20 



and perseverance in this great cause. I read on every 

 page of those pubUcations lessons of encouragement 

 and hope. When I reflect on the lights which science 

 has since set up to conduct the practical agriculturist 

 on his way, I feel that it would be dishonorable in us 

 to sit down in sluggish content, breathing no prayer 

 and putting forth no hand for the furtherance of a 

 work so intimately connected with the earthly well- 

 being and happiness of man. The cause of agriculture 

 is eminently the cause of humanity. Seven-eighths 

 of the population of most civilized nations, it is com- 

 puted, are engaged in it, and it mainly feeds the inhab- 

 itants of the globe, estimated at more than a thousand 

 and fifty millions.* 



I have spoken of an acquaintance with books, and 

 especially with the history and science of agriculture, 

 as affording aid and encouragement to the farmer in his 

 own chosen field of labor. I must now allude briefly to 

 some other benefits of intellectual culture and reading 

 in the farmer. Whether or not they increase his 

 harvests, they add dignity and worth to his character. 

 Connected with moral elevation, — right principle, hon- 

 or, integrity, they crown a country life, and render the 

 cultivator of the soil one of the real lords of the 

 earth, — not the slave of toil, but a ruler, fulfilling the 

 original command to " subdue " and " have dominion." 



These qualities it is, — qualities strictly personal, not 

 any outside show, — a kid glove or French boot, — 

 which make a man, — a free, independent, thinking 

 man, a man who is something in and of himself, — 

 something he can himself resjDCct, and which com- 

 mands respect from others. A man of simple tastes 

 and habits, your good and well-educated farmer will 

 be, — this is to his praise, — no enemy to the exercise of 



* 1,050,139,403. 



