13 



It is regulated on first principles. It has little that is fictitious 

 or arbitrary about it. Let a man go at it and see what he can 

 earn. The farmer being thus in this business knows ordinarily 

 that he is getting for wliat he raises not far from what it is 

 worth, that is, not far from what it can, in fact, be fairly raised 

 for. I do not forget that the farmer's occupation, though 

 relatively the most independent, is concerned, like every other, 

 in the general welfare of society, and in the condition and 

 management of all public affairs — a connection laying duties 

 upon him which he can not safely neglect. Still the nature of 

 his business, open and broad and primary as it is, and com- 

 paratively clear of artificial complications, does keep him free 

 from much of that annoyance as to the price of his work, 

 with vexation of mind and heart, which is felt in many other 

 occupations, and for which it is not easy always to furnish a 

 remedy. 



The farmer works, too, for himself, with no employer or 

 master, saving only those productive powers of nature acting 

 upon his farm, which he studies and serves and uses. He can 

 work thus when he pleases, and as many hours in the day as 

 he pleases, and he neither needs nor will tolerate any meddling 

 with him ; and he makes his reckoning for what he does 

 with these productive powers he serves. And beyond this he 

 is answeral)le to no one, except for his accountability to the 

 Author of nature and of man for the appropriate use of his 

 capacities. There is a force for manly culture in this place he 

 holds as to his time and work. 



Further, this clear establishment of the standards of value 

 has a tendency again, along with the other agencies already 

 mentioned, toward habits of economy and prudence. The 

 farmer knows, better than men in some other callings, what 

 things cost by their true measurement in time and work. He 

 is more likely to know how they should be taken care of, used 

 or spent. This intelligence he has on this subject there is 

 much need that he should impart to some other men. 



Again, on this same ground, the peculiar, primary and fun- 

 damental quality of the farmer's business places him in good 



