The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-05-28

Why sHouLD TO- H FARMER BE
znu~cArEp}-A short time ago we sus~
gested the propriety Of establishing an
Agricultural College in Massachusetts, to
disseminate correct Information in regard
TO the science OF farming. We r%ei!era,e
the proposition. Speaking on a subject
akin 20 this the Rev. MIR. Stone says
Bee.
OF all active e%mployments, farming is,
perhaps, most congenial 10 self.cu!tufe.-
In some mechanical pursuits, success often
depends on the concentration Of the mind
70 q single point. The nice calculations
.ha, enter into a new invention, or an i'm
proyement of an old one, forbid attention
to any subject on, Of that particular line
But il is other wise with the farmer. There
are many hours, ia which he may reflect
and mediate on topics foreign to his bust
ness, without impeding it. He can carry
into the field, and digest the contents OF a
valuable book, while turning the furrow
or culliyaling the crop, and feel refreshed
by the exercise. And if. as It's said, Gan
empty brain is the DEVILS workshop"
where all sorts Of mischief are forged, he
is the wisest man, and in the safest condi-
ton, who goes 10 his daily employ well
provided with matter for profitable
thought.
Why, then, should not this truth be
kept constantly in view2 Why should
not every farmer, and every farmers wife,
have time for mora, and Intellectual! i'm
provemen2 Why should they not have
a choice collection OF books, small though
i, may be, ana time to peruse them! Why
should mol the one be familiar with the
best works on agriculture and Political
Economy, and the other with the produc-
lions OF Moore, Edgeworth, Sigoufney
and Beecher? Nay, why should not the
great truths of Revelation, those that un>
veil eternity, and impart lustre 10 the souls
destiny, occupy an occasional hour OF un"
distracted meditation, Of inspection as anx-
ious as was ever devoted 10 "the contents
ct a rich mans last will and testament"
Industry and enterprise | profoundly
venera,e, and feel myself bound 10 say and
do what | can 10 give them a healthy
stimulus. But l cannot close my eyes 10
the evils Of their abuse. All excess is
hurlfui, and TO be dcplored. And when /
hear men say, as | frequently do, that
they should be glad 10 read, but cannot
find time; when I hear mothers speak with
deep feelings Of maternal responsibilities,
and mourn that they ure debarred, by the
stern demands Of toll, the aids Of deliber,
ate reading and calm thinking, in dis
charging the noblest and hottest duties of
life, my heart is panied, and cannot es.
cape the conviction that something wrong
il mingled with the present order of
things. And when | see both sexes deep
~ and prema,urely marked with the lines
Of excessive care, debasing their better ma
fuses with the groSsness OF earth-when
in oil parts o. our glorious Commons
wealth, | see men, and women too, neg
lec,ing the S,bbath, absen,ing themselves
from the house Of worship, because, as
they say, they are Frustrated by the Toll Of
the week my soul is grieved beyond ex.
preston. IlrembIe in view of the con.
sequences they are accumulating 10 them.
selves, the injurious influence OF their ex>
ample or their offspring, and the disease
they are engendering in the morals of the
community.
The causes OF this condition OF things
have been varlonsly assigned. The EVIL
is attributed 10 %avlrice, an excessive hasle
10 be rich, a 6uical love Of show, a PISS
ion for dress that ordinary labor %cauno,
support, c%x,ravdgant indu gence OF artif
cial wants, e%nvious emulation of The rich,
ianoSls competition ia business, making