Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-02-11

mouuVaiu state w tue ueVelOpmenJ OF all ner
industrial sources to that high plane where
her people have always STOOD even in the
very foremost among her sister states.
After Mr. Bascom had concluded this adj.
dress he read a very interesting paper upon
"The dignity Of the farmers calling and the
safety to its votaries from the depressing
times being experienced by those engaged in
other callings." The reporter for the board
did not arrive until Mr. b. had finished read.
ing his paper, aud is indebted to the Globe
for the following abstract, and also to the
same paper for their report of Mr. Bascoms
address Of welcome, as given by their excel.
lent reporter, Mr. 0rmsbee.
He said that in the hard times they
should be thankful that they were farmers ;
while the mails brought daily accounts Of
failures in almost every branch of business,
the farmers have an unfailing capital in their
green hills aud broad valleys. The speaker
considered the hard times net to be the re-
suit Of high taxes, or Of the high price of
labor, but Of reckless extravaganza, and this
period Of rest aud suspension is a good time
to review past errors aud inaugurate sim.
pier style OF living.
Farming is but Just out of its pioneer
state. The first settlers in this section of
country cleared the forests, raised wheat,
wheeled it to Albany, and pro6ted By it.
But among their descendants sprang up
love Of ease and luxury which the soil, not
retaining its virgin productiveness, was una
BILE to supply Hence new methods Of tilling
became necessary, aud to learn these new
methods we are met.
The farmer should always remember that
whatever disadvantages there may be to his
profession, the farm is the most royel place
to rear the boys aud girls who are to make
the ideal men and women of our ideal future.
Farming is not poor business, because Of
hard work there is hard work in every
occupation, and that of the farm brings
health and long life.
In conclusion, Mr. Bascom said that the
farmers of Orwell were not entirely satisfied
with their method Of working, and thanked
the board for bringing them light and knowl.
edge OF better way.
Mr. Bascom's address was followed by one
FROM Mr. George Kimball Of Orwell upon
Farming as Profession"
A college education is not essential to the
success of the farmer. Examples we're given
where a college education had proved detri-
mental, and in contrast to rigorous practi-
cal education. We do not plead for iguo.
rance. A liberal education is not only
desirable, but essential to the highest sue.
cess but we do object to spelling a good
cobber to make poor lawyer, or to depriv.
in tho nl1 farm nF UonA kuaho ID ~
make very indifferent shepherd in the
Lords pasture. Industry, patience perss.
ver&ucc, with good business habits, are the
qualities that tell, but the farmer should not
be constantly in hurry. A practical
knowledge of farm work is essential to sue.
cess, and the iarm is good place to acquire
such knowledge. Acquire as good an edu-
cation for your calling as possible, hut do
not neglect this foundation. The farmer
should learn to be an Independent thinker,
to have mind of his own. lie should also
engage in such special branches OF farming
as are best fitted to his special oircum.
stances, and cooperation with his fellow
farmers is very important. The farmer
should carry into hisprotession the right spirit.
1t will depend upon him whether his employ.
ment is cnnoblug or degrading. The farmer
who acts or feelst athe is ashamed OF his pro.
fession belittles himself aud shows a want of
common sense. The farmer should be a
progressive man and ready to keep pace with
this age of Improvement, ready to relieve the
farm work of its drudgery aud toll.
In the discussion following Mr. Kimball's s
paper, Mr. G. ii. Hubbard of Springfield re.
joiced to have this subject discussed as ably
as il had been. 1t was the fault Of farmers
that they did not uphold the dignity of their
calling. No calling was more sure to prove
honorable and profitable if intelligcntly fol.
lowed. 1t was great mistake to turn our
attention and allow the attention Of our sons
to be turned to other calings aud profes.
sions.
Rev NJ. L. Severance of Orwell thought
he was enough of a farmer to be permitted
to speak. While he would not dissent in
the main from the ideas advanced this morn.
ing he would dissent from the idea that au
education untitled maH for any calling; the
man that would make a good practical shep-
berd would make good minister. Farmer:
ought to be willing to give some Of their sons
to be educated aud to fill some Of the most
honorable professions.
Mr. Hubbard thought the speaker had
struck the key note.
Mr. Il. 5, Barber; As farmers we wish tC
make an objection TO one point in Mr. Kim
balls paper. The speaker would not edu
cate the most brilliant son, but the dullel
one il be had sous that had this difference
! Mr. g. &. Pringle would subscribe to mos
that had been said he would say that tn,
time has come when education must be NOR,
specific very different education wa
needed to fit our sons for farmers, than viii
fit them TO become good lawyers.
d. A. Forbes of Orwell was pleased t,
hear the thoughts of the last speaker b.
believed with Mr. Prngle that our sons wan
a peculiar education to fit them to stay ol
the farm and develop the greatest menta
fitness and strength to make their stay ther
ennobling, happy and profitable.
Prof Seely: Right education cannot in
jure man for his calling; general educa
tion is very desirable, and in the end
special fitting for some special calling tx
amples were suggested to the mind Of th
speaker where fond parents had sent boys {
college, that would not be likely to succee
upon the farm, and they should not DO dis
appointed that they did not receive grea
benefit from classical education, as thei
fond hopes had anticipated. 1t was nc
within the province of college presidents o
professors to make hickory of Eastwood the
might possibly put on thin veneer.
Mr. q. Horace Hubbard, member of tn
board, then made an address upon 9Th
Grass Crop"
In this state the grass crop must algay
be the most important. He who made th
often.quoted remark Of "he who made tw
spears OF grass grow where one grew befor
was public beneiactor" was wise mar
Ia the better cultivation Of the grass Gro
lies our success. We usually make the gra'
crop secondary to the grain crop herein lie
I l 2 a