72 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



for them left behind, when the portals of the grave open to re- 

 ceive the head of the household ? As, according to the ancient 

 philosopher, no man can be justly called happy whilst living, so 

 no man's happiness can be measured by temporary wealth. Ex- 

 perience shows that those who have a regular business and mod- 

 erate competency are the most fortunate ; and if, in addition, 

 they enjoy the full use of their limbs, are free from disease and 

 misfortune, are blessed with wife and children, and shall end 

 their life well, they may be pronounced happy. 



This, then, is our position to-day. We are as comfortably 

 situated as the more favored of the majority of mankind. We 

 have an occupation rendered less toilsome every year by the in- 

 troduction of machine in lieu of human labor ; more profitable 

 by the constantly increasing avenues of consumption ; healthful 

 from its very nature ; keeping us amid heaven's breezes and 

 pure air, instead of confining us in the foetid atmosphere of 

 towns or cities ; an occupation so scientific that its capabilities 

 are boundless, and only need the attention and intelligent con- 

 ductors to extend its benefits far beyond its present limits, and 

 not only conduce to our own personal welfare, but promote that 

 of myriads present and to come. Now let us realize that the 

 opportunity of the New England farmer has arrived. The 

 whole world is clamorous for scientific labor. We are living, 

 and shall continue to live, closer lives. Competition is to be 

 sharper in all departments of industry ; the lessons of the past 

 are more searching and more exact. The line of demarkation 

 between the cultivated and the uncultivated farmer will become 

 broader ; and as men get rich by the skilful direction of the 

 labor of others rather than by that of their own hands, the un- 

 educated farmers will have to do the drudgery, the poor-pay 

 work, and be employed by those who have learned to think, and 

 can make their head-work direct the hand-work of the less 

 favored. If, as I firmly believe, it is to be the mission of the New 

 England farmers to go forth as scientific teachers, and restore 

 not only the once fertile lands of the West, but rejuvenate the 

 soils of the East, it is time to unfold our arms and prepare for 

 the responsibilities thrust upon us. 



The whole country, and our State especially, is aroused to the 

 necessity of having institutions especially adapted to the higher 

 branches of instruction for farmers' sons ; and we must not 



