162 [Senate 



same industry and judgment in analysing his soil and in his method 

 of cultivation, in the examination and discrimination of his crops, of 

 his various breeds of animals, which the lawyer does in studying the 

 points of his cases, or the merchant in scrutinizing the qualities of 

 his merchandise, &c. he cannot help ranking high in his career. But 

 this is not all. He must be liberal, aye, profuse in his dealings with 

 his soil and his animals, as well as in his researches after information. 

 He that soweth with a niggard hand cannot expect to reap a plenti- 

 ful harvest. 



There is much good besides in an enlightened and liberal cultiva- 

 tion of the ground. It is not too much to say, that it expands the 

 heart in almost every other good feeling, certainly in kindness to our 

 neighbor, most certainly in gratitude to the great Ruler of the Skies; 

 for it is almost always followed by abundant crops and by prospe- 

 rity- 



If there is any man who stands high in the estimation of his fel- 

 low men, may I add with great reverence in that of his Creator, it 

 is the intelligent, the liberal cultivator of the land ; it is he, who not 

 only anxious to till his own soil well, is also ready to communicate 

 his experience and knowledge to others ; it is he who is not only de- 

 lighted with the luxuriance of his own crops, but who smiles with 

 pleasure and complacency on the successful efforts of his neighbor ; 

 it is he who, far from feeling disappointment in the superior success 

 of a fellow laborer, is always anxious to learn, to improve, and to 

 exert his utmost intelligence in exciting the progress of the important 

 pursuit of his life. Such are the men who ennoble the state of agri- 

 culture — who raise the standard of the cultivator of the soil. The 

 more science, intelligence, and indeed all the powers of the mind, 

 are pressed into the service of agriculture, the more sensible will its 

 professors become of its dignity and worth ; and in proportion as 

 these mental efforts are crowned with success, which they certainly 

 will be, in the same proportion will these men feel themselves ele- 

 vated in the scale of human existence, and find their happiness aug- 

 mented. You will perceive that my earnest desire is to raise in pub- 

 lic opinion the tiller of the soil ; not only because I am iuUy 

 persuaded that there is no occupation which conduces so much to the 

 independence, health and happiness of a whole people ; but also, 

 because it is sure that unless it is so elevated, and can by that means 

 command the association of superior talent and education, it is not 

 possible to introduce into practice, or even to imitate, the vast im- 

 provements which the last few years have given to the agriculture of 

 other countries. What a spectacle, for instance, has been this year 

 exhibited at the various agricultural meetings in England. 



Men of the highest classes and character associating freely with 

 all cultivators of the soil like brothers ; every one feeling that the 

 common welfare and safety of his country, as well as of himself, de- 

 pended more on the free development of the resources of the earth, 

 than on any other circumstance. These meetings are proud days 

 for agriculture ; the mass of information exposed, exhibited and 

 interchanged, would fill volumes. It is a subject of great congratu- 



