The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-03-15
FeiE,esGat The sBoysl a Ghanee. 5

The art of farming needs fresh supplies
of youthful blood, warmed with energy,
and hope, and ambition, to rejuvenate its
customs, traditions, and ancient methods.
As men grow old, they are little inclined
to experiment, to try new things ,Fer to
change their habits; if.they have been,
successful, they decline any addition to
their routine knowledge; ifunsuccessful,
they put in a plea of "too old to learn"
Farming, as, q trade or manufacture, is
largely in the hands of men advanced in
life, and, as whole, is more stationary
than any other branch of business. If,
by somo combination, the experience,
prudence and caution of the father could
be united with the ambition, vpushhand
activity of the son, decided advance
might be expected in farming. The best
talent of the family seldom stays on ths
farm; youth receives no encouragement;
the boy is classed with the hired help;
he finds nothing for his brain to feed
upon, nothing to arouse his pride, moth
ing to fire his inventive genius, nothing
to satisfy his longing desire to step up
higher; hence he early seeks home in
some city or manufacturing 9yillagei
where the demand for brains is more pro-.
nounced, and where the prizes of life are
distributed4in open competition. Soon
the boy, whose father, but few years
before, doubted his business capacity in
even selling yearling to the village
butcher, stands at the head OF some mer-.
camille house whose weekly sales are
thousands. How that boys financial
shrewdness and business was needed on
the farm he left |! The, youngster, whose,
budding intellect was nipped'by the chilli
frost of parental sternness and iudifer-
eace, is heard from -in after, life as the
eminent lawyer. His sound sense, rea-
soning power and keen perceptions were
sadly needed son the home farm. The
lad who pleaded in vain to be allowed to
lay out stone wall, culvert or lane
unwillingly turns. his back on the scenes,
of childhood, yet theinear future. lays
the world tribute to his scientific skill in
suspension bridge or aqueduct. How
easily this engineer could double the
value of the ancestral acres by drainage
and proper construction of roads and
buildings.
Farmers, think of this: the very boys
you are rearing to-day, driven from home,
will fill the highest places in the gift of
commerce, art, manufacture and legisla-
ton. Why should the farm see this
talent depart2 why rob itself Of their
needed brains2 IF these, your descend
ants, can give impulse to trade, inven-
ton to mechanics, eloquence to the
forum, why not induce such ability to
remain with you? why not encourage
such talent to lift the cultivation of the
soil into the front rank, to select with
business sagacity the Profitable branches
Of culture, to conduct with merchants
shrewdness the buying and selling Of
tools, and seeds and products7 NV
If commerce or manufactures make
loud calls for your boys, make louder
calls yourself. Give the boys chance
at home, encourage them, stimulate
them; give them a piece of ground to
cultivate as their own, give them cattle
toreara; surrouud:them with such books
and papers as your means afford; permit
them to make inexpensive experiments !;
treat them rs equals, as young men of
brains u of perceptiVe faculties; give
them a little authority, q little power |;
talk matters over with hemy yeqhsIt with
them, try their capacity, put confidence
in them. Encourage the village lyceum,
the farmers club; take the boys along !;
let them try little new seed, a little
poultry; let them raise a few early
lambs; introduce any culture the success
of which depends on their personal at
tention to detail; make the boys inter
ested, thoughtful, anxious to excel.
Don't kill them with drudgery brains
are worth more than stone walls, knowl-
edge is more powerful than iron bars,
study is more potent than physical force.
.Makeahome.p .pleasant-te-th -them5eneenrage
social gatherings of young folks, promote
sociability. company amusements, varie-
ty OF occupation These are among the
city's attractions, and the cause of the
migration is apparent. Adopt the reme-
dy, keep the boys on. the farm; If more
business is wanted, supply it in increased
and improved culture.
The writer of the above article, which
appears in the american Cultiuator, is
evidently a person of considerable expe-
rience, and good sense. But when he
says: nthe ivery boys1you are rearing
to-day, driven from home, will fill the
highest places IN the gift Of commerce.
art, manufacture, and legislation" while
true in rare; instances, is altogether too
sweeping an assertion; for they, who rise
to- sucE s+distinction, are eomPafatiyely
few. With this exception the advice is
wholesome and timely, though often
given before.