Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-04-24
AGRICULTURAL : .SCIENFIFIc
AGR1cuLTURAL AGENTS.

i.
In looking over the great advantages my nauve
State has for agricultural purposes, am forc'oly
struck with the fact, that there is somehng more re-
quired than richness of SOIL suiableness OF climate
proximity to market, and general diffusion OF infor-
nation, 10 elevate our agricultural condition Some
thing must be done to hasten the proper turn 10 pub
lie opinion, 10 sui. our purposes. Our. young men
of fortune aud education must be ofoughtfo lock
upon the actual occupation IN agricultural dulles Is
agreeable and commendable-to prize more highly
the reputation Of being skful farmers, than that OF
possessing long rent rolls, and thousands OF most
miserably cultivated acres. ] know such valuable
works as the American Farmer, the various agrlcul-
tura societies, the fne exhibtons,and the able ad-
dresses delivered by our most influential cilizens,
all have this tendency. But still the work does not
90 on fast enough.
The suggestion would therefore make, to hasten
this matter, is that many Of our young men oi for
tune, education and family should throw aside their
pride ard love Of case, and enter OH the duties OF
what may be called an agricultural agency.
The sphere in which suppose such person
should act, would be of much more elevated char
acter, than that of en- ordinary overseer-that he
should associate with his employer and his family,
consult with him, respecting all duties to be perform
ed, and superin;end the execution OF the same
This would give him ample opportunity to acquire
practical information. and afford him an agreeable
and useful field in which to spend the years he would
otherwise consume in ideness, waiting, perhaps, tor
the death of parents to put him IN possession oi
farm To draw out these tresome years, II Is Gus
omary 10 indulge in idleness, and It's thousands OF
evil concomitants, or TO study profession. Inc
latter, even under such circumstances, believe to be
of more injury than benefit to the youth to say noih-
ing of the great injury inflicted by such persons
on society Sometimes, they 60 behind the coun-
tiers of ignorant and narrow-mnded merchants TO
sell ape-a fit school 10 DESTROY all energy of char
acter, and what little taste they may have Tor rural
pursuits. Let only few young men actas pioneers
iE this field and it will soon be looked upon as a
occupation for farmers sons, ecen y
they be of eenile blood. Many old and gouty gen.
,lemen could be found who stand IN nneed Of such an
officer, or could be persuaded they do, after they
have seen some of their credulous neghbors try
them Many widows, Of large estates, would be just
suited by such agents, who now have TO trust their
business in the hands of most cases,
feel but little interest in their employers welfare
The particular duties of such persons must in
great degree, depend on the wants Of lheir employ
crs aud so, no doubt, many young men would find
their situation disagreeable others, however, will
meet with pleasant ones, where they will have
full opportunity TO obtain practical knowledge Of ag-
rculiure, horticulture the rearing and training do
meslic animals also Of business transactions geuer
ally, and the thousands Of llte domestic matters,
which we know, from experience, are invaluable to
those beginning the world for themselves. During
these years OF probation aud apprenticeship, by judi
cious economy, something may be saved from each
YEARS salary or commissions, which will be found
very servceable in commencing farming, and, togeth-
er with the old employers fair daughters hand per-
haps, would give fair start in life. a
feel deeply convinced that the suggestion here
made is good one and am forced to make II, be-
cause see around me, daily, young men who are
dIe or engaged in frivolous pursuits at the sacrifice
of character energy and health, who, know, would
gladly engage in any occupation suitedto their hab-
its, and moi below their dignity. They are kept in
this situation by the erroneous notions Of their fa-
hers who keep them around them, TO inherit the pa
trmonial estate which, in most cases, is impoy-
erished as to cause the proprietor to practice the
s,rices. economy, and deny himself every comfort,
instead of sending them offlike the boys Of Yankee
land; by which meanshey would in all probability,
acquire larger fortune than the paternal acres are
worth, or apportioning them of a small farm, and
setting them to work, to payfor t--Covsspondem
of The american Farmer. iqa ~