268 



NKW ENGLAND FAT^MER, 



MARCH fi, 1«33. 



AJV ADDRESS 



Delivered al Brklgcwaler, Nov. 7. 1;>32, before the Plj-mouili 

 Couuiy Agritullural Society, by Rev. Jon.vthan Bigk- 

 Low, of llocliester. 



The ultimate design of Agriotiltur.il Societies 

 is improvement. Witli them all else ought to he 

 either subsidiary or siil)or(linate to progress in the 

 art, and improvement in the various methods and 

 products of agriculture. Among the various means 

 which this Society has adopted to suhserve these 

 objects, is the institution of a ptiblic Address on 

 the day of anniversary. I regret that the lamented 

 death of the distinguished individual* whom yon 

 selected for your first orator, has devolved this 

 duty on one but poorly qtialitied, either by a study 

 of the science, or by practice in the great and diffi- 

 cult art of agriculture, to add any thing to the 

 stock of present knowledge or present improve- 

 ment. I have thought, however, that i)erhai)S the 

 half hour before us might nOt be unpleasantly, nor 

 altogether unprofitably spent by noticing, 1st. the 

 moral tendency and effects of agriculture on those 

 engaged in it. 



2d. Advert to the fact that agriculture is and 

 from the nature of the case ever must, to a great 

 Extent be a progressive art and science; adverting 

 also to some points where improvement is still 

 needed. 



I shall first notice the moral tendency and ef- 

 fects of agriculture upon those engaged in it. 1 

 use the word mural here, in its widest latitude ol 

 meaning, embracing all effects produced on mind 

 and character. 



That occupation it will be conceded is tlie most 

 ■favorable to moral developemeut which is attend- 

 ed by the fewest temptations, which ftirnislies the 

 most salutary lessons of instrtiotiiui, and winch i.-s 

 most favorable to a perfect developemeut of tlie 

 'bodily as well as mental powers. I say bodily as 

 well as mental, because the mind sym[)athi2es 

 with, and in its character, thoughts and seiitiinenls, 

 is very much affected by the body with wliii-h il 

 is connected. Probaltly no mind ever received a 

 full developemeut of all its powers, connected with 

 a physical system deranged; or only partially de- 

 veloped. The various labors of the agriculturist 

 bring all the muscles of tlic human system into 

 daily action ; thus causing a simultaneous develope- 

 mentof them. This keeps up that just balance in 

 the system which is indispensalile to health, vigor 

 and cheerftilness; and the fact that all his labors 

 are performed in the pure air of heaven, gives 

 tone, energy and durability to the system. — The 

 result is that the firmest and most enduring con- 

 stitutions, the finest modelled forms, aud limbs ol 

 most nerve and power, must be sought fi)r among 

 an agricultural i)0|)ulaiion. There too, yon wil, 

 find the greenest old age, the most uniform health, 

 the most unaffected and constant cheerfuliiiiss and 

 ■content, as well as the most frequent instances ot 

 longevity. Each of the professions and almost all 

 •other oecupatious and fnirsuits either give an un- 

 ■due exercise to some 7nuscles, while they leave others 

 <Jormaiit, or else the individuals engaged in them 

 are confined in unwholesome air; either of which 

 is sufficient to lay a foundation for disease and 

 jn-emature old age. If proof were demanded J 

 would refer you to the fact, that while one in forty 

 ■dies annually in our most healthful cities and man- 

 ufacturing villages, not more than one in sixty five 

 or seventy die annually iu the most healthful agri- 

 cultural districts. 



' Calvin Tilcien, Esq. of Hanson. 



Agriculture beyond doubt, is |)re-eminently con 

 dueive to health, robustness, vigor, energy, cheer- 

 fulness and longevity. " But what," yon may ask, 

 " has all this to do with the subject — with moral 

 developemeut?" I answer, no one will ask this 

 question who has suffered years of misery from a 

 derangeil system, from feeble nerves — or from any 

 other of the ills incident to sedentary habits, either 

 in the study, at the ineicliant's desk, on tlie work 

 bench, or from the unhealthful air and deafening 

 din of a factory. Such will instantly recal theii 

 own experience, and by it will be convinced that 

 a healthful mind cannot exist in a diseased body ; 

 that a mind brave as CiEsar's, must be united to a 

 body as robust aud enduring as was Cspsar's ; else 

 when the spirit begins to burn and brace up itself 

 to brave danger, it will find the flesh cowardly. 

 Courage, fortitude, decision and energy are incom- 

 patible with, .ind never exist in perfection exce])t, 

 in minds united with bodies fully, harmoniously 

 and healthfully developed. 



