The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-03-15
agricultural department.
CONDUCTED BY ALBERT CHAPMAN.
A sunny View of Farming.


An Essay before the Royalton, Vt, Farmers Club.
In former article read before this
club, | attempted to show up some Of
the drawbacks and difficulties hitherto
met with in the farmers path, and also
some of the obstacles which prevent many
OF our most able young men from enter
ing that path
And while | consider the position Ia
ken in that article tenable, propose to
look awhile at the other side of the pic
ture, hoping to find there something to
dispel the gloom and cheer the hearts of
the "honest sons of toll" / believe the
sun is already rising over the eastern
horizon which is to illumine all the dark
and shadowy places, and show the science
OF agriculture in its true light before the
world; | believe the power is already at
work which shall elevate the farmers
calling from obscurity, not to say ignom-
my in the eyes of many, to the proudest
pedestal in the structure of civilization
believe the day is close at hand when
agriculture shall be not only nm honor
able, but lucrative employment not only
pleasant and healthy, but popular
occupation believe the time is coming
when the father will feel the same pride
in speaking of his son as being engaged
in agriculture" that he does now as he
tells friend, with an important air, that
his son is engaged in trade, in the legal
profession, or is practicing medicine.
That power that is doing and is to do
so much for agriculture, is the power
that moves the world-education. 1t is
the agricultural newspaper, the farmers
club, the dairyman's association,t the wool
growers association, the horse stock COM
paDy, the agricultural fair.
These are all comparatively new insti-
buttons. 1t does not need the oldest in
habitant to recollect the time when on
agricultural newspaper or book was un-
known. Science, art, literature, all had
their champions and scholars, but
humble agriculture, npon which they all
depended, was left in darkness.
The farmer, since he saw nothing in
in the newspaper that Interested or in
structed him in his calling, nothing to
lead his mind in the direction his feet
were walking, cared little for reading,
but had to plod on, taking his fathers
example as guide, and whatever kind
providence saw fit bestow as q reward
Grooves were worn, and each succeeding
generation, sooner or later, fell in and
followed on. The mind, limited to a
certain range, became unable to break
its boundaries, and agriculture remained
an unintclligent, undigni6ed employment
1t is the boast of the Romish church thai
their religion remains unchanged since
the apostolic age-as though age brought
special merit; this may be the case witt
spirituouS things, but think not witt
spiritual things. But how have they
avoided change and shut out improve
ment? By keeping the Bible out o
the hands of the common people. By
restricting thought and using Latin pray
ers.
Why do certain schools of medicin,
say piper Negrane," for black pepper
and "Hydrargyrum," for calomel ? Tha
they may sprinkle the former in eur eyes
and put the latter down our Threats
while we in Ignorance pay the bills.
Ignorance is weakness just as surely a
know edge is power; when the mind i
aroused to exertion, improvement begins
When the farmer began to read and re
fleet and make inquiries, he immediatel
began to rise in the scale of civilization
and agriculture began to assume dignit
and power, | believe the agriculture
press and the farmers club are destine
to lead the farmer to his true sphere tn
head of the corner stone of society.
Who can compute the benefit whic
every active member Of this club has re
cieved from its exercise since its birth
And not only are its members benefited
but its influence is felt to a greater @
less extent throughout this vicinity Whl
farmers need more than anything else
to know and feel their Importance the
are apt to lack self-esteem they should r.
member that they are the main stay
society, upon whom all else depends.
Without the hand of the farmer, an
art, literature, law, medicine and con
merce come down with crash, for brea
supports them all.
AS agriculture is the most ancient,
is it the most honorable calling of whic
we have record As rule, farmers a.
noted for honor and fair-dealing II
term "honest farmer" is significant, al
often met with, while "honest lawyer
would bring smile to the countenan'
Of the melancholy, and to speak of ,
honest pedler, drover, shoemaker, or ia
lor present company excepted). wou
commit one as jolly joker for time
come. The independence Of tho farm
is proverbial he is master of the stu
ton no mans life or property depen
upon his cunning, as IN the case of Il
d,ctor. He lies down to rest at nigh
conscious that his days work is end
and that he is not to be disturbed by Il
nights alarms Itmakss little di6ersn