Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-06-18
Agricultural.

THE BEARING OF FARMING UPON HEALTH.-
lhis view of agricultural pursuits Is almost
wholly overlooked by the young when they
are deciding upon their course of life. The
chief thing thought Of, is the pecuniary aspect
of a profession or calling. That business is
chosen which promises the largest and quickest
returns. sELet the golden stream be quick and
violent" is the prayer Of the multitude, pray
err often answered, but at the expense OF health
and life. The folly of such choice Is APP
parent enough to all who are not personally
interested in it, and the miserable victims
themselves bitterly lament it, when too late to
retrieve their steps.
Massachusetts pays good deal Of attention
to vital statistics, and, in the Eleventh Report
of the registrations of mortality, made by the
Secretary of State, the results OF the bllls ior
eighty years, ending with 1861, are made out.
1t is assumed that every mans business Affects
to some degree, his health and chances OF INC
and tn at the average age OF the members oil
any profession or calling is the proper measure
fits healthiulness. Whether we admit this
or not, it is, probably, the best measure we
have. From these statistics, covering per-
iod OF eighty years, 1t appears that agrieultnr-
lists live to the average age of 62.9o yearsi
while blacksmiths live only to the average age
of 81 Al, and shoemsmakers to that OF 43.lz,
which stands lowest in the scale OF mechanical
employments. Taking the whole Of these en-
| ployments and the average age to which they
attain is only 4G years. This givesto the far
mer an advantage Of II years over the average
ofmechanical employmcnts and pursuits car
ricd on in close rooms.
These results we think, give farming great
er advantage over other pursuits than IS COM
monty supposed. Young men, especially, who
are decided upon their business for life, do moi
consider that in turning away form the farm
they are virtually deciding to throw ava,
seventeen years from tho most enjoyable anC
useful part of life-a hale old age. p
Yet the longevity Of life upon the farm !
what any competent psychologist would pre-
dict, knowing the circumstances Of farmers an'
those who follow other pursuits. Farmers, TAX
them as class, have better stock Of healt
to begin with than those who follow seden
tary life. That son is selected to fill his father
place. and occupy the homestead, who is ply
sically able to endure the toll OF the field.
there is weak one among the flock, he is
quite likely, kept at school steadily in boy
hood, and in the greenness of his youth sen
to college to become teacher, or to enter on
, of the learned professions. Ifthere be a lam
, one or otherwise deformed, he becomes
} tailor or shoemaker, where the organs Of loco
motion are less essential. The Scripture pro
verb, ssto him that hath shall be given,"
I fulfilled in farm life. The stout and able
bodied son is selected for that pursuit which i
, | = - .si,,iotnd - ,I;oc;nI;na tba nbyaical now
pes. i 1i,a,,, n their normal cond;tian
ers a'u sep tiSnl ~ ~;
Goou he''.'u aiiu tons ~ $50 In mi
, respect, farmers are picked class of men, ant
II IS not strange that seioSton ioi ,nis
based upon tnls pilhciP,e ioa suscess,oh
generations should result IN nrmer lealth, aho
longer life, than we find in other ealllngs.
} When the life that they lead is calculated t
J make the most of this advantage, all the organ
of the body are called into frequent and variet
exercise, so that every pant is symmetricall
developed. This exercise is mainly taken II
the open air, so that he has the full benefit o
plenty of oxygen for his lungs, and sunligh
for his skin, upon which animal health is quit
as dependent as vegetable. Their food is NOR
simple and nutritious, and generally taken int
the system in tresher condition, and thei
sleep is more seasonable and refreshing; earl