Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-06-25
what Shall tie Young Farm
er study.
REV. A. W. MANGUM.


not impossible, as so much depends Oh
the pecLliarities of each case-on the
extent of ones education and what he
has already acquired. Still, some gem
eral directions may be given, which
may prove of value.
First, for immediate use and cu'-
rent advantage, it is important to tak'
several frst-class periodical: one on in
iustrial interests Gas THE RURAL NEw
YORKER; one giving that part Of th'
history of TIE day, on reputable anc
useful subjects, worthy OF being pub
lshed and read; and religious jour
nal of the church with which one Is
most nearly connected. The cheapes'
literature in the world is, perhaps, {;
well edited news paper. If the paper:
are filed, the young reader should
note uumber, page, etc, OF every ar
ticle that appears Of special value OF
interest, so that he may refer to it at
once. A bound volume Of a paper
like the Rural, with its well-arrang-
elk table of contents, is arich, miscel-
lancous library, in itself If the pa
pers are rot kept on file or bound, the
pieces that are priced should be cut
ont, at once, and pasted IN a scrap
book: the index being made as the
articles are put ina respectable scrap
book can be made Of any old staiisli
cal work such a. most families may
have received from some Of the depart
ments at Washington. When such il
used, at least every second Leaf
should be cut out, so that the boos
will be properly shaped when closed
But, for several reasons, the newsFa'
peris not sufficient. It's articles are
too short to give full connected I'M
struction on any subject. 1t contains
such great variety that the reader Is
not so apt to carefully digest and ap
propriate any part. Hence, the young
man sh ould seek books on the specia
subjects in which he is most interest
ed. These, as to various kinds OF IN
dustrial work, may be obtained througi
the publishers OF leading agrlcnItura
Journals, or through a trustworthy
bookseller. Some time ago the kU'
.EAL NEw-YoRKER contained list Of
valuable works on various practical
subjects Be sure to get a good work
on Political Economy, Waylauds Oh
Walkers is very good rs to gen
eral information, beyonds ones partcu
lar work, the field is broad-bouHd-
less. \ general history ought to be
read. in chronological arrangement
Some universal history, Ike Tytler'
suitable. For its SIZE, Freeman's Out
lines gives the valuable sketch Of thai
part OF history with which our civil
zation Is connected. Some good history
Of the United States as Gt there b,
cne) OF ones own state should be stnd
led, Beyond this, special histories
can be read according to, means,ano
opportunity. At asst brief wors
on ecclesiastical history is important
In general literature, it is easier to tel
what not to read. Shuu all trashy s;o'
ry>papers. dime novels, sensational
works of fiction Of large size. Mucl
novel reading west 5 time, corrupts th'
tastes. makes one superficial, destroys
the relish for more valuable works
denaturalizes the character, and Otter
leads to still more serious evils, ReaC
books that will pay for the reading.
A hand book on English and Amer
lean Literature will give much knowl
edge of authors and their works
Chambers Cyclopaedia Of Enslis'
Literature can now be obtained for
mall sum For its size, know NJ
book on American literature that vii
suit young farmer better than Hart
large edition. Various departments
of Science are now popularized so AZ
to be entertaining and poftable to th'
common reader.
\ periodical like the Eclectic Alaga-
zine will keep one in some degree
advised Of the progress and tendenc,
Of modern thought
Every one who can afford to buy it
ought 10 get Appletou's Amer
lean Cyclopacdia, or some sim-
lar work. The comprehensiyeness
vericty. trustworthiness, and conyen'
fence Of a set OF such volumes rendel
them of incalculable value Those vhC
cannot get the new edition (and the
many cannot will do well to purchase
even second hand copy OF the Older
editions. Either Appleton,s, John.
sons, or Chambers's may be esteemed
a treasure in this age when knowledge
is so vast and time so precious.
Any minister or other religion:
friend of educational atainments Can
give directions as to a course of read
ing in religious literature.
Last of all, yet most emphatic9lly #
all, l commend to the young farm
the study Of the greatest OF all books.
| need not name it in other words. |;
teaches every one how to be best aud
to do best for himself and others, The
wonderful Book Of proverbs is at least
one Of the best troatises on private and
political economy that has ever been
written. The whole Bible onght to be
studied in youth, while the character
is forming, in ripper years, while duty
makes it cea,elcss demands. It teaches
The direct way to goodness; and god
illness is profitable unto things, havc
ing the promise Of the life that now is
and of that which is to come.
j. u. L., Smiths Grore. Kg., asks, l.