The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-22
magnitude OF the undertaking. shall not attempt any
thing like dsquison upon the great business or art Of

|
Although have fright to saythat am not altogether
unacquanted with the business the practical part
even OF this great pursuit of civilized man. yet make
Preensions to knowledge the subject which is
suits in life hane however led(me to reflect much upon
the salutary influence which agricultural emPoymens
nave upon the and moral character
pness of the State.
with the vast importance the almost Indispensable
cessity Of bring ing, practically. to this most important
ana noolsst OF all pursuits The highest and most exalted
It is to this important consideration propose to in
vite your attention.
You will readily perceive the subject introduces into
field which can be but very imperfsctly surveyed in
the compass Of sugle address, the theme even in
much ADLER hands than mine. II can only suggest
few hints that may serve, in the least measure, to
strengthen your convictions Of ne truths, the utmost
have venured to hopelwill have been accomplished The
habit educating for the professions and not for agr
culture conceive to be great The great truth
that knowledge is power" as true in regard to sgri
culture relation to any other station or pursuit
in life. No avocaon in civilized life requires
cultivated intellectso profound knowledge
ried requirements for its True the pursuit Of
agriculture may be followed with without
Learned probe. sons'-But the reasonabie hope--nay
the certain prospect of success in either is almost init
ntey increased when physical exertions direct
ed aided by highly cultivated intellect.
INF s. here illustrated his position by reference to
man. the disadvantages those engaged in them
would suffer from imperfect knowledge
He then remarked: So with the farmer--without sdu-
cation, and Judgment his is highly uncer.
tain Natures most simple modes of operation
pcable to him. and his ignorance Of leads him
erroneous cslculatons with regard to effects while the
| educated man, with correct knowledge of geology,
mineralogy, chemistry, botany and vegetable Physioo
81 will nave at his command, agents. elements and prn.
Why is it, that the Of farmers who have been Ii
beray educated abandon the avocaons of their fathers
for some of the learned professions engage
camille pursuits 1t is mainly from the misakenthe
not hold elevated rank the estimation Of the COM
muny as the the latter more ertanly
| this view propose to demonstrate
First as to its rank-is superior dignity. What il it
that eevates any one pursuit. or employment above
other Independent OF any conventional regulations,
surely that employment which of the greatest benefit
which ionis the greatest benefits upon man in his
most eevated-mus hold the highest rank-especially
| in governmentlike ours
| will not undertake prove what has not only
been but conceded by every thinking and
candid mind for the last half century least that agr
wealth Of the nation and subsistence Of individuals
depend II requires that of exercise which is most
conducive to haalth and inspires sentiments most favor
able to patriotism land virtue II is the basis of all the
useful arts 1t furnishes the materials upon which
of them employee ed II the parent OF the fine arts
of science and literature first brought man from
savage life to his present social condition. without which
| science, art or literature could not exist. r
Society began with the pursuit of agriculture and its
the husbandman has been elevated or depressed. I'm
provements in this great branch Of industry have in all
ages and in all countries marked the advance in cvil
zation and the progress Of those arts which elevate
1
the most universal and ancient of the
greatest number of OPERATOR and is indispensable
tonal prosperity II is the most elevated pursuit. be-
its successful prosecution requires more mind
more intellect and more intimate knowledge of the
whole range OF science and literature than any other
requires profound knowledge of natural history nat
| raj physiology and chemistry
what various and vast stores of learning are
under these heads but nevertheless assure YOU it is
true TO no pursuit in life is intimate acquaintance
with the whole arcane OF naturethe systems of her diff
fcrent Kingdoms so necessary as to the farmer.
very brief illustration will demonstrate the truth Of
this proposition II il most highly important to
the farmer that he should have correct knowledge
Of thel nature and properties of manures mineral ami
ard particular crop for which particular sorts Of
best suited-the method Of using all manures
before the moisture has robbed them of their most valu
able properties knowledge and means Of chemically
analysing so: by which can ASCERTAIN their const
increase their ferya know ledge Of all kinds Of We
geationwhat constitutes its nuriment for the purpose
Of a.certaniDs the best method Of cutivatng 1.-THE
productions Of the SOIL and upon the soil selfa know
ledge Of the nature properties and diseases Of the var
cessary to his knowledge of insects and the
| means Of exterminatng them
mate acquaintance with history and geography. Expe
rience is the great teacher in this we'll other pur
suits. History 10 experience. History says pro-
found thinker ss well brilliant writer sis philosophy
teaching by example" knowledge, therefore, of the
the SOIL climate and productions of other countries will
| greatly aid the farmer.
Although agriculture Is the parent OF society yet
dependent upon it, and the farmer more than other
| ID dependent upon the well being Of society.
Moral philosophy, or a knowledge of man-the
tives which influence his actions necessary
his as much So at least as to any other men,
Der of society
is said by writers who have given careful attention
to the statistics of the civilized world that seveneghhs
Of its inhabitants are in filling the ground
least 7oiOO Of tho inhabitants Of this country are enga
success in every pursuit in life is greatly influenced
/ bv. nOta uteIv he mol nd
measures of government. The agricultursts Of this
country, comprising 20 vast proportion Of the poPu,a,
policy Of than any other class of the peo
pie. Hence most familiar acquaintance with the sci
ence OF political economy is OF the first Importance to
| them. Their numbers enable them to do what they
should do-control the measures of government Upon
ting the agricultural chief interests Of government
Mr. s. here spoke at length, and with interest upon the
ing market for surplus productions-of securing
equal and just laws and the importance of supporting
ger Of sxpermen.inS upon subject invovnT the life
liberty. and rights OF the people The great difficulty of
hearing the speaker however while carriages were pas
sing, prevented the making such report the mpor
"No pursuit Of civilized lfso said he, "can be sue
cessfully prosecuted without intimate intercourse
the refinement and Of society should
cation The speaker dwslt at length upon the importance
of classical literature among farmers When they
selected to represent the people in the councils Of their
government. where the great struggle will be conflict
of intellect with equal requirement. he will be supe-
rior to any His practical knowledge,
derived from his pursuits, will render him better
quanted with the wants Of the communty-of the con-
stituency whom he serves than any profession without
the like practical knowledge. Besides, the farmer
| requires aliment for the mind well the body.
No writer has contributed to the Vaccinations OF
the pursuit of agriculture than the great poet Of anti
au in the Georges of Virgil the majesty of verse and
the harmony OF numbers add dignity and grace to the
most useful Of all topics No will rise from their pc
win the least inclination to abandon the pleasures
Oh rural ie for the closer the closet the counting
room or court Why 10 it then that agriculture is not
Ssemad what Is in fact the most dgnifed the most
honorable, a. 10 the most useful Of all pursuits
which have no application to this has css.d manual Ia
Dor with servile pursuits Is because in parts of
our own country manual labor performed only
After Rome had degeneratel from a republic into an
empire the arts were cassed there into liberal and
ve the servile being those requiring manual labor and