248 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



who exhibited a lot of ploughs, the date of whose construction 

 must have been away back in the time when the hills were 

 young ; and J. E. Albee, for an ancient fork, and Edward Morse 

 for a like utensil. The examination of these antiquated farm 

 implements, was, by contrast, the most pleasing part of the duty 

 of your committee. A great change has been made by the 

 present generation in this department. The thought here 

 occurs — have all these changes been improvements ? The sturdy 

 men of a past generation, who wielded these and similar tools, 

 were, in their day, many of them, mighty men of renown and 

 successful farmers. They were intelligent, enterprising, far- 

 seeing men, who secured a competence, educated their children, 

 were useful to the State, and spent long lives in the enjoyment 

 of health and happiness. Then, the mechanic arts and agricul- 

 ture had little affinity. And yet those who were devoted to 

 tillage, were, as men, parents, patriots and Christians, models 

 for the world. Where, then, the need or utility of these modern 

 improvements ? Are they not, after all, in their influence on 

 farmers, a step backward ? In every thing essential, are we any 

 better than they, and would it not now be an improvement to 

 imitate both their noble virtues and implements ? 



We answer, that an advancing civilization and increased 

 population, have changed the condition, structure and wants of 

 society. Then, land and labor were cheap, and the demand for 

 agricultural products beyond home consumption, limited. To 

 engage in farming pursuits now, requires an investment in real 

 estate three times as large as it did sixty years ago, and to make 

 it pay, the return must be in proportion. The price of labor 

 has doubled, and the necessary workmen of intelligence cannot 

 be found. How, then, shall these broad acres be cultivated ? 

 How shall the farmer secure the due return from his capital ? 

 How supply food for the increasing millions ? Plainly, some 

 other power than human muscles must be employed in tilling 

 the soil, and mechanical skill must become the handmaid of 

 agriculture. This idea is now uppermost in the minds of many 

 of our farmers and mechanics. They are bound to accomplish 

 wonders, and, although often rebuffed by failure, they will 

 eventually succeed. The movement, it must be acknowledged, 

 contains some humbug, which should admonish us to be cautious, 

 while interest requires that we do not stand aloof from real 

 advancement. 



