17 



in tlii.s pursuit, but little special inforiuiition or 

 training is needed, hut simply a large expendi- 

 ture of muscular force in accordance with a certain 

 time-honored routine ? This, unhappily, has been 

 the prevalent feeling of the past, and it is still too 

 much so at present; and I repeat, that it is to 

 this low and fallacious estimate of the nature of 

 agriculture and the qualifications of its pursuers, 

 that much of its complained-of slow progress is 

 attributable. We must rouse ourselves so as to 

 take higher and wider views of this great art, 

 which, instead of being the simplest, is one of the 

 most difficult and complex, as it is unquestionably 

 the most valuable, of the various industries of this 

 brief and busy life. 



I am aware that many fallacies have been com- 

 mitted by persons of sanguine temperament, 

 earnestly desirous of correcting this low and 

 degrading estimate of agricultural pursuits, by 

 too strictly comparing its actual progress with 

 that of some other arts. In order that compari- 

 sons may not be invidious, it is necessary they 

 should be correct. It should be borne in mind 

 that the marvelous progress made during the 

 present century, in the cheapness and increased 

 productions of textile manufactures, bleaching, 

 dyeing, calico printing, etc., is in great measure 



