Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-05-23
from the Nashville Tennessee Whig.]
FARMERS STTTDY YOIR PROFESSION.


that the little time farmers devote to literary
pursuits they spend in acquiring political IN
preference to agricultural knowledge. We
now address the farming community.
The lawyer spends his time in poring
over his lawbooks, acquiring g knowledge
of jurisprudence. The physician dissects
the human body, ascertains the precise loca-
ton of every artery, vein, mustle, nerve,
bone, &C., &C., acquires knowled dge Of
the condition of health, and the cause of
disease. The minister ponders over the
Sacred Scriptures, and read works that will
afford him knowledge of divinity. In
short they all "study their profession."-
Now, how is it with the great mass Of those
who devote their time to tilling the soil :
You profess to be farmers-agrculturists-
and yet almost the sum total Of your read
ing and study is Of a political charac-
tei. We are denomnated nation of
farmers; yet we patronize and support
about three thousand political and but'sixty
or seventy agricultural papers-about in
the ratio Of forty.fve to one. The greatest
source OF our nations wealth and prosperity
is in her agriculture. Our schools, and COL
leges for disseminating knowledge of the
professions, law, medicine and divinity, are
numerous (all we'll enough;) yet the whole
nation can scrcely boast of one such institu-
ton for the spread Of scientific knowledge
Of agricultural operations. We read with
delight and admiration, of our vast exports
of agricultural products; yet do little or
nothing. in the aggregate, to keep up the
productiveness of our virgin soil. We boast
of our priviledge of having a voice in the
elevation Of our officers; yet vote for men
unskilled in our profession, who will legs.
late on any and every subject save that of
spreading abroad a scientific knowledge
agricultural pursuits Each State, county
and town throughout the Union, almost, has
its regular meetings for the discussion Of
political topics; yet how few such societies
meet regularly and exclusively for the dis.
cussion Of agricultural topics, compared
with the political.
Now, farmers, our appeal is to you--to
you who have the power Of swaying every
legislative body in the Unon--to yOu who
may say to them Legisate for US, encour-
age our profession, attend to our wants, 10
what you can at least to aid US in dscharg'
ing successfully the most important duty
deyolving upon man, or it shall be our most
imperative duty to act the part Of Cromwell
to throw you out of ouf employ, and
place those in your stead who will do our
bidding. We say 4to you the question is
asked Shall this system Of things continue,
SO long as "water runs" and mankind are
born with the demand of food stamped upon
their constitutions We have more conf
dence and faith in the growing intelligence
of American farmers than to believe that
such system OF things will long be permit
ted to exist. Farmers, awake behold your
dignity and your strength! Exercise the
power you have tor your own best interests
and the good of the race, and your wants
will not be neglected. Every farmer, or
tiller of the soil, may aid in this great work.
If your library consists of but half
dozen volumes, let one at least be devoted
to agriculture. If YOU obtain and read two
periodicals, let one be devoted to agrcultu.
raj topics. And since farming is your pro-
fession, if you should read four or more
papers, let two or more be devoted to the
same subject If in the future you should
contribute your mite for the erection and
support of two Institutions of learning, let
one be an agricultural school or college. If
you have two sons to be educated, let one
have an agricultural education, if such can
be had in America-it not patronize the
schools OF the "Cld world" If you attend
conventions fail not to attend the agricultu
raj convention. If one or two associations
is to be attended, political or agricultural,
patrouize the latter When you cast your
vote into the ballet box, let it be for one who
will advocate boldly and faithfully the inter.
est of your profession.
If every farmer would attend as closely
to his own profession as here set forth or as
the minister to his text, how long think you,
it would be till the farmers calling would be
as honorable as though he were classed with
the titled nobility? How long, think you,
it would be till the farmers profession would
be sought by the educated, the talented, and
the wealthy! How long before his occupa-
ton would be loved, desired, admired and
sought A. 9oUNc FARMER.
----.>--