Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-04
NATURAL DISPOSITIONS WITH RE
SPECT TO AGRICULTURE


We are aware that too much theory is
not relished by the practical farmer. Prac-
teal knowledge is most useful to him; yet,
in the classification Of this knowledge we
produce theories. All human invention is
imperfect, and logic is human invention;
so. therefore, logic is imperfect. And theo-
ries built up by logical demonstrations are
likely to be imperfect. Yet, this does not
prove the natural truths or selfevident facts
upon which the theories are built to be i'm
perfect.
Dr. Gordon informs us that natural laws,
or the laws OF nature that govern the pro-
duction Of the earth, are the first object to
be sought by those engaged in the pursuit
of agriculture. We all know that fertile
land will produce more than sterile, that
thorough tillage is better than bad, and that
good rains greatly benefit the crop. These
are the most simple of natural laws and
self-evident facts respecting agriculture.
Yet it is impossible to build theory upon
these simple data suited to each
and every agriculturist without considering
the natural inclinatiOns or dispositions
Of the person or persons for whom it is
CONSTRUCTED. We know that there are men
better qualified by nature, regardless Of
their own acquisitions, for almost any pur-
suit or profession. That is, there are rat
ural mechanics, natural agriculturists, nat
ural physicians, lawyers and diyines. Ma
ture has given these abilities above others
for the definite pursuit or profession, which
is very easily accounted for when we reason
from the right standpoint. But this is not
cur object az present, so let 1t sutlce to
know that these natural abilities are the
fundamental principles to success in any
| department of life.
/ 1t sometimes happens that the best farm
| managers do not succeed as labOrers, and
| the farm that one devOtes entirely to the
! production Of cotton, if owned by another
| would be sOwn in grain and grass, and
! probably the third would devote the same
! land to the growing Of fruit, according to
! the natural inclination of each. What,
! then, il may be asked, are the natural abil-
| iUies requisite to success in agriculture +?
! As farming consists in so many diversities,
it is hardly possible to give a direct
answer to this. Yet we will add
! that science demonstrates that a
! happy exercise Of any organ or
| faculty improves it, while an unhappy
| exercise impairs the organ. This is one Of
| natures unerring truths, and should al
ways be remembered by school teachers,
who should never force knowledge upon a
| Wearied mind, or they disqUalify the mind
/ of the student for further acquisition. And
as the student must have taste and relish
! for knowledge, so must the farmer that
would succeed in his calling possess taste
for the pursuit,
We know that profit has a great deal to
do in the formation of taste, yet the farmer
that has no regard for the lowing of his
cows, the blating Of his sheep, or the squeal-
ing of his pigs, could make profit by feed
ing them. Yet they often starve for the
want of proper attention, while he to
whom nature has given the ability to care
for stock, regards suffering brutes, and is
/ prompted by sympathy for the animals to
/ care for them independent of the profit re-
/ sulting from their growth. And we will
| also suggest that no stock-raising farmer
| should employ a man to feed his
stock that will not care for his own, as it
shows want of industry, and such gener-
ally prove neglectful in all other farm ser
vice. This will admit of logical demonstra-
ton and show the why's and wherefores, iii
| space would admit). AS some of your
many readers may have tendency to doubt
| our theory of natural inclinations, permit
| us 10 uTd u COlLI dSG DCCWCOl4 wv hACll vi
our acquaintance. The first has only a
claim to farming. Science points him out a
man Of naturally fair intellect, combined with
a sprightly temperament, that would render
him brilliant had he not one or Two defects
| He has but little caution, and comparatively
no continuation. He scarcely raises enough
corn to do him six months, and is very sure
| to sell part of that. The other is a success
full farmer, with large caution, good con
tinuation, combined with industry, who
generally keeps enough corn on hand
| TO do him TWO years, and positive
" refuses to sell until he knows
there is another supply, not grow
ing, but made. The first cannot be con.
vinced that he should not sell, or the sec.
ond that he should, and why this difference
if it is not the natural inclination of the
two individuals? We know that natural
defect can be improved, or the most prom
lnent organs through neglect impaired
which is in harmonious keeping with the
laws Of nature that govern man as a social
political or moral being. Yours, etc,
March /, 1872. j. S. D.