Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-03-09
Anriculture as Pursmit-

Agriculture was the first or primeval
pursuit allotted to man at the co mmence-
ment of u earth's history. When the
Almighty Creator of the universe had fin
ished all things, including man. he com
manded Adam 20 till the earth r dress
it, He evidently intended the cultisa-
tion of the soil, the breeding and manage
ment Of domestic animals, &c, to be the
principal occupation OF man. and 1t has
been so for nearly 5000 years and is like
ly to be as much longer if the world shall
stand, and the occupation upon which all
other occupations depend for support. We
will consider then this to be the natural
occupation of man, but as we must have
implements and machinery to carry on this
business, and also clothes to wear and va
rious articles for the convenience and COM
fort of man and of animals, including,
though last yet by no means least, houses
and barns, it is highly essential that we
have machines. manufactures, merchants,
&c. Yet all these classes depend directly
on the agriculturist for support, and could
not live a year without them. We will
then consider agriculture the prime or le-
ultimate pursuit of man. from which he
has no right to depart unless lacking phys
icnl ability or possessing an aptitude for
some other profession.
The Almighty in his wisdom created
man with different tastes and dispositions
in regard to occupations. and while some
are natural artizans, mechanics, merchants
and scholars, others would be required to
devote nearly a life time to acquire a me-
diocrity in such pursuits. Nor are all men
adapted by nature to be farmers; l know
men who have been bred to the business of
farming that are not good farmers or ever
will be, but who would make good mechan-
les or tradesmen. We are all designed
by nature for some special pursuit. and
how few of US find the right place. How
many men have | known, who have sue
ceeded we'll as merchants. manufacturers
or mechanics, who could not make a living
on a good farm rent free. L have also
known merchants who nave failed as mer-
chants. make excellent farmers, ard lay
up money by that pursuit. Hence you
see we are all by nature adapted to some
particular calling or business. But 1T is
generally safe to educate our sons for far
mers, unless they early evince a dislike
for it or show an aptness for something
else. say educate our sons, for 1t has
long been a prevailing notion that any one
can succeed as a farmer just about as well
without as with an education. This Is a
very erroneous idea. To properly under
stand this pursuit requires much study
and practice. A successful farmer and
breeder of the present day should under
stand chemistry, anatomy, physiology,
horticulture. mechanics, &C., and have a
natural liking for the business. He should
also be a good overseer and a good sales
man, or trader, more particularly a sales
man and not only that, he should pro-
perly understand the use of every farm
implement. How essential then it is that
all should early set about understanding
the business which they expect to pursue
through life. How much better off would
the boys in the streets of our cities and
large towns be earning their board on a
farm and learning the business, and shun-
ming the many vices which beset all such
places? There is no place like the farm on
which to bring up a family of children
They usually have better constitutions, en-
Joy more freedom, and make better men
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