The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1845-09-02
THE FARMERS LEE.


few young men of education and talent should
choose the life of farmer, in proportion to the
great numbers who are croWdIng the various
professions and filling the mercantile world to
overlooking. Such should not be the case. If
any where talent and taste is necessary and desi-
rable it is in this department of life. If any where
talent combined with industry reaps rich,rewards,
it is when employed in the cultivation of the
earth. 1t is an impression, far too general, that
any one, however ignorant, may be successfully
employed in the tilng Of the soil, and that it
would be perversion of talent and taste to devote
them to such an occupation. There is an adapta-
ton OF the soil to the plant, and the plant to the
soil, which renders it necessary that the qualities
OF both should be fully known and investigated,
in order the most successfully to rear the one and
improve the other. Other things being equal, the
scientific agriculturist will produce the largest
crops, the finest fruits, the best stock at the least
expense, and at the same time doubly enrich the
soil he cultiyates. He who understands not the
nature of the soils and the constituents Of the va
rous vegetables he attempts to raise, will greatly
TAIL to secure the full value fhs lands, by inn
proper location of his crops; getting but very
poor corn, when the potato would have grown
lGxuriantly, and but poor potatoes where he might
have gathered his corn in abundance Every
farmer should be student, thoroughly versed in
chemical and botanical knowledge especially, as
wen DIS III the various branches OF science winch
may the better enable him to pursue understand
ingly the business of his life. To such mind,
the pursuit of agriculture would furnish contin-
ual feast. He would find food for his mental APP
petite, as well full basket and store, from
which to supply his physical nature. Every la
Dor in which his hands were called to engage,
would call for the assistance of that scientific
knowledge which he possessed, and the Beneficial
results OF its application to the varied affairs Of his
life, in the improved condition ofhis crops
and lands, his stock and implements could not
fail to afford the highest mental qualification.
We repeat it, that it appears strange to us, that
SO few of our educated young men choose this
most delightful occupation. True, it has its tolls,
and its trials; and what department Of life have
them not 1t has, too, its solid comforts and its
substantial pleasures. The scientific agriculture
list never need fear for lack of the subsantials of
life, until the promise that seed-time and harvest
shall never fail, shall be revoked. But not 50
with your professional OF mercantile gentleman.
He has no promise of harvest IN his raIllng, and
vast many OF them, year alter Yez EsiI Of reaiiz-
ing one. The agricuIt0F assuredly
then one that has received IN a special manner
the appreciation 81 HeAAen III is but assisting
80 to speak, Nature III carrying on her benef-
scent Hess to slasfr naDlki0sf and % nai1ister
his N&nfs, and therefore should be rank ed as hi CHI
est and most enrolling among the varied pursuits
OF men. fC should be so viewed, and would be,
were it not that it is thus deserted by those who
ought to be found first in its ranks and its sup-
port.
1t is pleasant to know that efforts are being
made in some sections to restore the agricultural
profession to its proper level. In the States of
New York and Connecticut, schools for instruc-
ton in all that pertains to agricultural life have
been opened, and individuals of both sexes, are
admitted and trained, both in the science and
practice ofFarming. Such schools cannot fail to
be of high utility to those who attend them, and
to the community at large, by the influence they
will exert in elevating and rendering more popu-
lar the employment of the agriculturist. Young
men should early choose their pursuit life, and
their education be adapted to fit them for it. Let
but schools be established among us with course
of scientific study that shall place them on stand
ing with the best of our Academies, and added
thereto the practical application of such course
of study to agricultural life, and they will prove
powerful auxiliaries in restoring to its proper
standard the science of agriculture, and of eevat-
ing and enrching both in an agricultural and Pc
cunary sense, those engaged in its pursuits
Farmers Cabinet.