The native American., 1840-09-12
A GRICULTURE. r f..
From lie Cheshire Farmr.
THE GRAND EMPL OYMENT.

THE GRAND EMPLOYMENT.
| Husbandry was a primcval employ
Iment, and was engaged in Immediately
after the creation Of the world 1t has
| been pursued, with various success, by all
nations down to the present time
II is high qualification to realize that
on subject Of so much importance as
the cultivation Of the soil, we can all
1untc for its advancement.
| Agriculture is subject that never has
been, nor ever can be, exhausted by dis
cussion. Probably there is no branch Of
business SO imperfectly understood in this
section Of the country as husbandry.
1t would seem that there is no branch
Iof business, Of so much importance and
sonecessary that it should be well known,
that it may be successfully practiced, as
ilhe cultivation Of the soil rs on its pro
dnctioEs the great family Of man depend
for subsistence.
! In agriculture, as in all other employ
ments, if we would pursue it successfully,
we should understand it, or in other
words, havea thorough knowledge Of its
theory. That we may obtain that inf,r-
nation, we should furnish ourselves with
books from the best authors on that sub
1iect, and, at least, with one periodical,
|devotcllto agriculture; andstudying them
]attentveIy, we shall be prepared to per-
feet our knowledge by experience.
am aware there has been, aud is at
1.-The present time much prejudice against
hook farming as it is termed: but may
not the same objection be urged against
almost every other employment, with
quite as much reason? and. yet, does not
1.-THE architect study the different orders OF
work with plans and drawings before
|him?-The young man who would pre-
Ipare himself for the practice of medicine
mot only studies for years, but, if he in
|tends to become eminent, availshimself Of
all the new works on the subject, and
studies them withdiligence and attention!
1.-THE traveller furnishes himself with q
lgazetteer--the mariner with compass,
chart &C., and is it not equally import
liant that the farmer should avail himself
Iof all the information within his reach ?
We would not be understood to place too
|much stress on theory alone, as perhaps
|no man ever attained a thorough knowl-
ledge of husbandry merely, by books or
oral information Experience is lndis-
Ipensable tofxa owledge of the mutifa-
lrious branches Of ii inourminds. tits need
|ful to teach us the easiest mothod Of per-
forming thousand things which depend
lon circumstances so minute, that they
were neverc committed to,paper, and scarce
Ilv thought to be worth mentioning.
But experience, however necessary. is not
all that is wanting to make all accomplish
ed farmer; observation is important, that
we may profit by the experience and ex'
pertinent of others. This enables us to
adopt the best method to effect our object
in all the various branches OF husbandry.
Therefore no person ought to conclude
from having had the longest experience,
THAT he has the greatest degree OF knowl-
edge; as some persons will learn more
lby experience and close observation III one
year than others will in forty.
/ If we would acquire the appellatlon OF
"a good farmer, and SO pursue the occuPa-
ltion as to make it pleasant and profitable,
| we must study its theory until we attain
a thorough knowledge OF 1t III all us
branches. We must learn the nature and
properties of soils, know their wants and
how to apply the remedy. We must be
|industriousand persevering. giving aclose
personal attention to all business, taking
care of the Titles, for, for want OF care
" many an estate is spent in getting
Poor Richard has told us.
The study Of agriculture as science,
and its pursuit as an employment, we
deem admiralty calculated to produce
individual happiness; inasmuch as II
Heads the mind away from the turmoil and
hustle of many other pursuits, and pla-
ces a reliance on individual exertlon and
the blessings Of Heaven.
There is mistake and fatal mistake
too in the mind Of many Of our young
men in respect to farming. They are
anxious TO engage III any occupation bu'
THAT of cultivator of the soil. They
look upon iabor, especially agricnltua
labor, as less profitable if not less honora
bic than any other employment. II is thl
error we believe that has filed our conn