The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-04-28
Make Farming Attractive to the


In no point 90 farmers IaIl more IN lIie cUucd-
tion Of their sons and daughters, Than in negIec'ng
| TO make their rural homes attractive. With little
beauty in their dwellings. with few Objects upon
| the farm in which they have direct personal in
tercst, and taught by the conduct and language OF
| of those around them, that there higher and
easier paths to wealth and distinction, it is little TO
be wondered that SO many farmers sons long TO
escape from their laborous occupations and en-
gage in commercl"l pursuits. Mr.. c. L. Flint,
Sec. Mass. Board Of Agricultural, alluded to this
sub ject very happily in dinner speech at the
September meeting of the Norfolk County Ag-
riculturaI Society. The following is an extract !:
| Suppose the young are taught TO observe the
cha racer of soils and their adaptation different
crops, the structure and nature of plants the hab
ITS OK insects injurious TO vegetation. the habits of
the beautiful birds often accused Of theft the
grea: striking pecularl,ies in The different breeds
| of animals, and the means Of improving them
will they not have subjects enough 10 interest them
in farming? They will find means OF cultlvatng
the finest fruits and ornamental trees to beau:ify.
ing the house, and give it an air Of nea,ness and
comfort A little taste in arrangement of trees and
plants, added to a cultivated mind, soon finds with
in ITSELF untold resources Of living we'll and hap
PLY.
1t has always seemed to me-, sir, that the great
want of New England TO make farming at.
tractive. And here can only echo the beautiful
words OF your orator to-day. If we would have
oar children following farming a pursuit,
must interest them in it, and fit them to pursue il
intelligenhy. II the mind is not engaged the tolls
Of the hand irksome and tasteless. If the
mind is interested, il every thought every passion
is aroused to improve and excel, no labor is wear-
some, no exertion too severe. To make farming
attractive to the young, they should be educated
for 1t. And since life is short and knowledge in.
finite, they need not, perhaps, spend years Of the
best part of their lives in such studies as are me-
cessary only to success in the law or in divinity.
The time will come, when the farmer will have
more ample facilities for educating himself and
his children. In the mean time thousand oh.
jects, if properly observed and brought 20 notice.
will begin the work, and that in the very points
OF greatest practical importance.
But the young, it is said, arc ambitious, and can.
not be satisfied with the reputation Of good and sue
cessful farmers. They must go into the counting.
room to make money, and be known as men of
wealth. or they must embark in the intricate studies
of the law, and through that upon the greater un.
as they think, honor, (,hey don't always go TO-
gether,) in the eyes of the world. They forget the
brighter and purer reputation Of comforting some
permanent benefit on their country in the improve.
ment of its agriculture. They forge: that the very
men who Tail at farming men who ~onld fail |
at any thing else, and that their chances OF success
are equal in farming to hat they would be in otht
pursuits, perhaps even greater, since the field is
wider and nobler. would rather have the repu.
'at'on OF doing something to improve the agricul-
ture OF my country, than 10 have the reputation Of
Napoieon-Anaerican Aericuhuyist