Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-05-26

And heed its answering sigh.
FARMERS, DIGNITY YOUR PRO-
FEssIoN.
"But no one knows -.
How oats, peas, beans, and barley grows"
TOLD SoNa.
Mr.. EDT1oR.-Having been silent long
time, by way Of variety, will endeavor to
do something for your columns-I do not
know what it will be, but we shall see when
we get through.
For somethousands of years, the husband
man has been putting seed into the earth,
and wedding and turning the soil, and anx-
iously watching the result. he has been
trying to pry into the arena or secrets Of na-
ture. The strongest motives-self-preser-
vation, duty, and even pride, have actuatsd
him. His calling is the foundation on which
civilized society rests, and he is conscious Of
it. Is he, then, the foremost man, in society?
does he fill the high plaees? does lie have
the largest share of honors? Nothing of
this. He is still ''the newer of wood and
carrier of water" for the rest of mankind.
He sees combinations forming all around to
clutch the profits, of his toll, and be does
not-perhaps oannot-resist. Is this his lot
by an inexorable fate. If 50, he must SUBJ
nit; he cannot help it. While others dance,
he must pay the piper; while others sing,
he cannot sing again in answer. But isthis;
necessarily so, and is there no remedy
The human mind is expansive and progress
sive. Look to the other departments Of hu-
man labor: Mechanics build bridges, steam
boats, railroads and palaces spin textile
materials, and weave them into all kinds of
fabrics, and, when finished, dye them with
thousand hues. Chemistry and other sci.
ences have lent them their aid, aid they
have received it. They have not turned a.
way or given them a cold and listless atten-
ton. They have paid them in honors, they:
have paid them in material substance. But
the farmer turns away. He will not prove
the value of their suggestions by practiced
testify trying them fairly, and reporting
success or failure. No; he is, in his own
conceit, too wise for that He says, emo one
knows how oats, peas, beans, and barley
grows" "You can tell ne"-and sings it,
too.
1t must be confessed, the old song is too
true. While. other callings are advancing,
agriculture stands nearly still. 1t is doubt
full whether, in practical agriculture, we have
advanced far ahead of the Romans, two
thousand years ago. In, fact, fear We do
not equal them in practical knowledge; and
I am sure we do not attach the Importance
to the calling, nor dignity it as they did,
Then Virgil, the greatest and sweetest of po-
cts, sung its praises; Cicero, the orator and
writer, par excellence, delighted to do it
honor; Cincinnatus, the dictator, left the
plow and his farm, to assume the supreme
command, and after having been honored
with triumphant entry into Rome, as her
savior, did not hesitate to return to his farm.
They did not look upon the professions of
law and medicine, or q clerkship in store,
as positions higher, and more dignifed, than
that Of the farmer. They did not think the
pursuit of agriculture disqualified the oiti-
zen from holding Offices of honor and trust,
nor degrade it by giving preference to men
engaged in the professions.
Farmers and planters, would you dignity
your profession? Would you see it honored
and prosperous Initiate the Romans. Do
not degrade yourself by making low esti.
mate of your calling. Do not consider scien-
tifc knowledge incompatible with your bust
ness. Do not suppose there is no call for
knowledge and trained intellect in the man
agement of the farm. Be assured, that what
chemistry and other sciences have done for
mechanics, she will do for you. Do not turn
away from her suggestions, but give them a
fair trial. Every thing is proved by well.
conducted neutrality-suspicious. is the
test; "try all things, and hold fast to that
which is good" Build up an agricultural
college, and prepare your SONS, not for the
professions, clerkships, &c., but to be intelli-
gent farmers. Send due proportion of
farmers to your Legislature, and give them
fair share of the Offices of profit. Show
that you do not regard them as an inferior
caste. If you will do all this, knowledge
will abound, science will unfold her secret
stores, and we may yet understand chow
oats, peas, beans, and barley grows"
FRANKLIN.