perfect cure. He considers the condition of society where the legislation is to operate, and frames his laws in such a way as to produce the greatest practical good. He is an impracticable legislator who undertakes to set up the standard of absolute perfection, when it cannot be enforced among the people. Truths beyond the capacity of a generation are lost upon that generation. But it is wise to utter them; it is well for the world to have them promulgated. But their effect must be looked for in future generations. It is as true now as ever before that people having eyes see not, and having ears hear not.

One truth which ought to be impressed upon all men with great vigor at the present time is that wealth does not necessarily bring happiness. Another is, that the happiest people on earth are those who live simply and purely and are content with their surroundings. The world has advanced wonderfully in many directions. But it was understood in the days of Solomon as well as now that all these things are vanity.

The life of the farmer affords more opportunity for contemplation upon these subjects, and for just conclusions concerning them, than any other employment. His mind is more free from care-assuming, always, that he confines himself to the legitimate pursuits of his occupation. The farmer who makes haste to be rich, who, learning of the fortune which some man has made upon the Board of Trade, mortgages his farm and sends his money to a broker for investment, has gone outside of his legitimate pursuits, and usually finds not only great disquiet, but loses his farm and ruins all his earthly expectations. In this respect legislation might be wise to prevent men from injuring themselves. Laws against gaming have been enforced with good results. Laws might be passed, and should be passed to prevent all this unnatural kind of business, which is nothing more nor less than gambling. Legitimate commerce should be encouraged by all appropriate means. But as well call it commerce to bet on the turn of a die as to bet upon the turn of a market. Gambling with cards or dice is safer even than gambling in these "bucket-shops" or other similar institutions. With the cards or the dice there is always some element of chance. But in the other case the lambs are always shorn. It is said that there are over 3,000 stock brokers in the city of New York, who have an annual income averaging not less than $10,000 each-$30,000,000! Where does this

money come from? From the silly lambs in the country, who, in their unwise haste to be rich, enable these brokers to live in luxury. How much better it would be if this money were kept at home and judiciously expended for the promotion of the comfort and happiness of the people. The country is being constantly drained to the cities. Farmers should remember this fact, and be careful to so conduct their own business that they individually may not contribute to this depletion of the country for the advantage of the city.

It may not be wise to limit individual acquisition. But the evil of great accumulation of wealth would be lessened if it should be provided by law (as it may be, without violation of constitutional rights) that estates should be distributed so that no one person should receive from the estate of a deceased person more than a certain sum to be named in the law; any surplus to go into the common treasury for the common good. But the incentive to acquisition should not be taken away, for that is the mainspring of business life. And yet the power of acquisition to an extent which gives power to do the State mischief should be lessened. That State is in best condition which has no paupers, and no citizens possessing sufficient wealth to endanger public good.

We have a system of common schools, each of which is growing and aspiring to become a university, in which the people of the State take great pride, and justly so. The motive which prompts the community to support these schools without expense to the pupils is a most worthy one. It may well be doubted, however, whether greater good might not be accomplished if these schools were more thoroughly practical in their teachings. That education is best which gives the best practical results. Great fears have been expressed lest sectarianism be taught in our public schools, and in the effort to avoid that avowed evil I have sometimes thought that the opposite extreme has been reached. The education of the children in the public schools is confined purely to the development of their intellect, without reference to the training of the moral faculties, which are to give direction in life to the powers of the intellect. Knowledge is power. But it may be power for evil as well as for good. All depends upon its direction. And whether intellectual development is a good or an evil depends upon whether it is guided by correct moral principles into proper channels. Children should be taught to be good as

well as intelligent. And that teacher who omits moral training from his course omits the element which is to determine whether the result of his teaching will be useful or otherwise. There is no danger of promoting sectarianism in following out this suggestion. There is a wide range of moral principles in which all good people agree; and if these are observed the disputed points may be omitted without danger.

