GULF STREAM OF INTELLECT. IT 



other respects besides material prosperity, with the other avoca- 

 tions of the county. 



Now, it is a remark current throughout the country, current 

 especially throughout this part of fhe country, that the young 

 men are forsaking agricultural pursuits, because they do not 

 pay. Well, that is undoubtedly one reason why our young 

 men are forsaking the culture of the soil and flying to the cities 

 and towns ; but there are other and as important reasons under- 

 lying that. Nearly a century ago, before the heat of the Gulf 

 Stream was discovered, a winter voyage from England to New 

 York or Boston w^as a hazardous thing, and the vessels engaged 

 in foreign trade went during the winter months to Charleston 

 and other southern ports, which were flourishing when the ports 

 of New York and Boston were not in a prosperous condition. 

 But after Dr. Franklin broached his theory of the Gnlf Stream, 

 and that became thoroughly known to the commercial com- 

 munity, the vessels coming from abroad went at once to the 

 ports of New York and Boston, and the trade of the ports of the 

 South decreased, while that of the ports of the North pro" 

 portionately increased. It is the warmth of the gulf stream of 

 intellect, trending towards our cities and towns, which draws 

 our young men to the centres of population from the country, 

 as well as the great desire to make money. The young men of 

 this age are different from their fathers, in that they are reach- 

 ing out for more education. They are not satisfied with plod- 

 ding on behind a plough or a team, even when they can make 

 money, when they see their compeers in the towns and cities 

 rising above them in intellectual stature. That is what we 

 want in Berkshire. We have as good a race of men, young 

 and old, as is to be found elsewhere ; our farmers are encour- 

 aged by their manufacturing friends, and by their compeers in 

 other business ; and all that we want now to elevate us to a 

 position equal to that of others, is scientific education upon 

 agricultural subjects. When I look around and see among the 

 distinguished members of this Board, men who are devoting 

 themselves to the purpose of elevating this profession, when I 

 see men whose names are renowned, not only throughout this 

 country, but throughout the world, I congratulate them upon 

 the great work that they are doing, I congratulate the country 

 upon the great good it is receiving from such work ; and it is 

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