Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-07-07
Farming and Young Men.

the fight of young men from the farm.
tits for the interest of general as well
as.indlvidual prosperity, to have every
man embrace the opportunities which
promise him greatest success, but 1t can
not be doubted that agriculture loses
the devotion Of many young men whom
she would richly reward, and who, in
turn, would minister to her advance
ment.
There exists in most communities,
something akin to sentiment that the
place 10 attain success in life is any
where else but on farm. But what
is the thought that prompt young men
10 forsake agriculture? There may be
motives assigned, but believe Ia the
minds ofmany of the nobler class OF
Young men it is desire for improve
ment: an ambition for wider success;
an impulse to greatness. 1t is thought
which should stir the breast OF every
Young man. \ young man who has
not thought long and earnestly upon
leaving the farm is oflittle value to 60
and stay upon it, Every pursuit and
calling of mankind should be carefully
reviewed in his mind. There should be
no barriers to his choosing that which
thorough examination points cut. But
if the opportunity in agriculture be con-
sidered IN its true light, and if the op'
portunities elsewhere be coolly separa-
ted from the glamor which distance aids
Imagination in throwing about them,
there would be a wider disposition
among Young men 10 value an acquain-
lance with the soil and the success and
happiness with which it rewards him
who miueles brains and strength IN lis
cultivation. Young Americans have
abandoned farming partly because they
think they see nothing in the farm, and
partly because as conditions are, there
is nothing to sec. He thinks (and
older men encourage the oplnion) that
farming is a complete science, that there
Is nothing more to learn about 1t, that
the methods which have been applied
cannot be improved, that all young
man can do upon a farm is to tread
again well-beaton paths. But he must
be shown that agriculture is not a finish
ed book. He must be shown that its
brightest and modest pages are still to
be written. He must be made to see
that there are capabilities for progress
as great upon the farm as elsewhere. 1t
Is too much the opinion that the farmer
is a chance operator; that he merely
goes out and picks up things and sells
them; that the less time he devotes TO
reading and study, the more he will
have to scratch the surface Of the earth
into m irritation Of fruits and vege-
tables
In the early training lies the secret
of holding the young men. Let the
farmer tighten the labor which he puts
upon his son by telling him all be
knows about The reasons fer doing it;
explain to him the processes Of nature
so far as they are known and show him
the things which remain to be discover
ed; show him that agriculture Is only
Just beginning to understand itself
show him that by pushing ahead and
availing himself Of new discoveries and
ideas he can make better farmer than
his father. This early confidence and
belief in the industry lies at the bottom
of any scheme which may be laid for
the enlistment Of the young men in
agriculture. Upon this the schools may
Law the foundation and the university
complete the structure. The general
idea must be to promote an interest in
farm work and farming enterprises by
extending knowledge of the science
evolved in them. Teach the young
man 10 observe, and then the opportu-
mites which have been pointed out will
reveal themselves.
No one Will deny bat that for the
well-being Of all mankind agriculture
must advance as the other industries
advance. It's evident TO all thinking
men that agricultural progress must be
any slipping away from the sure expe-
rience foundation which now exists, but
experience must be extended and prac-
tice improved. With the advance of
farming as a science will come better
opinion of the farmers position among
men. Among old opinions which must
vanish is the popular view that a farmer
is outside. the line Of social and polit-
lcal advancement. THIS opinion has al.
ways been fallacy, a mistake of mar
row minds. The young men are blln-
ded by it. They left farms behind them
because this view Of life has been forced
upon Them BY foolish people.
The young man and the farm; on
the one hand a duty, on the other an
opportunity; here an obligation, there
way to discharge it. And in thinking
Of the duty Ofthe young man; is it not
encouraging that he need not leave the
industry where he finds it, and that he,
himself, as he fits himself for a better
farmer becomes also a better manP
This the labor. this the reward. The
better the man, the more noble bis
calling. The young men never make
agriculture what they will; it offers full
returns for their best efforts. The
country needs better men, and the best
man in the end will win, and he will
reach the reward for his excellence. 1t