Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-05-07
farmer's 9epartmfnt,
PREJUDIcEs OF FARMERS
nBooK FARMING"


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
IN favor of old ways and plans of farming
of old implements-old, standard, superan;
nuated notions-old lunar, and equally ridi-
culous kindred influences bitter, un-
yielding prejudice against science as applied
to their business-against the teachings OF
well-conducted experimeDts-against agrl-
cultural books and newspapers against
everything in fine, that is 'eritten or printed,
and which may be included in the very odl-
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 intuitive-the gift of nature. They moi
only disregard agricultural information, as
derived from other sources, but they sneer
at and deride those who have wisdom enough
to avail themselves of its advantages.
Why should this bitter senseless, 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 well-maturcd and enligh-
tened views and opinions of men of deep re-
search and practical knowledge: but giving
to you also, the results of various experimen'
tai processes, conducted by their own prac,
ticed hands, observed by their own critical
eyes? Are those who have such holy hor-
ror of sbook farming SO profoundly wise
that they understand all the laws and all the
histories of vegetable life 4? 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 2
Do they understand how, and with what
Substances these gasses can be most readily
fixed, and the extent to which itis 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,
fore them? Is there nothing hidden in the
deep arcana Of nature which has not yet been
fully uufolded to the sharp-sighted vision
and clear comprehension of these intuitive
| aeise-acres?
I know that some men are always wise, al
ways infallible. in conducting their opera,
tions, and, consequently, that "experimental
farmers" are not always successful in making
their farming business profitable. But, pray,
how does that unfavorably effect either you
or me? The knowledge ola failure, in par,
ticular case, under particular circumstances
may be as profitable and as advantageous to
us as if the same experiment had proved emf
nently successful. 1t is quite as necessary,
and as prudent, to understand 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 claim to
be highly conservative in most things, and
am regarded as an sold tow" in Others,
still must be permitted to say that | have
no patience-no liberation for that class of
farmers who are constantly deserving agri-
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
life. Their unconquerable obstinacy-their
mole-eyed and bitter prejudices are equalled
only by their deplorable ignorance and their
unbearable perverseness. Their precept, ex-
ample and influence, are continually evil
They not only refuse to eulighten Themselves,
but they discourage others, and especially
the young, in every effort and commendable
undertaking.
If acknowledge is power" in the hands of
every other class, Icannot perceive Why it is
not so to the agriculturist The, divine, the
lawyer, the physician, the artist, the me-
chanic, the merchant, the musician and
all others, seek to obtain not only the parti-
cular education necessary and appropriate to
their calling and business, but they desire
to acquire knowledge ofall kindred branch
es so as to increase and enlarge their capa-
city for the highest usefulness, and to ele-
vatc thenin their professional Standing
The more extensive, varied and thorough
the attainment of any man, the more useful,
reliable and prominent will he be in his po
sition. The farmer it is who alone disre-
CARDS and deprecates substantial learning,
and inveighs against intellectual and person
al accomplishments. 1t is no marvel, there
fore, that the stupid, dull ignoramus of the
family, should be re-aiued at home to be the
future farmer; while the active, sprightly
and intelligent lad, should be educated for
what the unwise father might regard as the
more reputable and more valuable business
in life. How sadly do such parents under
value the dignity of their own calling, and
how little do they know Of that wide, expan-
sive range, which agriculture affords for the
exercise of the highest capacity-the use of
the most liberal, thorough and accomplished
education and for the enjoyment of all the
refnements, comforts and luxuries Of Chris
tian life.-Ohio Ag. Rep. '55.
HAVE You WATER IN Your Stock
YARD.-If not, listen to advice, and if it is
possible, introduce it-either set ram or
III - .le oot;nor MALLS. or 1,, ~