Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-08-20
From tho Itural American.
How TO Make Good Farmers.
Aug. 4, 1869.

This subject has often been discussed.
Various opinions have been offered, some
Of which are very good, others Qnlte in
feriOr. l propose to make few Hnggos
tons for the benefit of the readers of the
Itnral.
There arc thousands of farmers in the
world who seem TO think nothing but
physical strength is requisite to make good
farmers With such mon farming is
neither more nor less than simple coarse
drldgory, and yet there is no human pur-
suit so intimately connected with every
department of science. 1t is this errone-
Gus and and most pernicious impression
which has degraded agricultural pursuits
iii the estimation of SO many, and has
driven thousands of Intelligent and promis-
ing young men from their homes in the
country to tho cities and to ruin. When
will farmers rise to the true dignity Of
their calling? A boy is apprcnticed for
years to enuble him to acquire sufficient
skill to make coat, shoe, or hat, but
farmers are supposed to be born such.--
We very seldom meet man, whatever his
early education may have been, who does
not feel himself perfectly competent to
manage farm. 1t requires years of
preparatory study to fit young man for
any OF what are denOminatcd the learned
professions. 70 become n lawyer, q ply
sician OF u clergyman, he must devote four
or five years in the colleges, passing over
his books and listening to lectures. All
this is well enough. In fact it is indis-
pensably necessary but anything in the
shape of human being, who has sufficient
physical strength to enable him to hold a
plane, WELD O scytne, or harness horse,
is considered enough for farmer. Why
is this ? Can it be supposed when rlgldly
considered, that such men, without men
tai culture, can make "the principles and
discoveries of some of the most profound
and complex of human sciences, bear upon
the diversified and multitudinous practices
of agriculture 2" l wonld not be under
stood rs snpposing this applies to all far
mers Fortunately for our country, there
are, among the cultivators of the soil, a
very lnrge number of very sensible and in
telligent men who would honor any pro-
fession. My remarks are designed to have
reference only to the too generally preVa-
lent opinion that agricultural pursuits de-
nland nought but broad shoulders and
strong arms.
This error, am glad to know, is now
being rapidly dissipated. For this bless
ing, We owe debt of gratitude to the
teachings of agricultural Journals, agricnl-
tHral and horticultural societies, and to the
influence of valuable agricultural books. =
The tiiiers of tho earth arc beginning to
estimate, as they should, the immensely
important position which is held by agrl
culture in it's relation to all other human
pursuits. Agricultural teaching is begin
ming to assume it's proper place in oar i'll
stitutions of learning. Farmers are awak-
ening to the fast that Oh Intelligent mind
b,,ff off q
than mind upon which the light OF edn
cation has not shed its beneiicent rays
They are beginning to appreciate the
great Importance of familiarizing them,
selves with the science Of agriculture aa
we'll as with the mere art, for it as q science.
They are beginning to realize the necessity
of Understanding the principles which I'M
derhe the science as we'll as the practice. :
These are encouraging truths. 1t gives
bright hopes for the future of our country.
IL is to be hoped the day is not very far dis