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mfinure before science explained the philosophy of the 

 operation ; and knew that wheat demanded lime before 

 they understood the reason. Men cultivate the earth to 

 live, ages before they learn the best methods of cultiva- 

 tion, before the principles that lie beneath rules are as- 

 certained. Then comes the wise man, who through his ac- 

 (jutdntance with science leads the way to better methods. 

 But we must not suppose that the system of agricul- 

 ture pursued in this community was unwisely adopted, 

 or has been blindly followed by successive generations, 

 because they could not justify it on scientific principles. 

 It is its own justification ; because the system grew out 

 of the soil and climate of New England, and out of the 

 circumstances of our people. No theory can prove it in- 

 appropriate. Hence we deprecate radical changes. 

 With eyes open to defects, with candor enough to ac- 

 knowledge them, we would improve the system, by higher 

 culture of the farmer himself. Our worst enemy is per- 

 sistent ignorance. AYe cannot hope to maintain our re- 

 lative position, nor to gain the highest success, against 

 our formidable rivals of the west, unless we make a 

 greater effort to combine labor with scientific knowledge. 

 In practical sagacity our farmers are unrivaUcd ; but 

 agriculture "is a complicated business, embracing a Avidc 

 range of subjects connected with the soil, the atmosphere, 

 manures and their application, tools and their use, and 

 the various methods of operation. It requires a ready 

 wit, mechanical invention, power to adapt means to ends, 

 wise judgment and calcuhition. These are qualities that 

 distinguish the genus Yankee, qualities produced and fos- 

 tered by our position in a new country, by common school 

 education and by poverty. Our young men are trained 

 to reason and discriminate, and he who has not had the 

 discipline which brings out these qualities stands a small 

 chance of success. 



