470 
[Assembly 
AN ESSAY ON THE ADVANTAGES OF AGRI¬ 
CULTURAL SOCIETIES TO THE FARMING 
COMMUNITY. 
BY D. A. OGDEN. 
Agriculture as a profession, stands in advance of all others in 
point of dignity and importance. It is the most ancient, the most 
useful, and in its influence, exercises the best and most conservative 
influence over the physical and moral good of community at large. 
Its practice is directly promotive of health and virtue, and upon its 
productions the world depend for food. To subdue and cultivate 
the earth, and to watch over and tend the flocks and herds which 
subsist upon her rich grasses, and sport over her green fields, was 
the first, and seems the best as well as most natural occupation of 
man. The father of his country has pronounced it, “ the most heal¬ 
thy, the most useful, and the most noble occupation of man.” 
The Earth has received the significant name of mother, a name 
alike indicative of its nature as well as the duty of those who sub¬ 
sist upon it. To whom does man from infancy to age cling with so 
much real affection and esteem, whom does he so warmly cherish, so 
much delight to please and honor, as his mother % If then the 
Earth be the common mother of us all, is she not entitled to our re¬ 
gard, and are we not bound to nourish, protect, and by generous 
treatment, exalt, honor, and provide for her ! From her bosom 
comes forth nourishment for all, from her abundance all are fed and 
clothed; she has a never-ceasing productive power; and when kind¬ 
ly treated and properly cared for, she never fails to reward the labor 
of her sons with rich harvests, and to gladden their hearts with the 
beautiful flowers of the field, and the lovely foliage of shrub and 
tree. 
The proper business of the husbandman is to study the nature, and 
seek to become well acquainted with the disposition, powers and 
