FARMING AS A PURSUIT. 295 



The above essay having been read and laid over, it was 



Voted, To appoint a committee to consider and report upon 

 any changes necessary in the dates of holding the fairs of Agri- 

 cultural Societies. 



Messrs. Bassett, Thompson, and the Secretary. 



The following Essay was presented upon 



FARMING AS AN OCCUPATION: ITS ADVANTAGES AS COM- 

 PARED WITH OTHER BUSINESS. 



BY N. S. HUBBAED. 



We would not attempt to say that the different branches of 

 industry are not almost inseparably connected ; but still there is 

 a difference in their real value to any community, as there is in 

 the different members of the body. The hand cannot say to the 

 foot, "I have no need of thee," or the eye to the ear, "I have 

 no need of thee ; " still if some of these members were removed 

 the body might live and prosper. But none of them can say to 

 the head, " We have no need of thee." So it is with the differ- 

 ent branches of industry — none could prosper, or even live at 

 all, witliout the farm. 



I will first speak of farming as an occupation. We judge 

 that it is of the first importance, as it was the first employment 

 in which man was engaged. Adam and Eve were placed in the 

 garden of Eden to dress it, after which they were found engaged 

 in mechanical labor ; showing that this was secondary in impor- 

 tance. And so it has continued till the present time. 



Almost the whole thrift and prosperity of a country depends 

 upon the amount and value of its agricultural productions. If 

 at any time there is a scarcity of the products of the soil, it is 

 felt through all the different branches of business. We can 

 dispense for a time, if need be, with various articles from the 

 merchant, the manufacturer or mechanic, without suffering 

 loss ; but we cannot dispense with our daily bread. 



In deciding what vocation we shall follow, the influences that 

 bear the most heavily upon individuals are. What business will 

 pay best ? or, in other words. How can we get the most money ? 

 — not regarding the moral influence, or what bearing such and 

 such occupations will have upon tlie vital energy of man. It is 

 not all of life to get money, or all our happiness to possess a 

 vast amount of this world's goods. There is a desire that seems 



