AGRICULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 463 



soldiers returned to their farms. Their system of agriculture, 

 however, was of a low order and, as such, was deprecated by 

 all who understood its importance. Washington, Adams, and 

 others, both by precept and example, sought to instruct and 

 encourage the farmers to more methodical habits and better 

 cultivation. 



It was not, however, until after the War of 1812 that such an 

 idea was seriously considered ; but when it did come it took a 

 strong hold, and the improvements of the present are the results 

 of it. There were many causes for this. The rich and abun- 

 dant lands of the United States, the variety of soil and climate, 

 together with the rapid increase in immigration, and the almost 

 universal desire to be independent in every sense of the word, 

 led the bulk of the people to choose agriculture as a calling. It 

 required but little skill, and was cheap, and the idea of having a 

 home of their own seemed to obtain quite generally among the 

 people. Then, too, each farmer was a pioneer, and as such 

 learned to do without many of those helps and conveniences 

 that are now seen on every hand. 



After peace had again been secured, the real work of building 

 a nation began. Statesmen were not wanting who could clearly 

 discern the potent, conservative force that waited upon a perma- 

 nent and contented element of farmers. The purchase of lands 

 was made comparatively easy, the interests of the farmer cared 

 for, and a general desire was manifested to aid and protect that 

 industry. The growth of agriculture in the United States has 

 been marvellous, and is yet really in its infancy. The possibil- 

 ities of this branch of the economy of the nation, under kindly 

 laws, would be difficult to conceive. With the invention of farm 

 machinery has come a rapid increase in production. New terri- 

 tory has been opened up, and the railroad has almost eliminated 

 the idea of distance. Taken altogether, American farmers, with 

 a proper and just method of distribution, would stand at the 

 head of the world's producers. 



There have been several periods of great prosperity among 

 the farmers, and again like periods of distress. The farmers of 

 America are at the present time suffering from a series of years 

 of business depression, and are calling loudly for a change of 

 conditions. They assert that, during the last quarter of a cen- 



