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

more apparent, and renders the cultivation
of the soil more and more an object of public
patronage. Institutions for promoting 1t
grow up supported by the public purse, and
10 what objects can it be dedicated with
greater propriety? Among the means that
have been employed to this end none have
been attended with greater success than the
establishment of agricultural boards. com
posed of proper characters, charged with
collecting and diifusing information, and en-
abled by premiums and small p~ecuniary AID
to encourage and assist a spirit OF improve
ment, by drawing to a common center the
result everywhere, of individual skill and
observation, and by spreading them thence
over the whole nation. Experience has ac
cordingly shown that they are very cheap IN
strument of immense national benfftS."
These are noble words, and never can we
forget how eagerly this illustrious American
laid aside his robes of Office and sought the
repose of his quiet retreat at Mount Vernon;
or how gladly CLAW returned to the shades OF
Ashland after the excitement and honors of
Congressional life or how Webster fastened
from the cares of State to his herds and
fields. and the sight and sound of the ocean,,
all endeared to him by the sweet memories OF
rural life. Men who have chosen to follow
other vocations of life, and who pursue them
with success. still long for the pleasures ami
the emplovments of the farm. All their
plans Of lie have a kind Of natural culmlha-
ton in the determination to retire into the
country, and share with the farmer the
healthful occupation of husbandry.
If we 90 back over a period of sixty years
we shall find that great improvements have
been made within that time in farming uten-
sis. Take, for instance, the cast iron plow
invented in New Jersey upwards OF hall a
century ago. and examine the numerous
articles now in use for turning over the turf,
and see if progression in the making of farm
ing implements is not a blessing, as well as
in religion and politics. And then look at
the great number of useful articles that have
been exhibited at our fairs articles too nu-
merous to mention, designed to make q" farm
ing easy and then Judge whether We as a
society are doing a good work in encouraging
inventors and farmers to exhibit and purchase
these implements. Every facility Is furnished
our iudus. rious %tillers of the soil. that we
are capable Of, towards bringing t. their no
tice such articles az they need in d veloping
the resources of our country and advancing
it in wealth and grandeur. Our mission
then is not an idle one. mere show and with
no practical utility, but one of inclleulable
blessings TO the whole people, who reap its
privileges and advantages.
| %rejoice that there Is a growing interest
manifested by our farmers generally, and that
they are striving to advance in practical sci
ence. With every facility necessary to COM
pete with the agricultural interests of every
part Of our country, with our green hills and
smiling valleys To generously bring forth
- seed for the sower and bread for the ,ter, -
with our railroads and other mods OF rapid
conveyance to carry our products t. market,
we have everything TO encourage US, and mike
US strive to improve our stock, brighten up
- - II e. - -
if possible, the proud title Ofthe first agrleul-
tural state Of the nation.
/ know that many imagine that because
we live in a cold and mountainous region of
country. that we can DO little else than raise
enough for home consumption but statistics
will show the cause Of thIs-that we not only
raise enough for our own use Of many sub
s%tantial things, but generally have a little TO
pare, occasionally sending a carload of but
ter AM beef = down country, as we used 10
saw, when it took the largest part Of two
weeks for OR teamsters TO 60 and return
from Boston.
And allow me to say, also. before l close.
that Vermont does take the lead in agricultur
al products, in many Of the most rapOrtint
articles of consumption and export II we
take into consideration her size and popult-
ton. she enumeratcs the most and best sheep,
produces the most pounds of wool. tons of hay.
pounds Of maple sugar, the greatest value of
the product OF dairy ana orchard. In ratio
Of population, Vermont leads all her sister
New England States in raising wheat and
oats. the great st number Of good horses. neat
cattle and swine, and Is next to the head in
producing corn, rye, buckwheat and poultry
Such being the fact, we have every induce
ment to continue persevering in well doing.
for though our State is
I .' The land Of oci aud stones and graveuy knobs.
Some walls nd weil-, where oakep buckets
sw ng.''
She Is rich in soil, rich in freemen, who glory
in laboring with their hands. Her fndepend-
ent yeoman-y have placed her high as an az
ricultural State. and sent out into other States
and nations many great artists and brilliant
statesmen. Yes. men who vie in point OF
learning, science and general intelligence
with the brightest consultations of either the
old or new worlds God be praised, her ban
ner was never soiled by the tears of bondmen
Her soil was never trOd by a slave No
Thou mountain Land. thou land oTrock,
I'm proud to call you free"
Let us labor to improve the farming inter
ests of our State generally. and make it not
only a goOdly land &" to be born in rs said
the distinguished Douglas, but good to live
and die in.