116 



NEV/ ENGLAND FARMER. 



town, who was in the practice of planting a 

 l:irge quantity, took bis family supply from a 

 spacious fiehl, early in Autumn. As the re-idue 

 were intenilpil for his stock, he deferred har- 

 vesting them until a late and more convenient 

 period. During their consumption, his table, 

 by mistake, was furnished with some which had 

 been destined for the barn. The quality was 

 so obviously superior, as to lead to an investi- 

 gation of the cause. From that time, the two 

 parcels received an exclianfre of destination. — 

 Another fact, illustrative of this position, was 

 stated to me by an eminent farmer m the vicin- 

 ity of Boston. A distin^uisbed agriculturist, 

 from Scotlanil, who had dined at the best tables 

 in the city and its neighl)orhood, remarked, at 

 the hospitable board ol' my informant, that he 

 had not seen, in this country, what, in Scotland, 

 would bo considered a Sfood potaloe. He impu- 

 ted their difference to theditferent mode of cul- 

 tivation. There, they plant Ciirly, and dig 



late. Surely the science of Agriculture must 



be in its infmcy, when the cullivation of our 

 most cotnmoD and staple vegetables is in dis- 

 pute. 



Under such an aspect of the embarrassments 

 of Agriculture, and its tarcl}' progress in this 

 Commonweallh, the Massachusetts Agricultural 

 Society was founded. We are indebted to our 

 metropolis, and its vicinity, for most of the be- 

 nevolent societies which have been established. 

 This institution is pre-enimently the most disin- 

 terested and patriotic. Merchants associate for 

 the benefit of trade — Mechanics, for the perfec- 

 tion of their art — Professional men, for the inte- 

 rest of their callings; but here they all com- 

 bine to dignify, meliorate, ajid keep the record 

 of an occupation for the interest of a distinct 

 portion of the community. The fruits of their 

 beneficence are as niimilest as are those of the 

 bounteous earth which they have conciliated, 

 and as ditTusive as the sun which warms and in- 

 vigorates it. Without such a stimulus, Agricul- 

 ture might have plodded on its cheerless track 

 lor half a century, without reaching its present 

 eminence. The diffusion of knowledge, and 

 the reward of successful enterprize, are not 

 the chief benefits of this Association. The per- 

 sonal respectability and intiucnce of its founders, 

 and the members »vho now compose if, have 

 raiseil this degraded calling to its legitimate 

 standing. Wealth, science, and dignity have 

 become its tributaries ; and there is scarcely a 

 man m the CommoBwealth, who has an acre ol' 

 land, and values his standing, who has not ambi- 

 tion enough to be thought a farmer. The ben- 

 efits of this alliance of wealth and talents are 

 immense to the farmer of limited resources. — 

 Instead of wasting his time and bis money in ob- 

 taining uncertain results, he has now but to con- 

 sult the documents of science, furnished by op- 

 ulence, as liis guide. 



Since the bu.iness of farming has become 

 thus honorable, and unites in its service more of 

 mental energij v/ah bodily labor, may we not hope, 

 that by its lascinating blandishments, or solid 

 charms, it will allure votaries from those who 

 seem in danger of mistaking the calling for 

 which nature designed them? Lawyers and 

 Physicians might, perhaps, decimate their num- 

 ber, and im,>rove their breed : and may not 

 some others be added who substitute the labor 

 of the lungs for the labor of the hands — not be- 

 cause It is easier work, but iVoin an impression 



that a stock of piety would deteriorate on a 

 farm? • 



In the rapid progress of our country in im- 

 provements, the science of Husbandry now 

 holds a prominent rank. Under our improved 

 management, each acre of cultivated land has 

 doubled its produce to the farmer, with a dimi- 

 nution of his lal)or. While this adds wealth, 

 it adds also resource to our country. This sur- 

 I)lus produce enables her to increase her popu- 

 lation, and to support her valuable and increas- 

 ing manufactures, a prime agent of her prosper- 

 ity and independence, without extending her 

 possessions ; lor her land will be better cultiva- 

 ted in proportion to the number it subsists. 

 But the policy of our government seems like 

 that of him who purchiised more land to pre- 

 vent others from bounding on him. Our vast 

 extension of territory may have been wise and 

 politic but it is at least questionable whether 

 the wealth and phjsical strength of the country 

 would not have been greater, if the wild beasts 

 and savages, the native occupants, had kejit 

 possession until a more dense population should 

 render emigration necessary. A wise farmer, 

 though abounding in land, will cultivate no 

 more than he can superintend and prolitablv 

 manage : but our nation seems to have adopted 

 the policy of those who spend their scanty ma- 

 nure and labor on a large surface, and get little 

 in return. 



It is remarked, that in all countries where 

 Agriculture is the chief business of the people, 

 are found the greatest simplicity of manners, 

 more purity of morals, and the best display of 

 the social virtues. By an attachment to the 

 soil, the natural result of its culture, they be- 

 come the host soldiers, and the firmest patriots. 

