The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-01-03
A Talk to Farmers,

WINTER mas really come, ana every
good farmer has finished the labors of
the season. Of course there is enough
to do on every farm at all seasons. In
deed, the labors of the husbandman are
never concluded. But during the win
ter the days are short, much of the time
the weather is unfavOrable for work,
and the farmer considers himself more
at leisure than during spring, summer
and fall.
What we have now to say is matter
of exhOrtation. What do you, and es-
pecially the young men on the farm,
propose to do during the stormy days
and the long evenings of winter? To
work, eat and sleep is not all of life.
We would not agree with others when
they jay that the cultivation of intelli-
gence is nobler service than to labor,
because we believe physical work to be
as much duty as it is a necessity. 1t
is the first and fundamental duty, and
should not be disparaged by an unfa-
vorable contrast with mental work.
But we cannot get rid of the fact
that the avocation of an individual is
elevated and honored in proportion to
his intelligence, and we hope that very
many of our farmers are anticipating a
good time this winter in efforts for per-
sonal improvement. We once visited
farmer who was past sixty years of
age, and shall never forget the lesson
he impressed upon us. On finding that
he did all his chores and got his break
fast before daylight, worked at chop
ping in his woodland all day, and took
his supper and did his evening chores
after dark, we asked him if he did not
become greatly fatigued in such labors
at his time of life. "Oh, yes," he re-
piled, II often feel tired, but then
comfort myself by anticipating the
good time l shall have reading after
nine o'clock at night
Of course such u life demands great
hardihood, and it is what no human be-
ing should be forced to. Still this man
was hero of toll, and yet his highest
enjoyment was found in reading, which
afforded him comfort during his long
days of work. If this man could find
time for increasing his intelligence
amid such early and late labors, there
is certainly no excuse for those who
"take it easy" during the winter, and
yet scarcely read their newspaper.
We are anxious for the elevation of
agriculture. We see the most talented
sons of farmers becoming early dis
gusted with their occupation, and leav-
ing for some pursuit in town. We see
the daughters of the richer farmers who
reside within easy reach of the town
early taking in the aristocratic spirit
and taking on such airs as show that
they despise the occupation of their
parents, and are earnestly praying for
husbands who are lawyers, doctors,
merchants or clerks. These high-hying
sons and daughters of the farm should
be made to listen to the Son of Sirach,
who says: "Despise not honest, labo.
rious work and husbandry, which the
Most High hath ordained" The
country, the farm, is the place for
strong men and healthy women; and
all that is needed to place agriculture
in the highest esteem of all classes is
the increase of knowledge among the
farmers. This would not only increase
country enjoyment, but it would give
our farmers q stronger spirit of indie.
pendence, and secure to them their fair
share of social and political power.
We may hereafter show how the agri.
culturists of this country, who consti.
tute the main body of the middle class,
have relatively lost both social and pc.
litical power during the last thirty
years. This loss has been in conse.
quence of the wonderful growth of oul
cities and towns, and the very small
comparative increase of our rural pop.
ulation. To preserve what power they
have remaining, and to recover some.
thing of what they have lost, it is nee
essary for them to cultivate more SO.
ciality among themselves, and improve
their knowledge of public affairs. Tc
this end they should associate in literary
societies, and devote as much attention
rs possible to their exercises and tG
reading. Especially should the younger
men and women be diligent and zeal
GUS in this important business-of more
consequence to them than any othe1
business whatsoever. With Carlyle W.
would say, "Don't wear hat with az
empty effigy of head in it,
He is not worthy farmer who ha:
not sufficient pride in his profession t.
make himself, and to assist in making
others, worthy of it. All should know
that intelligence is the covering power
"a power mightier than money-ant
by knowledge and culture alone cal
they even protect their own interest.
against the evcr-activc passions o
avarice and ambition. All shoult
strive to prove the truth of jefferson,
estimate of the farmers character. H,
says: "Those who labor ON the eartl
are the chosen people of God, if He eve
had chosen people. whose breasts H,
has made His peculiar deposit for sub
stantial and genuine virtue. 1t is tn
focus in which to keep alive that sacre,
fire which might otherwise escape from
the earth. Corruption of morals in tn,
mass of cultivators is phehomenon o
which no age or Nation has furnishe,
an example. 1t is the mark set Of
those who, not looking up to heaven
to their own soil and industry, as doe
the husbandman, for their subsistence
depend for it ON the casualties an,
caprice of customers. Dependence be
gets subservience and venality, suffo
Gates the germ of virtue and prepare
fit tools for the designs of ambition.
Cincinnati ENQUIRER.
If no accounts have been kept; be