FARMS. 165 



I may, with propriety, express my obligations to the Essex 

 Agricultural Society, by whose annual exhibitions my interest 

 in the subject had been first excited, and by whose admirable 

 publications my mind had been most informed respecting the 

 best methods of farming. A feeling which, I know, is shared 

 by many others. 



The uncertainty of my continuance in an occupation so differ- 

 ent from my life-long pursuits, and a still unabated attachment 

 to the work of the ministry, rendered me at first less interested 

 in the farm than was necessary for the proper management of 

 it. I have since devoted to it more time and thought, but only 

 to find that, without great physical ability and a proper train- 

 ing, no man can own and cultivate many acres, under ordinary 

 circumstances, with economy or satisfaction. It was once a 

 paradoxical, if not absurd, remark of an aged and highly 

 respected farmer in this county, — a remark which he often 

 repeated, — that a man was only the poorer for every acre of 

 land he might own. Tliis was said near the close of a long and 

 active life, when sickness and infirmity rendered him unable to 

 engage in his ordinary pursuits, and when he was obliged to 

 depend entirely on others for ends which he could once accom- 

 plish himself. And he then felt that, unless one could labor 

 regularly, with great power of endurance, as well as with the 

 advantage of experience and skill, it were better, in a pecuniary 

 point of view, that he should not own extensive lands. My own 

 experience and observation have discovered to me the measure 

 of truth and justice contained in his remark. Particularly is it 

 apparent now, when public expenditures have occasioned so large 

 an increase of taxation, and the expenses even of a humble mode 

 of living are not easily met ; where the labor to be hired is mostly 

 of foreign immigration. A farmer, now, must not only have 

 competent knowledge of his art, from study and observation, 

 but fixed habits of labor, also, and sufficient physical strength 

 to be always foremost in conducting the operations of the farm. 

 He cannot, ordinarily, depend entirely upon the labor lie may 

 hire. Hence it is that I am more deeply impressed, every year, 

 with the necessity of directing attention to some practicable 

 method of raising the character of farm-laborers, and of increas- 

 ing their competency and faithfulness. Unless this can be done 



