The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-02-20
Money Value of Intelligence.


Every thoughtful man recognizes the money
value of intelligence in community. 1t is
for this in psrt that the State builds school
houses and furnishes free education to the
masses. knowledge is power" even the ig-
norant respect it, and pay it'll many an inyolun-
tary compliment. The power consists in the
ability to better ones condition more rapidly
and in doing that-such are the relations of
men to each other-they usually benefit all
around them. The improvements on piece
of real estate do not affect the owner alone,
but Indirectly extend to the neighborhood, and
next find their way to the assessors books and
thus benefit the nation. 1t is like the ripple
which pebble starts when thrown in the water
it spreads wider and wider, and though after
awhile the visible effect disappears, we know
that it does affect the whole body, no matter
how large. So when something is added to
the worlds wealth, it benefits the whole world,
although we may not be able to trace Its full
effects. When an enterprising man buys run
down. neglected farm, with rickety and dilapi-
dated buildings, and at once proceeds to i'm
prove it, clears up the unsightly fence corners,
drains the wet land, pulls out stumps or rocks,
and sets the new house little back from the
highway, lays out lawn, with pleasant walks,
and shade trees and hedges, brings blooded
stock with him and causes his acres to produce
more than ever before, what man 30 stupid as
not to recognize that it is pecuniary gain to
the neighborhcod? No matter how selfish the
owner may be at heart, if he makes his farm
more valuable he does the same to some extent,
to all around him. The neighbors like to see
a handsome farm near them, even if they new
er think of selling, the prospective buyer will
have, his attention called to the handsome
property over the way, or which adjoins, or ut
least is not far off. Spectators holding unim-
proved lands, like nothing so we'll as to be able
to say because nothing is more potent) that it
lies in the very best Of neighborhoods, is sur
rounded by rica farms in the highest state OF
culture, in delightful region of walks and
drives that the people are all intelligent, and
their tastes refined that schools and churches
abound, and that the value of the land has
been proved by the extraordinary yield of crops
on adjacent farms. When these things can be
said truthfully, sales are comparatively easy,
and that at the highest prices.
Does not every enterprising farmer see then
as we'll as those who are not farmers-that
there is money value in intelligence, and the
rapidity of its spread concerns them very close
ly? Improvements on ones own place are
well, wise and admirable, but so are improve.
ments around YOU There should be then no
neglect Of the means. Every agency which
will promote iarm intelligence should be en-
ployed and kept up. Farmers Clubs are use
full, and have done vast deal of good. Agri-
cultural Libraries are often established, and are
very useful-their influence is felt on some
minds which might not be otherwise reached.
The dissemination of agricultural papers are
also useful and indeed among the best of agen-
cies, because, like the club meeting, they come
at regular intervals, and serve to keep dull
minds awake,--and that, when good book
might be laid away and forgotten. They are
even more regular than Club meetings, because
bad weather, bad roads, or poor health fire.
quently prevents attendance, and then the in-
terest decreases. They bring weekly or month
ly, as the case may be, fresh thoughts, fresh
experiences, fresh records of new and impor-
tant experiments. all serving to awaken thought
and investigation, and to incite fresh efforts in
the line of improvements. Some of the con-
tents may be crude, some absurd, even, but the
reading of such things does good by awakening
thought and confirming a man in the right
course by its contrast with what is plainly
wrong and dimplacticable. A textbook on agricul-
ture IS valuable for study and reference in the
hands of those whose habit it is to seek infor-
nation and are ready always to refresh their
memories from the experience of others, in
but the hands of the average man it may soon
be laid aside and forgotten. The paper is bet
ter for him and is good for all.-C0antry Gen.
tle,nGn. -, .li4-,l. ..5,s.t;} e.i "a aoi. d.