has afforded ; and lastly, as incidental to the topic, some 

 observations and suggestions regarding farmers' education will 

 be presented. 



THE FORMER SOCIAL CONDITION OF FARMERS. 



Whilst it is manifest that science in its researches, practical 

 appliances, and suggestions, has ameliorated the social and 

 moral condition of all classes in all parts of the civilized globe, 

 it seems to me that husbandmen of all others have reason to 

 be most devoutly thankful to science for benefits received. 

 This is due to the circumstances under which they are forced 

 to live by their calling, and to their intimate contact with 

 nature in the' external world. They have from times far 

 remote resided apart from cities, from the centres of dense 

 population, and been compelled to spend their lives in rural 

 retirement. Hence the mind has had much less support from 

 social association and sympathy than has fallen to the lot of 

 others, and in times of ignorance and superstition they were 

 the greatest sufferers. Living comparatively alone, without 

 books, without any clear understanding of the operations of 

 nature, they became moody, timid slaves to superstitious fears. 

 Let any one read the history of the witchcraft delusions in 

 various towns of New England, or of the religious hates and 

 persecutions prevailing in the last century and consider what 

 it was to live in that unprogressed age. It is indeed difficult 

 to comprehend the mental status, the mind sufiering of our 

 ancestors, living in an age when science offered no aid, no 

 generous help to earnest inquiring men and women, or to any 

 one even among those best educated. Movements and changes 

 of the forces of nature, which we now look upon without con- 

 cern, or regard as beneficent and necessary, they interpreted 



