Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-09-13
Letter from Goyernor Baker.

Dear Sif:--Although l read the ''Far-
mer" every month with pleasure and pro-
tit, how am to perform my promise Gin
considerably made I fear to write some
thing for its pages, in such a manner, as
to afford either pleasure or profit to your
eaders. t. rf7l r slI
On moments reflection, do not know
that could do better thing, or sag tuer
thing than to tell you to your face, that
the North Western Farmer is good thing;
and. that il will soon, If our people do not
stand. in their own light, become in its
circulation and influence, decidedly q zig
thing.
1t is wonderful that so many persons
connected with the farming interest, an
interest upon which all other interests de-
pend, should be so Indifferent to the liter
ature aud progress Of their own noble pro-
fession, as not to feel concerned about the
success Of periodical devoted to .hat
great interest / have just said that the
vocation of the agriculturist is n noble
one; but, il may be said that | am n law
yer, aud that lawyers are often accused of
saying what they do not believe; and that
am politician, aud that politicians are
} frequently accused Of saying what they do
not mean. Now, while l plead guilty to
being a lawyer by profession, | don't
think / am politician enough TO hurt
and protest that believe and mean just
what have said. have now no recol-
lection Of ever having read o sentence
written by Washington that did not and
do not believe, and, however little value
may attach to any opinion Of mine. Wash
ington recorded il as his deliberate opin-
ion that agriculture isthe most healthful,
most useful and most noble employment
+ Of man. believe il because Washing
ton so said, aud because observation and
, experience prove the correctness of his
opinion. But you SEQ L have already
"switched off the track" aud, unless the
engine is reversed. there is no telling
where we will bring up. Hl
Ifa periodical devoted 10 the interests
{ Of the legal profession, should be started
at Indianapolis, and be conducted with
t the same zeal aud ability that ARE mani.
tested every month in your pages. how
many lawyers in the State, think you,
would fail to take il? The yotaries OF the
legal profession who desire to keep up
with the progress Of the fines would not
only patronizc such a publication, but
their interest in tho profession of their
choice would cause them tc make II the
medium Of commun icating professional
knowledge TO the entire brotherhood Of
! lawyers. Lawyers must have their books
Of reports issued at short intervals, con.
, tanning the decisions Of tho various courts
r in the land. A good agricultural paper
Is to the practical farmer what book Of
good decisions we'll reported IS to tho law
yer. by il he adds 10 his own experience
. knowledge of the experience OF others
II is fashionable | know 10 sneer at book.
{ farming and book farmers, but it would
' really be nearly as sensible TO ridieulc
.. book lawyers. A knowledge Of books
a alone will not make the successful lawyer
To this must bo added industry, tact and
/ public confidence; the last Of which. lik,
I the orchard Of the farmer, requires years
Q to bring IL into full bearing. One Of the
@ most learned lawyers ever krcw never
n. succeeded in his profession. lie was 1
: mere book lawyer, knowing nearly every
!. thing tho books of his profession con
!. lained, but almost literally knowing moth
ing else. So destitute was he Of knowl
4 edge Of human nature aud so wanting II
tact, that all his learning was valueless
{ except as he retaied il out TO his Juniors
a who had common sense and skill enough
h to apply ii to the practical business of life
Q So with the farmer, books will not per
n form the practical operations Of the farm
e but, in the hands of common sense, in
: telligent man, they will facilitate his la
j. bofs, and add to his pleasure as well as.t
Is his profit. In the use Of them, like tn
; lawyer, he must apply TO thoir teaching
% the touchstone Of reason aud common
n sense, or he may, like the lawyer who i
n nores these, find himself relying upon re
II ported cuses that are not based upon sonn
10 principles, or which have been overrule
S. by experience aud better considered adju
r. dications Nh -
d Suppose the farmer, In addition to th
y handwork he now bestows upon his farm
q should give to his profession small pro
10 portion Of the brainwork that the lawye
le bestows upon his, what an increase in th
IN material as we'll as mental wealth of ou
ID people would ensue, and how soon woul
10 taste, and refinement, and thrift preva
on many farm whore their opposite
m now hold sway. have long been satisde
d. that II men who devote themselves TO th
30. called learned professions, would see
D. and find recreation in agricultural an
y horticultural pursuits, and IL farmers an
u mechanics would seek and find their rec
reaiion in books and study, there woul
at soon bo larger degree Of sympathy b,
tween these two classes Of Workers, an
70 society would be greatly benefited by th
10 change. | have tried this plan myself fc
l. years, and found that could toll on froi
year TO year without the necessity Of
SO four TO six weeks SUMNER vacation, b
D. cause | enjoyed vacation every mornin
IN and every evening in my fruit lot an
garden.
- As tho war is happily now over, suppo'
- - Doctor you try to get up an agriculture
70 revival that shall reach the mass Of Il
(" farmers, gardeners aud fruit growers
~ the State. a.t
~ Would il not bo good idea occasion
~ ally a tour State and Comfy Fairs TO hay
" a brain race instead Of numerous horse *
cesp Would il not be ms appropriate
ty offer premium for the best essay on Il
RS culture OF "black.eyed; peas" as for Il
fastest "trotter,". or the fastest "paceri
II; Does. the plow or the moving machir
n. travel at the rate of 2:I0? If net. Why
q; IL that 2:40 horses are permitted to m
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