The Portland daily press., 1875-02-22
Winter Reading.

ical rest to the majority of farmers is general
ly regarded as the most favorable for
mental activity. From the first putting in of
the seed to the close of the harvest, the life
of the earnest and industrious man is one
busy round of laborious occupation with but
few intervals of rest or recreation. However
strong his desire to increase his stock OF infor-
nation, or however liligent in his acquisition,
the restless mind unconsciously succumbs to
the WEAKNESS of the flesh, and thus through
the busy time of the year he is more likely to
content himself with the newspaper or journa,
oflight literature, than with heart of control
versy to undertake some positive addition toI
the sum of human knowledge.
But with the SHOWS of winter there comes
change in the farmers life; the eartn with
which his companionshiph been so intimate
is now sealed book; nothing can be given to
it or taken from it, and relieved from the ener-
waiting influence of the heat and changes of
the milder season, and toned up by the brac-
ing breath of the Arctic breeze, he carries
sound mind in a sound body; and in the
long evenings under his own roof by the blaz-
ing freight, he reviews the errors and sue
cesses of the summer campaign, and looks for
ward hopefully to the coming season of new
life. No situation or surroundings can be
conceived more favorable for reflection, and
introspection, or wholesome anticipation, or
more productive of sturdy and manly de-
velopnent.
AS all the connecting links between spring
and autumn are of essential service in
the development of the vegetable kingdom,
so may we regard winter in all its essential
elements and from their very admixture, as
the appropriate and peculiar season for the
growth of man ; and by a natural sequence
we are led to inquire upon what meat shall
he be fed? To this it may be replied, that as
from the necessities of the case for half the
year he is confined to the society of the earth,
and from her he takes his lessons of instruc-
ton, it is we'll for the remainder of the time
to give him that knowledge which may be
derived from consorting with men and books.
Only thus can he be emancipated from that
narrow self-suficiency which precludes all
hope of progress, and shuts him up in the
endless contentment of ignorance.
Our New England farmer is the represent
alive of class which is sufficiently acute in
business, well versed in affairs of church and
state, and respectfully endowed in matters Of
general information. His most serious de-
fects are in the line of the very direction in
which he travels; although an agricultural
practitioner, he is most deficient in the true
theory and practice of agriculture. Satisfied
with his own experience, and pursuing reg
ular routine which ordinarily brings fair re-
turns, he asks for nothing new, entirely con-
tent with all that has been. He that is whole
needs no physician; and his case is almost
hopeless, who does not see the need of rem
edies and is not willing to apply them.
1t may seem almost unnecessary to assert,
that among the majority of farmers there is
prejudice against books relating to their own
vocation, when the truth of the statement is
so generally admitted. The fact is corrobor-
ated by the testimony of booksellers that
such works are rarely called for by agents
who go from house to house, and the expert
ence of those agricultural societies which have
miums. 1t is also a continuation of the
same sentiment springing from the same casue
which manifests itself in the prevalent ridi-
ule of book-farmers and book-farming.
Is it not an absurdity, 10 determine mans
standing or merits as an agriculturist, by the
hardness of his hand, or the color on his
cheek, OF not to hazard an opinion upon the
value of his suggestions, until it is ascer-
tanned whether he really carries on farm?
No intelligent practical farmer, INDUCES in
sneers at agricultural information contained
in books, or at book-farming; remembering
his early ignorance and his conceited salts
faction. with his own DEFICIENCIES, he is too
thankful at his escape from his delusion, to
reject any aid come from what quarter il may.
AS this is the time for study, and also as it
is customary in the early part.of the year to
make provision for supply of journalistic
literature, we urge our friends of the farm
and garden, to get for themselves books and
periodicals relating to the several depart
ments of agriculture and horticulture and
having done that, to read them.
In the wide field from which suitable selec-
tions can be made, we profess to have no
very extensive acquaintance, nor would it be
wise to intrude with any judgment of our
own upon those better qualified perhaps to
decide for themselves. To those, however,
who may be DESTROYS of avaing themselves
of all convenient helps, word or two may
not be inappropriate. The agricultural pa
papers of New England are nearly all worthy
of commentator, and so familiar to our
readers as to need no individual mention.
In the front rank of monthies, we place
the american Agricuturist, with its corps
OF learned professors and practical men as
editors, and its we'll winnowed and concen-
trated matter-always well matured, reliable,
and instructive; as valuable on the shelf in
the bound volume as in each weekly issue.
The New York Weekly Tribune, although
largely devoted to politics and literature,
might very successfully maintain its claim to
be the leading agricultural weekly in the
country, containing contributions from the
most eminent scientists and the most practi-
cal and successful agriculturists in the land,
with large constituency of intelligent cor
respondents, all under the skillful manage
ment of its able editor; it is difficult to find
in or out of the purely professional ranks
any journal that equals it. Other deserving
rivals demand recognition, but time and
space both refuse to give way.
We conclude our recommendations upon
this subject, worthy of the most careful con-
sideration and the wisest suggestions, by say
ing that no one can go astray who selects one
or all of the following list of agricultural
works: Aliens Am. Cattle and Farm Book.
Barry, Cole on Downing on Fruits. Beck or
Henderson or Horticulture. Dana's Muck
Manuel. Harris Insects. Johnson's How
Crops Feed and Grow. Quinn's Garden and
Pear Culture. Randall's Sheep Husbandry.
Thomas Rural Affairs. Warnings AgricuI- |
ture. |
suiphate OfHron and Vegetation, |
M. Girls has made experiments on the infu- |
ence OF sulphate of iron on vegetation. and |
comes to these conclusions; That the salt is a |
stimulating manure; that it presents no dan |
ger when inteIligently applied; that its action
is evident upon the coloring principle ofleaves;