246 {AssEMBLr 



reciprocate each other, an increase in production of one being at- 

 tended with a decrease in that of tlie other — that the production 

 of corn and barley is subject to the least variations from disturb- 

 ing influences — that the quantity of potatoes raised has been 

 steadily decreasing — that we have actually less horses than we 

 had ten years ago, a result attributable probably to the extension 

 of railroads — that the number of asses and mules among us is 

 probably increasing— that while cows were decreasing in number, 

 5| per cent, the production of butter from the same cows in- 

 creased a little, and that of cheese fully one-third, a result which 

 must denote an improvement in the breed and method of manage- 

 jnent — that while the number of sheep has been decreasing on 

 the last ten years, the weight of fleece has been steadily advan- 

 cing until the two pound fleece have become two and a half, a 

 fact that leads to the same conclusion with regard to the breed of 

 sheep. Itideed, sir, in 1849 we produced with one-quarter less 

 sheep a little more wool than we did in 1839, and it is a fact 

 which dairymen are coming to understand very well, that a man 

 may so overstock his pastures as to produce the less butter. 



It is possible, sir that these statistics may be a little exaggerat- 

 ed, but when I consider the three independent sources from which 

 they are derived, I aoi satisfied that they are true in the main, 

 that there are not errors enough to materially vitiate them, and 

 that the conclusions we derive from them are worthy of confi- 

 dence. 



And now, sir, although these statistics show no just cause for 

 alarm, it is well to inquire into this matter — the connection be- 

 tween agricultural productions and national prosperity a little 

 further. What is wealth ? A gentleman of this city took occa- 

 sion, a few days since, to enjoy himself, with some of his friends, 

 in a picnic excursion to a secluded spot at a few miles distance. 

 He was so thoughtless as to providehimself with money as a sub- 

 stitute for a basket of refreshments, and the result was, that he 

 was dependent on charity for his dinner. Money is not always 

 wealth. 



There is a section of this state not a hundred ami fifty miles 

 from this city, but full seventy miles from any great avenue to 



