Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1869-01-13

affairs Of this society, as to have a sufficient
sum to buy a first class farm, and stock 1t
with valuable pure bloOded animals, that
would conduce to the welfare of our people.
This can only be done by an economical adj
ministration, and a rigid conformity to the
rules already adopted, which has saved us
not far from $4,000. When we have dou-
bled this sum, | should hope measures would
be taken to lay it out in the manner just in
dicated, and that We should have a 8 model
farm in Vermont, well stocked with every
description Of animals.
One great difficulty We have had to encOun-
ter, is the exhorbitant bills, which almost
every nan that aas anything to do with our
society feels privileged TO present thus seem
ingly to think that it is a great goose, and
he that can pluck the most quilts is the best
fellow" This has injured many societies,
and unless guarded against VIII exhaust our
treasury. While we should do justice " all
men that are in any way connected with us.
we should guard against being prodigal with
our funds. and not spend them as though
they We're mex aust,bie. We can well afford
10 bear tie odium Of being somewhat Tenu-
riOus, If we maintain tbs high position Of be
ing Just. giving to all their just dues, but re-
fusing to be bled to accommodate men who
have no sympathy for us, or the high aims
we are libOrIng to promote.
Perhaps it would be well to call your at
%tention 70 the lack Of interest taken by our
farmers in general, and the members Of this
society in particular, during our last State
Fair, at cur evening meetings. which were
very thinlv attended. Subjects for discussion
had been advertised weeks previous, and an
nounced in daily programmes, 50 that all
must have known when AID where those
meetings were to lie held, bat a want of in
tercst prevented a respectable attendance in
point Of numbers. A dcsiie was manifested
by president Angel, and Professor Collier Of
our State Agricultural College, to meet with
rs, and discuss matters pe-tainin, to the
welfare OF our agricultural people but so
little interest was shown by the farmers them
selves, who should be the most interested,
that but little was done in this particular.
This | think was unfortunate, and greatly
tended to discourage the few who did favor
the discussions. | cannOt but hope that dur
ing the two years to come that we are to hold
our fairs in Burlington, we shall be able to
cooperate with those scientific men who
showed a willingness to aid us in our e=peri-
ments, and not let our evenings be spent in
matters Of no profit.
Wishing to Incorporate with this address,
the conlItiOn and wants of our State Agri-
cultural College. | wrote to Professor Angel
a few weeks ago, making some inquiries rela-
tive to it, and received the following answer
Two years ago last September, we OF
ganized courses of study in accordance with
the Act of Congress, requiring instruction to
be given in the application of science to agri-
culture and the mechanic arts. We provided
courses for young men looking to either Of
the following Notwithstanding. p~ractical
chemistry, mining and civil engineering. We
also provided military instruct on last year
Our plans and methods have been widely made
known through our catalogues, our annual
reports to the General Assembly. circulars
and the newspaper press. The number OF
young men who have thus far ayailed them
selves Of the opportunities afforded by Us,
has been small, and nearly all Of them have
desired the cOur-e of civil engineering. OF
course we earnestly desire the interest and co
operation of those citizens who believe that
science has any : ryice 10 render TO agriculture.
We intend to enlarge our facilities for prac-
teal scientific education, just as rapidly as
the demand for such training increases. We
are always very happy to have visitors call
upon Us, and zee what we are doing. We
believe that we can satisfy them that it is no
longer necessary to grow the sons of Vermont
out Of the State, whether to obtain a classical
education, or a thorough acquaintance with
the physical sciences in their application u
agriculture and the mechanic arts.
1t becomes Us u cherish a prOfess ion Which
more than any other prepares man to receive
the highest blessing of his race in this world
a free government. We must cherish it by
Industry, by virtue. by mental cultivation
by connecting 1t with science and art, and
with everything else which can elevate and
ddorn it. If we do our duty by ourselves
and our children, agriculture will never
again know the dark ages in which for 81
many centuries it slept, with liberty and
learning If We do our duty to each other
in the responsible stations and happy era in
which Providence has cast our destiny, the
day will be far, far distant. when We shall
cease to be a nation of farmers and a nation
Of freemen
Gentlemen Our society is composed
chiefly Of practical agricrhturists. Our OBJ
ject has been and is to encourage improve.
ments in the science Of farming. This is tn,
nOblest Of all arts, and should be pursue
with a laudable ambition to elevate the mass
es. and introduce new modes Of farm wOr4
and farm implements. that will continue [,
advance us in everything pertaining to our
sublime profession.
We should labor to impress upon the rising
generation the exalted and heayenborn digni
ty Of labor. and make rem realize that agri
cultural pursuits are the most honorable, tine
most psaceable and profitable Of all laudable
undertakings. | have often thought of the
old picture representing a king, a clergyman
a lawyer, a physician and a farmer. The
king was represented by this motto. 81 gov
ern all the clergyman, 4" | pray for all -
the lawyer. 81 plead for all " the physician.
. | prescribe for all" The farmer is repre-.
sented as drawing out, rather reluctantly, hi
purse, with this inscription, 81 paw for all .
And 50 it is. Tn farmer draws from mother
earth those substantial treasures which ena.
bic him to pay the bills Of all other occupa.
tions, and hence he should have proper ideac
Of his vocation, and never be ashamed of his
calling. And then the pleasure of knowing
that If be Is not lord of II he can survey
he is the owner of a part of Gods beautiful.
creation, which should assimilate him to hi
Great BenefactOr. As Edward Everett ha,
beautifully expressed it, "The man who
stands upon his sell, who feels that by tn,
laws of the land in which he lives, by IT,,
laws of civilized nations, he Is the rightfu
and exclusive owner Of the land which n,
tills, is by the constitution of his nature un-
der a wholesome influence, not easily imbibeC
fron any other sources. lie should feel, othel
things being equal, more strongly than an
other, the character of a man as lord of an
intimate world, Of this great and wonder
full sphere, which, fashioned by the hand o.
God and upheld by his power, is rolling
through the heavens a part of his-his from
the center sky. 1t is the space on which til,
generation before moved in its round of duties
and he feels himself connected by an invisi
be link with those who follow him, and I,
whom lie is to transmit a home. Perhaps hi
farm has come down to him from his fathers
They have gone to their last home but h,
can trace their footsteps over the scenes o
his daily labors. The roof which shelter
bin WAS reared By those to whom he owe
his being. Some interesting domestic tradi
ton is connected with every enclosure. Tn
%favorite fruit tree was planted by his father
hand. lie sported in boyhood beside TIL
brook which still winds through the meadow
Through the field lies the path to the villag
school of earlier years. He still hears from
the windows the voice of the sabbath bel
t which called his father to the house of God
and near at hand is the spot where his ma