The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-03-31
GRANGE DEPARTMENT
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Farming Gs an Occupation.

Why is it that farming is considered q
mental occupation at the present day
Is it for the reason that the life of a far
mer Is not seen in its true light? This
is an error in which all things, or the
greater part, are Judged from appearances,
not from their true worth, or | might say
this is gilded age-that is, position in So
ciety is graded according to the depth of a
mans pocket. For instance there is Mr..
Shoddy, who lives in a fashionable part
of the city, in fine residence, with his
retinue Of servants and his fine turn-outs.
1t makes no difference what his past life
has been, or by what means he accumu-
lated his vast wealth, whether by defraud-
ing the Government, or by the adulter-
alton of food and the necessaries of life,
or by the exercise of his muscle in the
ring, or by the sweat of the brow. 1t is
all the same; he has got the money. 1t
may be asked, in what way does this
affect farming as an occupation
1t has its influence in this way. Our
young men see that it is the almighty dol
lar that gives them position and influence
in society, and consequently they are will
ling to risk their lives and honor, and will
able or dishonorable, for the immediate
accumulation of wealth, rather than
follow the life of a farmer, where fortunes
are not made in an hour. They are not
aware that the pursuit of agriculture can
be made one of the most happy and
independent, as well as progressive
occupations that our Creator has placed
before us, and as for comfort and happi-
ness, it rests more in the hands of a
farmer to make it so than any other
profession in life. His cares are not
equal to the taadesman's, who, when he
invests his all in a stock of goods, takes
his risk of fire, robbery, dishonest clerks,
bad debts, and frequent failures of his
brother merchants and business men,
He sees their skeletons in all branches of
trade, and it is truly said that mans
health and happiness are easier ruined by
mental care and toll than by manual labor.
The question comes, what can be done to
make the pursuit of agriculture more desir-
able? In the first place, we, as a general
rule, neglect education. Let our sons and
daughters be thoroughly educated, so
that our sons may be capable of assisting
in revising our laws and asserting our
rights in our legislative halls, and then
we may hope to see some of the canal,
railroad and other political rings broken
up, and we shall not be unduly taxed to
support an army of contractors and POI
litical jobbers in wealth and aff1uence.
As we become better educated we shall
be more refined, and our homes will be
rendered more attractive. 1t requires but
little time and labor to plant shade and
fruit trees and flowers, and by spending
a few leisure hours in so doing we shall
be doubly repaid. There is no reason
why our homes and firesides cannot be
made as pleasant and happy as those of
our friends in town. | do not mean as
costly and extravagant as theirs, for we
must not consider our happiness as de-
pendant on these things There are,
too, some privileges that we as farmers
do not fully appreciate. We can spend
our evenings at home with our families
This Is not so in many other pursuits of
life. Secondly, in the cold and stormy
days of winter many leisure hours can
be devoted to reading and improving our
minds. There is no reason why the head
of every household should not provide
plenty Of good reading matter for the
amusement and improvement of his fam
lily. 1t is but little expense, and is one
of the best paying investments. Il.
SOUTH CORTLAND, n. Y.