The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-08-13
lfom the S. c. Agriculturist.
THE PROPER TRAINING OF AGRI-
CULTUEISTS.

We have often been asked the question
WHY should ths agrcuI,uriSts know
more than other People? They certainly
should, for in our country they have more
to 90 than other classes; a greater multi
plicity Of pursuits arc here crow ded into
the planters calling than in any o,hcr
occupation. They have to make morr
use OF the powers or laws of nature than
others. They are forced 10 use the Gle.
mentS as tools. They arc practical chem
lists, whether aware OF it OF not; for they
make use ot the various substances which
natures gives them, whrh they combine,
separately, modify and change to simplcS
aud compounds. The plantation is at
one aud the same time, laboratv and
workshops; and in propolion as they OPP
crate III such Il way us TO afford the sever.
al elements of which the substances are
composed, and upon which they are opc
rating, to disuui,c or combine 20 will hc
the measure Of their success. They de
pend upon the vegetable world Cor sub
s'stence-lher labor is among and upon
the plants of the earth, and they should
Know the proper name and nature of eve
rv tree, herb aud plant. They have e.
contend with Insects and aaimals- the,
should know The HABITS and nature Of
| these more intimately than any other
clnss ofrcop'e-thcy have to till the earth,
and put its soil iu,o II proper condition TO
produce Il good crop. They lave to
change lis natsral state TO adapt it to the
various purposes and cropS-thcn, WHY
should they not know more and better r.
specting tho ingredients Of their soils, and
the various mineral and fossil substances
which they may wish to appropriate to
Their uses They have 70 " discern the
face Of the sky" watch the changes orthc
| atmosphere, and rcc ulate ;heir movements
III acc"'dnnc" with t,.ose changes. tenn
pcraturc. and all the climatic tluctuatiuus.
why, then, should they not know as
much, or more, of the composition Of the
AR, or atmosphere, and the science OF me
tc"ro'"gy, than any other people! They
lEuSt Use all the various tools and imrlr-
mcnts Of Iabor-they must take advan-
taGc of the principles Of me, hanics, and
the Application Of mathematics t. practi.
cal life. Is there any good reason why
they should not know rs much, or even
moro, than others, respecting mechanical
science or natural philosophy! In this
country they have to contribute largely To
tn" support and formation OF the Govern.
m"nt, and upon them depends the sclcc.
tion of the rulers and lawmakers. WI :.
then, should they not undcr>,arl the fun
Gamcntal principles of national law, p"N-
zeal science and political economy Thcv
have TO administer to the sickness of an
Imals under their charge, lUa wounds
and restore health. Why. tLrn. should
ihcy not perfectly understand comparative !
at lrast--and, also, pI.y>iologv, |
as well rs the symptoms and treatment Of /
disease! Indeed, SO vide is ihc field uf !
the agrlcuIturist, so extensive his IahOrs, |
so numerous the objects with which lac is /
connected, so various the operations lie
has TO perform, that We verify believe he
should b" the best educated and best in.
formed m.an upon the earth. Can man
conquer, or make himself perfectly fumil
'nr with c,crv science, and ANYTHING -
By no m"ms vet, nevertheless, he should !
have his miud SO wcil stored with the zen.
oral principles of all the sciences, that he .
can be gni led hy them when it becomes
necessary tr learn more mInu;rlr. and To
know when he EMPLOYS "A man devoted
TO any one branch, whether .
he Is competent To the task, and will DIS
barge his duty to him with fidelity and
precision.