OPPORTUNITIES OP THE PARMER. 69 



law and divinity — all tentative, and therefore progressive and 

 adapting themselves to the needs of every climate, soil and dis- 

 position. 



Agriculture is no less a science because the means used are 

 not always adapted to the end in view. The only wonder is that 

 with the little knowledge we have of the mysteries of the soil 

 and its creative agencies, we arrive at so certain results as we do, 

 and our great aim and endeavor should be to understand more 

 thoroughly the constituents of the land we cultivate, the means 

 of developing its greatest capabilities for production, the true 

 method of maintaining and restoring our lands to fertility, at 

 the least possible expense in labor and money, the multiplication 

 of domestic animals, (which George Washington used to say was 

 one of the greatest blessings to be bestowed on mankind,) the 

 improvement of our vegetable productions, as well as our breeds 

 of animals, and the art of adapting our skill to special crops or 

 animals most suitable and profitable for the particular locality 

 in which we are situated. 



Oh ! but say some, we don't want to go West and redeem the 

 faults of those, who, in their hasty progress have done so little 

 for the true interests of agriculture. That's just the point, my 

 friend ; it is needless for you, or me, or any of the well settled 

 farmers of New England to leave their homes. Enough will 

 want to go from our own households]^to make it necessary rather 

 to restrain the inclination than foster it, and our duty is to see 

 that these that set out, have their lamps burning, their armor 

 well on, their weapons properly adjusted that they may officer 

 the armies of the uncultivated and do credit to our training and 

 adaptation of their skill to their special calling. The famous 

 seventh regiment of New York City, as a body, did nothing more 

 illustrious in the late war, than go to Washington and Baltimore, 

 and by garrisoning these points when danger threatened, allow 

 other regiments to go to the field, and defeat the enemy. But 

 over six hundred of the privates of that well organized body, 

 took rank as officers of other newly summoned regiments, and 

 by their skill did more good in drilling and bringing into prepa- 

 ration for active work these new levies, than if they had remained 

 in the old seventh, and in that shape near the enemy. We had 

 men enough for soldiers. What we wanted were skilful officers, 

 and our West Points and military schools and military organiza- 



