86 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTUKE. 



lapidated windows, nor are their names oftenest found upon 

 the records as grantors in mortgage deeds ; that their hibor 

 cannot be truthfully described as " unintermitting toil," nor 

 their comparative want of means as excessive "privation." 



Doubtless to one who is able to expend thousands annually 

 upon his habitation and its accessories, the average farmer's 

 home appears homely indeed. In this contrast between com- 

 fortable competence and superiluons luxury may be found one 

 cause of the popular distaste for farming as an occupation. 



The fact that farmers can, and do, surround themselves with 

 conveniences and comforts which, a few generations ago, 

 would have been unattainable luxuries to the richest in the 

 land, is wholly forgotten, in view of the more patent fact, 

 that, to-day, some fortunate manipulator of money fares 

 sumptuously, challenging the envy of the world by the splendor 

 of his surroundings. 



The precept, "Avoid extremes," has, as applied to this sub- 

 ject, a significance which few seem to recognize, and fewer 

 still to comprehend. 



"But," says one, " am I advised to pursue, voluntarily, an 

 avocation admitted to be comparatively unremunerative, when 

 all the avenues to wealth and social position are as w^idely 

 open to me as to others ? " Not necessarily, by any means. 



If any one deems soiled hands more objectionable than a 

 soiled conscience, the advice is not for him. Neither will it 

 commend itself to him who believes the accumulation of great 

 wealth to be the highest end and aim of life ; nor yet to him 

 who recognizes, in the prevailing demoralization of business 

 relations and of business men, his congenial opportunity to 

 reach that coveted goal of a doubtful ambition. To all such 

 the invocation, " give me neither poverty nor riches," is the 

 thought, not of a wise man, but of a fool. They have evi- 

 dently no call to be farmers. Different fields are theirs to till, 

 where honor may be reaped by successful strategy and where 

 illicit spoils are deemed legitimate harvests by craft and cun- 

 ning. 



Alden S. Bradford, Supervisor. 



