Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-03-03

I
source Of sustenance and the basis Of prosper
ity. From It's products all more or less directly
derive their incomes, and the condition OF a ma
ton depends on the condition Of Its agricultural
class. Where the soil is titled by intelligent and
thrifty farmers there will be nation strong in Its
financial resources aud in Its sturdy patriotism.
II was evident, however, that there Is q lack Of
thrift among large class Of our population. How
to remedy this and better the condition OF the
rural classes were questions engaging the atten-
ton of many. When the youth come to manhood
and choose their life work their minds have been
moro or less disciplined and developed Mt school,
but have not been stored with the facts and priu.
| ciples OF practical work Hence each, before en-
tering on the practice Of any profession must pur
sue course OF study under the direction Of some
one well versed in the practical details Of his
chosen calling. For some OF the professions sew
eral years Of hard study are required. In general
he who studies the hardest will rise the highest
and be most successful But when one makes NJ
his mind to follow farming, how different every
thing Isl No time is ever devoted to the science
and practice OF agriculture. No apprenticeship is
served under an educated and successful farmer
indeed, many discourage the desire to obtain a
fair education and think that farmer needs but
very little education that much would destroy his
farming ability Some consider the elements of
success for farmer backbone that never gives
way, stout, physical frame, heavy muscles, and
that he who works the most and the hardest with
the hands will be the surest OF success. But the
| speaker believed that the world was moving on
| up to something better and he hoped the day
was not far distant when good education and
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sary for the tiller of the soil as for the other
vacations. In whatever business one is engaged
he woud be most likely TO succeed who works
according to some plan, who works with the
head in studying up original methods and
in examining those of others. The lawyer, the
minister, the teacher must all study the books
pertaining to their profession, and the most
cessful are they who work the hardest. So in
agriculture. Our best dairymen are they who
make dairying speciality who have studied the
different breeds Of cows, the methods OF setting
milk, etc. The intellectual faculties need to be
cultivated and developed by continual study, not
mere reading. The athlete does not secure ex-
traordinary strength by manipulating the little
wooden dumb bells, but heavy iron ones. The
business OF farmer was considered as requiring
the highest intelligence Tor its successful prosecu-
ton. No profession demanded more mental work
and culture. During Roman times agriculture
was considered the most honorable Of occupations
and was for long time the only source of wealth
open to the patrician or upper classes. Hence
It was most successfully prosecuted, the nation
derived great revenues from it and the great
est poets sang oil the plow Those scholars whose
parents were Interested in their studies, and talk
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during the day, are themselves more interested,
study better and progress much faster. The same
'ning would De true II parents would make their
neatths agricultural schools, to plan the years
WORK. read ana study standard agricultural works
anu papers linus they Will interest their chill
dreh IN iarm work, augment their profits, induce
hspit OF study keep the young at home rather
thah iet them De out carousing, add peausures to
tue farmer me- and raise the SOCIAL condition OF
the family Men are TOO apt to think they are
100 old TO study; their sons have left for more
cohgehiai places, they nave no strength Tor re-
pairs no amotlon Tor Improvement, and no
expectation oil more than bare subsistence.
IL farmers will conduct their work on BUSH
ness principles, have their books and papers
ana study them, they can interest their sons
so that they Will stay on the farm, and solve
the problem how to keep the boys on the
farm" Let the boys see that there is profit and
pleasure In farming in New England, and they
need not seek the broad prairies OF the west
thinking that everything is different there. In
stead OF passing the long winter evenings sitting
by the hearth with long face and thinking how
hard farmers have to work, all should take some
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