The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-04-05
TERMS OF THE SIXTH VOLUME
AGRICULTURAL.
EXTRACT FROM AN ADDRESS.
B:fors The MeTriuiack County Agricultural Society
By REV. M. G. THOMAS.

By REV. NJ. G. Thomas.
Another topic worthy of consideration pre-
sents itself in the proper estimate ofagricultur-
al interests. Agriculture is not brought before
the community TO the same extent that IFS
products are. Without the products of tie far
ner, Milicr's prophecy would be fulfilled before
the year of our Lord IS43. But while no one
with any degree of personal comfort can with
mold their attention from a faithful discussion
ct farmers products for the space of twenty
four hours, the case is somwhat different in
regard 10 the raising and curing of those pro-
ducts. This Is matter with which few but
practical farmers concern themselves al all
ana they chiefly In their individual! retirement
and while engaged upon their own acres Ii
IS only on occasions like the present, that the
practical matters of farming arc especially
brought before the public. And these occa-
sions are with us of comparatively recent orr
gin. In word, the principal operations and
pursuits Of the farmer are in The retirement Of
his own hill sides, plains and valleys. 1t is TO
this circumstance. in part, that we are 10 at
tribute the fact that little thought or inter-
est $ bestowed or felt by the public at large
uPol this important subject. Until late wears,
il has scarcely appeared in the public papers,
nr even been named. Il has, too been thought
by many, that those who could do nothing else
would al least do for farmers. A greater mis-
take could moi easily be made, The farmer
needs good head, as much as a good pair Of
hands. There are few occupations that may
DC more benefited ana assisted by sound iuag-
ment, careful observation, and what may be
called good calculation few that require more
Of these trails. II is truc, then that Turning
offers as much scope fer good mind, and |
think even more, than the average occupations
of life. There is room for rs much study, in
vestigation and Improvement in it, as in other
vOcations, and ifpursUcd as il should be. much
more than in many others. II offers an ample
field for the exercise and Development of all
the intellectual powers. Still, the business Of
farming is not generally So estimated. Some
and perhaps not Il fca Of those engaged in if,
do not think so of it.
How is this mistake IN be corrected, and
more just and worthy estimate of the subject
to be promoted The same principles apply
to farmers in this matter as 10 all other classes
or even to individuals The farmer must be
interested in his vocation and proud ofH. He
must feel that ii has character, and that
high one, 10 be developed and sustained that
il is inferior 10 no other calling Whatsoever
no, not even 10 the administration Of Justice,
or. as The Scottish phraise is, to 'wagTing ones
pow in q pocpit.' The Turner is Gods frs;
workman. We cannot live wiihou. him.
Only let country be filed with coed farmers,
and more than half the other occupations could
be spared. and the community live comforta
bly,. Strange indeed it is. that a calling which
IS the very corner stone among the occupations
OF ci'I'lz ID humanity should ever be regarded
rs not quite 50 respectable as some others Or
that the farmer should be less thought of, as is
the case with some, than the tradesman, the
lawyer or minister This has only come 10
pass because a part Of the world never pene-
trate more than skin deep. they see on
man hard hand, and sun burnt skin, and a
garb suited TO his business, it turns what little
brains they haye-,just as we should suppose
1T would with such people, 1t is with such, a
hopeless tack to give them just estimate of
any thing. As much so, as it would be to
wheel sunshine into dark room with wheel.
barrow.
But there is somewhat of this feeling with
Others which may in some degree be well foun-
ded. There are unworthy members in all vo
cations Farmers are no exception TO this rule.
There are, too. many who forget they have
minds TO improve as well as lands TO till -
There are, 100, many that let even the long
"lntci evenings ~ " TN little improvements /
They scarcely read their newspaper. So far
as this is the case, the fault is indeed with the
individual, and not the body of farmers still
there is much in The old proverb, "a sickly sheep
infects the flock And such farmers bring
dscredit in the eyes of the world upon their
calling. Let there be none such among you.
Rather let every one show TO the world, that
he has not forgotten that he has a mind be.
cause he has farm and works on it. In this
respect, the agriculturist, like all others, must
stand on his own merits, and he estimated &C.
cordingly.
The TARIFF.-Thc Washington correspop.
dent of the ~ Y. Journal of Commerce. who
seems TO be sort of free trade Loco Foco, |
says:
The utra.tariff notions are rife in Congress- |
There is disposition among some TO go any
length in support of American Industry, by
protective duties. Pennsylvania is alive
some say on fire : in regard to that subject,
Moreover. we are assured that the WestH,be |
predominant West-under the next appoint.
mont, will come here misunderstanding
protection for home industry.