TAKING REINS IN HAND. 63 



conviction that an employer who gives over farm 

 land to his control, regards such farm land only as a 

 pleasant parade ground for fine cattle and luxuriant 

 crops, which are to be placed on show without much 

 regard to cost. And if he can establish the owner in 

 a conspicuous position on the prize lists of the Coun- 

 ty or State Societies, and excite the gaping wonder- 

 ment of old-fashioned neighbors by the luxuriance 

 of his crops, he is led to believe that he has achieved 

 the desired success. 



The end of it is, that the owner enjoys the honors 

 of official mention, without the fatigue of relieving 

 himself of ignorance ; the manager is doubly sure of 

 his stipend ; and the inordinate expense under a 

 direction that is not limited by commercial proprie- 

 ties or proportions, weakens the faith of all onlookers 

 in " improved farming." 



I am satisfied that a great deal of hindrance is 

 done in this way to agricultural progress, by those 

 who have only the best intentions in the matter. My 

 friend, Mr. Tallweed, for instance, after accumulat- 

 ing a fortune in the city, is disposed to put on the 

 dignity of country pursuits, and advance the inter- 

 ests of agriculture. He purchases a valuable place, 

 builds his villa, plants, refits, exhausts architectural 

 resources in his outbuildings, all under the advice 

 of a shrewd Scotchman recommended by Thorburn, 



