The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-11-22
Why 1t Pays to Read.

ONES physical frame-his body-his
muscles-his feet-his hands is only a
living machine. 1t is the mind, con-
trolling and directing that machine, that
gives it power and efficiency. The sue
cessful use of the body depends wholly
upon the mind-upon its ability to di-
rect well. If one ties his arm in a
sling, it becomes weak and finally
powerless. Keep it in active exercise,
and it acquires vigor and strength, and
is disciplined to use this strength as
desired. just SO ones mind, by active
exercise in thinking, reasoning, plan
ming, studying, observing, acquires
vigor. strength, power of concentration
AMI direction.
Plainly, then, the man who exercises
his mind in reading and thinking, gives
it increased power and efficiency, and
greater ability to direct the efforts of
his physical frame--his work-to better
results, than he can who merely or
mainly uses his muscles. If a man reads
a book or paper, even one he knows to
be erroneous, it helps him by the effort
vigorates his mind.
Of all men, the farmer, the cultivator,
needs to read more and think more-to
strengthen his reasoning powers, SO
that they may help out and make more
effective, more profitable. his hard toll.
There can be no doubt, that that farmer
who supplies himself with the most
reading, the most of other men $
thoughts and experiences, will in the
end, if not at once. be the most success
full.
1.-The mind makes the man," is a
trite but very true adage. How much
the man who merely works, eats and
sleeps, and cares for his progeny? The
brute does all this. The man rises in
dignity, in self-respect, in the respect
of others, just SO far as he rises in intel
ligence. We have Il certain regard for
the ant, or colony of ants. that by long,
hard, patient toll, gathers fine, large,
snowy mound of earth-yellow earth it
may be, or of silvery white. In what is
that man superior to the ant, who
spends his life wholly in scraping to-
gether mass of land, and pile of
yellow gold or white silver. and large
house, lives in it, and dies there? He
may be called a successful man, rich
man, but what does that amount to
after all? If he be rich in good deeds,
if he be an intelligent man, if he be
able, by the superior cultivation of his
mind, his thinking and reasoning pow
ers, not only to plan successfully for
himself, but to give wise counsel to
others, he commands our real respect.
Farmers, think of these things. Now.
and for few coming months, while the
field work does not press, devote some
time each day or evening to mind de-
velopment. Lop off. if need be, dol
lar or two here or there, and with it
buy one or two books, especially those
treating of your own business, of
the character and nature of the soils
you till, of the crops you raise, of the
animals you have to do with. their diff
ferences and character, etc. This will
lead to further thinking and reasoning;
it will develope mind-power; it will
make you more intelligent; it will raise
You higher in your own estimation, and
higher in the estimation of your family,
and of your neighbors. 1t will aid YOU
in planning better for the future, and
will thus really pay in dollars and
cents. Read and study the book well.
When It's thoughts become your own,
lend it to a neighbor and get him to
read it. Then choose another book,
and do the same with it. Next sum-
mer's toll will be more cheerful, you
will have more to think of while fol-
lowing the pillow, the harrow, etc.; and
we firmly believe that year from now
you will have more dollars in your peck
et.-American agriculturist.