The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-03-26
THE FARMER. -NO l
Editors Herald:

haps it would be IS we'll to state that
l do not claim to have any very ex-
tensive knowledge of farming; but al
the same time l am satisfied that il
some, if not all, the ideas 1 shall offer
we're put into practice by the tillers
of the soil, they would be none the
worse of. 1t is conceded by the
greatest minds of the age that agri-
culture is the basis of all wealth,
prosperity and luxury; and it is
gratifying that each year brings with
it improved methods of planting and
gathering. There is no calling under
the sun more honorable than that of
a farmer; at the same time there is
no trade or profession that has so
many bunglers and botches enrolled
in its ranks. There is an idea abroad
and has been for some years that
there was little necessity for farmer
to know much more. if any. than the
hogs be raised, and 1 am sorry to say
that idea is not entirely exploded yet;
our ancestors held that idea, and they
grated it into the minds of their
children, end that which is bred in
the bone will come out in the flesh.
Ia those days everything was done in
a hard way; and farming was made
disagreeable in every manner. 1t is
20 Wender that SO many boys flock to
the cities when they see in prospec-
tive life before them such as their
fathers have led. But perhaps farm
ing was made as agreeable then as
possible. 1t may be so. [ am in
clined to doubt it, however. Years
ago, farming was harder than at the
present day, and there was less to
show for the labor expended. Nov,
everything favors the granger; the
sickle is laid aside Tor should be) for
the harvester; and the threshing
machine has taken the place of the
fail; everything that farmers use
has been improved, and it ia pity thar
some machine has not been invented
that would improve the farmers
personally-at least some OF them.
l am aware that great many OF
the farmers OF Utah follow that call
ing more from necessity than choice;
and this is the very reason why they
should strive 10 obtain greater excel
lence. II they would learn, they
must instruct themselves; this can
only be done by patient labor, both
physical and mental. The latest
discoveries in the RTt of farming-tol
it is an srt-should be learned and
practioed; and there is no reason why
O tiller of the ground should not be
Well-iniormed upon the leading topics
Of the day. The idea that education
is thrown away upon a person whC
expects to be a farmer is the sheeresi
nonsense; it should be usderstood
that education can be used TO great
advantage everywhere, whether 1t Ii
among the wheat and potatoes of the
green and quiet and peaceful county
or among the heat and dust, crazt
and excitement of the great cities
Leaning does not unfit person TO
work, no matter In what sphere o
life he may be engaged. There Is N
real conflict between education ant
labor; they should be joined hand IL
hand. Worked together, they max
, a fine team; take either away, ant
YOU spoil the one left. The neWspa
pers OF his own and surrounding
} towns should be seen upon th
, farmers table; aud all that appear
in them in reference to his bushes
! should be carefully noted, and pa
r away for future reference, II 1t doe
| not concern him just at present.
cannot imagine more vslusble boo
S for a farmer than one filed Wit
agricultural notes and ideas Guile
from the newspapers. This can b
] made at q very little cost of time an
4 trouble and can be improvised out
: any old book, the clippings bein
: pasted in it SIS fest SIS they are extra
: ted from the papers. Suggestion
e may be thus saved, which ma
e prove valuable.
e To the farmers, than, l say, let tt
}, sunlight Of knowledge enter yoI
o homes and make them cheerful al
pleasant; improve yourselves, as yol
of machines are employed, hourl
q daily; spend more time IN readlE
I, and less In quoits and grocery d!scu
ie sions. You will be we'll repaid.
g. VII.
1t Salt Lake, March %, 1880.
le
Al MISCELLANEOUS.