FARMING IN MASSACHUSETTS. 91 



own soil, and an enormous expense has been incurred in open- 

 ing various lines of communication with more fertile lands ; 

 still, the price of staple products has steadily advanced and the 

 markets in and around Boston, are the dearest in the Union, for 

 purchasing food, if we except the mining districts. This will 

 continue to be the case so long as the acres within our own limits 

 and within full view of our workshops, are neglected and we de- 

 pend upon localities far away. Bushels are bushels, barrels are 

 barrels and tons are tons, and it will require as much force to 

 move them thirty years hence as now, and the older, richer and 

 more influential railroad companies grow, the less disposed are 

 they to carry for low rates. The true working of this plan will 

 ere long be apparent, and it will be seen that if some of the 

 State's money that has been furnished for the construction of 

 railroads to carry it into execution, had been expended in the 

 promotion of our agriculture, it would prove a better invest- 

 ment. After all that may be said, our manufacturers, in reality, 

 are sensibly affected by the prosperity of the farmer ; they de- 

 sire our markets to be cheaply supplied with provisions in abun- 

 dance. If our farmers will now develop their resources, show 

 the capacity of the soil, and their ability to furnisli the markets, 

 every plan for the promotion of agriculture will be promptly 

 seconded and supported. Were there no higher motive, a State 

 pride should prompt every citizen to speak a good word for the 

 advancement of this important branch of industry, for will it 

 not be gratifying as we travel from town to town, county to 

 county, through the length and breadth of the State, to see the 

 rough fields made smooth, the waste places productive, all the 

 steep, bleak hillsides again clothed with trees, valleys full of 

 waving grain and well-kept flocks and herds, and every acre pro- 

 ducing its full quota, — to see around the home of every farmer 

 unmistakable evidence of contentment, happiness and prosperity ! 



