The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-05-21
P2EJUDICES OF FARMERS.
"DOOK FARMINun


cll't'cs and advantages is scnsibIy felt, there
are other evils in the land which retard the
intellectual and physical improvement of the
country, and impair its productive capacity
among which is one that farmers possess in
a remarkable degree, prejudice. Prejudice
m tavor of old ways and plans of farming-
OF old implemcnts-old, standard, supcran.
nuated notions-old lunar, and equally ridi-
culous kindred influences AND bitter, un-
yielding prejudice against science as applied
to their busincss-against the teachings of
well-conducted xpcriments-ag,inst asri-
cultural books and newspapers eve
rything in fine, that is mrittcn or printed,
and which may be included in the very obi
Gus, yet comprehensive term of " Book Far
ming" Unfortunately, we have class
among us, who imagine that all knowledge
necessary for conducting farming operations
is intuitivc-thc gift Of nature. They not
only disregard agricultural information, ms
derived from other sourc' 5, but they sneer
at and deridc those who have wisdom enough
to avail themselves of its advantages.
Why should this bitter, senscless, and un-
compromising warfare be continued against
Book Farming" What is It, after all, but
the teaching of the laws of nature, unfolding
the principles and explaining the ways and
means by which she operates-giving to you
through the medium Of agricultural papers,
and the standard agricultural and scientific
works. not only the wcll-naturcd and enliglt-
ened views and opinions of men of deep re-
searches and practical knowledge, but giving
to you also, the results Of various experiment
tai processes, conducted by their own prac
tical hands, observed by their own critical
eyes? Are those who have such holy hor.
ror of book farming" so profoundly wise
that they understand all the laws and all the
mysteries of vegetable life! Do they under
stand all the properties and uses of the va
rIous gases, and other elements floating
around and about us? DO they know in
what vegetables they are most required g.
do they understand how, and with what
substances these gases can be most readily
fixed, and the extent to which it is profitable
to use them Do they fully comprehend all
The other mysterious agencies by which they
can use all the other means and advantages
which are spread out in such profusion be-
tore them {! Is there nothing hidden in the
deep arcana Of nature which has not yet been
fully unfolded to the sharp-sighted vision
and clear comprehension of these intuitiye
wisc-acrcs
know that some men are always wise,
always lntaIlible, in conducting their opera
t'ons, and, consequently, that experiment
tai farmers" are not always successful in
making their farming business profitable
but, pray, how does that unfavorably effect
either you or me? The knowledge of a
'a''''re' In a particular case, under particular
circumstances may be as profitable and as
advantageous TO US as if the same expert
ment had proved cminently successful. It
Is quito as necessary, and as prudent, to I'm.
de'stand how and when to avoid evils and
dangers as to profit by what is known to be
good and safe.
In truth, fellow citizens, while I claim to
he highly conservative in most THINGS. and
am regarded as an "oM .togy" in others,
still l must be permitted to say that have
no patlence-no federation for that class Of
farmers who are constantly deserving acri-
cultural education, and who would stop sud-
denly every effort to cultivate the intellect
and to improve and elevate the habits and
the taste OF those connected with country
lie. Their unconqnerabIc obstinacy-their
mo'e.eyed and bitter prejudces are equalled
only by their deplorable ignorance and their
qnOearable perverseness. Theirprecept, ex-
ample and influence, are continually evil
They not only refuse to enlighten themselves
but they discourage others, aud especially
the young, in every effort and commepda.
ble undertaking.
1t knowledge is power" in the hands Of
every other class, cannot perceive whv Il
's not 80 to the agriculturist. Tile divine
the lawyer, the physician, the artist, tho ma.
;chanio, the merchant, tile musician. and al,
Others seek to, obtain not only the particu.
ss.e Lar education necessary and appropriate to
ltAs'r calling and business, but tl,ey desire
toacauire 9 knowledge Of all kindred branch.
g e g te increase and enlarge their cana.
Ieity for hs highest usefulness, and to ele..
yate sssa thena e their professional stana;ne
:Ihs more axtensise, varied aud 4tl,oro,,o,,iI
be atsssas my man, tl,e mora nssf,.si
Itssis aad olqinent wifi he be IL sbis no3
Esitle2 who clone |;v,isra.l
b 8 bstaaatials -
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