Proceebixgs of the Farmers' Club. 421 



was carved — miicli more important to tlie more immediate interests 

 represented by this club, than the last named surrender. Under it 

 the old conie-eas_y-go-easj-take-all-and-give-nothing system of agricul- 

 ture, with that shallow plowing, which still finds at least one advo- 

 cate here — bj no means shallow-pated either, I am bound to say — 

 surrendered to the newer and better system of deep plowing, and 

 unsparing fertilization, under the guidance of science herself, as under- 

 stood and appreciated by Prof. Mapes. 



But I should fail of a most essential part of my duty, were I to 

 x3niit to tell you wherein we think your especial merit lies in presid- 

 ing so ably and with such general acceptability over this club. That 

 is to be sought in the circumstance that this is a " club," which is 

 without the set rules and anticipatable proceedings of a more delibera- 

 tive body, and that it requires something beyond a knowledge of par- 

 liamentary rules, indispensable as they are in all meetings, which 

 something, is readiness to provide for emergencies" and harmonize 

 contrarieties of topics as well as temperaments, inseparable from the 

 meeting of men who have, it may be, come in contact for the 

 first time, bringing with them creations of genius or art, or the pro- 

 ducts of the farm or the garden to exhibit, or merely loaded to the 

 muzzle with opinions, the instantaneous discharge of which, they 

 believe in their souls, is indispensable to the enlightenment of the 

 world, and who therefore seek to fire them ofl:' accordingly, all at once, 

 no matter what larger "■' bores " you may feel it your duty to hear 

 from. So that, if ever the phrases, '■'• suaviter in modofortiter in re," 

 that is, sweet as sugar, but firm as a rock ; or " otium cum digni- 

 ^a;?^," sober as a judge and dignified as an alderman; if ever these 

 phrases, I say, signify indispensable qualities anywhere, in a presiding 

 oflicer, it is here. 



You, sir, have doubtless heard of the boy who furnished a switch 

 for his own back. It may be that some of the presenters of this 

 tribute, and Webster significantly enough defines a " gavel " as a 

 " tribute," and a " sheaf," also should realize the fate of that unfortu- 

 nate boy. If so, it no doubt will be for the general good, and the 

 martyr Avill cheerfully submit, as he should. And we beg of you to 

 use this gavel unsparingly whenever required, no matter whom it 

 silences. Let it say, for you, as your namesake, iSTathan of old, said 

 even to a king, " Thou art the man ! " Let it do this for the increased 

 usefulness of this club, so that its 10,000 letters asking for light or 

 seeds, and as many more sent with packages annually, by our silent 