Moreover, agriculture is not only pre-emiuently 

 fiivorable to- moral develojiemeiit by training lor 

 the mind abody thoroughly adapted to all its wants, 

 ready to second and execute all its pnri)oses, and 

 capable also of enduring its most powerful and 

 long continued eflbrts ; it is also pre-eminently 

 favorable, by presenting to the mind an endless 

 variety of topics of thought and objects for exam- 

 ination. The agriculturist has to do with nature 

 in all her variety of productions, in all her diversi- 

 ties of soil, in all her |)rocesscs of vegetation. The 

 atmosphere with all its changes, the seasons in all 

 their alteriuitions, are constantly soliciting his at- 

 tention. — His companions in the field, are the gay 

 songsteis revelling in all the luxuriance of life and 

 joy. H(i is constantly associated with nature in 

 all her richness of beauty, loveliness, l>urity, niajes- 

 ly and cheerfulness ; be has therelbre the best op- 

 portunity for studying nature in all her i)roce.sse.'s 

 and in all her productions both animal and vegeta- 

 ble ; not in books which often are but mutilated 

 copies or bad translations, but in the original, lb 

 stands at the fountain — at the spring-head, and 

 drinks, or may drink the waters of knowledge fresh 

 bubbling from their hidden scnircc. lie lives and 

 moves and breathes, not among the images and 

 creationsof poetry, but in the sacred temple wbin 

 the i-calities are enthroned, of which poetry in its 

 .sublimesi, sweetest, nio.st melting, <u- most spirit- 

 stirring numbers is oidy a poor description — a 

 temple whose lofty arch is filled with the wonders 

 aud lighted up with the glories of its author, and 

 whose apartments are all filled with the stores ot 

 his goodness and his love. 



And moreover, the agriculturist lias induce- 

 ments greater than any other can have, to listen in 

 and ponder the instructions which nature presents 

 to every sense, to awaken indeed every sense te 

 drink in her beautiful, melodious, odoriterous aiifl 

 palatable, and not less useful than palatable, in- 

 structions. His interest demands it, his success 

 demands it, his happiness demands it. He cannot 

 be an adept either in the art or science of agricul- 

 ture without it. That, whicli curiosity or amuse- 

 inent ])i-ompts others to examine, profit requires 

 him thoroughly to investigate, and what is not less 

 favorable, his sidijects can never be exhausted. 

 Every repeated investigation presents some new 

 wonder. On the other hand, the mechanic, tin 

 machinist, the manufacturer, the niercliant, arc 

 confined by their emiiloyment to a comparativeh 

 few objects — tlie properties, parts and powers ol 



which, as far as his employment demands, arc 

 .soon learned, and the principal effort which the 

 mind is afterward required to make, is the acqui- 

 sition of skill in execution. 



Further, agriculture is pre-eminently favorable 

 to moral developemeut, because it presents fewer 

 tcmjitations than perhaps any other employment. 

 It is said that " every trade has its cheat," and it 

 was a maxim esteemed by the ancients wcrtliy of 

 recording for posterity, that "helwein buying and 

 selling tliere sticketli iniquity" — certain it is that 

 there is room for temptation to enter. Agriculture 

 on the other hand does all that can be doiie to 



keep the door closed by which temptuticn tnters 



it removes the individual from the tbioiiged streets 

 and the haunts of the idle and vicious, aud keeps 

 him constantly employed — away from sctnes un- 

 favorable to virtue. Still more, nature is perfectly 

 honest and fiiithfnl in all her jnoeesses, and he 

 who holds daily communion with lier cannot hut 

 imbibe her spirit. The vending of the products of 

 agriculture, as well as their cultivatien, dees not 

 admit of much deception. — The articles cannot be 

 niaile to speak more than the truth, so that the 

 agriculturist is obliged to form the habit of honesty 

 and iiiir dealing. 



Agriculture is also the parent and miitiirer of 

 |iatriotism ; not that patriotism which ,\amin th it- 

 self, while it all the while seeks iis own, I iit that 

 patriotism whit h leaves the plough midway the 

 furrow, seizes the sword and flies without stt pping 

 to change its dress, to the point invaded, and 

 wliieh brings up the rear of the slowly retiring 

 still fighting hand, as it reluctantly let.vi s in the 

 hands of the enemy the battle hill covered with the 

 slain. Or rather, that patriotism which identifies 

 its interest with its country, obeys its call, raises, 

 as well as c<ni;mands its nrmit s — |ilans as well as 

 executes, without reward — delivers its eenntry, 

 raises il to independence, and then, whi n a crown 

 is within its grasp, spurns it and retires again to 

 the [leacefnl and pure pursuits of agriculture, as 

 the actne of earthly desire. 



We do not mean to say that patriots are not to 

 to be found among all classes and engaged in every 

 pursuit. The history of our country proves that 

 patriotism is peculiar to no class and no profession, 

 l>ut we do say, thsit it is agriculture's Ifgitimato 

 etl.spring. Agriculture attaches the indi\idual to 

 the -soil, locates him, makes bim feel that bis own 

 interests are iiidissolubly united with the intertsts 

 of his country for his property is an integral jiart 

 of the country. He cannot, as does the nurehant, 

 go from city to city, wheie gain happens to invite, 

 stay so long as profit dictates and flee tlic moment 

 danger lower.s. lie is the owner, and lie well 

 knows that when the emergency comes, he must 

 he the d( fi nder of the soil. His feelings, senti- 

 ments, )iur|ioses and plans from cliililhood are 

 formed and fiishioned on this supposition ; his 

 labors in the field give bim the muscular ability, 

 his interest, when all nobler principles fail, give 

 bim the inclination an<l tlie requisite courage. It 

 will ever be true, that agriculturists are the natural 

 .safeguard and d( fenders of a country, and I hough 

 hey may not be the first " to scent the apjuoach 

 of tyranny in every tainted breeze," they will be 

 the first to defend and the last to relinquish their 

 rights, their iminuuities, and wiiat jilain sense dic- 

 tates to be their country's weal. Like the sated 

 lion in repose, not easily roused, but wbui aroused, 

 they are like the same lion, when he leajic th from 

 the jungle and roareth upon his prey. Thus did 



