Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-09-15
The Dignity of Farming.

| PioPoriy appreciated. lt has been conSld-
cred low calling; suited only to the litter
ate or vulgar class of mankind.
The time has been when, iu a family
where there were several boys, if some APP
peared more sprightly and intelligent than
others, they were selected to fill some of the
learned professions; while those who were
/ thought to be dull aud unpromsing were
placed upon the farm, and doomed to spend
a toilsome life in tillng the soil. Hence it
1 is, that the Science of Agriculture has made
such slow progress in the world. But hap
PLY this deiusion is passing away, this mist
of darkness is being dissipatcd by the rising
sun of Science; and practical Agriculture is
beginning to assume it's true place amongst
the learned professions. is no longer left
in the hands of the ignorant, but the best
talents and the most skillful Investigations
are brought to bear on the subject, and the
time is not far distant, we think, when a
complete revolution will be wrought in the
business of Farming. Already is it begin
ming to raise its head above the low occupations
OF mankind, and considered not only Il au-
dablc but an honorable cmploymcnt Al
ready schools and colleges are being cstab-
l'shcd for the purpose of qualifying young
men to cultivate the soil on scientific prin-
ciples This is as it should be- And why
, should not the Science of Agriculture be
taught i'll our schools rs well as the Science
of Neogruphy or Astronomy? 1t is of more
practical importance than either.
OF all the manual occupations pursued by
mankind, we should yield the palm to that
of Agriculture 1t is the most useful By
it we all suhsist. The king on his throne,
as well as the peasant in his COTTAGE, arc
I supported by the products oC the field This
WAS the business first allotted to mnn-in his
best estate, even before sin furnished his
soul he was placed in a garden, "to dress
some bodily labor to cultivate the soil, tlis
but gives health and 'vigor to the consttu
ton. In point of health, there is no occu-
patton to be compared with that of fhrming.-
The farmer lives in the air, and hreathes the
pure oxygen all the time 1t is this that
gives him strength, ard imports freshness
to his color which all the medicines of the
apothccary would fail to do. Even man Of
feeble constitution, by turning his attention
to farming may live to good old age.
But farming is not only healthy, but it
is a delightful employment. What can be
more delightful than to see tho seeds which
we planted with our own hands spring up
and grow, and bear fruit by most mysteri-
ous process of nature? This is wonderful,
and can not but excite feelings of delight, as
well o. love and gratitude, in every con
tcmplativc mind. No one has better OPP
porunity of studying Nature and Natures
works than the farmer. \ farmer, therefore,
ought to be a pious as we'll as learned man
1t is a greet mistake to suppose that far
mer needs no education a good education
Will never spoil farmer. 1t is true, if he
dabb|cs much in politics, or becomes cnam-
orcd OF law the soil will not profit much BY
his wisdom but let him make himself ac
quaintcd with those branches of Science that
have bearing on his calling aud which tend
to develop the resources OF Nature such as
Chemistry Natural Philosophy. Botany etc
aud he will find himself amply reward d or
his trouble. a formGr ou@,t to know
nature and quality of the soil ~: cult
vatcS-what he should plant here and what
therefor every soil is not adopted to the
growth OF every plant; nor doe, every pant
require the same nourishmcnt and treatment.
lie should therefore study the nature of ma
nurcs, III order that he might make u-
dicious application to the different species of
plants which he wishes to cultvatc; for that
which might be lic to one snight be death to
arother. Who, then, would say that educa-
ton is of no use to the farmer? \ man who
understands his business scientifically will sue
coed at once, while others must necessarily
spend much time in making experiments be-
fore he arrives at the truth.
Every man should endeavor to qualify him
self for that peculiar calling in which he cX-
poets to engage; and then let him 90 at it
with an energy, and with determination to
succeed, and tine probability is, thai bis in0st
snnguine expectations will be realized This
will apply in all its force to the farmer. His
calling is noble one Let him not be
ashamed of it. 1t is honorable, hcalthful
delightful and romuncrativc. No man is so
independent rs the farmer. He can literal
ly "sit under his own vine and under his
own fg-trce, and there is none to hurt or
make him afraid" While others are obliged
to purchase, and that often at high price,
the food they eat, the farmer has only to 90
to his field, his orchard, or his garden and
his table grGans under a plentiful supply
of the richest Wand. Who would not be a
| farmer?
DEArii. BED SCENES. The rich Cardinal
Beaufort said: And must die? viii
not all my riches save me- rcud pur.
chase the kingdom, if that would proong
my life" Alas there Is no bribing Of death.
An English nobleman said i" have a
spendid passage to the grave. | die in state,
and anguish under eiided canopy am
expiring on soft and downy pillows, and am
respectfully attended by my servants and ply
sicians. My dependents sigh; my sisters
weep; my father bends beneath a load of
I frrio of nd 60 IL -,