 The mere .Merchant, Mechanic and ProJ'tssioniil 

 Gentleman may be a good citizen, and cherish 

 the ties which are natural to the country which 

 gave him birth, and gives him bread ; but, as 

 he cultivates no land, he cannot feel that attach- 

 ment to the soil peculiar to those who reap the 

 fruits of their own labor. As he can quit his 

 country, when in danger, with more facility, he 

 will not be likely to cherish that deep solici- 

 tude for its welfare which the farmer feels, 

 who considers his all at stake. Our statutes 

 seem to recognize this fact. To be eligible to 

 any important office in the Commonweulth, a 

 freehold is the first requisite. 



To possess a rugged soil, and to cultivate it 

 with sedulous labor, as man is now constituted, 

 is productive of happiness rather than misery 

 to his race. In proof of this position, we need 

 but advert to the condition of those countries 

 where the soil and climate furnish the necessa- 

 ries and luxuries of life, with little labor of the 

 inhabitants. We there find profligacy, eifemin- 

 ac}', and dissipation abounding in the same ratio 

 with the facility of acquiring subsistence. 

 Without intending any invidious distinction, let 

 me ask whether we need look beyond our 0(vn 

 country for evidence tf the eftect of soil and 

 climate upon the moral habits of a people ? 

 Was it not from a consideration of this influence, 

 that the discreet Washington selected his confi- 

 lential soldiers in war, and his domestics in 

 peace, from the most rugged portion of the 

 States ? Instead of arrogating to ourselves any 

 superior merit, Irjm the operation of a physic- 

 al cause, we have only to be grateful, that our 

 lot has fallen where u salutary check is imposed 



upon the propensities common to our r 

 As Agriculture in an extensive sense embr 

 all the remote concerns of the Farmer, the 

 ject of public roads m;\y not be thought unap 

 priate. Under this head our improvem 

 have been aslonishingly great. In the e 

 state of our country, while the inhabitants 

 igrated merely for subsistence, it was nal 

 that they should locate themselves with a t 

 only to profit and convenience. The biisii 

 of intersecting a wilderness in squares ani 

 gles, with the skill and regularity of a garde 

 was reserved for the modern display of we; 

 speculation and taste. Our new towns have 

 spect to accommodation in the future 

 and extension of our country ; ivhile the old 

 carry the lineaments which marked the 

 ships of their origin. From a spirit of irnpri 

 ment and enterprize, these traces are wei 

 away as fast as the public convenience can 

 quire. New roads are laid out in direct cou 

 through our principal towns ; and while 

 traveller finds his journey shortened, he 

 finds it easy and pleasant, from their excellei 

 To an agricultural country, no improvera 

 can be more important ; for, if the vicinit 

 a jilace is to be computed by the distanci 

 be travelled, and the time and labor reqoi 

 in reaching it, the farmer finds himself at 

 one quarter part nearer a market than (orme 

 If, for this important s.-.ving, there has been 

 exciting cause, other than the general spiri 

 enter()rize, to what can it be more justlj 

 crihed than to the introduction of Turnpik 

 So far from their having caused the decaj 

 old roads, as was predicted in our Senate 

 an objection to the grant of a charter for 

 first Massachusetts Turnpike, they have it 

 duced such improvement, and excited soc 

 spirit of rivalship, that our old roads are not 

 frequently the best. 



A new market for the farmer, and new fi 

 ities for reaching it are in contemplation,!: 

 Canal from this town to Providence. It is 

 lidently believed that a ])resent profit ai 

 vast future advantage will accrue to the pro 

 etors and to the community, by the complel 

 of such an enterprize ; and it cannot be doul 

 that public spirit will unite with private inter 

 in so noble and useful an undertaking. 



The goodness of a road is the first consldf 

 tion with the traveller ; but its ornaments 

 in some measure, serve to lessen a tcdioiB 

 tance. Trees, judiciously chosen, and taSlel 

 ly arranged, not only delight the senses bjr III 

 beauty and their soothing shade, but excf 

 pleasing reflection that they may becomi 

 substantially useful in some future eme 

 Who that has noticed the extensive 

 rows, which ornament a pleasant villaL 

 place of my nativity and youth, has not fi! 

 force of this sentiment ? And who thi 

 seen them would believe, that within 4> 

 years these gigantic elms were saplings rfl 

 forest, taken from the earth, and transphlll 

 by two boys? 1 trust it will not be impolrf 

 mere idle vanity, should 1 add, that, tbM 

 life, I have contemplated, with great sali 

 tion, my agency in this early act — not ofpm 

 iag " two blades of g.ass," but in addingJI 

 substantial beauty and value to my conlfij 

 and in the consideration, that future generalM' 

 in contemplating their grandeur, in the enj". 

 ment of their shade, will bless the uakao" 



