But what constitutes the farmer's cliief capital — the 

 grand outlay by which and from which he is to derive 

 the largest returns? Is it not labor? Is capital of any 

 value to the agriculturalist, except mainly as it com- 

 mands labor? Money may, indeed, purchase all the 

 means of improving soil and multiplying products; but 

 labor, labor is the great and most expensive item by 

 which these ends are to be effected. How stands the 

 case then with the New England fiirmer? Owner of 

 the land he tills, the labor upon it is performed princi- 

 pally by himself and family. Blessed with strong con- 

 stitution and with limbs hardened to the severest work 

 of summer and winter, — blessed, too, with children, 

 trained to habits of steadiness and industry — he is al- 

 ready supplied with capital of the best kind; he is the 

 truly independent man, for he is not obliiied to hire 

 others to do that which he and his .household are them- 

 selves able and willing to perform. How, then, is it, 

 the question again rises, that their condition and that of 

 their farms are not more improved? 



It is urged by some, that the Legislatures, both state 

 and national, have not rendered such efficient aid as 

 they might render to agriculture, and as it is entitled to 

 receive. As to our own state, who can justly lay to 

 the charge of her legislators, that they have been un- 

 mindful of the agricultural interests of the Common- 

 wealth? Look at her bounties, from time to time, be- 

 stowed on the productions of her soil. Look at her 

 agricultural, geological, and other scientific surveys, 

 instituted mainly to promote the practical benefit of the 

 larmer. Run along the bright roll of her statute-book, 

 and mark the wise and wholesome laws to encourage 

 her fiirming interests. See, standing in bold relief, her 

 annual grant of funds to this and similar associations, to 

 aid in stimulating ihe cultivators of her soil. True, 

 some of these bounties may be deemed injudicious; but 

 even these evince the willing mind and fostering hand. 

 True, some of these surveys may not as yet have yield- 

 ed their promised harvest; but are we not beginning to 

 ]'eap it? Is the information'embodied in the treatise on 



