124 



I suppose that some of us should not exactly covet this style of female 

 cooperation, even in the stress of harvest season. But the question occurred 

 to me here, whether there were not some soit of cooperation the wives and 

 (lautrhters of our farmers could render their lords in that calling, and, if so, 

 Avhat V Now I take it, it is the desire of every true wife to have at least an 

 inteiliiicnt sympathy with her husband's calling. There is here and there 

 perhaps one sustaining the relation of a wife, to whom it is enough to share 

 her husband's revenue, leaving out his cares and toils as trifles not worthy 

 her regard. There may be here and there a husband whose ambition is to 

 keep his more delicate half in blissful ignorance of all his out-of-door work, 

 Tifhether ploughing or financiering. But 1 suppose the old-fashioned and 

 better notion is that of reciprocal sympathy between these fellow-pilgrims. 



I never would marry a couple, if I knew it, who had any other idea of 

 the tie, no matter what the fee might be. And perhaps I may be permitted 

 to add, that with right views on this ])oint, I am ready to join any number 

 of couples together, with a trifling pecuniary proviso. 



But if the sympathy of which I have spoken be an intelligent sympathy, 

 it should take some pains to be informed. I believe that an agricultural 

 literature — and we may say with just exultation that we have now an agri- 

 fliltural literature — is quite as healthful and stimulating a literature in the 

 drawing-room as that which deals in fashion plates and love-sick heroines. 

 I don't think it would be unwomanly, in short, for the wives and daughters 

 of our farmers to be able to converse wisely and wittily upon agricultural 

 topics, with their husbands and fathers, or with gentlemen visitors. Such a 

 conversation might easily vindicate itself in contrast with the vapid frivoli- 

 ties making so much of the staple of drawing-room chat. 



It would do no harm either for these ladies to have a general familiarity 

 with the out-of-door pursuits of those to whom they are thus allied, even if 

 that were gained by an occasional walk afield, instead of a shopping 

 excursion. 



But let the ladies of our agriciiltural homes make those homes centres of 

 intelligence, culture and refinement ; let them feel and show a just and 

 generous pride in the calling to which they are thus allied, and a disposition 

 and an ability to vindicate its true honor as compared with any other ; let 

 them give their rejoicing and sympathetic presence on such occasions as 

 this ; let the younger rank of these ladies place their delicate, soft hands for 

 life as readily in the large, brown hand of the practical farmer as in the 

 soft and whiter palm of a merchant's clerk or a professional aspirant. 



The speaker said he could not look upon the farmer without regarding 

 him as a heroic wrestler with nature. With him every season was a cam- 

 paign, and every harvest a victory ; and may God crown you all with a 

 blessing, as you are already crowned with honors. [Applause.] 



A sentiment in honor of the Judiciary was eloquently responded 

 to by Judge Rockwell, of the Superior Court, now in session in 

 this town. He alluded to the calling of the farmer as the most 

 elevated of professions, and most worthy of the patronage of all 

 good citizens. 



Mr. Wilder introduced as the historian of the Trees and Shrubs 

 of Massachusetts, George B. Emerson, Esq., who spoke of woman 

 as the unequalled educator of children, and made some very inter- 

 estin"; remarks with reference to the cultivation of trees. He 

 descanted elo(juently upon the beauty of American oaks, maples 



