Miscellaneous addresses. 
221 
ready attracted your attention. They are to be reckoned among 
that diversity of agricultural employment which necessarily leads 
to a rotation of crops. 
To those who have put their hands and hearts to the work of 
promoting the great interest of agriculture, there is a pleasing 
consolation, and encouragement, too, in the reflection that they 
are upon the flood-tide of public favor; that those they benefit 
now look with confidence upon the efforts they make; that while 
fluctuations of business, the casualties of commerce, the interrup¬ 
tions of trade, the disturbances of society itself, are but incidents 
of the moment, only occurring to be as soon forgotten; that while 
amid the other and conflicting elements of busy life, the pleasing 
anticipations and profitable speculations of one class are the 
dreadful forebodings and dire calamities of another, all classes 
unite in the fervent prayer, the kindly sympathy, the liveliest 
hope that success may crown the effort of the farmer. Do we 
appreciate this? Do we now feel that our art commands the 
study of the philosopher, the'science of the scholar, the eloquence 
of the statesman; that the whole world, with a unanimity which 
no other subject can command, lifts up its sympathizing voice to 
cry, “ God speed the plow.” 
There is a reason for this, and it is found in the fact that the 
product of this art contributes more largely than any other to 
human happiness, and that the art itself is better adapted to 
human skill. These are important considerations. How shall 
we promote this great art, is a question which addresses itself to 
all of us with a force which must command our attention. 
First, then, study to know the subject which thus excites our 
common interest. Is it enough to understand that if the earth be 
stirred and the seeds be sown, their product and all else is a 
natural result of God’s providence ? Is it enough that we should 
be told and believe that the plow is the best implement with 
which to till the earth, and that the seed sown by the hand of 
man is all that is necessary to enable us to drag through the 
natural period of our existence, thus made toilsome and miser¬ 
able ? Is it enough for ourselves to know that we but live and 
have our being? Is that large portion of mankind which is 
engaged in that work of the world content thus to grovel and 
