( H. ) 



AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS 



Delivered before the Jlmericaji Institute of the city of JVew-York^ 

 during the 16th Annual Fair, I6th October, 1843. 



BY J. E. TESCHEMACHER, ESQ. OF MASS, 



A rnos' erroneous opinion has long been prevalent among that class 

 of society attached to the soil, that agriculture is not a calling in 

 which it is easy for a man to rise to wealth or distinguished rank in 

 his country. Hence our agricultural youth are apt to forsake their 

 paternal fields and flock in clusters to populous cities, to enter in 

 crowds what are termed the learned professions, or to fill the stores 

 and counting-houses of the merchant, falsely imagining that these are 

 the high road to fortune and prominence. It is possible indeed, that 

 there may be some semblance of truth in this idea amongst those to 

 whom every improvement in the methods of agriculture practised by 

 their forefathers appeared to be mere innovations, and whose counte- 

 nances are steadily fixed against all the new fangled ideas introduced 

 into their pursuit by science — with such indeed, distinction or pro- 

 gress is scarcely possible. 



But in the present day it may be safely affirmed, especially in this 

 country, that there is no pursuit which more certainly leads to wealth 

 and to distinction of character, no pursuit which more certainly con- 

 fers that pure happiness dependent on health, freedom, and cheerful 

 spirits, than the cultivation of the soil, if followed in a liberal and 

 enlightened manner with judgment, and with the assistance of that 

 broad light which is now so steadily, so clearly and so abundantly 

 pouring forth upon agriculture. 



I believe I may venture to remark, that America is yet behind some 

 other countries in many things pertaining to the great science of 

 agriculture. In this remark I am supported by an intimate and much 

 valued friend who is now travelling in Europe, for the express pur- 

 pose of instituting inquiry into this interesting subject, and it is to 

 this consideration that I would appeal for the chief strength of my 

 argument. Where we know there is yet much to learn, there is then 

 so much more room for exertion, so much more chance of distinction, 

 so touch more certainty of success. It only demands the same exer- 

 tions which lead to eminence in other professions. We know to a 

 certainty that there is yet much to be learned even by the best in- 

 structed in agriculture; and if the tiller of the soil will only exert the 



[Senate, No. 124.J V 



