Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-10-23
Relative Intelligence Of Farmers.

until new light breaks in upon us.
that there are Il good many profitable
things in their business yet to be
learned by the farmers of America,
and that good education of the
right kind is required by every young
man who aims at excellence in the
pursuit of agriculturc,-whilc we
hold these statements TO be sclf-cvi-
dent, yet well worth being kept be-
fore the pcoplc-wc still believe that
the farming class really give as
much attention to the science Of their
art, and read up as well on their bust.
ness as any class in the country, and
much better than some.
Take, first, those classes which re-
ceivc n special education-thc so.
called professional classes - and
compare them with the farmers in
this respect. Beginning with the
ministers, and taking all the dcnom-
nations together, how many of them
had sufficient preparatory cduca.
ton, are Sound thcologians, or men
Of real breadth of culture or cathol-
lefty Of thought ! Take the physi-
clans, and what proportion Of the
men in this profession are thorough.
~ skilled in anatomy and physiology
competent and reliable diagnosti.
clans. safe and effective in their
therapeutics, ready and apt in surgi-
cal practice, sound hygienists, care
ful observers and earnest students
Among our lawyers, how many Of
them dcscrvcdly stand high with
their brethren on account Of their
sound knowledge of the principles Of
law, extensive acquaintance with the
statutes, skill rs advocates. rcliabil.
ity as counsel, or for general juristic
ability? And what proportion in all
these professions are to any great cx-
tent noted for their love of knowl-
edge outside of their own immediate
needs ? How many patronizc their
professional journals better than the
farmers patronize the agricultural
prcssl
When we 60 outside OF the learned
professions, and inquire into the
state of things among business men
and artisans, how do we find It,
How many merchants know more Of
their business than its routine
How many are acquainted with the
laws of trade and finance as laid
down 10y the great writer's on these
subjects Are the works OF Adam
Smith any more likely to be found
in the hands of the average mcr-
chant than are the writings of Lie
big in those Of the average farmer ?
What, even, do our bankers know Of
scientific finance or how many Of
our statesmen (so.callcd) are there
who are students Of the works of the
nHSiing authorities on subjects rcla-
nwnS. d. s.a.ssamCnt, either
Tublics
PsvIIhuiactuTcrs, as n body,
lake a study OF the literature, rich
and varied as 1t is, of the branches of
knowledge in direct relation with
their respective industricsg And
when We come TO hard workers in the
useful arts, the mechanics OF the
country. how many OF them take and
read their trade journals, or study
the hand.books written for their
practical instruction
Looking over the whole field in
this way, we are compelled to award
to the farmers q very high compare.
tive position. While they are far
behind where they ought to stand,
and where they might easily stand,
they cannot be regarded as laggards,
when put In comparison with most
other classes. To be sure, in coun-
try where land is 80 plentiful and
cheap, and where consequently it is
so easy for every industrious laborer
to become the owner of land, we
necessarily have a vast number of il.
literate men engaged in tilling the
soil. But with all this, close in.
vestigation will show that the farm.
ers "a a class compare favorably with
any other as lovers of knowledge,
and as progressive workers In their
art and business.