147 



ton*, that their are hundreds of cows that do not pay the cost 

 of their food. A prominent Vermont dairyman says that one- 

 half of the cows in that State are supporting the other half. 

 These and other figures were quoted to show that there are 

 many persons engaged in agriculture lacking sufficient skill, to 

 secure success in that or any other business. If one-half of the 

 cows in Vermont do not pay for themselves, the fact that the 

 other half supported the whole, and the families of the owners 

 shows that where there is a high degree of skill there must be a 

 corresponding degree of profit. 



The conclusion was that the hope of New England Agricul- 

 ture depends upon increased skill more than anything else. 

 Senseless, chronic grumbling — a yearning after the unattainable 

 — is cheap and wicked ; but Ave should encourage the reason- 

 able, intelligent discontent, which creates a desire to improve, 

 to increase a productiveness of fields and herds, which is never 

 satisfied with present achievements, but is ever pressing on to 

 better and better. The ambition that stimulates us to surpass 

 ourselves is honorable and commendable. 



Albert Kimball, of Bradford, said all the farmers he was ac- 

 quainted with, made farming pay. On his farm of 15 acres he 

 raised 100 bushels of corn to the acre, and the last year had 

 sold $1000 worth of fruit from it. 



Wm. B. Carlton, of Danvers, believed in farming. He did 

 not believe it true that farmers, as a class, have as good a liv- 

 ing as like employment in the cities, and doubted if farm life as 

 he had seen it all over 'Sew England, compared favorably witli 

 that of mechanical. Those who leave, very seldom return to 

 the farm. He was surprised in looking over the record, at the 

 number of farms mortgaged. 



A. W. Cheever, of Dedliam, said he had been satisfied from 

 experience and his own standpoint, that farming pays. He be- 

 lieved in small farms for small men, and many men are not 

 large. A man with a small farm, who is clothing and educat- 



