ADDEESS. 



BY A. N. ARNOLD, D. D. 



Members of the Worcester North Agricultural Society : 



I should have abundant reason to be embarrassed in 

 appearing before you to-day, if I supposed that you 

 expected to be instructed in regard to the details or the 

 process of any department of agricultural industry. It 

 is my misfortune to be wholly unacquainted with the 

 practical part of the subject. But it will, perhaps, 

 not be an unwelcome, nor wholly unprofitable diversion 

 of your thoughts from practical details, if I occupy 

 your attention during this half hour with some specu- 

 lative and statistical aspects of the general theme. 

 There are comprehensive and far-reaching views of this 

 great subject of the cultivation of the ground, as well 

 as practical rules and minute details. 



" The profit of the earth is for all : the king himself 

 is served by the field." All human life is sustained 

 by food ; and that food consists either of the products 

 of the soil, cultivated and uncultivated, or of the 

 animals that are fed and fattened by those products. 

 The only important exception is that of the produce of 

 the waters, which contribute also their share towards 

 the sustenance of the human race. Without cultiva- 



