The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-10-07
Stick to the Farm.

St1CA W Guc IdIms
We have never known so great and all
pervading disposition to quit the farm
and flock to the centres of trade as is now
exhibiting itself among our rural popula-
ton. Hardly young man of promise
in our whole acquaintance, among the
sons of farmers, but has already found, or
is seeking employment in the city, or is
preparing himself to engage in the prac-
tice of one of the so-called learned pro-
fessions. Why so called we cannot for
the life of us understand. Certainly, it
is not because all who engage in the
practice are learned; by no means, for
some of the veriest dolts we have ever
known were preachers, lawyers or doc
| tors; and one of the most finished speci-
| mems of this class practiced all three pro-
| fessions Well, if not, it certainly can
| not be that it is because it requires more
! real knowledge to practice any other pro-
fession than it does in the practice of the
agricultural or horticultural profession, if
pursued understandingly.
| when we say that itrequires more mental
acumen, more thought, more judgment
| and practical skill to farm successfully
and give understandingly the reasons for
everything you do, than it does to apply
the rules of Blackstone or to follow in the
professional steps of Esculapius. 1t can
not be that it is less important that farm
ing should be successfully carried on,
| than either trade, law or physic should
| be successful. What is it then? It is
simply because there is, first, a wide
spread idea, even among intelligent far
mers themselves, that farm labor is de-
grading; that farming, as profession, is
beneath the other professions in respecta-
bility. And secondly, because there is
an erroneous idea abroad with reference
to the comparative profits arising from
the practice of the different professions.
We will admit at once that a larger num-
Der of large fortunes are made in the
mercantile profession than perhaps in
any other; yet there is also a much larger
number who fail disastrously. Farming,
if pursued with energy and skill, will be-
yond all peradventure yield a comforta-
Bile livelihood; and if intelligence, skill
and energy are applied, will give, before
the monday of life is reached, a compe-
tence which will insure a comfortable
old age.
In the successful practice of either of
the other professions, most of the details
rest upon the individual; and, conse-
quently, as practice increases, and they
begin in old age to reap the fruit of the
stndy and toll of their youth, the BUR
dens will have accumulated instead of
diminishing, and increasing success only
brings increase of labor and care. A
merchant, lawyer, physician or
preacher, can never rcst without retlrlng
from his profession-the successful far
mer can.
But we wish to bring 5he matter more
closely home to our own young men.
Lands in the South are selling exceed
ly cheap-far below their intrinsic value.
The professions are already over-crowd'
ed. There never was, and we verify be-
lieve there never will be again, such an
opening as there now is for profitable in
vestment; and, by the exercise of skill
and industry, such assured success.
The great staples of Virginia and the
South are in demand throughou the
world. No country can successfully COM
pete with us in their production. Though
we were to produce double the quantities
we now do, if placed in the market in
nice order, they would still bring renu-
merating prices. This is not all: Our
cities and towns, and, in many instances,
our farmers themselves, and their stock,
are fed by the produce of northwestern
fields and pastures. This should not be-.
The thousands of acres Of idle lands now
lying fallow for the want Of cultivatorss,
could be made to produce all the bread,
meat, butter, cheese, &C., that would be
necessary to feed our entire populations,
and leave millions of surplus for export
to foreign countries. If what we have
written is true, and we are thoroughly
convinced that it is, then the young men
of the South owe it to themselves and to
their country to cease running after soft
places and so-called honorable positions,
and apply their whole energies, mental
and physical, to the great work OF ad-
vancing the material interest of their
country. .--Relgious Herald.