Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-12-17

1Ofnhcns " sort OIL fauuoFd bOAs iuto
which is thrown everything within our
reach, or within the limits of oar genius
to devise. For instance, in the common
article of bread, see the alkali which we
consume.
l once heard distinguished lecturer
remark that he could prove that half his
hearers were walking soap tubs. "Why."
said he. "you put quantities Of soda in
your bread, after baking, you butter and
eat it. Now the soda and the butter
arc the ingredients, when united, to pro-
duce soap, and you unite them.
fancy improvement both in cooking.
and in the character Of our food. might
and should be made. that would promote
health. If the variety were reduced, and
what was retained simplified, we should
be the gamers.
MENTAL vIGoR AND EDUCATION.
But am to establish that farming,
land might include most other labor
is conducive to mental vigor and educa-
ton.
In the first place, the mind and body
are so intimately connected that they
must bothh he in state Of heslthfulness
for either to imp:ero successfully. If it
has been satisfactorily established that
labor, and especially agricultural labor, is
conducive to The health Of tho body, 1t
becomes only necessary we turn our af-
tcntion to tho mind. What is education?
1t cer,ainly is not knowledge, notwith
standing we'll educated persons may pos
sess great deal of it. The truth is, we
may have great deal Of information
and very little education. Tho question
returns upon us, what then is educationi
Strictly speaking, it is simply discipline
tho powers of the mini so trained that
when a subject is presented, it can throw
all its powers upon it and comprehend it
if the subject itself is not beyond its ca
capacity. Books therefore are not edu-
cation; they are the simple instruments
and best means ofaccomplishing it, but
not the only ones. A farmers business
then, may and should be an educational
one. He may think and study as he
labors and as he rests. The unobscur-
ed heavens, with all their starry hosts,
are constantly over him. He may re-
feet upon their order. their magnitude,
their distance, their velocity in their or
bits. The sun in all his light and heat,
shines on him by day. He feels its
warmth, Witnesses its influence upon
vegetation, and upon the soil be cult
Yates.
The earth is filed with geological
specimens for his investigation. AS he
fslls the forest tree, he may count its
concentric circles. aud pronounce its age.
lyon every hand, by night and by day,
objects, circumstances and conditions are
presenting themselves to him and de-
handing explanation. IL he attempts it,
no is not only in the pathway of duty,
but of education and knowledge. 1t is
true he may pass through all these things
without a thought or inquiry, snd end
his life as he commenced, a Ounce. But
would it have been any different with
him if he had entered the halls Of some
renowned University, where grave and
learned professors presided, surrounded
bv all the paraphernalia Of such inst;tu
tons! If his mind was no more aroused
to enquiry and examination, be would
leave the sacred precincts, as untold
numbers have, to sink to his original OBJ
security.
knowledge and fame are gained not By sur
prise
He who would win. must labor tor the prize.
But with all the advantages / have
enumerated, which are his by occupa-
ton, if he stops short, and does not avail
himself of books and their instruction
and Information, it will only indicate that
he has no ideal before him for which TO
labor, and is sadly deficient in what
should be his proper destiny.
In a climate, and with . soil like ours,
there is no excuse for ignorance. and if
time was occupied as it should be. every
farmer might he n scholar. Did you ev-
or think Of il! You occupy, in time. in
the production Of your crops not exceeding
fouI out of the twelve months, A large
portion of The remainder is too cold for
manual labor, and should be devoted to
mental improvement. The healthful-
mesa of the atmosphere. the vigor and
elasticity it imparts to the whole system,
peculiarly adapt it to the successful pros
ecution Of mental pursuits.
FERTILITY OF OUR soIL.-CRoPs.--sTccK.
1t is perhaps unnecessary for me to
remind you that you are the citizens of
county, the soil of which is rarely
eaualed in fertility. Nature exercised
her highest powers in the preparation of
this immediate country for mans occu-
pancy. Less labor is required to pro-
duce large results than almost anywhere
else. But may / not remark, that it will
be our fault alone if it is exhsusted.-
We are YET but new country, not near
" all our land under cultivation. And
yet by our system of culture, are there
not palpable indications that It is running
down? have sometimes thought that
the introduction of the reaper has DANA
ged quite rs much rs it has benefited
farming. 1t has stimulated us 20 put in
~..;~ $500 land than wa on0hf whila