Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-01-03
why IL Pays to Read.

Ones physical frame-his body-his
muscles-his feet-his hands-is only a
living machine. 1t is the mind, controlling
and directing that machine that gives it
power and efficiency. The successful use
of the body depends wholly upon the
mind-upon its ability to direct well. Ii
one ties his arm in sling. it becomes
weak and finally powerless. Keep it in ac-
tive exercise. and it acquires vigor and
strength. and is disciplined to use this
strength as desired. Just so ones mind by
active exercise in thinking, reasoning, plan
ming. vigor. power of concentration and
direction.
Plainly then, the man who exercises his
mind in reading and thinking, gives it in
creased power and efficiency. and greater
ability to direct the efforts Of his physical
/ fiame-his wOrk-tO better results. than he
can who merely or mainly uses his mus
Giles. If "a man reads book or paper. even
one he knows to be erroneous, it helps him
! bv the effort to combat the errors. The
combat invigorates the mind.
! OF all men. the farmer. the cnltivator,
needs to read more and think-tO strength
en- his reasoning powers. so that they may
help cut and make more effective, more
profitable his hard toll. There can be no
doubt that the farmer who supplies him
self with the most reading, the most of
other mems thoughts and experiences, will
in the end. if not 1T once. be the most sue
cesSfIl.
The mind makes the man." is a trite
bnt very true adage. How much above
the brute that tolls with him, is the man
who merely works. eats, and sleeps and
cares for his progeny: The brute does
all this. The man rises in dignity. in self
respect. in the respect OF Others. just so far
rs he rises in intelligence. We have GER
tain regard for the ant. or colony OF ants,
that by long. hard. patient toll. gathers
fine large. snowy mound Of eartll-yellow
earth it may be. or Of silyery white. In
what is that man superior to the ant, who
spends his lite wholly in scraping together
a mass OF land, and a pile of yellow gold
or white silver, and large house, lives in
it. and dies there? He may be called a
successful man. and a rich man. but what
does that amount to after all? If he be
rich in good deeds. if he be an intelligent
man, if he be able, by the superior cultiva-
ton of his mind. his thinking and reason
ing powers, not only to plan successfully
for himself. but to give wise counsel to
others. he commands our real respect.
Farmers. think OF these things. Now.
and tor few coming months. while the
field work does not press, devote some
time each day or evening to mind develop
ment. Lop off. if need be. dollar or two
here or there. and with it buy one or two
books. especially those treating of your
own business. of the character and nature
of the soil you till, of the crops you raise.
of the animals you have to do with, their
difference and character, etc. This will
lead to further thinking and reasoning; it
will develop mind-power; it will make you
more intelligent; it will raise you higher
in your own estimation, and higher in the
estimation Of your family. and of your |
leighbors. 1t will aid you in planning bet !
-er for the future, and will thus really pay {
N dollars and cents.-American Ag,icultur- !