Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-20
Although much has already been done |,

We are 10 look tOr theSe new uisc0Verics.
Edward Everett has well said Although
agriculture is clothed with an Importance
which rests upon the primitive constitution
Of our nature, it is very far from being the
simple concern we are apt to think il. On
the contrary, there is no pursuit iu life which
not only admits, but requires for ito full de-
velopmeuL, more Of the resources Of scieoce
and art-nonc which would better repay the
pains bestowed upon an appropriate cduca-
tion.p
Our own Senator Morrill, must have TAX.
en- the same view Of this subject and fully
appreciated the benefits of an appropriate
education to the farmer, else he would not
have bestowed the time and labor that he
did in forming aud maturing plans for the
endowment by congress, OF agricultural col
leges in all the states in the Union. / am
aware it is claimed that in many of the
older states this fund is diverted from the
purposes for which it is intended but in some
Of the new states Of the west, where agri-
culture is almost the sole business of the
people, the act of congress creating this fund
is strictly construed aud faithfully carried
out; and, 10 accordance with its provisions,
large and aourishing industrial and scientific
schools combined have been established,
where thorough knowledge of scientific aud
practical farming can be acquired, where
the greatest prominence is given to agricul-
ture and the love Of it iustlled into the
minds Of the pupils, who graduate scientific
aud practical farmers, instead OF embryo
ministers, lawyers and doctors.
These schools are doing noble work, and
in a few years their influence for good will
be felt and appreciated. They will furnish
an enduring monument to the wisdom aud
foresight of our honored aud much loved
Senator.
Farmers themselves do not sufi iciently
honor their calling.
1t was the policy of antiquity to give to
agriculture the first place among the profess
sions, aud to this it is justly entitled for
by it, the daily wants and necessities of the
millions OF the human race are supplied
and without it would be famine, gloom and
despair.
But in modern times the farmer seems IL
regard every other calling above his owl
and is constantly on the lookout tor place
for his son, in lawyers office, or in store
where he will become measurer of calico
and weigher Of tea aud tobacco behind th,
counter, uumindful Of the fact that the coun
try is full of lawyers without clients, doctor
without patients, aud that mercantile bust
ness is very hazardous, it being only few
who succeed among the many; and that tn
majority of this class, who went from the farm
regret the day they left it, and long for it
slow but sure accumulations, aud the inde
peudence Of being producers of the food an,
material for clothing, to supply which thei
energies are taxed to the utmost.
There is no want of praise and adulatio
to farmers, especially at public gathering
on the eve of popular elections. You ar
then addressed by candidates for office q
the ''houest yeomanry who have borne th
burden Of taxation in the heat Of the day,
and as substantial and intelligent farmers
whose votes direct the affairs Of the stat
aud nntiou;" but however high and honor
able your calling may be, aud none othe
can be higher or more honorable, there is q
Disgusting the fact that in the popular est
nation the learned professions and mercar
} tile pursuits are preferable.
This was not so with the nations Of al
tiquty in their most prosperous days, and
not so in England to-day. There farming
the aristocratic pursuit, and vast fortune
are made and acquired to be invested |
lands to furnish a home for the owner.
ought not to be so in America and that it
so is the fault of the farmers themselve
| A change in popular opinion in this respe
; is greatly to be desired.
1t is also a duty that Vermont iarmo
owe not only to their children but to soeiet.
and their country, to give their children q
the education their circumstances will n
g low. 1t is the richest legacy that can
left them. lu the language of wise ma
$ "Happy is the man that getteth wisdom an
$ the man that getteth understanding, for Il
a merchandise Of it is better than tho me
t chandiso of silver, and the gain thereof thi
g fine gold" BY education do not me-
}, simply the ability to read, write aud ciPh
g but mean that mental discipline that b
for its object, 10 the words Of another: 81
I kinde the understanding to consciousness
= its own powers, to make it feel within itst
!" that 1t is living spiritual thing, to feed
n in order that it may itself begin to act a
10 operate, to compare, construe, invent, !
ID prove and perfect" Only the foundation
II such an education can, at best, be acquiI
" at our schools and colleges. 1t is the VIC
k of years, after schOodays are over, aud
l. know of nc better place to do this work th
g, upon farm.
ne Vermont is small state, and while
valley farms can hardly be excelled, there
ID not enough Of them for all our childr
n. and to put them upon rocky, barren
or farms, is to entail upon them life strug
er against nature for subsistence, with a "
e. small chance Of acquiring competency
O. old age. 1t Is therefore neither expec
a. nor best that our children should all rem
nd here. Many of them in the future, as Il
NV have done in the mast. will 40 TO the |