ill these later years in another line, I could not expect to say 

 anything worth your hearing with regard to either the special 

 studies or the practical methods of Agriculture. I have come 

 reluctantly to this conclusion, since some such directly and 

 narrowly practical discussion would be most appropriate to the 

 occasion, and since this Society has had, often, in former years, 

 the good fortune to be so entertained ; and since, too, withal, as 

 I suppose, it is not easy for any of us to make confession of 

 any lack of knowledge upon any subject whatever. 



But though I can not do what would be best, I do not mean 

 to leave off speaking altogether. Agriculture has not only its 

 interior field, belonging to itself, but its relations also to w4iat 

 is around it. Thus one who for some time had not been within 

 the enclosure, though he would not be able to advise as to the 

 laying out and tilling of the field itself, might still have 

 knowledge of the place where the land lies, of the approaches 

 to it, and of the features of the surrounding country. It is to 

 a little walking over these adjoining grounds that I purpose 

 to-day to invite you. 



One of the first questions that arises with respect to any 

 pursuit is for the eflect it has upon those that are engaged in 

 it. Our occupations are not carried on for their own sakes, 

 but for their human uses. We enter upon them that we may 

 grow and he profited by them as men ; or that other men may 

 have benefit from them through us. Thus in agriculture there 

 is the farmer above the farm. We look to see what the influ- 

 ence is of the calling on the 7nan ; and wdiat powers it gives 

 him over other men about him. 



This matter is worth our special attention. We may give it 

 the title : The Farm and the Farmer. Or, feince we wish to 

 know how one engaged in this pursuit is affected towards what 

 is manly, we might call it : The Farmer and the Man. 



The standing of the farmer, as a man, in his business, and 

 by means of it, — this is Avhat we are to consider. The relations 

 of the farmer to society will also be involved ; with the in- 

 quiries, what they are, and what opportunities and special 

 strength may be afforded for them. 



