The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1873-02-19
Agricultural Implements.

A great deal has been spoken and
written concerning agriculture and it's
influence on the nation and on the in
dividual, and it will not be denied that
the advancement of the one in every
desirable direction, and the prosperity
bftle other depend in d direct degree
upon the progress made in this funda-
mental interest. And the prosperity of
of any section is in proportion to its
advancement III agriculture andits assoc
ciated interests. Agriculture is now
understood, and properly 50, to be n
Scjencc-the gaining of the mystery by
man over nature, and the acquisition of
such knowledge of her ways, and hef
laws of action, us will enable him to at
tain the control necessary to secure the
result he has in view.
There can be no successful agriculture
unlessit be madeprotitable and pleasant.
But before this result can be obtained
there must be an abandonment of old
p%reiudices. These preiudices that stand
i'll the way of Improvement of any kind,
are the off spring Of Ignorance, and
they constitute the formidable obstacle
to anything like progress. Whenever
these exists, an obstinate determination
to permit no innovation of the rules and
practices of ones forefa theirs, no devia-
tionfromthecustOm ofother years, there
cannot possibly be taken any step for
ward. When a mind is so constituted
that it can find nothing attractive in the
inventions of genius, or the discoveries
Of science, we can confidently assert
that it is stagnant, and until it's depths
are stirred by the power Of enterprise
or learning, it will remain dull and
sluggish, contracting always.
We must get something to dispel old
preiudices. Obstinacy is the result of
prejudice and of ignorance, and when
we a dispel them, we can, with reason,
look for improvement. Now, this is a
4aSb Audt uCAIdAIuS ulO1G 6Ib5IlblOu JDdl
it has received. Unless farmers devote
more time to the cultivation of their
minds, how can they make any desira-
BILE advancement
The wise men NICE wrote: '"The
wisdom of a learned man cOmeth by
opportunity Of leisure" And in that
sentence is food for reflection and
thought sufficient for an entire sermon,
If we had time to preach. It is not the
skillful hand, the strong arm, or the
watohful eye alone, that will, in these
days, bring success and wealth to the
farmer. These are needed, but the
cultivated mind is far more important.
Ii thorough tillage is indispensable to
profitable results, then an educated
mind, with experience and observation,
are essential, for therecan benothorough
tillage in the sense here understood,
unless it be performed with intelligence,
care and skill. Judgment is absolutely
worthless unless it is based upon know
ledge. An ignorant farmer is sometimes
successful, because the circumstances
are fortuitous, but we urge a higher
standard of mental cultivation for far
mers that they may, at times, wrest
success from ~unfavorable circumstances
practical skill, learning, expert
ence and matured judgment, may secure
desirable results ever when the elements
seem to oppose him. We have written
q great deal IN this subject, and it is
an interesting one to us, for
throughout the whole country, we can
that agriculture is making rapid adj
vancement, andthat farmers are inereas-
ing in their social and political influence,
while their material prosperity is being ,
improved. But the full power and
grandeur of agriculture will never be
acknowledged or known, nor will it
attain that pre-eminence it is emit
lied to as the basis of national prosperity 1
farmers everywhere, large and
small, powerful and humble, admit the
we have just stated.