The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-10-30
From the Pn,cii.cket Gazette.
FARMING.

1t is n source OF regret to see in this country
so little attention paid TO agriculture. With n
climate OF almost every variety, n soil OF almost
boundless extent end in point of richness and
fruitfulness surpassed by none under heaven,
and able men enough to cultivate it, yet we an
nually import from the populous kingdoms of
the old world ship load after ship load Of grain
and hay, This is singular fact but not less
true than singular.
In these degenerate days it is considered more
fashionable by our young men to measure tape
by the yard or molasses by the gallon, to tinker
in jewellers shop or stick type in printing
Office, to st behind the counter of bank or learn
to shave notes in brokers' office, to prescribe
physic or practice law, than it is to cultivate the
soil. Hence the sons of our farmers, as soon as
they are capable of entertaining three ideas, be-
come restless and wish to leave the farm and
paternal roof and rush into some city or town,
there as they fondly imagine, to become rich
and happy. They detect not their error until it
is too late TO reiracc their steps the Rubicon is
passed, and they must 60 on. Hundreds of
them might perhaps return were it not for "pride
erring pride - hut when they are about TO EN-.
bark on their fortune seeking expedition, i'm their
last interview with their half weeping sister or
sympahizing cousin, with ,he ponhposity and
consequently air of corporal in miniature,
they make it known in words big with the fate
of young fortune hunters, fhut their countenan-
ces will not be again seen by country lass, till
their pockets are filed with the worlds wealth
and their heads with worlds wisdom.
The consequence ola this, is that almost ev-
cry branch of business in our cities and large
towns IS crowded with practitioners, AMI ceases,
in great degree, to he either honorable or pro-
ftable. Some few rise to emnence, but how
many more drag ont u wretched existence, and
go down to the grave unwept unhonored, and
unsung ?"-and not II few are followed to the
tomb by the curses and malediciions of those
whom they have I'M ured.
ho nj, IL.
rough sea of life te taught wisdom without ex-
perience. how different would they shape their
course. But they are like the child that wishes
to go to the show and was refused permission
by its parents. "You used to CO., was the plea
of the child Yes my dear; but we have
folly of it too.' And a young man may be told
by Older people the folly of certain acts, but, like
the child, he wants to see the folly of them
too"
The lie of the farmer is better calculated than
any other to secure happiness to Thin who per-
forms its duties. He is not subject to those VIC
Of fortune which drive slumber from
the fevered pillow of the trnher. Spectator and
gambler. The winters storm dsiurbs not his
peace tor he has no ship ut sea to be wrecked
by the winds and waves !; fall in the price of
affect him not, nor is it Of import
ance to him whether the hanks discount or not.
lie is elevated above the wrangier of the city,
Independence is his shield and burker in the
spring he sows his seed, and if God prospers the
labors of the husbandman, an ample harvest
will be the reward of his toll.
Nor do we think il necessary for those who
live by tilling their soil to leave the own New
England. Our land needs nothing but proper
to make it yield sufficient to satisfy
our reasonable desires. At present it is neglect
ed. We know that in the far west less labor is
required to raise the same amount of produce,
but there are Disadvantages to be encountered
there which more than offset this single circun-
stance. Besides, man is supposed to he bound
by ties credtabe to his nature to the scenes off
his childhood and the tombs of his fathers
These ties should not be ruthlessly severed. The
first and principal reason urged by the savage
against removing to new place Of abode, is
that he will have TO leave the ashes OF forefahers
behind him. Should this noble principle he less
active in the breast of the Christian than of the
savage? There are thousand objects around
The place of our nativity ever dear to memory.
The west may possess much to recommend it
It's mountains, rivers and prairies-
No, never arched the blue sky DER |
lane more fair and free,
But the stream around my fathers door;
sn. Is dearer far to me- .. ....t., ... |
There are other considerations which should
bind us 10 this " our native land" The pilgrims
landed here, and consecrated the soil TO civil and
religious liberty. IT, as many think, innovations