Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. 365 



for laudatory purposes, but to illustrate the true and proper relations 

 that should exist between the farmer and his head man, especially 

 when that owner is absent a large share of the time. It should be 

 said, however, in explanation of the ease with which these results are 

 brought about, that the real head man is the accomplished and ener- 

 getic lady that our friend leaves at the homestead. No part of the 

 place is too remote to escape her frequent visits, and no animal is so 

 small or feeble as to miss her constant and fostering care. It would 

 be an excellent usage if the best farms, and farmers and farmers' 

 wives, could be known through prizes issued by our State Boards of 

 Agriculture, and then farmers would know where to go to see the 

 best examples of high success in their art. It would immensely 

 redound to their advantage to visit farming districts at a distance, for 

 the purpose of seeing how 7 other people fare, and learn by observation 

 their processes and modes. No better investments could be made 

 than to improve one's self by studying those means which others 

 have pursued for the attainment of comfort, intelligence and inde- 

 pendence. Although Dr. Franklin asserted that 



" He who by the plow would thrive, 

 Himself must either hold or drive," 



driving and plowing are not all. If knowledge is power, let no 

 opportunity be omitted for garnering in the suggestions, the thoughts 

 and the experience of those who have better opportunities than our- 

 selves. We shall then be qualified for exercising a moral force in 

 connection with our ordinary pursuits, which is recognized in the 

 annals of modern Christain civilization as a high and dignified 

 mission. A well-informed farmer is qualified for almost any position, 

 since he cannot be otherwise than a gentleman ; and in the United 

 States, as it must be eventually recognized everywhere, moral worth 

 is more precious than hereditary titles or wealth without sterling 

 integrity. A good farmer is generally a good man, and when his 

 labors on earth are finished, like the low descending sun, "seems 

 larger at his going down." 



Dr. Isaac P. Trimble — I am always pleased when Dr. Smith 

 makes an effort, and this is in his best vein. He has, however, excited 

 in me a consuming desire to view our associate's farm, and I hope 

 our Saratoga comrade will invite the Club, as a,body, to see with their 

 own eyes what Dr Smith has described with such fullness and poetic 

 grace. 



