Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-10-26
VOL. xIx.---N NO. al

Your committee is we'll aware there have been
many elections raised against what is called
book-farming, all of which we consider ground
less. Be not afraid of book-farmig. II the best
way of farming can be told, it can be written e
and when written you can learn and understand
it rs well as from the lips of a co-laborer. IT'S
one of the shallowest preiudices which ever;
crepl into the mind of man, that fact loses IT'S
power and value because printed in book. Just
discrimination is, of course, necessary in reading
any human writings; but where the editor OF
an agricultural journal admits one error into
his paper thousand are propagated from the
lips of neighbor to neighbor, among agricultu-
ralsts.
Again-when we have once been induced to
arrange our thoughts in order or on paper, an
important step has been taken towards intellec-
tua improvement If farmers arc ignorant tits
not the fault of their vocation. There is no life
that can be made more eminently life of re-
Election than that of an agricullurst. Living as
he does, in the treasure-house Of wonders" is
there not enough to awaken thought and rehec-
ton in him. But, alas too true il is that things
30 common and familiar as the operation, of MS
ture, ceases to excite our wonder and admiration.
The green grass grows beneath our feet-the
bright blossoms burst forth in beauly-the for
est waves in uxurance-sunshine and shade are
upon our path and yet We toll ever in pursuit
of worldly gain, passing the beautiful unheeded
by.
But let US hope the dark nights passing away.
and the good work has begun. There seems to
be general feeling upon The subject of educa-
ting the farmer; let US 90 onward let ways
and means be devised for educating the mass as
we'll as farmers and let it no longer be neces-
sary for lawyers, doctors-any body else but
farners-to deliver addresses, or make speeches
on the subject of agriculture The life of the &
farmer is favorable to the pursuit of knowledge,
because it is favorable for health 1t is admit
ted that agriculture is healthy occupation
healthy for boys and men. Many men with
broken down constitutions have renewed their
age by leaving the shop or counting room, and
following the plow.
The flrmer who breathes the fresh air. aatdl-
listens to the songs Of birds, and sees so much
in nature to interest him, is seldom troubled with
hypoeondria, dyspepsia, or indigestion, which
are as injurious TO the pursuit Of knowledgea as
to happiness and health. lfsuch be the natural
tendency of agricultural pursuits, why not at
once grow up in it and be educated by il!
1t is free from the unbroken mon otony which
attacks many employments. As a study, it..
opens broad and uneXplored field TO The mind,
and in no employment are pleasures so rational
and satisfying to be found as in this The farm-
ers, from their numbers, hold the balance OF
power in their hands 10 this country, and must
continue 10 do so for years and years TO come.
Educate them and our republic will slund-tiie
model and glory of the world. Let them re-
main ignorant, and sltall date TO solse the
fenfs fnn -of az r. no.
n,,Sf 10
not because our literary men are of Il higher
rank, not because we take the lead in science or
the arts, but because The mass of the people are
superior in intelligence and high tone OF character
In this country, the masses arethe cullivalors of
the soil, and in proportion rs they improve, is
the whole body polite elevated. As the real
wealth of { nation depends upon the Develop
ment Of its national resources, so does its sta
biity and character depend upon The actual
knowledge and virtue which guide the individu-
ais who compose it. 1t is then the farmers OF
the United States, who must determine the des-
tiny of our republic, and say whether It's motto
shall be "Onward and upward"
We should stop more frequently and take q
sober second thought. If we would pause to
inquire more frequently where tlle tendency of
the times are urging us, more would be said
about self-culturs and soil.cuture and more
would be dore to lay deep and strung founda-
tions of individual and universal prosperity.
Your committee cannot conclude this report
more appropriately than by giving the reply of
the emancipated Roman, when summoned to
appear before his superiors ON u charge of haY-
ing obtained from his very small estate much
larger crops than his more wealthy neighbors
from their vast domains. They became so en-
vious that they charged him with employing en-
chantment to attach to his ground the products
of their fields. Being fearful Of u conderIua-
tion, he introduced into the Forum, as the tribes
prepared to vote, his robust family, and his SUI
perior agricultural implements, his heavy mat
tocks, his ingeniously constructed plows, and
his well-ted oxen, and then exclaimed
"Behold, Roman citizens! my magic ;--but
am still unable 10 show toyou, or bring into the
market place, my studies, my constant vigilance
and fatiguins labors"
Let US all 60 and initiate the noble Roman;
and at each annual meeting of the Society, ex-
hibit specimens of Improvement in all that con-
stilutes the elements Of good farm management.
R. STEWART, Chairman.