ADDRESS. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen, 



Whatever praises may be offeied to Agriculture, there are 

 some indications that it is not at this time the favorite pursuit in 

 New England. Many farmers, especially those who enjoy a 

 competency, do not choose it for their children. Many of those 

 who have been bred to it, seize the earliest opportunity for en- 

 gaging in other pursuits. Others who are contented with it as a 

 vocation prefer to follow it in the praries of the West, rather 

 than on their native hills. There is a burning anxiety for dis- 

 tinction, and a feverish thirst for money, which scorn the old, 

 beaten and approved paths to wealth and consideration. The 

 quiet usefulness of the farmer is falsely thought to be thrown in- 

 to the shade by the tinsel of professional life, and the delusive, 

 and now prevalent spirit of speculation contemns his gains as 

 trifling, and his occupation as tame and unenterprising. What- 

 ever may be said of the pleasures and importance of Agriculture, 

 it is practically considered that it does not offer the readiest way 

 to the fulfilment of those hopes in which youth is now taught to 

 indulge, and if not actually an impediment, that it is not the 

 best help to that distinction which it is the right of one as much 

 as of another to acquire. The opinion siill prevails that there 

 is an advantage from profession that is independent of effort, 

 and of personal character and qualification. 



As some proof that such a disposition exists, and to illustrate 

 its consequences, it may be remarked that the agricultural pro- 

 ducts of New England have been for some years falling short of 

 the demands of the population, and that the increasing deficiency 

 has been supplied from the South and West. There are some 



