The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-10-27
Aarlrnltnral.
From the Southern Cuitivator.
thoughts on the Vocation of the
Farmer.


an.o sogcitude to promote his interest,
have emboldcned me to send yon few re-
r'arks,written IN such briefntervals of es-
ure as active lii, on aplaatation afforded
wish they possessed some charms Of
style to palate the want Of method and
clearness, but indulge the hope that the
reader will overlook faults, which are
frankly confessed.
1t is not my purpose ut present to dis
cant upon the different modes of cutiva-
ton in vogue, nor to cnumerate the imple-
ments daily invented to simplify and di-
minish labor, but to cndcavor to the best
Of my ability to inspire respect for agricul
tnral pursuits, and to remove the silly
prejudices cherished against them. 1t is
a prevalent notion i'll some quarters, that
the farmer leads a drudging, undigniicd,
and dull life that the nature of his avo.
cations utterly disqualifcs him for partic-
ipation in the refined pleasures Of social
life, and that, if he enters life rs man of
any scientific, or literary attainmcnts, he
unayoidably loses them, and sinks down
into country pumpkin. These notions
have infected the women, and in some ca
scs led to the Punishment of the domestic
cmploymcnts, which once so honorably
distinguished our ladies. The young la
dies are only ambitious of forming con-
nection with resident of the ncghboring
city, or town: and in pursuance of this un-
wise resolution, refuse advantageous con-
nections, on account of their being farm
ers. The son, before he has fairly cscap-
ed from clouts, begins to regard his Ia,h-
er ms an antcdcluvian relic, and by the
time hc is eighteen, has resolved to enter
upon the study Of Il profession. What are
the consequences of his tatuity3 lie has
attempted to move the world without hav-
ing power commensurate to the enter
prise, and makes shameful and iynnmn-
ious failure. lie becomes drouc in So
clrty, consuming substance he does not
help to create, a tax to his friends, anh
frequently is 50 maddcncd ~ chagrim,
that he recklcs>Iy pungcs into the mos,
brutal dissipation in search of Lcathc
for his own reproaches. Such is con-
densed history of hundreds and thousands
Of young men who, squandering the pat
rmonal pi:tance Ica to them, in acquir-
ing u profession, and in vainly waiting for
business, fall victims to dissipation in the
prime of manhood, from lack of ability To
MAINTAIN respectable position in society.
Lawyers and Doctors multiply so rapidly,
rs to remind one of the wish of Sir Thom-
as Browne, that "men might procrea;c
like trees" Must man bclongto one Of
the learned professions to command re-.
spect For one. differ from any such
Cninion.
l. Aot the farmer more Independent, in
the true scn>' Of tn term, than all other
cE IS ! there ,n hing Ia his pursuits
incpnp"anie wit, the culture ofhis mind
l'c lives in da.'r am hourly communion
with ma re, c.'oys unlimited npporiani-
nes for observation and reflection, and NAV
ramhlc ut pleasure among the hcaulics Of
animated nature. The vernal bloom Of
spring aud the mellow atiiucncc Of astumn,
dispose his mind to contemplation, and
lead him to look up to the "Givcr of every
good and perfect giit," with heart melt
ed with gratitude. Nor is he precluded
by his avocations from the improvement
of his mind by reading and study. There
are many moments when reading stands
to him in the stead Of the boisterous CAB
bic Of the bar--oom, and the bestial orpies
Of the brothe. When prevented from
stirring abroad, reading becomes n solace
and amusement, instead Of being resortcd
to merely TO kill time. These moments.
rightly improved by judicious reading.
will enable him to accumulate stores Of in
formation. The ant hill is formed by ac-
cretlons Of the minutest particles, and
knowledge is gathered in the same way.
Let ms compare him to the members Of
the learned professions, that we may reach
q just conclusion in reference to his means
OF mental culture and capacity for happi-
ness
The Physician stands so much nv the
couch OF sickness and beholds so much
suffering, that his finer feelings and i'm.
pulses are blunted and chilled. If he is n
man Of proper feelings, the conviction Of
his inability to relieve the suferings of his
fellow .nortals, and to arrest the fatal raw.
ages Of disease, must harrow his soul. He
who hourl = witnesses so much SUFFERING