Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-03-03
Farmers Department.
From the Ohio Cultivator.
Important Considerations for
Farmers.


Farmers.
The day in which we live has been
emphatically called The 'age Of improve
ment." The last half century has been
more productive in discoveries in the
science and arts than centuries were pre-
viously, in all the connected and reliable
history of the world.
A better understanding of Natures
simple yet well and happily adjusted
laws, has been applied to the mechanic
arts, cheapening and multiplying to the
extent OF the demand, all tina, ministers
TO the necessities and comfort of man in
his highest and most refined social state,
and providing the best and most speedy
means for their universal diffusion
throughout the world. The navigation
Of the seas has been rendered more safe
and expeditions by astronomical obser-
vations and the application Of steam.-
The Railroad, with all its wonderful ia
cilities for inland commerce and locomo-
ton is also product Of the present Gen.
fury. .. ...
But in vain science opens her portals
on every side, in vain does the laborious
searcher after truth and knowledge con-
sumo his oil at midnight, If the farmer
closes his eyes and ears to the important
lessons which they teach.
AS before remarked, the books upon
the subject of Agriculture are numerous
and the knowledge necessary for success
is scattered literally through the length
and breadth of the land, and almost ev-
cry State periodical, journals promotive
of agriculture and the arts are shedding
their light upon all who desire to walk
in il.
Hence 10 become good and success
full farmer. requires q sound ard well d.
Yected education, combined with habits
of steady as well as of patient. industry
in the field. | have long observed the
fact. that far more physical strength, or
rather human power is expended in the
accomplishment of the ordinary iabors
Of the farm than is necessary.
By taking advantage Of well known
laws of mechanical forces, many hard
strain o: heavy Lift may be avoided. and
performing greater amount of work in
given time. So also in preparing our
soils for crops. a knowledge of some OBJ
vious principle of Agricultural Chemistry
will often save labor, or when it impos-
es more pains, gives great and more
certain reward for the time and attention
bestowed. Likewise in the selection of
seeds or the adaptation of particular
crops TO particular soils, due knowl-
edge of what can and may be knows,
will save from many failure and bitter
Disappointment. And in the choice and
care o. breeding animals. success is ever
the result of sound practical knowledge.
The natural sciences teach US the laws
Of nature. and though arti6cially divid.
ed into many branches. and their primer
pies often concealed by the use Of words
that are unin,elligible to the unlearned.
ye. those laws must be understood in
some measure, the better if success is to
be attained. No branch of art is so de-
pendent upon the processes Of nature as
that Of the farmer. Do what he will,
he is sure to fail if he contravenes ma
lures laws.
To teach all that lie known OF The laws
is the business of science, and if scien-
tifc knowledge is SO valuable to the far
mer. why not require it to be taught in
our common hools! Why no, quail
fly 10 the midst OF the moral influences
of the domestic circle, our sons and our
daughters to act well their part in the
great duties of lite! DO we hear that
the expense is too great, that we cannot
afford TO maintain them year after year.
qualified TO teach all these various branch
Is? Or do we hear from the other side,
that TO educate the masses Of the people
d 10 make them impatient Of toll and in
unfortunate 10 law!