Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-08-05
AG R leu l. II R A l.


rHmCIS uu0 DOOAsA<cshfmlUXs
1t is very common thing to decry "book-
learning," especially in its relation to the prsc-
teal business of life. Something may be SAID
by way of apology for this habit but it is un-
questionably productive of great evil. All
readers know great deal, and about great
many subjects. But how much of this knowl-
edge is the result of their own unaided expe-
rience? Were all they have acquired from
other sources erased from the tablet Of their
minds, they would be very much inclined to
shave their heads, and play the monk, till they
have qualified Themselves anew for the stations
they now occupy.
Whence was this knowledge chiefly obtain
ed From two sources reading and CONVEX
saiion. This is true of all kinds of knowl-
edge, both Of The arts and tho sciences But
conversation can be carried on only by limit.
ed number Of individuals. Ears are not so
constituted as to enable us to hear all that 10
said in the world, or even in our own neighbor-
hood, nor all that is worth hearing. The pen
and press step in, and do what they can to
supply this deficiency; communicating with
r1ultitudes who. without their aid, could know
nothing Of these things. We can now hear
thousands of miles; and thus 10 scattered, as
on the wings ofthe wind, the information which
would otherwise attract the attention of but
few.
In theory, the pen and press communicate
the better past Of what is thought or spoken
and though they sometimes err the fault is not
objectionable, nor fatal. We should be thank
full that we are obliged to read and hear 90 lit
tie of what is worthless.
Note another fact. Nine -tenths Of all that
appears in the ponderous volume. relating to
matters Of general interest first appeared in
some periodical. Neither nthe arts nor in tho
sciences do we find an exception to this re-
mark. Nay, more In the periodical, this
truth first appears in form suited TO the wants
OF the public. Afterwards it is remodelled,
and, being clothed in a scholastic dress, forms
volume of science. suited only to the learned.
An Illustration of this, Fl esh in the recollection
OF my readers, is found in the pendulum ex-
pertinent" as illustrating the revolution Of the
earth. You may remember thestory ofthe young
gentleman, born and bred in the city, who,
having purchased . farm in the country, was
offered his choice out Of large herd ofcows.
Though little embarrassed. lest he might dis.
play his ignorance, he Soon made n selection,
saying: IL will take this thick ed one"-
Upon this. the boy was ordered, with parti-
ally suppressed laugh from all hands, to drive
10 the young farmers new establishment fine,
stout bull. Had this youth but examined
even"the pictures in our agricultural journals,
he might have avoided so ridiculous blunder.
and the milk-maid would have been spared
the modification ofheing sent out to obtain her
supply for the dairy from an animal unaccus-
toned to render such service.
There is great deal of fancy farming
\The incident just detailed belongs to this de-
partment. The young farmer selected his
'cow" on that principle Thousands do the
the same thing. Some Of this class carry on
their farms very much as somebody is said TO
have bought a library-by the appearance of
the covers. Each has his own fancy, and is
controlled by it; while true silence and COM
mon sense have not even seat at the council
board
Nor is this class Of farmers confined to the
novice. 1t may be found among those who
have grown gray upon the farm. True, in out
ward form, there may sometimes be fair ap.
pearance. One may manifest an ardent
desire to adopt the best modes, and yet may
belong in these ranks. He refuses thoroughly
to inform himself but is governed by bis fancy
in following the lead of mere pretender-
IAisi his fancy. He prefers this to the study
of the science
remember visiting one Of the best farming
tOWHS III uldsSdCuuScttS SOME Two years ago,
and when in conversation with some of the
most intelligent farmers in this place, one of
them inquired: "Are you concerned in Bonn
mer's patentl" An emphatic mo, sir" and
smile. materially affected a vissge already
unnaturalIy prolonged by the recollection Of
ten dollars thrown away on that humbug.-
Five dollars paid for single paper that ex.
planned that mysterious fertilizer, would have
saved "other FIVE" dollars, not only for him,
but for several of his neighbors. "Expe-
rience," as the sOOrd is popalariy used. il but
an imperfect security against the thousand
cheats and humbug to be found in every com.
munity. ---s-..z.'s-,.
Heis but a fancy farmer who chooses to
continue the modes and methods Of his ances.
tors. His father and grandfather used to do
so. and hence it must be right This is his on.
ly principle Of action. In other words, il is
his fancy TO do SO, because they did. He
knows how to conduct farm only BY imitation,
and looks to the past for his models. without
knowing Or understanding the results Of his
own or their operations. To him thers 10 no
such thing Is progress, and failure and success
'''~~a' .";thout meaning. Twenty bushels