Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1853-02-10

are obliged to read and hear so little 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. Nei-
ther in the arts nor in the sciences, do We
find an exception to this remark 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 a volume of science, suited only to
the learned. An Illustration of this, fresh
in the recollection of our readers, is found
in the pendulum experiment" as illus
trating the revolution of the earth. You
may remember the story of the young
gentleman, born and bred in the city,
who having purchased farm in the coun-
try was offered his choice out of a large
herd of COWS. Through little embar-
rassment, lest he should display bis igno-
rance, he soon made selection, saying,
81 will take the thick necked one." Upon
this, the boy was ordered with partially
suppressed laugh from all hands to drive
to the young farmers new establishment
fine, stout bull. Had this youth but
examined even the pictures in our agricul-
tural journals, he might have avoided so
ridiculous blunder, and the milk-maid
would have been spared the modification
of being sent out to obtain her supply for
/ the dairy from an animal unaccustomed
to render such service.
! There is 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 same thing. Some of this class carry
on their farms very much as somebody is
said to have bought a library-by the ap-
pearance of the covers. Each has his own
fancy, and is controlled by it; while true
! science and common sense, have not even
seat at the council board.
Nor is this class Of farmers confined to
to the novice. It may be found among
those who have grown gray upon farm.
True, in outward form, there may some
times be fair appearance. One may
manifest al ardent desire to adopt the best
modes, and yet may belong in these ranks.
He refuses thoroughly to inform himself
but is governed by his fancy in following
the lead of mere pretender. This is
his fancy. He prefers this to the study
Of science.
| remember visiting one Of the best
farming towns in Massachusetts some two
years ago, and when in conversation with
some OF the most intelligent farmers in
the place, one of them enquired care you
concerned in Bommer's patent :" An
emphatic "No, Sir" and smile, materi-
ally affected a visage already unnatural
ly prolonged by the recollection of ten
dollars thrown away on that humbug.-
Five dollars paid for single paper that
explained that mysterious fertilizer, would
have saved other FIVE dollars, not only for
him, but for several of his neighbors.-
Experience" as the acOrd as l00pHlarly
uSed is but an imperfect security against
the thousand cheats and humbugs to be
found in every community.
He is but fancy farmer who chooses
to continue the modes and methods of his
ancestors His father and grandfather
used to do so, and hence it must be right.
This is his only principle of action. In
other words, it is his fancy to do SO be-
cause Hley did. He knows how to con-
duct farm only by imitation, and looks
to the past for his models, without know
ing or understanding the results OF his
own or their operations. To him there
is no such thing as progress, and failure
and success are words without meaning
Twenty bushels of corn to the acre Is quite
satisfactory, so long as he depart from
no established usage, and is not outdone
by his neighbors. | know not why be
should be called wise man more than
our city born friend before spoken Of
Both are governed alike by considerations
undeserving of confidence.
The subject of maures is great sci
ance. Our fathers knew but little Of it.
They had less occasion to know than we
have, for they had not so thoroughly ex-
hausted their soils. But the process was
carried on with terribly destructive con-
stancy, We are trying to carry it lit-
tie farther; and in some instances the
work seems complete through almost en-
tire States. Harvests fail to support the
laborer, aud this, in any other employ
ment, would be considered and treated as
failure. No other class of men would
remain content with this condition. The
farmer alone manifests patience so perfect,
and that two when he might double and
quadruple his income.
How entire is the revolution in the