Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-11-09
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED IN FAR.
MING

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED IN FAR I
MING.
There are many who look upon farming
as rather a small business, who think that
its successful prosecution requires only a
little common sense, just enough toprompt
the hardy worker to seek shelter in rain
Storm and very little knowledge, just
sufficient to count a flock of sheep or read
a newspaper. This opinion was once more
general than now for the world is grow
ing wiser yet, ut the present time it is
entertained by many, tt is an old and
true saying, that, honor and shame from
no condition rise y that honor is only ac-
quired by acting well our part in whatever
situation we may be placed. A man Of
ability and knowledge, who devotes all
his energies to his business, will make it
honorable and profitable, no matter how
insignificant that business may at first
seem. The makiug of pin, or button,
or a cad pencil-how trifing q business
docs this appear--and yet even the manu-
facture of these articles affords full scope
for the greatest manufacturing skill and
bu iness tact, and We see large factories
erected for this work, giving profitable en-
ployment to hundreds, aud yielding rich
revenues and princcly fortunes to the pro-
prietors. If, then, business so small and
contemplate in itself is made honorable
by the energy of those engaged III its man
agement, it only requires the same energy
and ability on the part of those employed
in farming, 10 cause it to take its proper
position as the most important and homo
rable profession that can engage the atten
ZION of man. a profession that feeds and
clothes the world, that furnishes all the
luxuries and necessaries of life, the sus-
pension which even for single year would
bring upon the world wretchcdness and
starvation, the ike ofwhich has never been
witnessed is certainly Of sufficient imports
ance to rank with any trade or manutac-
ture. A profession that has to do with the
earth and its yariously formed soi's-wth
air, and rain, and heat, and light-with
every tree and Shrub that beauties, aud
every thorn and briar that curses the
earth-with the whole aoimal and vegeta-
bic cconony-.hould certainly rank with
the learned professions.
There is no business requiring such va
ried acquirement', SO much knowledge, SO
much good Judgment and commercial abil.
ity combined, as is necessary for the thor
ough, accomplished farmer. He stands
first among the manufacturers of the land
lie makes the wheat and corn, the beef
and mutton aud pork, the wool and fax,
and manufactures from the earth, the air,
the water, nearly all that we eat and all
we wear. And this is not only done by
farmers az class, but almost every Que
produces many, if not all of these artic
les The manufacturer usually confines
his labors to the production of one article
but the farmer i by necessity compelled
to make many, Il he would make grain,
he must also make beef, or butter and
cheese, or mutton and wool.-lIencc the
necessity for extensive knowledge. 1t is
an easy matter for the manufacturer to as
certain how much wool will max yard oi
cloth Of a certain description, and what
will be It's cost bat it is not SO easy for the
farmer to ascertain how much grass or hay
or grain, will make pound of wool. The
manufacturer can test new machine, and
ascertain by a few simple taias whether it
will manufacture the desired article cheap
or or better than the old one; bat to as
certain how pound Of beef can be made
the cheapest, what machine will convert
hay into rich shcese in the cheapest and
best manner is matter requiring a good
deal more care and skill.
Among his varied requirements, tke
farmer should posses a knowledge of ami,
anal physiology, SO as to be enabled to keep
his stock in health and administer proper
remedies in case Of sickness. Vegetabie
phYsioIogy, tcO, must not be overlooked.
Every day during the growing season the
farmer performs work for the growth of
his crops founded on the known laws which
govern vegetable life. Etymol0sy is a sci
gnce which the farmer is compelled to
study to some extent, and often much
more, perhaps, than he desires; but the
more he does so, the better he is fitted to
wage a successful war against thousands
Of destructive foes. IL addition to all this
the farmer must be merchant; for hc
1nust sell as well as mannfacture. He