Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-10-19
farmers Reaamg,
Agricultural Improvement.

must be continually increasing among the
rural population, there is yet a want of
taste for general, and pretended abhor-
ence for agricultural reading, that is sur
prising. Some seem to regard agricultural
papers with suspicion, as thoug b an attempt
was being made to thrust upon them pro-
positions and reforms, which they must a.
dopt without being allowed to exercise their
own thoughts and judgment. Instead of
regarding them as a medium through which
the various persons are engaged in Agri'
culture, Horticulture, &C., may speak, for
each others bearing and benefit, they look
upon them as containing rules and instruc-
tions which must be followed wholesale, if
they have reason to erpect any benefit
Of course it is useless to write and pub
lish for those who aoont read yet, these are
the persons, it is scarcely necessary to say,
that are most in need of some stimulus to
improvement But reading, thinking farm
ers can communicate with each other; and
if the benefit to be derived therefrom mani.
tests itself by Visible proof, it certainly must
exert salutary influence upon the non
reading and non-tbiukiug portion; for
even among these there are many who have
disposition to excel, in some things; and
if they can be melted to begin, the work of
agricultural improvement will go on, and
attain to excellence.
I am compelled to think that the "na-
tive talent" that exists in many farmers
families, is too often enticed to other fields
of exercise particularly to the mind
of youth-appear more congenial and
profitable. Independent.minded youths,
that are disposed to answer their own ques-
tions, are not long in coming to the conclu-
sion that there is very little about the homes
of many, if not a majority, of the farmers
to admire, and a vast deal to dislike. Dwell.
lugs that never saw paint, rail fences in
front of the house, piles of rubbish, here
and there, old, worn,out tools beside the
road 10 front of the house, and other places
in sight, and to be walked over, gates off
the hinges, barn doors the same, and other
things "too numerous to mention" general
ly out of order, and combining to form an
appearance of general disorder, are not apt
to create thoughts iu the mind of a youth,
that there, above all places, he can imagine
is spot to admire and dwell upon. [
speak of this as being the general appear
ance of not few of the farmers homes in
many parts of the country through b which l
am acquainted, although there are few
gratifying instances, even here, in which
these features are not observable, and occa.
sionally whole neighborhood that forms an
exception.
Whatever can be done to entice a fair
share of the farmers thinking youths to
adopt, and practice, the vocation of their
fathers, will, in the course Of time, prove
profitable in the cause of improvement At
tempts to make farmers of intelligent, am
bilious boys, against their choice, are gener-
ally fruitless and those that labor on land
because their fathers have, or because they
are too stupid to choose a calling, do no
good in the way of improvement Farm
ers who have reason to expect their sons
will choose farming as an occupation, will
furnish to their view evidence that it is
worthy their attention.
Some effort among farmers is needed that
shall give to their business more attractive
and commendable appearance To contrib
ute to this end, more attention should be
paid to the orderly and systematic arrange
ment of farms and farm buildings, which is
consistent with the plainest economy, also
to the convenience and adornment of dwell
lings; not forgetting the importance of pro-
portioning the extent to the means. Limit
ed outlay and tasteful arrangement, will 60
further in making rural home inviting,
than large and careless expenditure.
A worthy model farming establishment,
where everything is made to answer its pur.
DOSE 10 tu6 lulicSL cAteuI-CUuoioIeuI WIN
ircumstances-a place provided for every
thing that needs place-tbe thorough
practice of system that bears harmony
with the general arrangement-where the
practical shall approach somewhat the ideal
is place that 1 have never seen, yet, l
believe the idea could be realized Sup.
pose it we're The Influence that such
pattern would shed abroad, would be some.
thing of power. In this, practical and
ocular demonstration is more valuable than
philosophical. If we expect and wish farm
ing to commend itself to those in whose
hands we must ultimately leave it, should
We not strive to have our practice approach,
as near as is possible, and economical, the
idea