11 



misses the impetus of society. Why does the Italian 

 peasant scratch the ground with a wooden plough drawn 

 by a donkey and a woman ? — or the Egyptian fellah par- 

 tially disturb three inches of soil with a crooked stick ? 

 Partly because in their countries there is no common sen- 

 timent in which they and their fellow-laborers can sym- 

 pathize ; no associations to create that sentiment ; no 

 free thought to stimulate it ; no sufficient intelligence 

 for its basis ; no means of diffusing it were it created. 

 An enlightened public opinion does not quicken their 

 minds to reflection or animate their labors by the hope of 

 larger gains. 



I think, however, I may be excused from pressing 

 upon this audience the grounds that justify associations 

 like ours. The existence of this and similar societies is 

 vindicaterd by the fruits they have produced. 



It is right that we should celebrate the Annual Ingath- 

 ering of the Harvest. No other interest better deserves 

 such a commemorative service; for agriculture " is a 

 spring that sets in motion the grand machine of business, 

 manufacturing and commercial ; nor can a sail be spread 

 without the assistance of the plough. Every other 

 source of independence or of plenty is perishing or cas- 

 ual ; this is the great Art, which every enquirer into na- 

 ture ought to improve." 



The end of agriculture is to multiply food ; and abund- 

 ant food multiplies men and advances civilization ; for, 

 ' ' nations are not populous in proportion to the land they 

 occupy, but to the food they produce." To produce the 

 greatest amount of food at the least expense is the prob- 

 lem for farmers to solve. It is evident that to do this 

 requires the combination of intelligence and labor ; for 

 agriculture is an actual producing, and a theory to account 

 for, and increase the produce. The practical occupa- 

 tion precedes the theoretical system. Farmers composted 



