The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-09-20
FAR MERS SHOULD BE SOCIA.
RTF

There is no class of beings where soci
ability ought to be sought for so much as
among farmers. No one farmer processes
to be proficient in all branches of his bus
mess, and as the plan of cooperation is
1uore or less experimental to large num-
Der belonging to the farming class, an ex-
change of ideas seems almost necessary
for the welfare of each. We understand
full we'll the isolated or scattered condition
of the agricultural class. Scattered over
hills and valleys, and across our broad
prairies, often miles apart, it is not SO easy
to keep up intercourse with one another,
or with general society. Nearly all other
classes of business men congreate in cities
and villages, where they can enjoy a daily
exchange of thoughts and opinions, and
greatly increase theie fund of information
In this, way ambition is aroused, thoughts
are awakened, and much is added to the
general happiness of life Such state of
things ought to be more prevalent among
our farmers. The longer farmers live in
a solitary way, the less likely are theyy to
change their habits. And is it not too Of
ten the case that this course of action Of
ten results in an ungenial, morose state of
feeling? The most ardent and cultivated
minds. would become dull and inactive
placed in the position that many occupy
IN his world. We doubt if there can be
found a farmer who will dissent from our
proposition that farmers ought to be more
social and friendly with, their own class.
And yet they have now for the first time
IN the history of this country an organiza
ton, national in extent, cotton up for the
express purpose of promoting sociabiIitv
among the tillers of the soil, and giving
them ample opportunity for Intercourse
and the interchange of thought How do;
the farmers themselves look upon this or :
ganzation? All know that large major
lty turn their back upon it and will have
nothing to do with it. = 7f2a1 1E"3 {
: We say to our agricultural readers that
no great results were ever ACCOMPLISHED
tor the; benefit of any class, or for man
KIND IN general, without we'll directed Z
persistent combined effort. We have
written on this Subject before, and we are
at it again in hopes accomplishing some
good by keeping, it prominently before
the minds Of our farmers We Should ALI
be awake to the idea that the chiefend of
lie III e IS not to hoard up wealth alone. but
TO shed an influence over that class lwitb5
Which our lot is cast that shall bless ithe
generation in which We i've. 9Neithet Isl
Wealtn always to be obtained by mere
PhysllcaI exertion. The man who has ac
cess TO a large field of thought and infor-
m ! al.l Will accomplish more and meet his
e Designs better, and with more ease, than
the man destitute of Information! 'The.
subordinate Oranges which are establish 4
81 ~ many districts exert a great social in
fiuence, and contribute much to the en-.
largement and respectabitity of agricula|
turai life. 70 They Tighten othe burdens ofI
daily toll, relieve its 3soiitariness, awaken
tnought and promote general improye.d
nent.l Added to this we have the social
intercourse of families, which awakens
sleepy energies and adds much to the
general happiness of life. Where the i
Grange fiourishes,. farmers children will
De less likely tolongafter the excitementsI
anu gayeues OF town life, or spend their 4
time in haunts iof uice.r3d 1900 H.. Il
Finally;itis conceded that to be usef,rrI
we must be social g This will take from
care and sorrow much of its sting. and