Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-07-19


INDUCEMENTS FOR
Entering ON Rural Pursuits.
Greenfield, Mass, April 2, 1889.
Mr.. Editor-In speaking ofthe induce.
ments that present themselves to young
men, for embarking in agriculture, we can
not forbear saying few words with regard
to the pecuniary profits that are held out.
We do this, not to feed that love Of money
making and money getting, in which most
ofour cilizens seem all absorbed, and which
we are almost ready topronounce bur coun.
try;s greatest curse, but rather to obviate
an objection that is often urged, that but a
very scanty and uninviting livelihood is to
be obtained from agricultural pursuits
And on this point, let not The profits result.
ing from the present system of farming be-
by any means, taken as criterion. The ig.
norance ofour farmers, and their prejudlces
against improvement, preclude them from
reaping more than ,olerable subsistence,
and We think we do not exaggerate when
we say, that our present agricultural pro.
ducts might be more than trebIed, by a
more enlightened and liberal system of cul.
turs. Besides, these products will always
find a market. They consist ofthe neces-
saries Of lie, and so much greater, a, the
present moment, is our consumption than
our produCtion, that we ate obliged to 60
abroad to find werewi,hal to feed our CHI
gems. In this, as 10 every other pursuit, the
profits must be in proportion to the skill, in.
dusry and intelligence OF those engaged in
i. The gains of the farmer cannot be
rapidly acquired from the nature Of his pro.
fession they are generally not inordlnate,
as more capital required for extensive agrI.
cultural operations than most men can com.
mani but they are sure, and ore amply
compe.en, for the wants Of life, and all the
Injuries and qualifications. that mind or
body need demand. They are unintiuenced
BY the changes, that are ensendered ey the
speculations Of business men, and politicians,
ana. when restricted at all, are SO by the
ignorance or blunders of those dependent
upon them.
But we wish to view the subject from
higher grounds than those Of pecuniary IN
,erssst. We find one ofthe greatest charms
Of an agricultural life is its perfect lndepen.
dence. The farmers prospects stand un.
affected by the many fiuctuating relations
of society, and dependent. in great meas.
ue, upon hissingleenergy as directed to the
the operatic rs Of nature. His hopes and
fears are 90, gauged BY every breeze that
blsws in the mart, and the political arena.
Ha feels, or ought to feel, that his pursuit is
the corner stone of all others. He creates
what the manufacturer works, the merchan:
barters, and the ship maser conveys to the
differen. quarters Of the globe. He draws
from the bosom OF the earth the very food
ofcommerce and manufactures. And hence
the dignity Of agriculture. Its powers are
creative, while most other professions are
merely constructive. 1t elicits ten thou
sand products, that otherwise might never
have existed, and which are remodeIied IN
the hands of the mechanic, and converted
into cash by tho merchant. And this great
independence of other pursuits cannot we
think, but create corresponding indepen'
dence of character 10 those engaged IN az.
riculture. I, must engender freedom Of
thought and action, so desirable for mental
deyelopement and which is so often crushed
In other callings, by their subseryiency to
each other.
We particularly admire the character and
influence Of rural pursuits. Very many, we
know, view the farmer through the medium
Of the plough, the harrow and the spade,
and make tue most drudging details of his
pursuit q criterion by which to measure his
profession. For this, it must be allowed,
there is in many instances too much cause.
But We are urging the choice Of an agricul.
tural life on different grounds. Itis the
character Of the men engaged in it, and no,
the profession that gives a dignity and
weight to it. The most noble pursuit may
be degraded by the ignorance and baseness
of its votaries, and the most humble may
be elevated and dignifed by education and
intelligence. The culture Of the soil is q
science, and one of the noblest Of all scien'
ces. Study and discipline are made its
ground work, and the structure is raisee
on the most liberal principles, united with
taste and refinement. Natural science ir
all its departments is made subservient to it.
Chemistry, piue,alogy. ho,any. vegetable