The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1859-12-01
FOR The + A R M { r..
Farming as a Vocation.

fT he best essay calculated to JtCe Jur-
nIers an adequate conception of the nature
aud ,cOrth ef their rocation."
The life of the farmer has ever been
considered, by himseyf, one of toll and
drudgery, but with how much reason, it
may be well to ask, to investigate, and be-
come satisfied. 1t is the lot of man in
general to have an occupation. Ifnot nee
essary for living, it is made means of
obtaining wealth, fame, or power. A few,
born to wealth or title, pursue no calling
but that of pleasure. Such lead miserable
lives, and do little or no good in the world
flis appointed unto all men to toork. 1t is
necessary to health, strength, comfort, and
happiness. To work, it is not necessary
to guide the pillow or harrow, to WELD the
axe or scythe, to SOW or reap. There are
other kinds of work, equally laborious and
fatiguing, other occupations more wear
ing to the system, and attended with less
pleasure. In this country, there are more
men engaged in farming than in any other
occupation, ard in the rural districts they
constitute large majority of the inhabi-
tants and, as consequence, see and know
little of the drudgery of other occupa-
tions.
In their visits to the mechanic or man.
ufacturer, they see him sheltered from the
storms and cold, they notice that his skin
is less tawny, his hands softer and whittier,
and his clothes perhaps less soiled and torn !;
and it is but natural that they should think
his labor less hard than theirs. They see
the merchant behind his counter, smiling
to his customers, or at his desk counting
his money, and they cannot think he acork.s
and they go away wishing that Providence
had been as kind to them. They sec the
lawyer advocating the cause of his client,
uttering with eloquence witty or grave
sentences, bringing tears to the eyes or
laughter to the countenances of Judge, jury,
and spectators and they 60 away repining
that the gifts of Providence are partially
bestowed
They see not the mechanic at work by
his lamp, while farmers are reading by
their fre-sides they see him not with his
accounts, anxiously looking forward to the
time when his payments become due, or his
-four barrel empty, or his pork barrel out;
they see not the anxious or care-worn
c0untenance of the merchant, while alone
in his Office, just before his bank note be-
came due, and no money to meet it and
they see not the lawyer in the still hours
of the night, with aching head and wear
led eyes, looking up the authorities to
sustain his cause on the eve of trial
1t is they tsemselues-tse farmers-that
have set the stamp of drudgery upon their
occupation. No one else admits or be-
ieves it. The lawyer, the doctor, the mer-
chant, and the mechanic, envy the farmer
his farm and his happiness bread but
ter, and cheese-his fruits, meats, and his
grains, the product of his own labor, that
he can eat with an appetite sharpened by
muscular exercise, and knowing that they
are pure and healthy.
Ask the mechanic what he is striving for,
and what is his aim. For a home, a piece
of land that l can cultivate, and eat the
fruits OF my own raising the merchant
will tell you that he hopes to end his days
on farm and the lawyer and doctor will
tell you the same. What if their faces are
blanched while the farmer is tawny-their
fingers delicate and supple, while the farmer
are dingy and clumsy-their garments
fine and clean, while his are soiled and
coarse. Each is appropriate and equally
respectable. A chimney sweep in white
linen, or a farmer at his plough in fine
broadcloth, would be an object of ridicule.
equally with the lawyer in rags. More
men make themselves ridiculous by over
dressing than the reverse If the farmer
has not delicacy, he has strength, and pow
er of endurance-far more valuable. If
he is not educated and refined, it is no
fault of his occupation, did he himself not
think so; for no one has more leisure for
reading and study. If he mingles less
with the world, and learns less of etiquette.
he has opportunity for thought, and learns
less of deception, intrigue, and chicanery,
which makes no one happy.
Whose sons make the most enterprisino
and successful merchants, the most pro-
found statesmen, the most eminent engin
eers, and the most learned lawyers and
Divines ! The farmers. They 90 forth
from the farm, with healthy blood in their
VEINS, inherited from healthy parents, and
consequently have healthy and vigorous
minds Who are looked up to as defenders
81 our homes Id ease OF invasion? Whose
names are in our jury boxes, and whose
names are sought for (aye, little too often
.s'ccesfuly,) on bank note :? Brother
farmers, let us not repine at our lot; let
US honor our calling, and it will honor us.
Honor and fame from no condition rise.
lie that would win, must labor for the prize.
S. b. p, a, Genessee Farn,er
Gorhdm, ~. y, NoU. 1858.
To CURE LICE ON CATTLE-Mr Roc