Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-03-06
NUMBER 10.
Agricultural.
Studies on the Farm.

Nothing eonduces more to the elevation
aud refinement OF the mind, than the study
OF Nature in Just as many its varied as
meets. as one has taste for. The man
who holds frequent communion with her,
and studies and obeys her laws. is always
made better and happier man. And if
one is so unfortunate as not to possess
desire to know more, and admire more,
every day of his life. of 1.-The works OF an
Almighty hand" such a desire may be
cultivated. so as TO afford unalloyed pleas
ure.
But it is said by some, that the working
man cannot study: that study and labor
are incompatible, uncongenial. Washing
ton and Franklin both possessed that Kind
of knowledge which enabled them to be
eminently useful To the world, and yet.
both were emphatically laboring men; la
bored not only in directing others. but with
their own hands. Many other similar
examples might be cited to strengthen
this statement.
Manual labor" says an elegant writer
when not excessive. invigorates the body,
and rouses the mind. Muscles strengthen
ed by exercise, and brain refreshed by
pure blood. enable the mind To conceive
with clcaruesS, and act with force. The
delicate lark scars high but soon falls; it is
only the eagle. with broad and strong
wing aud clear eye. that can sustain long
flight in the upper air. and gaze at the sun.
The man with disposition to learn,
who digs the ground or sows the seed.
makes rapid progress. He sees the wis
dom and power which is everywhere mani
tested about him. and is inspired by it.
He learns lessons of design and utility in
the natural world, and. with powers thus
enlarged. he applies to books the ex-
poneuis of other men. s-and thus discov-
ers the laws by which all things are gov
eriled.
The working man, in all ages, has been
more successful III advancing the interests
OF humanity than those who have summed
physical labor. Labor and study must 90
hand-in-hand. There is no antagoni>m
between them. Properly balanced. they
promote and assist each other. If pure
blood impart> fresh vigor to the brain. the
student must have abundant exercise;
must engage in some healthful action of
his phs seal power>,-for if these are
feeble. they will hardly be able to send
pure blood 10 the brain.
As the world advances. its workers
will take a position; the dignity of labor
becomes more apparent. The time draws
nothing, and when there will be no ari>to-
cracy bui that of labor-no noblemen but
the workers" But the worker must also
bc thinker. He must become Natures
ardent student and work out. and think
out the wonderful processes ever going on
in her strange crucible~. He must not be
discouraged that he YET knows 30 little of
those things which are constantly under
III, observation; that the knowledge man
ha- acquired in thu past. forms but 4 small
amount ia comparison with the still I'M
known
II j. not 10 be expected that every far
mer shall have an exact knowledge of the
growth aud habits OF the trees and plants
which he caltiyates nor of the physiology
and anatomy ofthc animals which he
rear,. He cannot learn the precise habits
their periods Of coming and retiring, or
the office which il i designed they shall
perform in the economy of nature. Yet
general knowledge of the laws which gov
ern them, and 4 constant observation of
the repuguance felt towards them, may
lead him to heallhful CONCENTRATIONS of the
wisdom OF the great Creator of all.
A. farmers. We are too Indifferent in our
own affairs. We plant the seed and the
germ springs to light. The tree assumes
stately and graceful forms; expands its
buds. blossoms. and leaves, aud surpasses
all art of most skilful hands. 1t furnishes
food. fuel. fragrance and shade, and fire.
quently protection against summer heats
or winter winds, and always beauty 70 the
landscape.
But the farmer too often stands in the
midst of his trees, his corn, and grass and
grain, and looks upon them as the result
of mere mechanical operation. He is
too apt to overlook that mysterious agency
which prepares the food for the plants,
diversified as il Is, and sends it TO the far
thest butt and leaf of monarch of the for
est, or the minutest tendril of the vine.
lie plows. because it Is easier to plant and
hoe in mellow soil. Forgetting that in
fine filth there are millions more mouths
10 receive the food which plants. require,
imam there Is in compact soil that a fine
soil catches fertilizing substances from
passing breezes. and drinks them in from
dews and fruitful showers. Tie is too ant
10 forget that sand which he applied to his
clay land. became soluble, was taken up
by the roots of the plants. carried TO their
and covered the straw of his
wheat field with delicate coating of sand.
or enamel. This gives them strength to
stand erect, and thus present their seeds
10 the influences of sun and air. and BRING
them TO perfection.
While he reaps, shall he not inquire how
this came. and compare this with other
fields whose seed has fallen upon the
ground, and failed to perfect its grain:
VIII he not investigate these causes, and
thus acquire better knowledge of the
operations OF Nature about him, and a
greater power over his crops :-Ne,- Eng
land Fdrmer.