The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-04-12
Qllf farmer.
EDUCATION OF YOUNG FARMERS.

LDCOA11ON VI AoCAo A-AAsi'AAAso'
Agriculture is not only the most
necessary, it is also one Of the most
elevated pursuits ofman.
To be a successful farmer requires
intelligence and the father who desires
his sons and daughters to succeed in that
path of life should qualify them by
sound and judicious education..-The
prevalent idea that knowledge OF read
ing writing and arithmetic is all that is
required for the culture of the soil, is a
great error. The rudiments of far more
extended knowledge, especially ofall the
departments of natural philosophy, and
of all the laws by which God governs
the physical world, is to the young far.
mer vastly more important than to one
engaged in any of the learned profess
sions.
The age in which we live is remarka-
BILE for its discoveries and inventions.
But all these wonderful contrivances are
the mere adaptations of natural powers
to the uses and wants of man. Man can
create no power, or law of nature; but
his ingenuity and invention can apply
existing known laws to economical and
useful purposes. 1t was knowledge Of
the expansive force of steam which led
to the invention of the steam engine OF
the chemical force of certain elements,
to the invention fgunpowder the ten
dency of electricity to follow metallic
wire, to the invention of the electric
telegraph-and so on of every other in
vention that has benefited the world.
Now, in almost every instance knowl-
edge ofthe power or law preceded inven-
ton. The more perfectly the farmer
understands the natural laws which favor
and invigorate his crops and his herds,
the more successful is he in his pursuits.
Man is made for happiness Wealth
is but the means of living, not the end.
The man who tolls throug h life to leave
rich inheritance to his Children more
frequently provides for their ruin than
theil welfare. The young man who in
herits fortune, too often yields himself
to pleasures which tend to poison his
life and destroy every useful or estima-
BILE quality. The young should be taught
that the sweetest pleasure is the dis
charge of duty to God, to man, and to
himself Thus educated, he is prepared
to enter into society, and to bear his part
in the great business of making the
world the better for his existence. Rich
es beget taste for luxury, disqualities
for business and leads to idleness; idle
ness to immortality, crime and finally ru-
in. Yet would not invelgh against the
pursuit of wealth, with right objects in
view. The advice of Burns to his young
friend | would impress upon the heart
and mind of every young man:
"To catch dame Fortunes golden smile,
Assiduous wait upon her;
And gather gear by every vile
That's justified by honor
Not for to hide it in a hedge,
Or for train attendant,
But for thejg lorious privilege
Ofbeing independent"
A proper education qualities the far
mer to produce greater results with less
expense and labor. 1t improves his
taste, and opens to him higher and purer
sources of enjoyment. 1t gives to him
relish for the beautiful, which he
seeks to secure by the judicious embel-
lishment of his premises, by neatness and
order upon his farm and in his buildings.
1t enables him better to understand the
laws ofhealth, and accommodate himself
to them.
To such a man industry is blessing,
and he recongnizes in the fiat of Jeho-
yah, Gin the sweat of thy face shalt thou
eat thy Bread" the beneficence ola kind
father. 1t not only provides for his body
the things necessary for its comfort, but
it acts directly upon his heart, making
him better citizen, better father and
better man.
Without industry, without knowledge,
what would the human race be? What
would the world be? Man would be
savage, the world wilderness. Indus
try without knowledge is but the toll of
the slave. BY their union nations are
enlightened, and the great social fabric
of civilized man is constructed.
Farmers, mechanics and laboring men,
remember how much you may contrib
ute to the we'll being of society, the
progress of the world, and the happiness
and welfare of your own offspring, by
giving them sound and practical edu-
cation. TO preserve their morals and
habituate them to industry, educate them
at home, where the soft and revered
restraints of the domestic circle will al
ways have an influence over them.
The Pr EsENT.-ln order to enjoy the
present, it is necessary to be intent on