42 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



gold ill Persia can never bribe the man who can live contentedly 

 on turnips." 



" The farmer," says Franklin, " has no need of popular favor ; 

 the success of his crops depends only on the blessings of God 

 upon his honest industry." 



But we are not to be content with possessing the comforts and 

 necessaries of life. These are not the exclusive aims of exist- 

 ence. We desire to be useful, — we wish to do good, — we want 

 to be esteemed. " I hold," says Lord Bacon, " every man a 

 debtor to his profession ; from the which, as men of course do 

 seek to receive countenance and profit, so ought they of duty to 

 endeavor themselves by way of amends, to be a help and orna- 

 ment thereto." Are we not also debtors to our country, which 

 in an unprecedented degree in the world's history, affords us 

 opportunities of carrying out our aims and wishes without in- 

 terference, and aids us by its bountiful soil, beneficent govern- 

 ment, and its hospitable climate, in the pursuit of the substan- 

 tial things of life ? Li what way can we as farmers best pay 

 our tribute to our country and calling for these goodly gifts and 

 privileges ? 



In the first place, we must remember that no one, no matter 

 how liigh his position, can arrogantly say as did Louis XIY., 

 " I am the state." We, the people, are the state, and each one 

 of us is identified with its well-being, its welfare, and its prog- 

 ress. We must therefore give our country, next to our Cre- 

 ator, our best consideration, and in promoting the interests of 

 our calling, ourselves and our families, never forget the motto 

 blazoned upon our national escutcheon, " The one is made from 

 the many." It requires the effort of all to preserve and main- 

 tain the integrity of the commonwealth. 



Secondly. It must be self-evident to us all that a country with- 

 out a people can be no nation. A Roman matron when inquired 

 of as to her jewels, pointed to her children. Our matrons in 

 fashionable life, if report speaks truth, may be more priceless 

 than rubies, but it is by the wearing of other jewels than those. 

 " Sparrowgrass " has sagely remarked that " children are a good 

 thing to have in the country ! " That seems to be the prevailing 

 idea in our large cities and towns, where extravagance and self- 

 ishness absorb all the finer feelings of human nature, and the 

 burdens and blessing of maternity are to be borne chiefly by 



