called, "not to go up higher'" (for Ave claim that 

 an intelligent farmer is on a level Avith men in any other i)osi- 

 tion), but to take a position of larger opportunity and Avider 

 fame. 



At the present time, Avhen so many young men are going" 

 A\'est to settle, there is no doubt a temptation to many of us to 

 folloAv their steps, and abandon these rocky hills for the fertile 

 prairies of the distant States : but any Avho are inclined to go* 

 should ponder Avell before forsaking the- old farm, for in look- 

 ing at any ncAv position, Ave are more apt to see a fcAv obA'ious 

 adA'antages, than to gain a just conception of things as they 

 really are. 



The dangei-s Avhich beset the groAving crops of AVestern men 

 from insect foes arc nmch gTcater than in this region, and th( 

 hardships Avhich men undergo in establishing themselves oih 

 ncAv land are so severe that it may be questioned if the moncA- 

 made by some of them Avould counterbalance the privation; 

 which they endure to get it. 



So, all things considered, if one has a farm here, he runs y. 



