The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-11-21
A Kind Word for Farmers.

4"
bal eroakers. 1t is alleged by those who
are unacquainted with the onerous duties
and numerous cares attendant upon their
pursuit, that the farmer is never satisfied
with his surroundings The weather is
frequently adverted to in complaining
manner. 1t il either too hot and dry, or
too cold and wet The Spring is SO back
ward as to retard the rapid growth Of
vegetation, or the carly warmth accelerates
the budding of fruit trees, to be injured,
perhaps, by unreasonable frost and cold.
An excess Of rain is cause Of dissatis-
faction, because it tends to produce rot
among the potatoes, and loss and inconye-
nieuce is complained Of owing to repeated
rain-falls during the period of gathering
hay and harvesting crops. On the other
hand, prOtracted spell Of dry weather
causes springs to cease their supply, and
converts the verdant pasturage into parch-
ed and arid fields Thus he is supposed
to be in state of chronic discomfort, and
to have perpetual grumble upon his lips.
OF all men It is generally believed that
the farmer should be the most contented
and accomplishing. Do not his crops
grow whilst he sleeps and is not his grain
golden, fgurativcly speaking at least ?
Does not each blade of grass glisten in the
morning sun with the brilliancy Of the
diamond, even if its dewey burthen be the
only cause Of such radiance? And then
the luxuriance Of that most magnificent
Of all the products Of the soil--Indian
cOrn--how glorious to look upon when
tossing its broad blades in apparent exul-
tation, as if rejoicing in the pride of its
rapid growth
Who that possesses the slightest degree
of poetic sensibility can behold the lovely
scene which the well titled fields of the
thrifty farmer presents to the view, with
out thrill of pleasure and feeling of
admiration? The city visitor at country
home, is apt to regard the farmer as one
who is surrOunled with every comfort,
and all the enjoyments of life. The after
dinner siesta having been INDUCED in, how
delightful, while comfortably seated upon
the ample and well-shaded piazza to gaze
upon the beauties Of nature, and to witness
the operations Of the farmer when per-
formed in view Of the guest, who is the
recipient of generous and painstaking hos
pitality. sfA |fl
Now all this is very fine and affords n
fruitful theme for comment and word
painting. As, friend once remarked,
the operations of the busy hay-makers
present pleasing picture to the eye, es-
pecially when contemplated from beneath
the wide-spreading branches of an umbra-
gcous tree. But the toll, care, and ankle
ty attending the farmers effort to provide
a livelihood for his family are seldom
considered by those who are inexperienced
in his calling, aud unacquaintcd with the
laborious duties required in its prosecution.
The farmer is not croaker, nor is the
allegation correct that he refers to his |
pursuit in conversation to a greater extent
than is noticeable in those who are engag-
ed in other avocations. Dependant large
ly upon atmospheric changes for his pros
perity, it is perfectly natural that the state
of the weather should occupy large share
of his attention, and form a subject of
frequent remark. In view Of the liability
of loss and Inconvenience of nnpropitious
skies, he naturally scans the heavens with
an interest scarcely surpassed by the mar
liner upon the ocean.
We place great confidence in mother
earth, and believe that she will ever yield
a bounteous reward to the skillfully applied
labor Of the husbandman. The purest and
most tranquil enjoyments of life frequent
ly attended the efforts of the judicious and
enterprising farmer, to provide a comfort
bic maintenance for his family. But it
must be confessed, with all his boosted
Independence, he is subjected to the
caprices Of the weather to more injurious
extent than those who are engaged in
many other pursuits. The prolonged alb
senee of rain is a serious disadvantage,
and it is not surprising that the fact is