The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-30
lQruulturul.
Farming as a Vocation.

considered by himself one of toll aud
drudgery, but with how much re asop !,
may be well to ask, To investigate, and To
become satisfied. 1t is the lot of every
man to have an occupation. Ii not nee.
essary Tor n living, it is made a means of
| obtaining wealth, fame, ornpower. A
lew, born to wealth or titles, pursue nc
Gazing but that of pleasure Such lead
miserable lives, and do little or no good
IN the world. 1t is appointed unto all
men to work. |. is necessary to health.
strength comfort and happiness But
10 WORK, 1t Is not necessary to guide ths
P'ow or harrow, WELD The axe or scy,he,
to SOW or reap. There are other kinds of
work, equally laborious aud fa,rpuinr-
other occupations more wearing to the
system, and attended with less pleasure.
In this country, there are more men en-.
gagged IN farming than in any other oc
cupat'on, and in the rural districts. they
constitute large majority oi The inhabi
tants, and, as a consequence, see and
know little OF the drudgery of other oc.
cnpations. In their visits to the mechan
le, or manufacturer they see him shelter.
ed from the storms or cold. they no.ice
that his skin is less tawny, his hands sof
ter and whittier, and his clothes perhaps
less so'led and torn; aid it is but natural
that they should think hIs labor less hard
than theirs. They see the merchant be
hlnd his counter smiling TO his customers.
or at his desk counting his money, and
they cannot :bink he works aud they
go away wishing that Providence had
been As kind to them. They see the law
yer advocating the cause OF his client. n.
ter'ng with eoquence witty, grave sen.
tenceS, bringing tears 20 the evas or
laughter 10 the countenances. Of iudr4.
Jury, and spectators ; and they 90 away,
r"pIn'ng that the gifts OF Providence are
SD partially bestowed. They see not the
mechanic At work by his lamp, while car
mers are reading by their firesides thew
see;hIm not with HE accounts, anviously
looking forward to the time when his
payments become due, or his flour barrel
empty, or his pork barrel out they see
not the anxious and care worn counter
ance OF the merchant, while alone in his
Office, Just before his bank note becomes
due, and no money 10 meet it; and thev
see not the lawyer in the still hours Of the
mig ht, with aching head and wearied ewes,
looking up authorizes tC sustain his cause
on the eve OF trial.
1t is they lhemSelv, s-Me tdrn,ers-
that have set the stamp of drudrerv up.
on their occupation. No one else admits
or believes II. The lawyer. the doctor the
merchant, envy the farmer ais farm and
his happiness-his bread, butter and
cheese-his fruits, meats. and his grains
the product OF his own labor. that he can
eat with an appetite sharpened bv mus
cuIar exercises, and knowing that they are
pure and healthy. Ask the mechanic
what he is striving for, and what is his
aim. For home, piece of land that
can cultivate, and eat the fruits of IN
own raising the merchant will tell you
: shat lie hopes TO end his davs upon a
farm and the lawyer and doctor will
tell you the same. What il their faces
are blanched while the farmer is tawny-
their fingers delicate and supple, Will,
the former are dngy and clumsy-their
garments fine and clean, while his ar,
so''ed and coarse. Each is approprla,,
and equally respectable.
A chime, sweep in white linen, or 4
farmer at his plow in fine broadclorh
would be an object Of rdicule, equally
with the lawyer in rags. More meu
: make themselves ridiculous by overdress
ing than the reverse. II the farmer ha.
not decacy, he has strength, and power
OF endurance-far more valuable. If h:
10 not educated and refined, it is no f,u
OF his occupation. did he himself not thinl
40 tor 20 one has more leisure for read
ing aUd study. If he mingles less viii
the world. and learns less OF etiquette, hC
has opportunity for thought. and learn,
less o: deception. intrigue, and chieanerv
which make no one happy. Whose SON
make the most enterprising and success
tu' merchants, the most profound states
men, the most eminent engineers, and III,
: most learned lawyers and divines ? Tn,
Farmers. They 90 forth from the farm
with healthy blood in their veins. inheri
Q ted from healthy parents, and consequent
" have healthy and vigorous minds. -
Who are looked up to as defenders c
i our home in case Of invasion ? Who's
names are in our jury boxes, and who's
names are sought for lave, little too Of
ten successfully on bank note Bro
t ther farmers, let us not repiue at our lot
K let us not envy Others while thev env
y us; les US honor our calling, and it wi
. honor us.
l. Honor and fame from no condition rise :"
S 'He that would win, must labor for the prize
l. -
!. HoP YEAsT.-Take as many potaloe
as you wish-say q dozen-pare and bo