The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-16

IuIdl SUC4CL4tS. t@itpAo " NUS
paper and agricultural journals,
and the large farmer. here and
there. who has or may have the
advantage Of education, books.
leisure. travel: bat the masses OF
our farmers must be reached. en-
couraged, instructed. Ninety-fye
per cent. Of the farms Of North Car
Dina are less than five hundred
acres in extent, and sixty-seven
per cent. Of them, less than one
hundred. CAnd hope in ten
wears 10 see the number of this
latter class Of farms doubled, and
ultimately every citizen of the State,
new and old. elevated to the digni-
" and security Of land ownership
Now it is only by the improvement
and elevation Of the intelligence
and agricultural practice Of these
small farmers, SO that their farm
ing. as well as themselves, shall be
their country's pride" that gen
eral prosperity Will be restored and
settled on an enduring basis. Can
this be done, do you ask 1t can
and will. Men are every where
ready, and many of them eager to
learn. They are aware that some
thing is wrong and they are willing
to know what, and to change it, if
YOU show them a better way. 1t is
your mission to do that. 1t is the
mission and duty of every intelli-
gent North Carolinian. You have
begun here to-day, and YOU have
begun right and well. There is no
better school, none sc good as the
Agricultural Society, with its n
nual exhibitions, competitions,
stimilations, encouragements and
manifold instructions. There is
no learning like hat which comes
by seeing. The observant farmer
leans here what he never could
have learned at home: and learns it
in an hour and effectually. He
finds that his neighbor has better
implements. or better stock than
he, and is pursuing better methods
and making more money than he,
and is dissatisfied with himself; he
will make a better showing next
G These reunions will also
bring the farmers from all parts Of
the State into association, and make
them realize the community of their
interests, and their strength also,
and thus will lead to that co-oppera-
ton and organization which affect
the general agricultural interests Of
the whole State. The operations
and influence of this Society and Of
the regional and county societies,
should be extended into every COR
ner OF the State, Carrying with them
and diffusing everywhere the glow
of a healthful, stimulating and con-
tagious enthusiasm. The Agricul-
tural College also, with a model
farm attached, ought to contribute
much to the increase and general
diffusion of agricultural knowledge.
And lastly, the elements of agri-
culture should be taught IN the
public schools. Let the farmers
demand this and they will get it.
In conclusion, let me say to the
farmers Of North Carolina that |
hope the day is not distant when
agriculture shall resume its true
place of dignity and importance
among us, as the noblest Of all arts;
an occupation from which the coun-
try will delight to call its leaders,
statesmen and heroes, as in the first
days of the republic; as in the fore
most nation of the world to-day;
and as among the greatest people
of antiquity. Look not regretfully
towards the past. The future is
brighter than eve that was. Re
member, "There are no birds in
last years nest" The past is gone
lis Gods. The present is ours
To improve that is to possess the
future.