Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1834-08-23
THE HU SANDMAN.

There ~ ono prevailing error among tuiS
class of society which ought To be eradica-
ted and des,roycd--it is more fatal TO the
business of agriculture than the growth OF
Canada thist!es or the distinctions of the
May frosts--we mean the neglected edu-
cation Of the farmers children. 1t Is ire
Guently remarked that education is OF little
nse TO the farmer very little science will
do for him. Great knowledge is only ben
efcial 10 the professional man. Express
Sons Of this SORT are founded upon false
estimate Of one Of the most useful and elc-
waited professions Of life.
II the habitual business of the cultivator
does not afford the mental powers field for
their most extended exercise, we know not
where TO look for such a field The study
ofarnculturc unites to the theory OF science,
the very essential material of its practical
parts. II makes the student experlmentally
and truly learned.
When we look upon the vast extent OF
the territory Of this continent, and consider
the fertility of the soil, the rich mines and
extensive minerals it possesses, we are pref
scented with an almost, illimitable field fof
inuAal, rcscarch and sc ntifcimprovemenf
Nearly every thing bat IS useful m or
pilgrimage through lifa is drawn from the
earth. The main use Of science is to exa
plore the ninutiae Of naiu,e, TO fa;hom It's
secret caverns, and to bring forth the hidden
possessions Of the earth into comprehensive
identity. Where then is the occupation
that go richly furnishes pHpetual supply
Of mental food as that Of agriculture. In
the constant exercises and every day labors
ofthe farmer. the business Of his science Is
progressing. if his intellect has been set
right in the education of his youth The
theory is all essential. for this constitutes
the implement by which nc is to prosecute
the study Of nature 10 its practical utility.
A man cannot 60 forth upon the land with
any good degree of promise IN scientific ex-
pertinent, without the light of past expc-
perience npon his pathway, and tins he can
only obtain by passage through the iitera-
nv institutions of the country, where the re-
suits of the labors ofthe learned for ages are
collected together and made accessible TO
the student. To attempt prosecution OF
the study ofihc sciences Independent ofthc
knowledge which exists already, would DC
like going back TO the earliest ages for Ugh,
in the undevoloped arts OF mechanism. We
are not so independent of the past as we
sometimes incline 10 consider ourselves.-
i There is scarcely 4 valuable discovery Of
modern times but has borrowed something
offs proportions or utility from the mind Of
antiquity.
Among The nhumcd ruins ofPonpeii and
Itcrcuiancum. 4 vast multitude of artificial
ctnosities have recently been discovered,
among which are implements Of surgery
one in particular was found. upon comp1ri-
son with very late invention in Paris, TO be
nearly like it, and a still later improvement
in London 10 be exactly the same. Here
VIC have the result of the labors OF two of
the most enlightened kingdoms on earth
and what does prove? Why. simply tia.
they have come TO the science of people +,
who have slept for almost two thousand
years in an unknown grave When the en-
tire tomb OF Vesuvius snail be broken and
explored, there is little doubt that rnany
more of our modern discoveries will find
their exact Pompeiian and Hcrculanian
prototypes. These facts cannot fail to por-
tray clearly the importance ola stud; ofthe
past experiments OF human life. both as !
source ofproft and an actual saving of time.
labor. and expense.
That the farmer. by scientific cul,ira-
ton Of his land, can increase 10 yeryI
great extent its productions. there does not
exist rational doubt. And that the fine
is coming when there viii be actual neces-l
sity for this increase of production. there is
every possible appearance. II is therefore
not only wise and expedient to commence
o. rather carry on now this improvement in :
but it IS nigh duty which is
owed alre adv 10 pos,erity, in consideration |