Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-06-24
3arm anO tonssbolO.


An ancient philosopher remarked tha,
"he who expected to succeed As farmer
should unite activity TO reflection, to expert
ence and to all necessary knowledge" and
there 10 much Of truth in this statement.
The experience Of the past and present 60
10 prove tina, in none Of the occupations OF
life, is . more varied and extensive know
ledge required than in that Of agriculture.
To he = thorough farmer and to be able to
manage the business Of farming in the hes,
manner. an acquaintance with most Of the
natural and chemical sciences IL not only
desirable. bu, indispensable. We are aware
that there are many successful farmers who
DO no; posses. this scientific knowledge,
farmers who have learned the ART Of tilling
the soil from experience and from what has
been taught them hy their fathers, but this
know ledge is not scientific and exact and IN
their daily and yearly routine OF business.
questions are continually presenting them
selves which they cannot solve. Some
farmer. are 40 vain as 70 think they have
learned all there is to be known Of their
business. and sneer 3; scientific or as they
call j, in derision, book farming" bu, it is
fact, nevertheless, tina; 40 man can achieve
complete success in agriculture unless he
pos.esse. knowledge Of the science as well
as the art
The farmer lives in grand laboratory.
and should be able to influence or control
many Of the operations tina; are constant,
going on around him; and 10 accomplish
this be must have knowledge Of the pro-
ces. required. Insects, plants and animals
are continually around and before him, and
the habits Of one. the structure and quail
ties of another ana the physiology Of the
third, should be understood by him, in or
der on the one hand to avoid damage. and
on the other to secure profit lie must have
no, only an inclination TO the profession.
but he mus; be strongly attached to il, and
il he has been brought up 10 the obsers a.
ton and practice Of farming. he will be
qui,e sure TO succeed. provided the basis
of necessary knowledge has been laid broad
and deep; ~ithou, the latter he may &c, a
living and lay by something, but the highest
results cannot be reached
Farming, for a long period, was regarded
as an occupation hi only for those who
could DO nothing else, and the odium which,
during the feudal ages. rested upon the
English serf and ~hieh still attaches 10 the
ignorant boor Of Russia, is no, entirely
gone out Of the minds Of many when they
think of the cultivation Of the soil. Blu.
times have great, changed and farming as
vel Is farmers have changed with them.
The most honorable, the mos; useful and the
mos, independent Of men, i. the well inform
ed farmer who culiivaies his exn soil, and
enjoys the blessings tina; health, competence
and intelligence are sure TO bestow. Il j.
TO this higher plane Of farm life that We
would invite the intelligent young farmer,
Of Maine do not be content 10 follow ii
the ruts OF your ancestors who were noble
men and true, bu, whose opportunities fol
obtaining knowledge Of their profession
were confined 10 the traditions Of iheil
fathers, largely confused mass Of super.
sii,on and error, and their own limited ex.
perience. The almanac was their rad me.
cum, and the place Of the moon in ;hs
zodiac, mus, be asoertained TO be favorabl,
before any farm labor Of Importance ooulC
be undertaken. But we have advanced be
yond that and the signs are for the mos
part regarded by the farmer in the perform
snee Of his work; other important, advan
ses have been made, but ~e are still IA
from that degree ofperfec,ion in our bust
ness which j, should be the ambition o
every inteIIl EN-, farmer to attain.