Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-04-02
For the VERMONT FARMER.
Intelllgenoe Among Farmers.

the daughters and families of said class I;
that Notwithstanding "the apparel is coarse,
and hands brown" underneath the rough
exterior of the farmer "there is often much
intelligence"
This in the outset is very encouraging.
Would it be very surprising to ind some iu-
telligence behind the counter, or in the me.
chanical Department. Why not amongst
agricultural people2
Farmers are generally found in rather
'coarse cloth"--wore so than is necessary
Some one has said that "the character par
takes Of the texture Of cloth worm" but we
hardly think that will bear.
Hands brown from hard work out of doors
from early dawn until dark. The consola-
tion they have for this is, that brown hands
are seldom accompanied with dyspepsia.l
Blu. with the daylight the labors end, and
the garments are improved little; the soft
slippers drawn on, the table moved little
nearer the fire, the lamp and the newSpa-
pers placed upon it the big chair is drawn
up next and the evening begins.
Here we will notice that from two to FIVE
papers go through nearly every farmers
post Office box weekly throughout our land.
The farmer FIRST looks over the news, then
settling down on tho favorite paper reads
column after column until eight o'clock finds
him nodding and fast asleep. But never
mind, so much material is slowed away in u
healthful brain. There is political, scientif.
ic, historical, aud religious matter, besides a
few hints from the "home" column, that
have found just the right place to lodge in
his heart. Before the week is gone the pa
pers will be all read through, a monthly
magazine and borrowed volume will Ibe add
ed, and if any of the gentlemen from the
professions should drop into the sitting room
for an evening, likely as not they would
fnd the farmer able to discuss any subject
they might introduce, it, indeed, they did not
learn anything new from him. We have oft
en- puzzled over this while listening to con-
versation between those whom we expected
nothing from, and those from whom we ex.
pected the whole the scales are sometimes
turned.
Is it true that Legislation is the lawyers
right ?" it is ifrepublcauism gives it to him
or, it becomes right in any of the other
walks Of life, in the same way. If any doubt
whether the government offices could be filled
and honestly and honorably sustained by
farmers, let them try it; that is the best
way we have in republic Of finding out
eve believe the enterprise of the oranges
as Tar as we understand it, is well devised
and that they have in short time accom-
plished great things for the farming commu
nity.)
Many Of the papers that have been pre-
sented in the different farmers association,
throughout this state, and many of the Othel
states, have shown much systematic thought
and well biased judgment. Also 10 the
brevity and simplicity of expression, have
exhibited the taste and culture Of the most
experienced writers. If such production
can be furnished on agriculture can we no
reasonably expect as much decisive talen
in the legislative or executive divisions o
government, when required2 This class o.
people are not without their thoughts anc
carefully weighed decisions in all matters
But it has been habit with them, and ever
glory, to fence in their minds and thoughts
as they do their lands and probably at th'
same time while laying up an impenetrable
wall around their field, the thoughts are 60
ing on and the protection around them il
growing higher and stronger meanwhile
like the wall around the field so that W,
cannot know exactly whether the supple
are equal to the demand but time will dis
close to us what is behind those embank
ments, whether there is much fertility or on
ly dry barrenncss.
There are many among this class whC
would compare well with Solomon, fol
aught we know, as botanists and natural
lists They "can speak of trees from the ce
dar even to the hyssop that groweth on tn,
wall also Of beasts, and of fowls, aud Of
creeping things, aud of fishes" And many
a little pillow boy who has learned scarcel,
anything from books, can inform you al
about all OF the animal nature that eve
crosses his path; of their habits, size, an,
color. Perhaps he would not know that tn
huming bird is found only on the continent
of America, but he could describe its plum
age and its manner of gathering honey ant
juices from the flowers. Or, would not know
that the king bird is native Of Nortl
America but they could tell you that tn
king bird never fears anything, larger bird
or hawks, even children they will attack oil
the head with their sharp little bills an
with combined forces drive them from tn
vicinity of their nests, and that the beauti
ful yellow bird is quite thief df it wi
do to use that word nowadays y he at leas
appropriates many OF the seeds in the gard
en-, to his own use.
Many of the facts that have been con
piled and given to the world by some grea
author might be traced to these "children {
the woods aud the bright blue sky" as tn
source Of information.
, A portion of land to cultivate, includin
the pleasant care of animals, was the choices
gift and the choicest occupation our Make
could bestow upon our 6rst parents and MAJ
chooses this for himself after he has aocumu
lated enough of gain and the rOughor ez