The native American., 1839-07-27
EpUCATIoN OF FARMERs.-No 2.
FROM THE GESEsEE FARMER.
yTs OF SCIENCE.


or SO MANY facilities for becoming men OF souna
and extensive knowledge, as farmers VIII now
avail myself of your pollteness, Tor pomlhg QUIZ
or sncgestiny. tho modes of obtaining anu I'M
proving those facilities, for the Denenl oolh Oh
themselves and all other classes OF American cill-
Zens.
tt am not greatly mistaken, the first elements
and the foundation work. IN any rational sysle"
of education not for farmers merely, out LOT IN
,ellecmal, moral, and immortal beings OF every
class, and age, and country, are those siniPie
and beautiful principles, or laws oil Nature, Wi'i1h
The Creator has ordained and perpetuated Tor me
government Of his physicals intellectual, and mo-
raj uniyerse-laws which, in no case, elmer IN
business, morals, or politics, can be violated win
;nnunitv-laws SO simple that the little child can
annrehend them-so beautiful that all children, IN
the simplicity and sprightness OF their nature'
are ever eager to pursue them as thelr richest
source of delight, and vets perverted and abused
as to be shrouded in darkness or mysticism by
many Of our most learned professors and profound
est philosophers; and, what IS sun more 10 DC
regretted, they are daily and almost constantly
yiolaediby farmers. mechanics, ana all otlef class
90 engaoed in the Industrious, productive pnr
suts Of life: but in no case without injury to them
selves. and frequently with widespread and last
inc evils TO the world and TO PROSPERITY.
In obedience 10 some one or seVera Oh tiese
laws combined, the water drop steadily pursues
its course from the mountain 10 the ocean, aiding,
nerb,ns in it's course, the motion Of thousands
Of wheels. shuttles and spindles, and at length
mounting again into the atmosphere, ana again.
bv the gentle dew the violent thunder Storm IL
is deposited upon the earth, when Il IS AGAIN rea-
DIV to commence new circuit throu-h lle eaf!h
ocean, and atmosphere. by others o. 'hese laWs
metals and the various productions OF the mineral
kingdom are, by the hand of the mechanic or
farmer. 80 combined, transformed, or modified, as
to be scattered through society IN the character OF
a thousand different i'm plements Tor the domestic
or useful arts, or TO spread over the eafii fich
abundance Of corn, wheat fruit, and other Vegeta-
bles almost lnnumerable, for sustaining the lite or
gratifying the appetite of man or beast
Regarding strictly the laws established by the
Creator for the regulation and continuance OF The
vegetable creation, the farmer will make the best
selection of plants crops to cultivate, preserve
or improve the quality Of his seed, adopt the best
rotation Of crops place his various plants upon
their appropriate soils and situations, in the most
efectual manner possible guard against failures
from the varieties Of climate and the change OF
weather. also the ravages Of insects, and insure
TO himself under all circumstances, the richest re-
ward for his labors.
The laws which regulate and sustain the ami
NAL creation are perhaps still more important anu
beautiful though not less simple or easy 10 be I'M
derstood than those Instituted tor the government
and the use ofthe mineral and vegetable kingdoms.
Nv the observance Of these laws, health is invlgo-
rated, animal strength applied TO the greatest adj
yaptare. the best selection of animals made lor
food or labor and the proper measures adopted
to destroy or avoid those portions OF animate
creation which 50 often blast the fairest prospects
of the farmer.
Not merely the productions Of the three great
kingdoms Of Nature, and Of the laws established
to govern them but the relations they sustain TO
each other are Of the utmost importance IN laying
broad and strong foundation tor the educatios OF
any class Of the community, but in special manner
that of farmers The relations existing between
the earth or soil and the vegetables it sustains;
also, those existing between vegetables and the
animals they support or destroy, are no less i'm
porant or interesting than those simple, original
principles designed for each as individuals. In
Decd the laws by which the one IS governed or
sustained not unfrequently ombrac or imply those
designed for the regulation of the other.
By single example, some idea may be formed
of the beautiful and wonderful economy and con-
trivance Instituted by the Creator and Benefactor
of the Universe for the support and happiness OF
his creation. The whole animal creation, by the
process of respiration, constantly consuming
oxygen, or the vital portion of the atmosphere,
which, except for some provision for replenshing,
must eventually render the air we breathe inca
pable Of supporting animal life. This provision
is found in the vegetable kingdom, which, by the
process Of vegetation, decomposes carbonic acid,
or fixed air, and separates from it the oxygen,
which was consumed by respiration, in the forma-
ton of the same carbonic acid, which is again
decomposed by the vegetables it supports /; thus
the animal and vegetable creation, in obedience TO
laws established for both, are performing import
ant services for each other
But the most important Of all laws Instituted
for the government Of the three great kingdoms of
Nature are those designed for the use of moral
universe for the intercourse Of moral beings with
each other, and for directing and aiding rational crea
lures to perform faithfully and constantly the du-
ties they owe to their Creator. These laws, so
clearly, fully, and beautifully developed in the
volume Of Inspiration, and by natural religion, it
is the first du,y of every farmer as ii is Of every
rational and immortal being, 10 understand and
observe.
Nv strictly observing the laws here glanced at
and established by the Creator for the govern
mon, and happiness OF his creatures, whether in