The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-02-06
the s. e s; r. Onion.
The Advantages of Rural Life.

you nave cptuu'n oeVoteu 10 Agriculture
hope it will continue to be we'll filed
Will not the farmers in this vicinity give
you some details OF their experience Il.
Is by such means, more than By any other.
that Agriculture will be improved. Scien.
'i6c knowledge has its value; it should not
be set aside. What is needed is seienc,
practically applied. To understand C6em.
i.try, and thus to be cnabled to analrza
various soils, and show their adaptation to
particular productions, is very well. But
the main point is to test your scientific
theories by we'll ascertained facts M man
can write to much advantage about Aqr;.
culture unless be is an actual farmer. Here
as almost everywhere else, experience is
the best teacher. Agriculture is a noble
employment-I pity the man who has
low opinion Of it. He shows his want of
good sense. 1t is true that all uen cannot
be farmers; other employments are need
full, and hence reputable No man should
feel himself degraded by any homes, and
useful pursuit. l regard that man as the
most honorable who best performs the
duties of his calling Hence it not unfre-
quently happens that boot black is a moro
honorable man than statesman.
The earth was obviously designed for
cultivation. We live principally upon its
productions. Hence large portion of
mankind ever have been, and must con-
tinue to be, farmers. They are the great
producers, and must always be the founda-
tion of human society. Their employment
is healthful. They spend much of thei,
time in the open air, and thus breathe it in
Its purity. Their exercise tends to develop
and strengthen their bodies-hencc they
are usually more hardy than other classes.
Their taste OF the beautiful in nature is
extensively gratilied-trces. flowers, the
springing grain, and green fields, are almost
constantly before their eyes. Thus they
have the sight of the most beautiful pano-
ramas, accompanied too with the singing of
birds, and all this without any trouble or
expense. Perhaps they do not often think
Of this simple fact, because it has become
so familiar to them. But when they are
deprived Of these beautiful sights, and this
sweet melody, they feel sensibly the want
of them, and thus they can learn how much
pleasure they derive from them
Again: Farming Is a safe employment.
Agr:ulturis.s i, not always get rich; but
usually they acquire the means of com
Portable support. The prayer ola good man
in o!den timcs, "Give ME neither poverty
nor riches" is usually answered in their
case. Thus they are placed in the best
circumstances for earthly enjoyment. Their
income, though not large, is generally sure.
Hence their minds are not disturbed by tie
distressing anxieties of most other men,
% The sleep of the laboring man is sweet"
lie is not terrified with any dreams Of fail
urc In business, or Of the want Of employ
ment. More perhaps than any other nan,
the farmer is unaffected by the fluctuations
in society. Farther, his mind is happ;ly
and usefuly eri2!oycd-it must be more or
less active or he cannot profilably conduct
his business. 1t is II mistake TO suppose
that a simplcton can make a good farmer.
Thought and skill are as needful in Agri-
cnlture rs in mechanical pursuits. Almost
every day is farmers mind called into
fall rcGuisition. A farmer needs to be
trained to his employment as much as a
blacksmith or mason. This simple truth
accounts for the failure of SO many men
who go On to farms they have been edu-
Gated to some other employ ment. But they
imagine that farming is the simples. thing
possible. They scorn the thought that they
cannot raise potatoes and corn as well as
any body else. But upon trial, they find
that there are many things about successful
farming which they do not understand.
Let them not. however, be too easily dis-
couraged. If they are not too old, or too
self-conceited to learn, they may succeed,
not probably, however, until they have
made and rectifed great many mistakes.
Merchants, mechanics, and others, living
IN cities and villages, usually have more
knowledge Of passing events and the news
OF The day than farmers, but in the most
matters. whether relating to-
science, politics, or religion, they are not
their supcriors.
Farmers have fewer temptations to immo-
rality and vice than most other men.
Among them We generally find the best
and the most numerous specimens of high.
toned virtue. In our country's peril, to
them do We specially look fer genuine
patriotism. And if We wish to see what
is in its simplicity and power,
we must generally go into the country.
[ will not dwell upon the topics which I
have mentioned; but think every reflect
ing man must say that farming has many
important advantages. And in such time .
as this, when so many men are thrown out
Of their ordinary employment in conse-
quence Of the war, would it be we'll for them
to turn their attention to Agriculture ? No