138 



examples of this domestic comfort and independence. Much ta 

 be regretted will be the change, which has already invaded many 

 parts of the state, when under the pretence of superior cheapness, 

 these household fabrics shall give place to the more showy but flimsy 

 products of foreign industry ; and the healthy exercise of domestic 

 labor and household cares shall be deemed degrading in our wives 

 and daughters ; and exchanged for the idleness and frivolities of 

 pride and luxury. 



I agree entirely in the sentiment above expressed, that every farmer 

 should, as far as possible, supply the wants of his family from his own 

 farm. He should su})ply himself with bread, meat, vegetables, milk, 

 butter, cheese and clothing, as far as his farm can be made to do it. 

 He can almost always do it at a less expense than he can purchase 

 these supplies. The labor requisite for this purpose may often be 

 given at times when it would not otherwise be occupied ; and by 

 hands for which there might otherwise be no employment. The 

 sentiment of self-respect and self-dependance, inspired by such a 

 course, is a great gain. The satisfaction of eating bread raised by 

 one's own labor is not small ; and various and important moral influ- 

 ences, which I shall not now discuss, render it altogether desirable ; 

 though in some cases the same amount of labor consumed in their 

 production, if applied in other ways, would purchase a larger amount 

 of the same supplies. Though the supply of our own great wants 

 from our own farms might seem, however, in some cases to be ape- 

 cuniary loss, it is always in the end a moral gain, with which the 

 pecuniary loss is not to be put in competition. 



4. Increase of Cultivation and Products. — The coun- 

 ty ought likewise to determine to supply their own wants, by their 

 own labor, and from their own soil. This is the only certain and 

 substantial independence. Instead of being in agricultural produce, 

 an importing, they might become an exporting community, of bread, 

 and beef, and pork, as well as of dairy-produce and wool. Instead 

 of raising one bushel of corn, they should raise ten. Instead of be- 

 ing satisfied with two hundred bushels of potatoes, they ought to 

 raise two thousand, and so in this proportion. The farming in gen- 

 eral, excepting some cases of dairy and sheep husbandry, is on too 

 small a scale to afford much profit. In all the statements of man- 



