New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-03-25
THE AMERICAN FARMERS.
THEIR BUSINESS AND CHARACTER.
WHO WAS THE FIRST FARMER

TIfEIR BUSINESS AMI CIl<thiNiIN'
WHO WAS THE FIRST FARMER
The question. "Who was the frst Farmer" Is very
frequently asked and almost always answered,
Adam" but have failed to find the proof ethef IN
sacred or profane history that Adam was farmer.
The Bible account is, that " God planted garden
eastward in Eden and there he put the man whom
che had formed" The account further states that
"out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every
"tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food
And the Lord God put the man into the garden OF
Eden to dress it and to keep it,
ADAM AS A FARMER.
Those statements do not show that Adam ever did
a "hand's turn toward cultivsting Che garden, or
raising the crop that grew in it; but on the contrary,
in violation of his n,tructons as gardener he ate the
fruit of tree that he forbidden to eat and for this
act of dsobedience, and for his Incidence, he was
turned out into the wide world The only labor that
his apologists can claim for him. during his residence
on the premises, was TO help his wife sew some tg
leaves together to make apron, because he was
ashamed of himself. The Lord then told him that be-
cause he was sluggard and had neglected to take
care of the garden and the crops that were growing IN
it. and had proved himself unworthy of the trust and
had been SO mean as to try to throw all the blame on
his wife, "thenceforward the earth should produce
throw he should eat bread all the days of his natural
life" All this does not prove that Adam ever
plowed, planted or titled single square foot of land
but on the contrary il is prna faca evidence that he
was ndoent and slohfu supporting himself upon the
crops that the earth produced without single effort
of his and therefore totally unworthy of the honorable
appellaton of farmer See what a legacy he be-
queathed TO his posterity.
CAIN FARMER
Cain, his eldest son, tried to be farmer; but how
did he succeed There is no good reason to suppose
that he was first rate farmer, for his work not
done in a manner that was acceptable to the Lord.
He was doubtless ike bis father, INDECENT, disobe-
dent, refractory, and Of violent temper, who
in fit of unbounded Jealousy and passion murdered
his brother. For induging the evil disposition which
prompted him to commit this wanton act of violence
toward an innocent and unofendng brother, the Lord
pronounced upon him curse Cain was aduenished
by the Lord, that under such of shitless in
dolence and bad husbandry the earth would never
yield to him her strength and that the reckless vio
lent disposition that be harboring and cutyating
in bis heart would make him vagabond and fugitive
in the earth.
CAIN QUITS THE FARMING BUSINESS.
He was highly incensed at the admonton, although
il kindly given for the sole purpose of reforming
hsfuture life and farming not being the business
genial TO q man Of his disposition and temperament,
he forsook his country and kindred, and next
heard from down in the land of Nod, where he had
doubtless established himself "a stock jobber and
"real estate broker" and had been successful in his
new business, for it is said of him that he buided
city. Hence came the saying that GOD made the
"country, but man built the city, The descendants
of Gains brothers were of wholly different charac
ter; partaking more of the nature and disposition OF
their mother they kind gentle faithful and con-
fding liable TO b. imposed upon by roguesand sharp
ers but always maintaining honorable respect for
fidelity and integrity. Many Of them became farmers
and stock growers, and acquired to themselves not
only great wealth and good character among their
fellow.men, but elevated TO high and honorable
positions in the state and nation The very nature of
the business has called to its aid both in ancient and
modern times, class Of proverbal for their mo-
raity, virtue and intelligence.
NOAH, ABRAM AND OTHER ANCIENT FARMERS.
Among the ancients who honored this profession
mention Noah, Abram Jacob and his sons, Labsn,
Moses and scores Of Others who were equally distin
guished for al the good qualities which human nature
may acquire-as well az many who have lived nearer
10 our own times, and have considered themselves
tonored by being regarded az farmers.
THE EMPEROR OF CHINA A FARMER.
Even at the present day, ii is said, that the En-
peror of China, at the verna equinox, holds the pow
with his own hands example Of industry to has
people and to show the high esteem he hse Tor the
occupation of the farmer, in which many OF the dni
taries Of his Empire engaged and that too Without
degrading their rank or detractng from their dignity
Honorable occupation of farming This employment,
however seems best adapted to people living under
a republican form of government, for the degree o.
ipdependence which It gives man inspires him with
an enlarged idea Of freedom and nsnlness; and no
other occupation under heaven is well calculated to
promote industry, knowledge and virtue, which are
the very hfe's blood Of republic, the varied
sad healthy business of ting the soil. Equality Of
rank and some degree Of equality in the distribution
Of wealth are promOtiye of the prosperity and healthy
growth OF republic and the happiness of its people.
When agricultural pursuits occupy large proportion
Of The inhabitants Of country each being lord of the
domain be tlf, this condition of things viii be most
fully realized.
ROMAN FARMERS.
ln Rome, tbe msst remarkable Republic Of ancient