11 



ply by main strength aud stupidness. Oh, uo. Such is the 

 nature of your calling, that it requires the broadest culture 

 and the most varied acquirements. 



In almost every other vocation, the man of one idea may 

 succeed, but not so with farming. Why, think for a moment 

 of the elements, the forces, the properties, the influences, the 

 laws, developed and undeveloped, that he must come in con- 

 tact with, and understand, if he would succeed. Take the 

 young farmer out on to his broad acres, and let him look 

 beneath his feet, and contemplate the soil out of which he is 

 to draw his treasures, and ask him to make that his study, 

 until he understands its component parts, its marvellous mys- 

 teries, its various needs and adaptation to the different crops 

 he may wish to cultivate, and how long would it take him? 

 Then let him attemi:^, to enumerate and analyze, and annihi- 

 "late, if he can, all the countless horde of insects, and vermin, 

 and reptiles, with their modes of life and propagation, that 

 lie in ambush, waiting to devour the precious seed as soon as 

 it falls from his open hand. Then let him attempt to analyze 

 the influence of light and heat, of wet and dry, upon his va- 

 ried crops. Then let him look into his barnyard or stalls and 

 watch his growing herds ; let him attempt to become familiar 

 Mith the different breeds of cattle, the best adapted to his 

 climate and business, with the best methods of treatment, and 

 feeding, that will give him the best results. Then let him 

 look above into the Heavens o'erhead, and what mysteries 

 meet his gaze and invite his investigation ! From the shifting 

 clouds, the varying winds, and the mellow sunset tints, to 

 the storms and tornadoes that devastate his fields and blast 

 his hopes. How endless the variety of subjects that meet 

 him on every side and challenge his investigation. The sue- 



