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ADDEESS. 



THE FUTURE PROSPECTS OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



Mr, President and Gentlemen of the Society : — 



It gives me pleasure to separate myself for a time from 

 the exciting topics of the great campaign in which we are engaged, and 

 to dwell upon the peaceful and fascinating subject to which your associa- 

 tion is devoted. I propose to speak to-day upon " The future prospects 

 of American Agriculture" — a subject full of suggestions, full of interest, 

 full of importance, full of speculations, running back over the past history of 

 agriculture in this Country, and looking forward to the great work which 

 lies before our people, as tillers of the soil in all its varieties from the lakes 

 to the Gulf, and from sea to sea. 



In taking a survey of the agriculture of the world, it will be found, that 

 no large section of the earth's surface has ever been subjected to such 

 enterprise as is applied to that territory which constitutes the United 

 States of America. I do not mean to say that equally good and even 

 better agriculture has not been found elsewhere. The farming of China, 

 of Lombardy, of Holland, of England, would refute such a statement at 

 once. Considering the latitudes which it covers, it is possible that the ag- 

 ricultural products of Russia may exceed our own. The wealth which 

 France has drawn from her soil, is marvellous. And Japan and Hindostan 

 have astonished the world, with the diligence and activity and skill with 



