Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1853-10-28
9gritultural,
Leisure Hours of winter.

During winter the farmer has many unoccu-
pied hours, which are not filed by the duties OF
the farm, and by the ceaseless application anu
hard labor which is required in the summer 1t
is question of some importance how THESE hours
may be employed with the greatest ana most
lasting benefit to the farmer. There Is an old
adage which says, az time is money :" IN which
there is much truth the judicious Importance of
time will create and secure money. But time
which is spent in groceries, grogshops, and sini-
lar haunts Of evil, is an investment which viii
yield no such gratifying results. Far from it.
The fruits of such an occupation Of leisure time,
are seen in the effects which are most hurtful to
those who make such use of it. Weakened
minds, vicious habits, and corrupted principles
are the inevitable consequences of this course
But how may the leisure hours of the farmer be
most judiciously and proftably spent We an
swer, by reading, study and thought. There Is
4 mental field of earth, and it is forsooth, the
more important field of the two; and npon the
manner in which its culture is conductad, the
success, prosperity and happiness OF farmer de-
pends, even in greaterdegree than upon we'll
titled farm. knowledge gives power; and upon
no class people does it confer 1t IN greater de-
gree than upon those who till the soil. The far
mer needs not only stout hand and strong arm
with which to WELD the implements of his voca-
ton, but he also needs strong clear, and we'll
developed mind to guide their action. There has
been q time when education and mental culture
were thought unnecessary for farmers, but that
time has passed, that hour has fed, and with it
the prejudices and opinions by which it was
characterised.
hos 81 te~ limit Agriculture
and her effulgent rays have imbued it with new
life and yigor. The age is essentially one of pro-
gress and to this progress the art of tllage bears
no Insignificant part. By the union of science
with practice, and by the efforts Of well directed
knowledge, crops are doubled and profits trebled.
With this tide Of progress we must keep pace,
else we are left on the back ground, aud will re-
alize meagre returns for our labor. The man
who rejects the aid of science will be forced to
awake and avail himself of her assistance, or
leave the vocation for one which requires less
thought.
Inasmuch as education is necessary for far
mers, it becomes evident that the leisure hours
of winter should be made use of to obtain it
Provide stock of books and agricultural papers
the more the better; lay those upon the table,
and bring them to the freside then, when the
wild winds are revelling without, and the storms
beating upon the roof, you may sit down in peace
and composure, and CLEAN many a useful lesson
from their pages. By these means, and in this
manner, you will obtain food for the intellect,
aD2 store it with the materials of many hour
of thought. Your mind will be strengthened
your knowledge increased, and your circle O
ideas widely extended. As consequence sue
cess, prosperity, and accompanying happiness
will follow. To labor, to eat, drink and sleep is
not the end of mortals; there is a nobler purpose
ahgher destiny. The mind is the man, and
from its developement and culture spring the pu
rest, richest and deepest joys which cheer ouI
pathway. Let US improve the leisure hours o.
winter in gaining fund of knowledge, strength
ening our intellects, and correcting our errors
Thus will we reap the reward Of prosperity and
happiness.