Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-20
Intelligence in Farming.


was born and bred on farm but few
miles from here, and spent the greater part
Of my time there till my majority. With
the aid Of younger brother l carried on
the old paternaI farm inherited by us for the
FIVE years prior to becoming OF age ALLOW
me to add, l was older then than am now.
But while | liked farming as a pursuit, l
was Disconnected and unhappy, but could
not tell why.
There we're not twenty-five dollars worth
of books in the neighborhood and what few
there were, were the cheapest novels, unit to
be read by any one, especially boys
did not then know that / loved books.
My attention had never been directed to
them. had never sesn but few II any Of
the standard works Of American and Eng
lish literature. desired to be man, but
somehow got the impression and belief that
men we're born great,--that orators, scholars
and poets were such by nature was a
firm believer iu geniuses, aud tried to con-
tent myself with doing the drudgery Of the
work upon the farm, but could not. Not
that dislked work, bat had a strong de-
sire-an uncomfortable longing--for some
thing higher and nobler, knew not what.
After | was twenty.oue years old l aoci-
deutally but happily discovered the reason
of my discomfort. l discovered that was
fond of books aud study. also discovered
that geuiuses were humbugs, that ii re-
quired hard work and persistent study to be-
come man in the highest sense of tho
term, and that by perseverance, energy aud
will could make up 10 part for lost Oppor-
tunities.
] never once supposed that could do this
upon the farm that could there surround
myself with books, aud themeaus of mental
culture, aud therefore left it for the acad-
emy the college and the Law Office. AL.
though used to take my place with the
men in the field, from day to day, and do as
much work as the best Of them, that labor
was nothing in comparison with what / have
been obliged to do since, aud | now look
back upon the years spent upon farm as o
pleasant part of my life, or rather can
but think how pleasant those years would
have been. had the old farm house been sup.
piled with books, and had its quaint old
walls adorned with such pictures and works
OF art, as to cause its occupants to aspire to
u higher, and nobler lite than Of mere
drudgery and toll
But enough of personal "reminiscences
My history in this respect is but the repe
tition of the history of very many farmers
sous, who leave the farm in early life fol
other pursuits, which to them, tor the tint
being are more attractive.
This is becoming serious matter in Yer
mont, aud if continued it will not be many
generations before our lands will be almost
wholly ewued and titled by thrifty and in
dustriOus foreigners. s 4aA
Our young men are abandoning the farm
and focking to the larger towns and cite
which are increasing in population, while ou
rural districts are dlmishing, it being tn
growth Of the former--the larger towns
Burlington, Rutland, st. Albans. and other
that has kept the census Of Vermont, 70
the last two decades, Just above the olt
standard There is hardly school dstric
in the state outside the villages, that has no
within its limits number Of old vacant faru
houses gone to decay, which, but tew year
ago, were occupied by prosperous farmer
who owned aud titled the lands surrou ndin,
This same process is going on in all th
older states Of. tho Union, though perhap
nowhere to so great an extent as in Ne
England.
In referringto to this matter thought fu
writer has lately said:
: a'The divorce Of our people from the 80
does not always indicate cessation Of prC
ductive labor. But it does so 10 many case
The young man turns from the hard but il
dependent toll Of the homestead, to cut ca
leo in dry goods store or exc out a poo
existence 10 a fourth rate law office.
F.a* For labor, speculation is subst
tutcd for the modest style of the hamle
the snowy costliness Of the pushing tow
AS rule, expenditure increases as produ
tion dminishes. The country could endu
something of either misfortune. The rap
progress Of both has brought US to the pa
in which We are today"
Allow me to ask, is not this the reAst
why so many farms in Vermont have lar
mortgages upon them which are being for
closed, and cannot be sold as high as th'
4 could before the war, the farms offered
!, sale being numerous, but the buyers few.
'r How to remedy this evil--how to ma
:, our boys love farming and create in them
RS just appreciation of agriculture, and such
y will keep them upon the farm, is a ther
Us worthy of your serious consideration, al
upon which propose to suggest f
thoughts, during the short time ain to a
dress you. con
While our best farmers spare no pains
expense to improve their horses cattle a
sheep, and build for them the most expe
i've barns and sheds, many of them are I
parently indifferent as to the education
their children and the happiness aud co
D. fort of their families.
Farmers homes above all others, shot
be made comfortable, pleasant aud Attra
i've not costly, snowy or extravagant. I
requires no great outlay Of money, aud
J little labor, with proper care or forethOug
Instead of being surrounded with unsigh
hama of rnhhish evaru fnrm hnnsn ahn