The Cecil Whig., 1843-04-29
AGRICULTURE,


is no difficulty in doing this where you
can secure the voluntary cooperation OF
the household; and there is in such ar
rangcments, steadily aud resolulely main
tained, as much economy of time as there
is of health and comfort. can point to
innumerable individuals, and had almost
said, such has been the powerful intlu-
ence of example to whole villages,
where the same habits of neatness and
order universally prevail; and where, con-
ssquenlly; the air itself is brealhed with
a healthier and heartier respiration.
Happier would it belor our agricultur-
alists, if in addition to renouncing that
slovenliness which far too generally pre-
walls, and which, IN truth, in every case
involves not an lnconsiderablc loss Of
property, and making exactness and Or
der triumphant IN every part, they would
seek to render their premises as beautiful
as they can be made. Appearances should
be studied in every thing connected With
their business and dwellings. There is
no class of men in any condition Of life,
who have within their reach more of the
materials and elements of beauty, and at
cheaper rate than the residents in the
country. Trees, plants. flowers, vines
are everywhere to be had for the mere
trouble of getting, in some of those half
days or half hours which occur in the
busiest conditions of life, and which are
SO carelessly squandered by men who for
get that the largest sum is composed of
units, as atoms make up the mountains,
and drops form the ocean.
would have them study the principles
of refined taste in the construction of
their farm buildings, and observe The rules
of architectural proportion and architec-
tural beauty in all their erections, wheth-
er it be wig-wam, log cabin or pig
stye. But why shall we do this? Be-
cause these proportions are not matters
Of arbitrary determination, but they are
fixed in nature. The violation of them
is always offensive; the observance of
them always gives pleasure. Such erec-
tions cost no more than buildings con-
structed with an entire disregard to them.
Then, again, in the construction and con-
dilion OF farm implements and vehicles,
though would not encourage any useless
fnery, yet would have them made in
the best manner, and kept in the best con-
dilion. This should be done on the
pIainest principles of economy. An im-
plement, Wagon or carriage, that is
neatly painted and vanished and kept
clean, will have greater endurance and be
50 much the more carefully used. In
general, what men most value they will
most care for; what they take most pains
to preserve, they will take most pains in
using; what those about you see you val
tie, unless in cases of extraordinary per-
versity, they will value. How constantly
do we hear the expressions, sit is new,
don't deiace it," sit is clean, don't soil it,"
or ''it is dirty, or broken, or old, do MT
care for it," Send two children into the |
street, let one be Il bare headed, bare foot
ed, ragged urchin, with a lace which, per-
haps, never had thorough washing, hair
that was never disturbed with any finer
comb than his own greasy fingers, and
with mouth begrmed and strewed in
relief with the remains Of weeks por-
ridge, and nobody would think of giving
him hand to help him through mud
puddle or over a gutter, unless where
they thought he would be drowned, and
this only, perhaps, because the admoni-
tons Of conscience might be little strong
er than their disgust at the sight OF him.
lfhe should get run over in the street,
you would hear no other remark than
that he was IA dirty dog, and might have
got out of the way. On the other hand,
send sweet little girl into the street,
looking like rose bud with gistening
dew drops upon its leaves, with her neat
bonnet without shade upon its lushe,
her frock combating the snow drift in its
whileness, her unsoiled stockings indicat-
ing the perfection of natures statuary
beneath, her shoes rejecting the brightest
polish of art, and as transparent as her
unstainedlmind, and there is not chin:
ney--swcep but would give her the side
walk, nor clown among the most clown
ish if he dared to touch her; who would
not wipe his hands on his own clothes,s
and with delight carry her half mile
over the crossings, rather than tina. she
should soil, had almost said, the sole Of
her slipper.
would have the windo.- Of the farm
house adorned with flowers, not in rusty |
tin measures and old black glazed tea pots
aud glass bottles with The necks broken
of; but in whole and handsome flower
pots, OF neatly painted wooden boxes, for
they cost very little. would have the
piazzas or porches trellised with vines,
even with scarlet runners if nothing bet
ter can be had. ] would have the door
yard filled with flowers ard shrubberv,
and the road side lined with trees, here
clump and there a single line, mingling
the varieties as nature mingles them, cul-