The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-03-02
AGRICULTURAL.
F-07a the Sauthcrn Planter.
PROFITS OF AGRIC' LTURE.

peculiarly adapted to the reso lrcns of the
country. in which the demand was great
er than the supply, and which was CON
ducted in a very imperfect anu sl,veniv
manner, would he not excEam. here is an
opportunity for investment which shall
certainly embrace: and may nat all THIS,
and more, b. said for the pursuit OF agri-
culture IN this country, at this dayl
Whilst the Professions, as they are call
Ell, are confessedIy ovcrburhonrd-wh lst
there is more talent broug to them than
is required, such certainly is not the cas-
with agriculture. All admit, that talent
has been diverted into other channels, and
we repeat, there never was finer open
INC for the exercise OF It than this pursuit
affords. Men seek, every thing equal,
those pursuits in which they will meet the
least competition. When the supply is
not greater than the demand, the cost of
production regulate the price, that is the
cost OF production to the great mass. H.,
thc". in any business, the mass are unskil-
tuI and ignorant, the price is always far
above the rate at which an individual Of
skill andsnfnrmation can afford it. OF nc
ccsSlty ne gets rich, under such circum-
stances. Wheat, tobacco, and the growth
oil the earth in general, are not produced
III the cheapest manner; consequently
their price is far above what skill and in
gcnnlty can afford them at, and we have
demonstrated the proposition with which
we started, that their cultivation. offers a
a fine field for the exercise of those quail
ties.
We do not mean to say that men of ia
lent are not engaged in the pursuit of ag-
r'culture-far from it; but we do mean to
say that they do:not devote their talents to
It. Why and how is this? We will en-
deavor to explain. Agriculture is partly
Hechanical; that is, great MANY opera
tons, upon which its success depends arc
purely mechanical; and most unjust and
fatal prejudices exist against mechanical
.empIoyments.
VI the different pursuits of life, all re-
qllire the exercise of certain proportions
of the mind and the body. These pro-
portions differ in different occupations
some requiring much mental and little
physical effort, and others uniting great
physicalexertie.ns with small mental exer-
else. We naturally and prnpery lmTe
more the efforts of mental than physical
asklIl-hence, as men are ambitious, those
pursuits are most like TO be ovcrburtIened,
which are Of the latter class. But al.
though those occupations, requiring most
OF The mental, are mnst priced, We dJuot
very much whether wisdom would lead
Us 30 their pursuit. We believe that man
kind are SO constituted, mat the greatest
iappll1ens is afforded BY those employ
ments which exercise a due proportion Of
the 'nentatsand physical facn'tirs, with
which we are blessed. OrrnIs character
Is the pursuit of agriculture. The nen-
ia! labor, which it most powerfully calls
forth. is relieved by the bodily exercise
which Is equally necessary to its prnsecu-
ton; and health and happiness are the re-
suit. We bal!eva no occupation is heal
thy, (and without health, there can be no
happ'ness) which does not allow, ave, re-
gn,re. large portion of physical exartio.:
andeed, nothing is So well calculated to
increase and cherish mental vigor as b.
dlly exerc'sc:4tI,e health of the mind is cx-
tremely dependant upon the health of the
body. away then with the absurd and
ridiculous preiudices against occl patipns
combining great mental, with certain
degree of physical exeriirn. Such are
tns caIllags for which the God of nature
intended the best ofus. and it is from such
yo:r may always select those, specimens.
conferrIng the greatesfshonor upon human
nature. -
Bat. unfortunately, these evil spirits, as
they did not come ateour C Hing, viii not
vanish at our command. They are the
offspring of pride and folly. and upon NJ
pursuit IN life, do they exert more banc-
iuI influence, than upon agriculture.
X If we are right in saving that the pur-
suit of agriculture is in a great part me-
chancal, it follows of course, that he who
pursues it. shoulcfbe, in spite Of prejudice,
a mechanic. Where is the farmer who
Is mechanic? Where is the farmer whi
thor""ghy understands the simple tools
that py-op ,,,.,, =,