Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1853-01-20
LEISURE HOURS OF WINTER.


in quellng knigh,-erranlry in Spain.
LEISURE HOURS OF WINTER.
i During the winter the farmer has many
unoccupied hours, which are not filled by
the duties Of the farm, and by the ceaseless
application and hard labor which is requir-
ed in the summer. 1t is question of some
importance how these hours may be en-
ployed with The greatest and most lasting
benefit TO the farmer. There is an old adage
which says, Cline is money - in this there
is much truth; the judicious improvement Of
time will create and secure wealth. But
time which is spen. in groceries, grogshops,
and similar haunls Of the idle, is an invest
ment which will yield no such gratifying
results. Far from it. The fruits of such
an occupation Of leisure time are seen in ef
(ec,s which are most bur,ful to those who
make such use of it. Weakened minds,
vicious habits, and corrupted principles, are
the inevitable consequences Of this course.
But how NAV the leisure hours Of the farmer
be most judiciously and proflably spent?
We answer, by reading, study, and thought.
There is mental field to cultivate, as well
as field of earth, and it is, forsoo,h, the
more important field of The two and upon
the manner in which its culture is conduct
ed, the success, prosperity and happiness of
the farmer depends, even in greater degree
than upon well-lilled farm. knowledge
gives power, and upon no class Of people
does il confer it in greater degree than
upon those who till the soil. The farmer
needs not only stout hand and strong arm
with which to WELD The implements Of his
vocation, but he also needs a strong, clear,
and we'll developed mind to guide their &C.
ton. There has been time when educa-
ton and mental culture were thought un-
necessary for farmers, but that time has pass
h al h~.- l>---a4I al y.>A----.ah- ~ 4LA~..~.-
&C cterised.
Science has cast her light upon agricul-
ure, and her ef1ulgent rays have imbued it
with new life aud vigor. This age is essen
TALLY one of progress, and in this progress
5s y he a5 G 1o 'ss tsence 5sas &c H n6aPe P6sp pA
by the efforts of well-direc.ed knowledge,
crops are doubled and profits trebled. WIN
this tide of progress we must keep pace, else
we are left upon the back ground, and will
realize but 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 Tor
farmers, it becomes evident that the leisure
hours of winter should be made use OF to
obtain it. Provide stock OF books ana
agricultural papers-the more the better;
I ~ hrIp
the freside then, when the wlldw'nds are
reveling without, and the storms are beat
ing upon the roof, you may sit down in peace
and composure, and G lean many a useful
lesson from their pages. By this means,
and in this manner, you will obtain food
for the intellect, and store it with the ma
,erials for many an hour Of thought. our
mind will be strengthened, your knowledge
increased, and your circle of ideas widely
extended. As a consequence, success, Pros-
peri,y end accompanying happiness will loi'
low. To labor, to eat, drink and sleep is
not the end of mortals; there is nobler
purpose, higher destiny. The mind Is the
man, and from lis development and culture
spring the purest, richest and deepest joys
which cheer our pathway. Letu improve
the leisure hours of winter in gaining fund
of knowledge, Strengthening our ln'eilec's
and correcting our errors. Thus Will we
reap The reward Of prosperity and happiness
GONE TO BED.-An eminently holly mar
thus wrote, on hearing the death OF child
.sSweet thing, and is he so quickly laid t'
sleep? Happy he Though we shall have
j. no more the pleasure of his llspIng sne
laughing, we shall have no more The PAIR
of his crying, nor of being sick nor OF dy'
i ing. Tell my dear sister, that she is no"
= so much more akin to the mex. world; ant
e this will be quickly passed to all. John IL
but gone an hour or two to bed, as children
used 10 do, and we are very soon to follow
And the more we put off The love of tins
present world, and all things supeTfluous
beforehand, we shall have the less to dt
!, when we lie down."
, There never was any party, iaciion, sec
. or cabal, whatsoever, in which the mos! lg
norant was not the most violent.
IS Blessed be poverty; it enables US to in