Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-10-11
MISCELLANEOUS
Usefulness of a Farmers Library.

. Usefulness Of Farmers Librar,
n A late number Of the New York Spirit
The Times contains a very interesting story
farmer and how he ACQUIRED his library.
II should be read not only by eUery farm
er in the land, but by every parent. Here "
see the effects of the knowledge which is a,
o quired from the agricultural corner of III
J, village newspaper Thus thirst for usefl
information is produced and hab is of industr
In the members of the family are established
5 and the lit household converted into par
9 adise on EARTH
0 The writer introduces his subject by say
ing that the intelligence of people may
easily ascertained BY finding out how ,hei
leisure time is spent. The devoted attach
= ment to the newspaper is clearly an Ameri
canlsm, and hence the general nteligenc
which predomnates throughout the Unite
States. He then refers to the character O
the reading best suited to the taste of tn
native Britain as compared with the source
of enjoyment of the Italian and the French
man. The Frenchman, he says, will electri
fyyou with his frivolous light head, lgh
heart, and light heels; and if, indeed, he doe
feel his educational powers at stake, an,
that something of unusual Importance is de
S.anded of him, he will declaim for hours OF
painting, science, and the glory of his couu
try's arms. In word, then, every nation
has some distinctive greatness engrafted in
its system, which Is the result of perpe tua
education.
"Individuals like nations, and their habits
morals and manners are mnu ded alter the
manner their first Impress oGS are given. and
thus we learn how very important it is for
heads of families who are desirous for the
prosperity and happiness of their children,
that they start right at the beginning.
"During the last summer became ac
quainted with gentleman and his two sons
whilst going up the North River in one of
the night boats. The old gentleman inform
ed me that he owned very handsome farm
in Duchess count, and having secured his
crops, was taking his soEs to visit relative
in one Of the western counties of the State.
ain the course Of conversation was a good
deal SUI prised 1t the general information of
both father and sons, aud | ventur ed to remark
tha the young men must have received q
very liberal education The old gentcmao
smiled ps he informed me thar they had, TO
be sure, always attended the district school
during winter until they were we'll grown
young men, and that the teachers 'atterlv had
been somewhat puzzled TO learn them more
than they already knew. But said he, If
you will favor me with visit, will show YOU
how they have gathered--in fact, may say
all my family-the information they now
possess, and also how every farmers family
may revel in the luxury of Knowledge
"This invitation very readily acceptet
aud having fixed day some TIVE weeks
ahead, as they would be at home then, we're
tired TO our stale-rooms for the night
"True to the engagement, a, the appointed
day and hour, found myself at the de pot
nearest his !arm, and no less pu1ciual was
my new friend, with smart wagon to con-
vey me to his house. Duchess can boast o.
as ma ~ good farms as any in the State, and
after few miles hard riding was put down
on one of them. have rarely se' n a farm
more compact or comfortable, and the houses
of every description were pictures of conven-
ience and cleanliness.
cater dinner, the old gentleman put one
of his arms In mine. and looking me very
knowingly in the eye, says: you city gen.
tlemen, when at leisure after dinner, be-
lieve, generally retire either 10 your private
or some public library. Will you DO me the
favor to walk down to ours, and will show
you something that will unravcl mystery
which know is lurking in your mind,'--
with all my heart replied, and we soon
found ourselves leisurely walking on we'll
worn footpa.h, which seemed 10 lead to
small portion of the farm. After going abou,
quarter of a mile, we came to white pick
ct fence, and on opening gate were in an
enclosure made by this said ferca
"Tkere appeared to be about two acres of
land in this enclosure. and it seemingly con-
tanned nothing but potatoes, and yet not po-
tatoe wasthere This said my conductor,
1--WE call our library, but it so happens al our
books, maps, &c, are out in fact, we this
year raised a very large crop oi Carter pota-
toes; they brought us large price in ew
York, and in order to let the potatoes grow
we had to have all the room we could spare,
but all in goad time we will explain
my frienu seeing my bewilderment laugh
ed heartily. Come said he, I'VE will now
60 back to the house; you have seen our H.
brary here, we will mex, see ihe results OF
it,"
"Arrved at the h.use again; was usher
ed into large room, and here indeed was
the key to all the mystery heretofore unex-
planned. The walls were literally papered
with bookcases, whilst the tables groaned
with magazines, periodicals and papers -
Now said my friend, bursting into hearty
laugh, 'do you see any thing between the IL
brary where the potatoes grow and this
roomp q must confess said |, looking no
doubt very innocent. that cannot perceive
that growing Carter potatoes has to do with
this. display of books &c. 'Ah,' said he,
'every thing; potatoes this year, tomatoes,
onions,' &c, last year; something else the
year before, and SO on, there would have
been no books, therefore we call the patch
which showed you, the library, and never
failing il has proved to be since the first year
we set that little spot of ground aside for
the particular purpose il has ever since oeen