Year: 1876

counted for BY the practical nature OF the
questions discussed, and the evident intention
Of the audience to examine them thoroughly,
in which respect they were most ably assisted
by the gentlemen who gave to them 90 freely
Of the results Of their own valuable expert
ence and knowledge. Aud as we observe
that some Of these gentlemen have been re-
turning entirely superauous thanks to their
entertainers entirely ignoring the fact that the
balance Of Indebtedness is on that side, We
wish to thank them most heartily for their
efforts to instruct and assist US. And be
assured that our words mean much more
than they can express.


The incidental advantage Of drawing out
the people to discuss together topics Of mu'
tual interest is no slight one, and judging
by the uudoubted sincerity and enthusiasm
with which these gentlemen pursue their dis.
interested labors, one might be almost con-
viuced that they really believe statement
that is sometimes heard that farming is an
interesting occupation, even, as some say,
the best 10 tho world. If they can convert
our young people to this belief the good that
they do will be immsasurable. Nor is this
doubtful result when we consider in how
many ways their information lightens the bur-
den, lessons the drudgery and I've suppose)
increases the profits Of the farmer.


True there are some among US, mainly Of
the weaker aud more foolish sex, who some
times wonder why so much learning and argu.
ment is expended to prove the superiority Of
farming to all other occupations, aud why it
should require so much more bolsteriug than
others. We leave this question for
wiser people to answer. 1t may be that
some Of these skeptical sisters, being literal
iuterpretatioutsts" consider that statement
found in scripture as, "Cursed be the ground
for thy sake, in sorrow shalt thou eat the
fruit Of it; thorns aud thistles shall it bring
forth to thee, and 10 the sweat Of thy brow
thou shalt earn thy bread corresponds too
closely with their own observations to be
entirely categorical" But what are they
among so many2 1t may also be some spol-
ogy for their doubts that they do not receive
so many tangible benefits from the modern
improvements as the men do.


But as we are further told Of these mil
lennial days when the sword shall be beaten
into plougbshares, We may be allowed the
typical Interpretation that the implements Of
all other employments shall become subservent
to those Of the husbandman. and that their
use shall no more be burden, but delight.


Therefore we may reasonably believe that
the improvements and discoveries which,
thanks to the efforts Of earnest and inteli-
gent men, are constantly opening to US, are
but the harbingers Of that blissful time when
every man shall not only sit under his own
vine and fig tree. and eat the fruit thereof,
but shall change the curse into bleisiu by
becoming, not the servant, but the master oil
the soil he tills.


When we consider the wonderful mastery
that man has attained over nature in the
past, since be has learned to read so many
secrets Of the earth and the heavens aud
since these wonders, milaeles we may almost
call them, increase the more rapidly as time
goes on, each discovery being ;he embryo Of
many more, what may we not expect in the
years that are to come? $.


Fayetteville, February IL, 1876.