The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-02-19

of excellence of which the are suscepti-
| ble.
The farmer goes forth among the works
of God, and into the garden. of the Creator,
to dress it and to keep it. With all natural
objects and changes about him he should en-
deavor TO become familiar. Almost every
science, as geology, mineralogy, animal and
yegeta bic. physiology, chemistry, and ento-
mology, may afford him assistance in his la
bors. The highly successful farmer cannot
be ignorant. He must be man of science,
industry and good judgement There is no
dangerof his knowing too much for his busi-
ness; and he can scarcely enlarge the circle
OF bis knowledge in any direction without
thereby gathering something which is calcu-
lated to render him more successful in his
occupat on. In order 10 be eminently sue
Ecessful, it is necessary for him throughly TO
understand the nature of his own soil, and
its capabilities. He should know in what
Ingredients it is deficient, and what il has IN
I
excess-how TO render it fertile, and how TO.
maintain its fertility. He should also know
what crops are best adapted TO the peculiari-
ties of his soil and sltuation-the best method
| of cullivating them, and the cheapest and
most suitable dressing for them. He should
have such knowledge of the diseases 10
which the different kind of plants he cult
Yates are subject, as will enable him. 10 take
that course which is best calculated 10 avoid
| them. He should also be able as much as
possible TO preserve his crops from the rava-
ges of destructive insects, and this he can
not do without some knowledge oftheir hab-
its and peculiariiies. Ofnone of these sub
jecls. can the farmer well afford 10 be ignor
ant, for often times upon his knowledge of
these things depend the fruits of bis labors;
aud itmay require years ofcareful study and
observation to obtain this knowledge which
is so important in the business of agrcul-
ture.
In every department of his business, he
has need of thorough information and The
careful deductions of experience. For in
stance, in the selection of a farm, if he has
occasion TO purchase one, perhaps thousand
things are TO be taken into consideration be-
sides soil and situation; and an ignorant per-
son is not qualified 10 select the best lot on
every account from dozen. Ifhe has ia
ken wild land, clearings are TO be made; and
how can this work be done at the least ex-
pc nse, and SO as not 10 impoversh the soil?
Much ferlilizing matter, for whichmay farms
are now suffering, has been wasted for want
of knowledge in this particular on the part of
those who first settled upon them. If he
takes farm which has been badly managed,
and in consequence has become unproduc-
tive, he has need of knowledge TO direct him
in the right way of retaining ii and resior-
ingitt productivenesss. The work Of reclaim
ing sworn out'' farm, is at best difficult
one, and to the ignorant farmer, ii is gener-
ally hopeless. With such. is emphatically
an uphill business, and in many instances
il has brought on feper which has carried
the farmer far away from the home of bis
youth. s
His farm is to be stocked. What proper
lion of each ofthe different kinds should he
keep? What breeds are best adapted to his
purposes? How are his animals 10 be bred
and managed so as not to deterioate? How
may they be improved? To succeed in this
branch Of his business, he must not be ignor-
ant of their nature and habits, OF of the dis
eases 10 which they are liable, and theirrem-
edies
He must plough and cvllyate In choos-
ing suitable tools and in using them properly
a knowledge of the general principles of me-
chanics would not come amiss
He needs team; this must be reared and
trained, and kept in working condition. And
what animals are best fitted 10 the business
of his farm? How should they be managed?
His land must be MANFRED. What ingred-
tents are needed? How can they be most
readily obtained, and how most proitably
applied?
What crops are most profitable, taking in
to consideration the cost OF cultiva;ing and
marketing, his situation and the nature of
his soil? sal
The knowledge Of the good farmer must
be extensive and accurate; and if he has an
inquiring, observing mind, he will be lear
nar for life The acme of anricultu.,I