24 MR. gray's address. 



whicii it is practised, and from the character of those 

 who engage in it. 



It becomes the farming community to consider well 

 how mucli foundation there is for the light in which 

 many are disposed to regard their profession. Every in- 

 dividaal is bound to take care of his own character. If 

 he does not do it, who will ? The same rule applies to the 

 professions ;* those who practise them are responsible 

 ibr the character which they sustain. If there is any jus- 

 tice in considering agriculture as the lowest ot the em- 

 ployments of life, the responsibility rests upon the farm- 

 ing community, and not upon the j)rofession itself- Let 

 it be established on scientific principles, let it be made 

 an indispensable part of an education ; let the farmers 

 themselves guard it from reproach by their intelligence 

 and skill, and such a feeling will be banished from the 

 minds of all whose opinions are worthy of confidence or 

 respect. 



Jt is a noble employment. It is best fitted for the 

 complete developement of all the powers of man. It is 

 an honorable employment. It was practised in Eden 

 ere man fell from a state of innocency. Noah and 

 Abraham, and all the patriarchs were farmers. The 

 sweet singer of Israel was a poor shepherd's boy. The 

 wisest king that ever sat on a throne was a most exten- 

 sive agricultural writer as well as cultivator of the soil. 

 Many of the Grecian and Roman princes had large es- 

 tates, (^incinnatus was called from the plough and 

 placed at the head of the government of Rome, when 

 a foreign invader threatened to subvert her liberties. 

 The Kings of Scotland set their people an example by 

 tilling the soil with their own hands. Burns, the senti- 

 mental Burns was the "Ayrshire ploughman;" VVashing- 



'* It should be borne in inind, in this connection, that the character of any pro- 

 fession is formed before the practitioners are aware of it, and of course without 

 their intention. The profession is estimated by the character of the great mass, 

 and not by that of the few who may be in extremes, either very good or extreme- 

 ly bad. After th(> cliaracter of any professon is formed, and its position defined, 

 it is extremely difficult to alter it, especially to raise it above its established dig- 

 nity and mercantile value. Hence, great efforts are necessary to render agri- 

 culture any hut the lowest employment, ajthough we know it is capable of rank- 

 in,j among the highest. 



