The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-01-30
Havo Farmers Leisure for Read
ingP

We are inclined to think that a sla,.
ern,y, lazy farmer--one whose farm and
buildings and fences are not better than
they were ten years ago-have perhaps
gone back little instead of going t0r-
soard-gets little time to read and we
know full we'll thar a good farmer-one
whose domain is onward, improving, a
little better each year--never finds a
timo when there is not enough to do
The enterprisng farmer never runs out
Of work. Such is the nature of his en-
ployment, that he absolutely never wants
for something to do, if he chooses to be
active. Nevertheless. he needs time for
feading for social intercourse for his fu-
ture operations. If the planning of his
business, which should always look some
ways ahead, can as well be done when
his hands are employed and if his social
intercourse eau be mostly achieved while
in the way of his business, still he needs
time for reading. When we hear it said,
that he has nothing to do but read all
winter, we think the man, who says it,
never was farmer, and knows nothing
of what he alirms. Why. the real en-
terprising farmer never has leisure. in
the sense Of having nothing to do, not c.
ven on winter evenings. lie could work
advantageously every evening in the
year, if it were best. But it is not. Bet.
ter work nimbly while he does work and
then let his sound judgment stop him.
after reasonable hours, even against his
will lie never will fHd leisure he
must maAe it and the winter is on tho
whole the best, but not the ouly time,
for making it. Then better than in sum
mer, he can read deliberately, take time
to think as he reads. and to store impor
tant truths in his memory.
1t Is pleasant to see a farm, its build.
ings, fences, fields, stock, everything.
growing better from year to year. But
how Is 1t with the owner. He is of moro
consequence than the farm. Let US ad-
wise our readers, the easier sort. to take
leisure, and the more enterprising, to
make it, aud both to use it for self-im-
provcmeGt, and for tho improvement Of
their families. You take political pa
Ter OF course. Politics-we are on tick.
hsh ground, but shall get off without
sllPplng-are worth your attention, so
lar as the knowledge of the time will
enable you to meet your civil Obligations
lhtelligently. DO not read on ono side
only look at both sides, three, four if
you please; and read not as too many do,
merely TO confirm yourself in the old
opinions, right or wrong, but to find
where the truth lies We are of
Science-ws do not mean hard names,
but truth as developed in nature-claims
and should receive your attention. We
insist upon it, and the farmer should be
a scientific man. A little reading, in
connection with the extensive observa-
tion bis employment favors. would make
him such. Agriculture itself is the
grapdest, noblest. and most useful Of
sciences. The loftiest ntellects in the
world are this moment engaged upon it,
are delving deep with the hidden truths,
and will yet bring hem out for the ben
eft of mankind. 1t is yours to practice
it, but study it also Read your agri-
cultural papers with an earnestness next
after that with which you read your BIZ
BILE. One may be a good farmer, with
out being much of a man or he may be
the latter without being the former.
We confess to a little ambition I'VE
should want to be both. If we had a son
leaving US for this employment,we would
say, don't BE- an unintcliigen farmer
After counselling him on the higher obli-
cations of q reasonable being, We would
say, putting tho least important first