No man is well educated who does not know how to make a living, by availing himself of his own capabilities and the forces of nature about him. If those who complain that the labor market is overstocked, and that they cannot find employment with which to support their families, would avail themselves of the opportunities abounding everywhere throughout this State, for seeking their sustenance and independence from the soil, they would greatly promote their own interests. While it is true that the more intelligent farmer always obtains better results, yet it is also true that mother earth is very kind, and grants even to those of little skill and little knowledge sufficient to supply actual want. No man is so ignorant but that with willing hands he can obtain comfortable sustenance from the land. And, fortunately, as yet, land is in such abundance throughout this State that none who are disposed to labor in that direction are unable to obtain its use. The farmers and all others must learn to be content with enough.

now is that there are not Our manufacturing industhe products are so numer

The trouble with the country just markets enough to take the surplus. tries are so varied and extensive, and ous that we have a surplus. Our soil is so productive that we have a surplus of cereals; we have a surplus of meats. Although complaint is made of stagnation and general depression in business, in fact, everything is in surplus, except markets. A few years since, the country west of the Mississippi took from the farmers east its supply of breadstuffs. Now more than half of the cereal surplus of the country is produced west of the Mississippi, and probably not one-sixth of the capacity of that territory has been called upon. What are we to do with this surplus ? Will farmers ever see the day again when they will get a dollar a bushel for their wheat? We must all learn to be content with enough, and not strive to go beyond it. And those people who complain of the dullness of the labor market must seek inde

pendent livelihood upon the farm if they would seek their own good.

No State in the Union, no place in the world is better fitted for independent life than Michigan. Everything may be produced here necessary to satisfy reasonable desires. Fifty years ago the country was anxious to encourage manufactures and production, so that in case of foreign war the people would not suffer for the comforts of life. We have passed that stage now. Everything necessary for the comfort of life is produced in abundance among And in our anxiety to become wealthy, to secure great accumulations, we are reaching out to the world for markets. If these markets fail to come we should be content to enjoy our abundance.

us.

Our Government is formed upon the theory that every individual is to have the greatest opportunity to secure and promote his own happiness, always within those rules and regulations which society has prescribed, to prevent improper interference with others. Individual development, individual opportunity has made this country what it is. We started out with the theory that power was inherent with the individual, and that Government had such powers as were conferred by the common consent of the individuals to be governed. This theory was not in accord with that which prevailed in the old world. All power there was vested in the crown, and what power individuals possessed was such as had been conferred upon them by the crown. The theory of the old world tended to throw society into classes. As the crown dispensed its favors, powers were exercised by one class or another, according to the bounty of the sovereign. But here, where every individual stands before the law equal in civil rights, society should never be forced into classes. Every attempt so to do is at variance with the whole theory of our government. The organization of one class as a laboring class, and the organization of another class as employers is greatly to be deprecated. We have set out upon the theory that man is capable of self-government, and it is a duty which this generation owes to posterity to take no step backward. One hundred years and over of our governmental experience have passed, and so far it has proved a success. Upon the people of this generation it depends whether it shall continue such. Do not permit these ideas of classifications in society, imported from the old country, to be introduced here.

Let it be understood distinctly that every individual is to stand upon his own merits, upon his own virtues, upon his own capacities.

There is no class in the community to which attention is directed with so much hope for the preservation of our institutions as to those engaged in agricultural pursuits. Let them cultivate practical education, the spirit of individual liberty, and the development of individual self-reliance and self-respect. Let them encourage respect for the law, which is only the expressed will of the whole society, the observance of which is so essential to the peace and safety of all. The past lies behind us and is safe, the present is in our control, and the future depends largely upon the example which we set for those who are to follow us. If we see to it that the principles I have announced are commended to those who come after us we may lay down our burdens with the assurance that the future of the State is safe.

MICHIGAN HORTICULTURE.

A resumé of its progress, and notes concerning its connection with our prosperous condition, and suggestions about its impress upon the future homes of our State.

HON. CHARLES W. GARFIELD.

The man of wealth or learning who has secured his acquirements through long years of constant adherence to his purpose, and has won success and renown in the face of serious difficulties by means of sacrifices which taxed to the utmost his powers of endurance, delights to recall, occasionally, and with a wholesome pride, the great obstacles overcome, the triumphs attained, and will, for the amusement of his auditors, unfold at times, failures that in the perspective have a ludicrous aspect, but which render more complete the progressive steps to a worthy success.

So we to-day, in hastily reviewing the facts and incidents connected with the pioneer attempts in the field of Michigan Horticulture, may be justly proud of the rapid strides taken in the face of astonishing difficulties, and can smile at the errors and trials, which from our point of view, scarcely checked the onward movement, but which, when experienced, looked like mountains