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embarrassment, but to this fact, that in consequence of the better 

 tillage they have received, they are capable of producing larger 

 crops in future. Any one familiar with the general appearance 

 of the county, knows that important additions have been made to 

 their value in reclaimed meadows, in improved mowings, in better 

 pastures and implements ; that is, in the means of making them 

 more capable of production hereafter. A part of the profits have 

 been invested in the business for the purpose of securing a greater 

 income. This is the policy of good farmers, and distinguishes 

 them from those who skin the land for the largest immediate 

 returns. 



Take an example that covers a long term. No doubt there 

 are scores of such, but one has frequently come under our notice 

 that deserves to be mentioned as an argument, that under certain 

 conditions, farming is as profitable as any other business employ- 

 ing the same amount of capital and labor. A man whom we will 

 call Mr. C, upwards of forty years ago bought a farm of between 

 thirty and forty acres. The land was exhausted, the fences 

 down, the buildings dilapidated. He paid only a part of the 

 price, and began in debt. He laid good walls, dug drains, 

 cleared up meadows, and made mowing fields where bushes had 

 grown. He kept a horse and four cows, and young stock. He 

 brought up eight children well, taught them to work, and gave 

 them the best literary education the town could supply. They 

 are all well settled, thriving and respectable citizens. He has 

 added to his farm both tillage, woodland, and put money in his 

 purse besides. This was done by hard work, temperance and 

 economy without meanness. Our friend and his equally worthy 

 wife have lived useful and happy lives, and in a vigorous old age 

 sit under their own vines and apple trees, and enjoy the friend- 

 ship and confidence of the community. Fortunately this is not a 

 very rare instance. Norfolk County and New England can show 

 many such men and homes ; men whose character is our glory, — 

 homes, the abodes of peace, whence are radiated into society the 

 best influences of morality and religion. 



We estimate at its full value the impulse given to agriculture 

 by rich and enterprising men, who cultivate large farms and make 

 farming attractive. JMany such persons, from other walks of life, 

 of enlarged views, have been drawn into the country by the 

 charms of rural occupations. We have our full share of these 

 valued coworkers. They establish funds and premiums ; they 

 plant trees and hedges ; they introduce the best cattle and im- 

 plements, and new varieties of fruits and vegetables; they experi- 

 ment with manures, in which their successes and failures are 

 alike profitable to tlie community. But they do not till the land 

 nor contend with the difiiculties of the laborer or the small land 



