The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-02-25
dgriruAhral
AN GENT AGRICULTURE.

Whlle muCh tnat relates 10 tne nature
of the soil is so mysterious to even the
most distinguished investigators of the
present day, yet, owing to the chemical
discoveries of the past quarter of CEN
tury, it is marvellous what a wealth OF
knowledge has been accumulated, both
as regards the constituents of soils and
their combinations in the vegetable and
animal economy.
The effects OF following, thick and thin
seeding, the importance of draining wet
land, though our process was, so far as
we know, unknown to the ancients, the
saving of manures, the composing of
weeds, the blowing in ofgreen crops, the
exposure of the soil to light and air
most of these seem to have been as well
understood before the advent of Jesus
Christ as at the present day.
The following conversation, as written
by Xeonophon in the science of good
husbandry, and attributed to Socrates
and another Athenian, will be read with
interest and profit:
"Then suppose, good Socrates, an
swered Ischom" "chus, you would have
me instruct you in the science of hus-
bandry ?"
"That is my DESIRE" said Socrates; "for
the science of husbandry is extremely
profitable to those who understand it; but
it brings the greatest trouble and misery
upon those farmers who undertake 1t
without knowledge" -.
II shall first of all, good Socrates" "
said Ischomachus, "acquaint you that
husbandry is an honorable science, and
the most pleasant and profitable of any
other; it is favored by the gods and be-
loved by mankind, and may be learned
with ease. Husbandry, therefore, is be-
coming gentleman; for if we were to
take a view of all creatures upon earth,
those only are esteemed worthy our
regard which are docile enough to be-
come profitable to us; while the others,
which are wild and fierce in their nature,
and are not capable of becoming useful
to us are rejected"
"IfI remember right" said Socrates,
"you have already instructed me, that a
steward or deputy should first love you,
then be diligent; in the next place he
should be able to rule, and then be hon
est; but l am impatient to hear how he
must behave himself in the practice of
husbandry, with regard to the works,
when and how they are to be done; but
hitherto you have not explained those
particulars, but passed them over as if
you thought knew as much of the affair
as yourself, or understood the business.
For my part | am III the same state, with
regard to husbandry, that man would
be who does not understand letters, and
you were to show him a writing; he will
be never the better torseeing the writing,
unless he knows the use of the letters
that compose it. So imagine that it is
not enough to bs diligent In the science
OF husbandry, but man must under
stand every particular of 1t. This | sup
pose you are master OF, but you have
not yet acquainted ME with the matter.
Therefore, II | was now to set about the
business of husbandry, | should be like
a quack in physiC, who went about visit
ing of sick people, and neither knew
their distempers, nor what was proper
for them, Therefore, good lschomachus,
| desire you will teach me every particu-
lar point of the husbandry you praC-
tiCe."
Good Socrates" replied Ischomachus
"the science OF husbahdry is not like
other sciences, which require length of
time to study them, or great deal of la
Dor to compass them before man can
get his living by them; for husbandry is
easily learned, by observing the work
men now and then, and by consulting
those who understand it. By these
means you may instruct your friends
in it.
again, We may observe, that men of
other sciences, which are artifcers, will
always keep some secret of their business
to themselves; but the husbandmen are
open and free in their discoveries, that
every one may learn from them.
"The husbandman who has the great
est knowledge in the planting of trees,
is proud of being observed, or that any
man takes notice Of his excellence in the
art. And the sower is no less pleased to
have any one stop and look upon him,
Aud if you ask him about anything
which has been we'll done in his way, h .
will be free enough to inform you how it
was done. And so, good Socrates, we
may see by this, that husbandry teaches
men good manners and good nature"
This" said Socrates, lis good be-
ginning; and now you have come thus
far, cannot leave you till you have given
me every particular relating to hus-
bandry; and especially 1 insist upon it,
because you say it is science SO easy to
learn. You will therefore have the less
trouble to instruct me; and it will be the
greater shame TO me if do not learn it
by your instructions, particularly since it
is 30 profitable IA science"
II am very willing TO answer your de-
SIRE" said Ischomachus, "and instruct
you in every point Of husband y"