478 AGRICULTURE. 



It is in the hands of this class of farmers, and its counterpart 

 found in other branches of productive industry, that the future 

 of this nation lies. And it is through them that the glory and 

 perpetuity of this government must be secured. The grandeur 

 of this republic is not reflected by a. few mighty intellects, a 

 certain number of immense cities, or here and there examples 

 of vast accumulations of wealth. These serve only as objects 

 of emulation or envy, and, in either case, may lead to vicious 

 rivalry. The greatness of our country, and the results of its 

 free institutions, are disclosed in the thousands of happy farm 

 homes, and their millions of intelligent, conservative, and indus- 

 trious inhabitants. 



The careless observer is often led to look with wonder upon 

 the rapid advancement in the arts and sciences, during the cen- 

 tury, and fall into the error of consenting that it is the greatest 

 of all. The railroad, the steamship, the telegraph and tele- 

 phone, are considered the acme of intellectual research and, 

 without farther inquiry, placed at the head of all modern im- 

 provements. Such conclusions are erroneous, and will not bear 

 the test of candid reflection. During the last three-quarters of 

 a century, there has been going on, among the agricultural por- 

 tion of our people, a silent but constant evolution that is truly 

 wonderful in its extent. Dotted here and there, over hill and 

 valley, across the boundless prairie, and among the mountains 

 and sterile portions of our country, can be seen the dwellings 

 of the farmers. These men are industriously plying their voca- 

 tion ; nature is being successfully combated at every point, and 

 forced to yield fruit and products for the feeding and clothing 

 of the nation. The very elements even are made to serve them 

 in beneficial capacities, not in their regular sphere. This pur- 

 suit is so intelligently, manfully, and successfully carried on 

 that the idea must honestly obtain among the thoughtful, and 

 find expression through honest convictions, that the American 

 farmer is the finished product of the nineteenth century. 



This conclusion may seem unwarranted, but the proof is abun- 

 dant and at hand. For example, it has taken greater skill, 

 required more persistent effort, and a much larger outlay of 

 time and money, to evolve from the kinds of farm stock known 

 and used at the beginning of the present century, the magnifi- 



