55 



it, which its former owner possessed. And here I may, with pro- 

 priet}^, express my obhgations to the Essex Agricultural Society, 

 by Avhose annual exhibitions my interest in the subject had been 

 first excited, and by whose admirable publications my mind had 

 been most informed respecting the best methods of farming. A 

 feeling which, I know, is shared by many others. 



The uncertainty of my continuance in an occupation so differ- 

 ent from my life-long pursuits, and a still unabated attachment to 

 the work of the ministry, rendered me at first less interested in 

 the farm than was necessary for the proper management of it. 

 I have since devoted to it more time and thought, but only to find 

 that, without great physical ability and a pro]3er training, no man 

 can own and cultivate many acres, under ordinary circumstances, 

 with economy or satisfaction. It was once a paradoxical, if not 

 absurd remark, of an aged and highly respected farmer in this 

 countyj — a remark which he often repeated, — that a man was 

 only the poorer for every acre of land he might own. This was 

 said near the close of a long and active life, when sickness and 

 infirmity rendered him unable to engage in his ordinary pursuits, 

 and when he was obliged to depend entirely on others for ends 

 which he could once accomplish himself. And he then felt that, 

 unless one could labor regularly, with great power of endurance, 

 as well as with the advantage of experience and skill, it were 

 better, in a pecuniary point of view, that he should not own ex- 

 tensive lands. My own experience and observation have discov- 

 ered to me the measure of truth and justice contained in his 

 remark. Particularly is it apparent now, when public expendi- 

 tures have occasioned so large an increase of taxation, and the 

 expenses even of a humble mode of living are not easily met ; 

 where the labor to be hired is mostly of foreign immigration. A 

 farmer, now, must not only have competent knowledge of his art, 

 from study and observation, but fixed habits of labor, also, and 

 sufficient physical strength to be always foremost in conducting 

 the operations of the farm. He cannot, ordinarily, depend en- 

 tirely upon the labor he may hire. Hence it is that I am more 

 deeply impressed, every year, with the necessity of directing 

 attention to some practicable method of raising the character of 

 farm-laborers, and of increasing their competency and faithful- 

 ness. Unless this can be done in some way, many farms must 

 inevitably be abandoned by their present occupants. 



You will, I know, pardon this digression. Returning to the 

 subject immediately in hand, I will now state, as briefly as 1 can, 

 what has been the general management of my farm. 



One of my first concerns has been to increase the means of 

 fertilizing the farm. For this purpose, I have caused nearly the 

 Avhole of my pasture ground in the homestead to be ploughed, and 

 put, in different portions, under one, two and sometimes three 



