ADDRESS. 



26 



loving Nature, to none so dear, by none so freely and 

 proudly enjoyed, as by him who sits amidst his own 

 well won acres, under the roof that sheltered his 

 fathers. It is not that I would remind you of the close 

 alliance between your occupation, with its many requi- 

 sites, and a thorough study of all those physical sciences 

 which link themselves so closely with the culture of 

 the soil, nor of the fact, that the higher the culture of 

 the mind, the greater may be the pleasure derived from 

 investigating the problems and winning the victories of 

 the farm. But I would meet you among the imple- 

 ments, the animals, the fruits, the household articles, 

 that are assembled on such an occasion as this, directly 

 from your homes and fields, on the practical ground of 

 farming, not as some are fond of styling it, as a profession, 

 but as a business. And I would suggest to you, that 

 it is still more as a business that it should be conducted, 

 in order to satisfy in it the longings of your sons, 

 possessed as they probably are. of that inborn energy, 

 that Yankee go-a-head-ativeness, which delights in 

 overcoming obstacles when the mind is once awakened, 

 and fair scope for its exercise is offered. Train them 

 in the keeping of your accounts ; and let each year's 

 figures enter ^more fully into detail, until there is no 

 question that can come up, to which the answer in 

 black and white may not be found on record. As you 

 shall invest more capital in bringing up your land and 

 carrying out improvements, let them see the object in 

 view; let them share with you the pleasure of working 

 out a successful result. A practical familiarity with 

 the labors of the field they must doubtless acquire, in 

 order to be farmers ; such an education as lies within 

 your means, every American father, thank God, gladly 



