The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-01-22

Making the price in New York, $l5j.
Freight to England, 26 cts.
Making the price in London, $1.Sl.
Thus it will appear that the great advan-
tages shown to be possessed in the lower rem
tel of land and cheapness of labor due to the
use of machines for preparing and harvesting
the crop, are overcome aud made of no avail
ey the increased cost of transportation by
and end water. 70 determine the question.
therefore,, from whence England shall here
sitter draw her supplies of grain and the price
the American farmer shall receive for his la
Dor, it is only necessary TO reduce the cost
Of transportation to our own seaboarl, and
tho same rule to a great extent applies to
cetton and tobacco But "a yet the matter of
Agriculture in this country is in its infancy
for we are evidently destined to be the agri-
cultural garden of the world. When We think
of the vast extent Of country yet unoccupied
in the west, which the railroads that are now
finished and contemplated and partly finish
cd, will stimulate to occupation and settle
ment, the thought comes to Us that gradually
minor matters will yeld 70 and be no longer
hinderauce tothe onward march of the great
and gro"ing demands of our national agr-
cultural and commercial prosperity. A word
Is to the position the farmer or agriculurist
occupies in this country. 1t is true and caH-
not be denied that there is no more elevated,
important or independent position than that
occupied by him, and while all other occu-
patOns are unsafe and insecure on account
of having to handle large amounts of money
to derive small profits, this is not true of the
farmer. Think, if you please, how large a
proportion ofmerchants fail of being success
full, and how few men succeed well in manu-.
featuring, or how small the number that
arrive to high positions in the professions,
then turn your thoughts to the farmer and
you will find men of comparatively small
means who purchase LARGE farms and pay for
them out of the proceeds Of the land they
buy, besides the investment being entirely
safe as to fire, theft or hard times About q
year ago the panic came on, failure after fail ,
ure was reported and still the calamity con-
tinues, The business interests Of the country
heaye and quake under the load, yet with the
ice bound fetters Of winter upon us, the far
mer sits by his fire in that security Of en-
joyment that only the farmer can realize,
knowing that his barn is filed with every
thing needful for his animals and his gran
ary and table will afford himself and family
enough and to spare. On the other hand
imagine famine and mother earth refuse to
yield up her life giving elements. Want and
dire starvation for man and beast desolate
the land. You will then forget the respecta-
bic character the merchant and professional
man who are non-producers may bear, you
will instinctiyely turn to your farm aud be
proud of the thought that you are a farmer.
But you ask why the inclination of the farm
er'5 son to largc towns aud cities aud his pre-
ference for clerSships and professions. We
answer that it is because you DO not add that
dignity to the occupation that the situation
demands, Besuiify your homes and sur
rouudings, dig out that bri5tling hedgerow,
'''''N 500 'i'''' ACNlVu NiNIAalu, 10
pair that dilapidsted fence, plant trees and
rhrubbery in yeur door yards, paint or white
wash your ysrd fences and buildings, place
Ia your houses books and papers bearing
upon the subject of agriculture, in your par
lors put a piano for your children, Sc. La
Dor will then bo ligh. in the enjoyment OF
all these pleasant surroundings and your
children will be losth to leave the farm,
Should any stray from that loved spot, when
panics and hard times GENE upon them, how
naturally their thoughts will revert to the
farm and they exclaim in tho language OF
Woodruff;
Ho" dear to my heart arc the scenes OF my child
hood,
Waen fond recollection presents them % view;
The orcAard, the meadow tho deop tangled wild
| wood,
And every loved spot which my Infancy knew.
| Ana now far removed from that loved situation,
The tear of regret VIII lntrusyely swell
As fancy rtverts 10 my fathers plantation
| And signs for the bucket which hangs In the well