The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1879-01-15
Agriculture as q Profession.

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ands Of college graduates upon COM
munities all overburdened with pro-
fessional men, leads The Thoughtful
mind to wonder why these ambitious
young students should insist upon
attempting to become lawyers, min
listers and doctors, when the ranks Of
these professions are already crowd
ed to repletion, and when but a
small per centage Of previous gradu-
ates have ever reached a point where
they could earn a living by the occu-
patton Of their choice or adoption
Does it never occur to these young
men that there are other occupations
which need the aid, the stimulus and
the example of educated men9 Does
it never occur to them that the occu-
patton which agriculture presents
affords the finest opportunity for a
display Of their mental powers and
capacities, as well as a reasonable
certainty Of material rewards to in
dustry and application.
Certainly no pursuit is more useful
or honorable in its following than
agriculture; no profession affords such
scope for study, research, investiga-
lions or the application of scientific
principles; no calling is SO compre-
hensiye in its demands upon all the
faculties of mind and body; no aSo-
cation is so healthful or SO certain Of
remuneration; no employment is So
independents so enrolling; none in
such close communion with The Au.
thor of the universe; none SO free
from the harassing anxicties, the de.
moralizing speculations. the alluring
temptations or possible disasters that
surround the other professions, none
presents greater opportunities for
calm reflection, development Of self
reliance and true manhood, or the
cultivation of kindly sentiments and
neighborly sympathies. Why, then,
if our. young men desire to be useful
members of society, men of position,
influence and mental and moral at.
.tainments, should they ignore the
profession of agriculture? What at
tractive features does this noble art
lack that other crafts possess?
The pursuit of agriculture lacks
that dazzling light Of metropolitan
glare, that attracts the moth millers
Of inexperience and Facilitating pur-
pose but to SINCE their wings and
check their fortune flight; but it
lacks the offering Of those grand cap,
ital prizes in the lottery of life, which
few ever win, while the many are
ruined in its vortex; it holds out no
sinecdre positions of reward without
toll Of success without effort, of pre-
ferment without merit; it lacks that
dash and din, that excitement and
suspense, that strain Of nerve and
brain, so marked on the race-course
of human hopes and fears, wherein
the speed and endurance Of ambi-
tious and adventurous youth are
matched against the grim steeds Of
competition, power, failure, bank
ruptcy and despair. Young man,
consider well the choice Of occupa,
tion that is to stamp you success
or failure; consider well the posi-
bility Of your future, eitheras first
class agriculturist, or as third-rate
professional man! Remember that
in the cultivation of the soil there is
full scope for all your brain power
and education, all your reasonable
plans and ambitions, all your designs
for the complete development Of mind
and body.