Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-09
NO. 100.
Miscellansons.
INFLUENCE OF FARM LIFE.

The popular idea of farmer has been
that he WAS a man of narrow views, Civ
en- to crOaking. and an intense partisan.
We do not dispute that this description
would apply to many farmers of the past,
and not a few of the present generation.
We believe, however, that there is nothing
in the calling to bring out unlovely traits
of character. A generation has wrought
a remarkable change in the character of
the tillers of the soil. The old race of
hardy pioneers is rapidly passing away
and u more inteli gent class is taking their
place. Not that we would disparage the
farmers of the past generation they
were noble men, but the majority of them
began lite poor They had lutte time to
study and little means to invest in books
| or papers, and their range of vision was
necessarily limited. They were the
John the list" to the farmers of to-
day. Although many still hold to the old
idea that farming dwarfs a man, those
who are best acquainted with farmers
know that the conditions are changed
Our farmers are better educated. not only
in school but through the influence of the
press. Improved implements. stock. and
methods of culture have been adopted;
our State and county fairs. farmers clubs
and oranges, all have had their influence
| in making farmers intelligent, and elevat-
| ing their calling
What is there in Il farmers life to make
| him a narrow or prejudced manP His
| time is not so much empl yed but that he
can find time for reading and study. He
| is not confined to dusty or smoky shop
| where he must look out upon brick walls,
| as are most of our mechanics. He does
not spend his time higgling with custom
| ers about the price of goods, as does the
| merchant. He is not bought in contact
with the worst side OF human nature and
obliged to see the depravity and meanness
which lis brought to light in our courts.
His duties are not mechanical, TO be re-
peated a thousand times in unvaIyng
routine. But in the great laboratory Of
| nature he is an eXperimenter. She con-
| tides To him her secrets, and as a reward
for intelligent labor. ubl ,cks to him her
treasures and pours them at his feet
Through his int IL gent management the
plants and animals under his care are
greatly improved and the earth made to
yield double. He is awakened in the
| morning Y the singing of birds, and goes
| forth TO breathe the heal,h-giviny air, and
to view the trees and plants with spark
ling dew. he is not etfeminats, but his
labor under the burning sun of summer
and in the cold of winter, knits his muscle
and makes him strong and brave. His
table is furnished with fru t., vegetables,
and the products OF the daliy and p,altry
yard. He is his own master, and does not
| fear that change of administration or loss
of favor with some individual will cut off
| his income, and leave him without the
means oI support. Ii his income is small
no man is better prepared u meet hard
| times or TO practice economy. aud when
Providence rewards him with bountiiul
| crops he can fec that the blessings which
| enrich him have made no one else poorer.
The Practicable Farmer.