11 



age and a rainy day to provide against, they look for profit, 

 and demand a pecuniary remuneration for their labor. 



But how shall farming be made more profitable and more at- 

 tractive ? It is the old question, which in one or another form 

 recurs and is discussed on every occasion like the present, and 

 the full answer to which would cover the whole field of theory 

 and practice in agriculture. Upon such a field, where so long 

 the highest science and the deepest skill have been exercised, 

 I have not the temerity to enter. The most I can do is, lin- 

 gering upon its borders, to attempt to glean a few scattered 

 sheaves where others have reaped so rich a harvest. Perhaps 

 a few suggestions, having some bearing upon the general sub- 

 ject, and possibly not altogether unprofitable, may be grouped 

 together in a brief consideration of the question — How shouli 

 farmers' sons be educated — how should the rising generation of 

 farmers be reared ? 



In order to insure success in any department of life or labor, 

 there must by the previous suitable preparation and training. 

 If a lad is intended for one of the professions, so-called, he 

 starts with that understanding. There is from the outset 

 method and system. He is put to those exercises which it is be- 

 lieved will best discipline his mind for the particular labors he 

 is to perform. All those means and appliances are brought to 

 bear which. can aid in develoj)ing the faculties and powers upon* 

 which hereafter he must mainly rely. The whole field of his 

 future is brought and kept before him, so that all through his 

 preparatory course he can have in view the goal for which he 

 has set out. And if, after all, he fails, as many do, (for it is 

 hardly necessary to say that there are incapable lawyers, un- 

 skilful physicians and inefficient ministers, as well as thriftless 

 farmers,) the fault is in himself, and not in the system. So, if 

 a boy is intended for mercantile life or some mechanical pur* 

 suit, he is trained for that life 6r pursuit, and his training be- 

 gins with the knowledge on his part that he has entered upon 

 what is to be his future, permanent occupation — that he has 

 cmbarl^ed upon the voyage of life, and as he steers his course 



