Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-20
Fitted to be a Farmer.

In an old book on agriculture, written
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: ~ have never
known any that protested themselves to be
either teachers or students"
While the world has progressed some
what during the period named, and profess
sor OF agriculture is not now an unknown
title, still We must in all candor admit that
vast majority of people believe 10 the old
saying, THAT any fool can be q farmer"
Doubtless, many Of our readers will declare
that they believe it takes smart man to
make q 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 overwhlm-
ingly on the FOOLS side of the question.
Mob, 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 sous would be especially
trained for the business, or fitted to become
good farmers. There are, it is true, 4 few
young men in what are called agricultural
colleges, who profess to be enough to fill the
positions opened for teachers, much less 10
furnish practical workers in the field.
| When q man desires his sons to enter any
Of the learned professions, he sends them to
college, or good school, then gives them
years in which to study the particular branch
of science or art selected, never expecting
them to become successful except through
close application, aud oft-times long, tedi-
Gus and laborious practice. If a man enters
the ministry, 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 even TO become O
successful merchant.
But how is it with farmers generally
Do they purchase an agricultural library as
part and parcel Of the outfit needed for the
fdrtherauco Of the object they have 10 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 dollar il
such aids to success.
Then again, who would employ doctor
that did not take and read the medical Jour.
mails which give the latest discoveries in tn,
use OF drugs and chemicals, and the treat
ment of Diseases How would lawyer ap
pear in managing case, before judge o
jury, who did not know the latest decisions
of the courts, or the latest laws enacted b,
our legislatures But what shall we say o
our farmers, when not half million out o
the six millions in the United States sub
scribe for aud read an agricultural papaer o
any kind Is it any wonder that farmer
are swindled, or that they fail to max
money Tho wonder is that they manage t
live at all.
L When those engaged in agriculture will
asa class, read, study, and become as we
informed in regard to their calling as thos
in other professions, then, and not till thel
, can they claim aud maintain their rights !
! composition with those who now control then
-Raral New Yorker.