The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-04-25
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSE.
FITTED TO BE A FARMER.

Tlt lED ~ Ok ~
In an old book on agriculture, writ
ten nearly two thousand years ago the
author declares that he had known
professors Of all kinds, even TO those
who promoted gluttony and taught the
most contemplate of vices; but Of
agriculture he says: IL have 'never
known any thai protested themselves
to be either teachers or students"
While the world has progressed
somewhat during the period named,
and the professor of agriculture is now
a known title, still we must in all
candor admit that o vast majority
of people believe in the old saying
"That any fool can be a farmer.
Doubtless, many of our readers will
declare that they believe it takes a
smart man to make a good one; and,
while we agree with them in this, we
must still assert that actions speak, at
least as loud as words in this matter,
and are overwhelmingly on the FOOLS
side of the question.
Now, we propose to offer some facts
TO prove that the vast majority of
farmers do not believe that agriculture
Is profession requiring any special
culture or education; for if they did,
their sons would be especially trained
for the business, or fitted to become
good farmers. There are, it is true,
a few young men in what are called
agricultural colleges, who profess to
be enough to fill the positions opened
for teachers, much less to furnish
practical workers in the field.
When man desires his sons to en-
ter any of the learned professions, he
sends them to college, or a good
school, then gives them years in which
to study the particular branch of sci
ence or art selected, never expecting
them to become successful except
through close application, and oft.
times long, tedious and laborous
practice. If a man enters the minis.
try, he must needs read theology, and
this calls for books by the dozen and
hundreds, which cost money; and the
same is true of law, medicine, or ever
to become a successful merchant.
But how is it with farmers general.
ly! Do they purchase an agricultural
library as part and parcel of the out.
Ut needed for the furtherance of the
object they have in view? A few may
do it, but the sale of even the best
works relating to the subject, shows
that nine out Of ten never invest 6
dollar in such aids to success.
Then again, who would employ 6
doctor that did not take and read The
medical journals which give the lates
discoveries in the use Of drugs anC
chemicals, and the treatment of dis
eases! How would lawyer appea
IN managing case, before judge o
jury, who did not know the latest de
clslons OF the courts, or the lates
laws enacted by our legislatures? Blu
what shall we say of our farmers
when not halfa million out of the 81,
millions in the United States sub
scribe for and read an agriculture
paper of any kind? Is it any won
der that farmers are swindled, or tina
they fail to make money? The won
der is that they manage to live at all
When those engaged in agricultur
will, as a class, read, study, and be
come as well informed in regard t
their calling as those in other profes
sions, then, and not till then can the
claim and maintain their rights i
competition with those who now COZ
troll them Rural New Yorker.