high position in this branch of industry. This we shall do. This we are doing. The interest that has been taken during the last two years in the holding of meetings and formation cf clubs, together with the aid of the press, is having already a marked benefit. People are becoming contented at home, we see more energy, more taste, more determination, more courage. Our agricultural fairs are taking a higher stand; horse trots, greased pigs and foot races do not now possess the ruling interest. We have more and better specimens of the earth's products; more and better cattle; while the handiwork, industry and taste of our females are better represented. It is mortifying, and a disgrace, that the day advertised for horse trets calls out the largest crowd. I do not expect to revolutionize our fairs in this respect, but I do hope to see the time when horse trots shall be second to the agricultural exhibitions. They should be disconnected. One has nothing to do with the other. Our best farmers have no taste for fast riding. It is at best traveling at an unsafe speed, entirely unnecessary, useless cruelty to the poor, duir.b animals, and worst of all leads to a species of gambling. Farmers of New Hampshire have every reason to be encouraged. Let them feel the clevation of their calling. Let the student, as he goes from school, return to the old farm, rejuvenate it, apply his education to its practical improvement, cultivate less land, do what is done with more care and study. Render homes pleasant by exhibition of taste and neatness. Keep away from the village tavern, grog-shop and gambling saloon, and I will warrant success, a success beyond that of any other calling. You must succeed if you study nature. Nature supports no man in idleness unless at the expense of his health and intellect. It is the laboring man who thinks, it is the laboring man who invents. He is equal to any emergency, quick in decision, prompt in action and untiring in devotion. Labor helps thought; thought aids labor, and both go to make a man of honor and an honest man. But there must be limit to labor, or the health becomes impaired by an excess of the means designed to secure it. Eight hours is a sufficient length of time for manual labor daily. Let the remaining time be given to reading, study, sleep and wholesome amusements. By this system the body never tires. Every morning finds it recuperated and ready for its daily task. By this system the irksomeness of labor is destroyed, it is rendered easy, profitable and pleasant. The farmer should avoid those sudden and over-exertions so frequently seen in securing hay before a shower. The injury done to the body far outweighs the damage done to the hay. Amid all the bright phases connected with our agricultural interests, there is one dark side that needs fill us with apprehension. I do not know how it is here, bit as far as my observation has gone, the young people are not inclined to be farmers. We may well inquire who are to take the places of those who now cultivate our land? And another inquiry which interests them might also be made, what is to become of them when the arm upon which they have rested is powerless? Feople cannot all live in cities. They cannot all he merchants, clerks, or agents. There must be producers. The time will come when sinecure and easy positions will be out of reach. This tide of young people will, as sure as the laws of nature, turn and set back with the same swell and bear them back from whence they started. Within a very few years you will see these same people now become matured by disappointments and hardships, returning to try and retrieve their fortunes upon the neglected and forsaken farms. Young men and young ladies do not make haste to fly from the old homestead. Remember the fable of the squirrel. This is not all the fault of the young. Parents should provide recreation and wholesome amusements for their children. assessor. There is one drawback to farming interests that perhaps is well to mention in passing. The capital stock of the farmer consists in his land and stock, all of which is exposed to the view of the Every acre of ground, every ox, every cow, every horse and all else of appraised value, which he possesses, is subject to inexorable taxation, while the usurer, the speculator, the gambler, are able to keep much if not all their ill-gotten gains out of sight. What the remedy is would perhaps require a wiser head than mine to say, but that there should be a remedy there is no doubt. When we consider that every structure of society rests upon his stalwart shoulder; when we consider that he is the framework, the main structure upon which all things else are built; and that everything connected with our existence depends upon his strong arm and mighty endurance to protect against adverse winds and tempests; we should be careful to relieve him of all unjust pressure. It is an evil difficult to relieve, but justice requires it, and I think as the attention of the people is called to it, it will not be long before this and all other obstacles will be removed out of his way. It is a relief he has a right to demand, and which he is able if he will to enforce. We should encourage everything in the interest of farming; form clubs, hold meetings, discuss. It is not only a mutual but a social benefit. Give encouragement to our agricultural college. Many say it is of no benefit because but few attend it. This is no reason. Those few will become teachers through the State, and assist in analyzing the soil. That is not all; the prestige of the institution has an inspiration in it. Everything that goes to elevate the calling has an advantage in it. But we must consider, it is now in its incipiency. In a few years you will see a full class. It was thus when Dr. Nathan Smith started the Medical College. It has become now one of the first medical institutions in our country. Dr. Smith conducted it at first alone; now it requires six. It will not he a long time before Prof. Dimond will require aid. Other States have them, we cannot afford to be without it. We might, with as much reason say, but few go to the academical department, therefore the college is of no benefit. Gentlemen, where should we stand as a State without old Dartmouth? No matter how few or how many go there; it is a part of our State, we need these different departments. Every honorable calling should find a head there. There is but one fault, that is its location. Not that it should be separated from the college, but the whole institution ought to be near the centre of the State, but this is a question we are not to discuss here. The farmer has no reason to be discouraged; his labor produces health, happiness, contentment; he is rising to his proper position; he is bound to take an advanced and elevated position. Let his talismanic watchword then be, onward. Perseverance, improvement, industry and economy constitute the true ægis of his success. When you shall have tried all these and failed, I will give you no further advice to stick to your farms. Try them, farmers, before you complain of your farms or your occupation. |