The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-08-18
AGRICULTURAL.
The Essenti ais of the Farmers.


Mr.. EDITOR:
The vocation of the Farmer is one of the
first Importance, first as it concerns the in
dividual and first as it concerns the public. -
Upon the Agriculturst depends the wealth &
prosperity of any community, for here is the
origin of all wealth, here is the beginning
of oil production. And it is not only first in
the production Of wealth but also first as
means of happiness.
On the farm man possesses all the means
Of self improvement, he is shut out from
those influences that tend to corrupt g. mar the
happiness OF the professional as well as COM
mercial world he knows but little of misfor-
tunes g. continued excitement to which others
are exposed but at home realizing all that home
conveys, feasting in the richest fields of
thought, with Influences Of the purcst cha.
racter, that are calculated to elevate the
aspirations and ennople hewhoe man, he
follows the plow, sows his grain. and gathers
in his harvest, happy, conten'ed and indepen-
dant. A co-worker with nature, the book of
nature is to him, an interesting volume,a
now holding so important II position in So
cietY, and sustaining such intimate relations
with natures workings, we at once see that
there are certain essehtia! qualifications,
without which no man can expect to be sue
cessful. 1t is the lack Of these au ,iIications
that gives Us SO many poo" farmers, and
rendrrs-what is in reality the noblest cal
ling, beneath the dignity, OF many great men.
First then,--IIe should have Industrious
habits. This is essential to success in any
pursuit, and of none less Importance to the
Farmer than any other. II he be slovenly
and indolent, it is soon manifest in all things
to which he puts his hand. Nature does its
part, but unassisted, will never bring a very
abundant harveSt. In order to be successful,
it is just as essential that man "by the sweat
of his brow" should ill the ground, as it is,
that the rains and dews should descend from
time to time to replenish and v viy the earth.
Without this qualification no man is his own
master,--his business is ever pushing him.
he is a slave to necessity ever in Dant.--
Complaining of hard times,-oi no profit for
labor, whilst he himself is the prime cause
Of it all. wish our Legislators would pass
snmc law TO rid society Of these indolent
"do notSings," that ure ever consuming, yet
never producing. But perhaps this would
not do, as It might fearluly thin their OWL
ranks.
Secondly The Tarmer should be Ec0no
micai. Fur without ti.is, though he possess
every other advantage wealth flow
in, in the greatest abundanGe--it he waste
his substance, he ac.omplishes nothing, h'
is always wanting and never satisfie d, Wills
on the other hand where he makes a proper
use of time and means, though his advai'
tages be but poor he may accomplish much,
and always be happy, contented, and out of
paRt.
Thirdly-The Farmer must be Educated.
lie should possess practical knowledge OF
agriculture. lie should understand the
mysterious workings of nature. Tie should
be able to search out the primary elements
tha; enter into the growth and perfection Of
every plant and herb he cultvates. He
should be able to anayze the variety Of earths
that come under his notice from which he
would discover The kind and quality of
manure that should be applied to the diff.
erent parts of his farm, and also what kind
of manure should be applied to the different
species of grains or seeds. He would also
discover rule for the rotation of crops -
What would we think Of mechanic who
did not understand the relations the parts of
his frame bore to each other, or Of the Artist
who knew nothing of the blending of coors.
Just as absurd the idea of farmer without
the requirements above mentioned, and no
who does not possess this knowledge should
use every minute he could spare from other