lO AMERICAN FARMS. 



it is husbandry. If this be correct, this country cannot 

 afford to estimate agriculture at a low value. 



And now, as men's minds are turned to a greater con- 

 sideration of the position of the rural classes than at 

 any former period in the history of America, the ques- 

 tions arise : has Ceres lost her power ? does nature 

 decide that agriculture shall not be the first of indus- 

 tries ? Not by any means. 



The real importance of agriculture in framing the 

 groundwork of a true national prosperity is very great; 

 and should not be undervalued, especially by farmers 

 themselves. Such undervaluation on the part of those 

 immediately interested has worked mischief, and must 

 continue to do so. 



A review of history will remind the peruser of the 

 fact that, with the nations of antiquity, and even until a 

 very recent period, agriculture was generally considered 

 first as a medium in the creation of wealth, first in re- 

 spectability, and first in securing peace and happiness 

 to society. 



Though the literature of Greece gave too little space 

 to the praise of this most worthy occupation, the glimpse 

 that may be had of the position of these matters among 

 the Grecians of the Heroic Age, tends to the conclusion, 

 that agriculture, with them, occupied a prominent place 

 in their attention and estimation. It points to the 

 probability that the tiller of the soil was, in political 

 affairs of the time, inferior to none. However little 

 there may be on which to base an absolute decision as 

 regards this, the occupation was evidently highly re- 

 spected and esteemed by those who have borne to us the 

 little knowledge to be had of the sentiments and condi- 

 tions of the time. 



