390 Transactions of the American Institute. 



doing, for in due time ye shall reap if ye faint not." I did intend 

 to say something about the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers, 

 those ministers for good, forever preaching and showing the good- 

 ness and glory of God. So long as they point heavenward, I 

 entreat all to plant and cultivate them. You cannot fail to be influ- 

 enced for good in so.doing. I must urge you to be the friend of 

 birds. Let no man insult his Maker by putting his wisdom against 

 the Infinite, and, to correct the mistake of heaven, needlessly, wan- 

 tonly and cruelly kill, destroy and maim birds, nor be selfish and 

 mean enough to begrudge them their food while he asks for and 

 receives his daily bread. Also, I beg you to use your best and con- 

 stant efforts to prevent the abuse of animals — those dumb but 

 faithful servants, that do so much to add to the wealth and comfort 

 of all. As to the present state of agriculture as a business, and the 

 inducements the country holds out to all the young and industrious, 

 I have requested Mr. J. B. Lyman to give us a summary statement. 



Review of the A gricultdral 'Situation. 



For a quarter of a century, the influence of this Club has been 

 felt in circles that grow wider year by year, and the uniform bearing 

 and drift of that influence has been to discourage the perpetual 

 plethora of the trading and book-keeping class, and to encourage 

 young men and middle-aged men, in fact all whom cities have not 

 enriched, to become farmers. Every year letters reach us from those 

 whose love of rural life was stimulated by our weekly talks, and who, 

 greatly to their advantage, abandoned these pavements, and from 

 being dependent consumers rose to the dignity of independent pro- 

 ducers of the staple articles of life. I propose, on this closing session 

 of the year 1871, to review the agricultural situation, and in view of 

 the facts and the prices of to-day to judge whether it is still proper 

 and wise to encourage a perpetual hegira from the Babels of traffic 

 and speculation to the peace and plenty and calm of the country. 

 We are generally met at the outset of such a discussion by a man 

 with a pencil and paper who asks us to prove, by dollars, dimes and 

 cents, that farming as an investment will pay. He will take, for 

 instance, the sum of $15,000, which, at seven per cent, gives a little 

 over $1,000 a year at simple interest. His question is : suppose I 

 take that $15,000 and invest it in the land, tools, stock and fertil- 

 izers required by a farm of the average size and fertility ; suppose I 

 hire a competent head man and put Mm in charge ; is he sure, after 

 paying taxes, labor, seed bill and all, to report the place at the end 



