The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-04-28
BEFCHER AS A FARMER.

HOW HE IMPROVED HIS LEISURE TIME IN
INDIANAPOLIS TWENTY YEARS AGo-THE
SECRET OF HIS EMINENCE IN so MANY
THINGS.
In his last new work, pheasant Talk about
Fruits, Flowers and Farming" the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher, gives this interesting
episode of Mr.. Beecher's life while living in
this city some years ago: On taking up this
volume, the wondering query is, how ever
in the world it's reverend author has man.
aged, in his busy professional life, to get all
this agricultural knowledge into his head or
when he has ever found time to write it out
again. The topics are multtudinous which
he touches in the course OF the work and they
are treated not only with the shrewdness and
intelligence characteristic of the writer, but
with an accuracy and extent of information
that have come from deep reading and dill
gent observation. But the mystery is solved
in the preface. There MIR. Beecher says that
while living in indianapolis, twenty years
ago, he was in the habit of preaching, for
months in succession, every day in the week
without a single intermission. This might
| be supposed a sufficient tax for the intellect
of clerical Hercules. But, as recreation,
| or sedative sitter the excitement of each
evenings sermon, Mr.. Beecher felt .
craving for some alternative reading.
In casting about for some desirable books,
| in those days books were less plentiful
than now-he came across London's
Encyclopedias of Horticulture Agriculture,
and of Architecture; and these, with Lind
ley's Horticultural, Gray's Structural Bota-
ny, and London agricultural journal, were
| his nightly resort. He studied these works
during the hours when nervous eXcitation
prevented sleep, uutil their contents were
| learned of heart, and the foundation was
laid of that varied and intimate knowledge
IfNf if.r1lfr
has seemed so surprising possession fol
one whose pursuits would ordinarily pre-.
vent any serious acquaintance with the
science and practice of husbandry. This
diligence in study, this economy in the
use Of time, explain the secret of mental as
well as material acquisitions. The man who
4 has become eminent for learning, for skill
for readiness and proficiency of any sort, has
not been simply endowed with a superior
faculty. He has acquired and developed il
by severe and protracted labor. The mar
who triumphs is the man who works. Ma
ture may have done much for him, but BIZ
himself has done more. When we admire
and envy the talents by which splendid
success is wrought, it is idle to call them
gifts. They are attanments; and only
he who owns them can tell how
slowly and painfully they have beer
unfolded. and expanded, and made
fruitful and efficient. This volume of Mr.
Beecher's is not simply the work of dilet
tante. IL has an actual value for the practi
cal farmer. It discusses almost every con
ceivable subject bearing upon agriculture
and in every case gives some new light
some useful hint. some item of desirable in.
formation, derived from legitimate and au.
thentic sources. There is a great deal o.
science made plain and practical for the
help of the husbandman, and also a great
deal of common sense to add to his own. II
is most excellent contribution to the farm.
er's library, and every member of the house
hold will profit by its perusal.