262 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



upon the farmer himself and upon his family ; second, the 

 relation of the occupation of farming or agriculture to the 

 health of the community; and, finally, in a more general 

 way, by a comparison of these two general branches with 

 each other. 



What is the effect of the occupation of agriculture upon 

 those who have chosen this occupation? And how may 

 their condition be improved ? 



Of all the occupations, trades and professions in which 

 mankind are employed, that of farming is, with one excep- 

 tion, the most healthful and the most conducive to long life. 

 I do not need to add that it is also the oldest of all indus- 

 tries, the most natural and the most important to the physi- 

 cal welfare of man. Let us imagine, for a moment, that the 

 work of raising crops, milk products, fruit, cattle and other 

 food animals were to cease entirely for a period of one year, 

 and contemplate the effect of such an event. The cessation 

 of any other industry which can be named could not produce 

 so disastrous an effect upon the human race. 



Let us examine this question of the healthfulness of agri- 

 culture as a profession or occupation more closely, with 

 reference to the reasons. 



In general, it may be said that out-door occupations are 

 more healthful and conducive to length of life than in-door 

 industries. In order to successfully till the soil, to raise 

 crops and tend cattle and other animals, the farmer must 

 necessarily lead an out-door life, as compared, for example, 

 with mill operatives, shoemakers, book-keepers and other 

 in-door occupations. Those occupations in which large 

 numbers of people are employed together are unhealthful in 

 proportion to the numbers crowded together in a given 

 space. They are also unhealthful with reference to the 

 character of the occupation in which they are employed. 

 Occupations which produce irritating dust, like stone cut- 

 ting, knife grinding, rag sorting, etc., tend to shorten the 

 lives of workmen and produce consumption ; while persons 

 who live largely in the open air, like farmers and fishermen, 

 escape such noxious influences. 



The accompanying table presents some of these facts in a 

 more definite manner : — 



