14 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D.No.4. 



In his natural home surroundings the New England farmer 

 certainly has the advantage of his city cousin. One home, 

 properly fitted for the whole j'ear,- meets his requirements ; 

 while the man from the city has to retire to his cottage in 

 the country for a portion of the year, at least, in order to 

 receive the rest and recreation, pure air and wholesome food 

 necessary for him in order that ho may have the strength of 

 muscle and mind to carry him through the strenuous duties 

 of the hurried metro})olitan l)usiness or professional life of 

 the present day. These are blessings that the farmer may 

 rightfully regard as his stock in trade. They surround him 

 on every side ; indeed, the}^ are so common to him that he 

 is too often apt to forget their worth and lose sight of their 

 real necessity and priceless value. 



Raised amid these natural surroundings, it is not to be 

 wondered at that the nation turns to the hills for its strong 

 men and noble women. Nature's noblemen alwa3\s come 

 from the mountains. It is from the farm homes of New 

 England that will come the hoys and girls taught to honor 

 and dignify labor and any honest toil, on whom the larger 

 enterprises of the world must depend for success. The sim- 

 ple life of the tarm makes strong character. 



