68 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



machines, it will not be difficult by association, or hiring from 

 those able to purchase, to realize all their benefits at a cheap 

 rate. 



Great aid can be rendered in this regard by the government. 

 And I trust the day is not distant, when its clandestine aid to 

 agricultural interests, through the inappropriate channel of the 

 patent office, may be exchanged for an intelligent agricultural 

 bureau, such as was suggested by Washington ; when a national 

 experimental farm, to test the virtue of seeds, and the merits of 

 agricultural instruments, and to diffuse knowledge in the great 

 science of land culture, may be established by the general 

 government, at Mount Vernon or some other suitable spot. 



They are rather social than pecuniary influences which attract 

 our young men to the West. The average value of occupied 

 land per acre in New England is not much greater than in the 

 North- Western States, and far less than the average value in 

 the Middle States. If we remember the proximity to markets, 

 railways and navigation, it does not exceed the average value 

 in the North-West. There must be, therefore, other reasons 

 than those connected with cheap lands. 



An important effect of this general change in the character 

 of agricultural labor would be to bring its votaries more imme- 

 diately in connection with public affairs and the government, to 

 their mutual advantage. In the present condition of public 

 affairs, I know nothing more truly to be desired, than that every 

 citizen of whatever calling, should give them sufficient personal 

 attention to be able to comprehend the exigencies of the country. 

 This demands some degree of personal leisure, and some per- 

 sonal sacrifices. But it is indispensable. The great obstacle 

 in the way of establishing popular government elsewhere, is the 

 impossibility of securing popular attention. And if our own 

 institutions fail, it will be from public indifference. I hail 

 therefore every change which tends to strengthen opportunities 

 for reflection and intelligent action as a public blessing ; and 

 more especially if it affect that great class of our people, — a 

 majority of those actively engaged in industrial pursuits, — who, 

 separated by their position from a thousand corrupting influences 

 that circumvent others, recipients of pure air, healthful exer- 

 cises, and satisfied desires, are the safe depositories of a nation's 



