Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-08-18

Intelligent Farming.


There is a profitable and improbable
mode of bestowing labor in every kind Of
human industry, and particularly in the
cultivation of the soil. Farmers, we
think, leave invention and handicraft,
mechanical knowledge and skill, too
much TO cities. Their labor is of the
longest, their exposure is of the most
trying, their life is of the hardest which
ii falls 10 the lot of any large class of
men 10 endure. Their products consti-
tute the basis of the worlds wealth, but
they have 10 wiring them oflentimes from
the bosom Of an ungrateful soil. with the
seasons not always genial, and a thou
sand active loes 10 war against their sue
cess. But, under the favoring infuen-
ces of the seasons, every thing depends
upon the kind OF implements used. the
knowledge of the texture and qualities
Of soils, and of the enemies which set
themselves against the fruitfulness of
dame earth. As much science, expert
ence and cunning, it certainly is no hard
matter TO see. are required in extracting
and renewing the virtues of the soil, so
as 10 sustain tho mighty multitude of
earth's unintelligent children, and add to
the security and permanent wealth of
man, as in any of those secondary pro-
cesses which constitute the lore Of cities.
The real burden and effort of thousands,
the grand haunting problem of a myriad
OF sleepless brains is simply TO ease the
friction and resistance Of machinery, TO
shoulder off human toll still further upon
the forces Of nature, to carry the least
labor 10 its larthest result. I'VE do not
know why the business Of tillage and
husbandry should have been TO the ex-
tent it has an exception 10 this natural
endeavor why the lore of farming
should have been so far unlearned. We
think it is not generally the case that far.
mers cultivate soil, and on acquaintance
with its peculiarities with the same fdeli-
~ /; that they seek TO gain any wonderful
intimacy with the nature Of The substance
they are laboring upon, working up,
ploughing and planting, vexing with iron
teeth, sending the shuttle of the share
over the weave the warp and wool of
thrift. They labor with manly heart,
they fight with strong sinews against DIFF
fculIies, but often they know not what
they seek 10 conquer.
OF latter years, however. a perceptible
improvement has been made in the meas
ure of intelligence with which farmers
apply themselves to their important call
) ing. They are getting 10 perceive thai
blind labor is waste labor, and that there
is a better method than the former dead,
lift at nature. 1t is no wonderful thing
TO find a farmer, even in our Western
States, who studies his business well
sees by the experience of others, who il
g not unskilled in agricultural chemistry
$ and is a laborer every way well-appro
r we'd in his work.
This result is greatly owing TO the ex
cellent publications of The last few years
e directed 10 the advancement of farming
interests, mostly edited by learned far
e mers, detailing the most valuable expe
rience and that are brought within th,
e reach of every farmer. Such publica
G tons rs the Ohio Cul,ivator, Columbus
G o., which is now in lis fifth volume, an
the Wool Grower, Buffalo, N. Y. ar
very efficient c~o-laborers in this field
We take it as one of the best omens @
G the age, a promise of far more than mer
q wealth can confer, that intellect is Gairl
S entered into the harvest field and promis
S es 10 preside over the implements c
husbandry.
r.