Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-01-01

anu make LOT uIiiSclI q nahi0' Inv
same lesson is taught him in every grade
of school to the university, and however
correct the home teaching and influence
is, these ideas obtain full possession OF
him, and he really believes agriculture to
be a grovelIing pursuit, and if he would
be man and obtain to influence, he
must leave it.
These are the principle causes which
influence our boys away from the farm.
If one would counteract them, and keep
them in this sphere, which may be one
of honor, usefulness, and every good
they must be taught, first, the great
truth that in this world of ours, there is
no true success in any pursuit, profession,
or occupation whatever but what comes
as the reward of close application and la
Dor; that although life on the farm is
not and ought not to be exempt from
this, yet its constant variation and change
are an actual relaxation; that it has sea
sons Of rest and enjoyment unknown to
others; that its labors are not so wearing
and exhaustive to the whole being; that
it brings less of corroding care, and
more of real satisfaction as the hours of
life go by.
"Again, tho boys must be taught that
all is not gold that glitters; that tho dis
play of real or spurious wealth, the re-
suit of mercantile or speculative hazard,
does not indicate the solid accumulations
of the trading and speculative portion of
the community; that while, as in lot
terry, one in a hundred has drawn a
splendid prize, and displays it ostenta-
tiously, the ninety nine have met with
disappointment and failure, and, after
passing through bankruptcy, are spend
ing life OF shifts and changes, dissatis-
fed with themselves and the world.
They must be taught that more property
will be accumulated by fifty young men
engaged in agriculture than in any other
pursuit, though no one of them may ac-
quirc large fortune; and so sure as seed
time and harvest continue, SO sure is it
that well-directed, intelligent labor on the
land will bring an ample competence,
while in other pursuits there is always
doubt, and nine times in ten failure.
Again, the young farmer must be
educated to know that his profession is
not one in which the hand alone is to do
the work, while the mind has no par: to
perform He must learn that, in agri-
culture, he is dealing with all the great
principles of nature; that his calling is
an art and science, and to understand
its mysteries, and to be able to work in
harmony with natures teachings, will
call into exercise the highest and strong
est powers Of his nature, and give full
play to his every faculty; that in it there
is full scope for the highest laudable am
bition, and abundant qualification for his
whole being. His early agricultural la
bors should be performed solely for in
struction; to make him acquainted with
the practical application of taught truths
of art and science, and he should always
have in his hand the best possible nipple
ments of their kind, and those suitable
for his age and strength. And, though
last Lot least, he should never be allowed
to come under the influence of person,
be he pastor, teaches, or professor, who
is so ignorant of agriculture in all its
facts, influences, and results, as to under.
value its importance and true Influence
on the character of the individual, and
the prosperity of the nation, as TO enter
tain or inculcate anything derogatory of
it.
ain short, to overcome and eradicate
this evil, TO keep the boys on the farm,
we must educate. We must educate the
instructors of our boys in the great truth
that there is no pursuit. calling. or pro-
fession of man, which, if sully under
stood and successfully practised, requires
so large a fund of varied and exact
knowledge as agriculture; none that
gives such full and perfect scope to all
our powers and faculties. and promises
brighter prospects TO high culture and
laudable ambition, than this, and none
that to the present time opens a wider
sphere of usefulness. We must educate
our farmers and farmers wives to prop
er appreciation Of the importance and
position of agriculture, 10 more thor
ough knowledge of its principles and de-
tails, whether we view il as science or
an art, and to new and better modes of
communicating that knowledge to the
boys under their care. 1t seems clear
that just SO far as we thus educate, so far
viii the evil we complain of cease; and
VIXEN the whole community is set right
on this subject, and the real truth fully
received, our boys will instinctively 60 to
the land for employment, will be proud
of their achievements in agriculture, and
with JOY, and in prosperity and honor,
will abide by the farm"
w Archie and Tom spanked the
same girl. One night Archie called on