Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-09-08

tons have ever marked our American agrlcui-
turalists. Yet the world has not been accus-
toned to admit the necessity of much educa-
ton for their farmers business. 1t can no
which the noble calling has made in methods
and scope has placed it fairly on par with
any other, in advance of many others, iH,the
NEED OF BROAD MENTAL CULTIVATION
and general Information. 1t is still possible
for the clumsy and brainless lout who works
without appreciation or intelligence to gain
subsistence from the bounty of nature. She
Is too lavish of her abundance to suffer even
the blockhead to go unfed. But such is not
the farmer of this country, though sometimes
found in his company.
The true farmer is far more exalted. He is
capable of great things. He brings science
to his aid. He studies the laws of nature.
manifested in the subtle essence of the soil,
the organization and growth OF the vegetable
kingdom, even meteOrOlogi(al changes. he
reaches out his inquiries over all the earth,
seeking better plants and foods, improved
breeds. of ANIMALS, more enlightened processes.
No business pursued by man opens more far
reaching avenues of research, because being
everywhere in some form pursued, subjects OF
inquiry multiply with every country.
So, on the other hand, the great facilities for
interchange have made the world the farm
er'smarket. You do not sell your grain to
the wheat buyer at the station where you de-
liver it. He is mere factor. He fixes no
price on your commodity. That is done by
his masters in Liverpool; and they, in turn,
are but the barometer of the worlds appetite.
When the children of men grow hungry,
the golden kernels grow more golden, by
some cents to the bushel. When they are
fed, you must sell for less or wait till they are
hungry again.
So, substantially, with your corn, your but
ter and cheese, your fat cattle, and all your
money-briDgin products-except that with
them the varying markets add to the demands
on the farmers intelligence. For to skillfully
conduct his negotiations, to understand the
instructions of the world to its agent at the
station in respect to price, to regulate with
wise forecast the production of profitable
crops, the farmer must be acquainted with
the business of the world. He must be a
reading man, of quick perception and CON-
prehensive judgment.
THE FARMERS NEWSPAPER
has been and continues his efficient and valu-
able coadjutor. It, too, has been the pro-
duct and kept pace with the development of
the age. Many of them rival the best general
sheets in industry and value, and deserve the
highest credit for their work. But the ag-
gressive spirit born of the farmers liberty
and powers has wrought new institution,
the agricultural college. This, too, may
fairly be classed as laural in the chaplet OF
the American farmer. The refinement and
value of studies the world has never failed to
acknowledge, but until modern timA has re-
garded them almost exclusively the portion OF
the sO-called learned professions. That the
hand of labor should be guided by the intelli-
gence of science, and the workman's brain re-
fined by the discipline of study the world de.
MED until the principles of America taught
the practical equality of human,
lty. Schools were for the priest to pore over
the myriad tones of religious controversy;
for the lawyer to search the refnements of ju.
rlsprudence through "many volume of for
gotten lore;" for the doctor to trace back the
story of the ills that flesh is heir to and learn
the prescriptions of Esculapius and his follow
ing line; for the scholar and antiquary to hunt
the changes in human speech and read the
history of dynasties and wars.
But great change has come upon our in.
situations of learning. We do not deny the
value of the old, but we realize the no less
value of the new. These schools are yet but
beginning, their power undeveloped. Theil
future is full OF promise. The time shall come
and that l hope not long hence, when, to rist
in his calling, the man who labors with the
hand must have well-trained and well -fillet
brain, as well as he who works by
the pen, when the farmers boy
shall learn that science which discloses The
laws of the soil, as well as to handle the pillow
which breaks it, which teaches the germina
ton and growth of the grain, as well as te
drive the reaper which cuts it. But the
FARMERS EDUCATION
must 60 beyond his business. In hb hands
repose the progress and security of our insti
buttons of liberty. All good citizens should
be so informed, so upright and SO wise, az
rightly to discharge their high duties in thi,
respect to their fellowmen and future ages.
But I think the duty rests with peculiar
weight on the farmer and that il
should be his highest pride to so re-
gard it. First, because his elias:
holds greater share than any other of polit
ical power. He is therefore bound to rise be
yond it to care for the State, or his race, ant
for posterity, with broad and manly philan
thropy. And again, because his history ani
which wrought our free institutions has eve,
been, the possession of those who till tn.
soil. There be many who fear the perpetuity
and safety of our nation, because its increase
of population and wealth diminish the infiu
ence Of the rural classes. There is something
about the open communion with nature which
has always raised the loftiest
spirits among men to profound reflection. Il
has been the purifier of the soul, restoring the
strength of convictions and upright purposes
The possession of the broad acres, when ma
ture, with recurring seasons, unfailingly be-
slows her bounty to man, en1arges the cur.
rents of the soul. He has, indeed, sodden
brain, who is not stirred to high purposes and
broad philanthropy in witnessing the wis
dom and benevolence with which heaven in
forms the face of earth.
And where is the man with a heart bic
enough to love his fellow men, who can sur
vey the magnificent territory of this Union,
the millions multiplying it, the unexampled
prosperity and happiness which they enjoy
under our constitution and yet reflect on the
history of past ages without poignant anxiety
for the
SECURITY AND PERPETUATION OF THESE
BLESSINGS
to posterity. How anxiouslY does he turn
his eye over the wide expanse, seeking safe
anchorage for his ardent hope. To what spe-
cial rank or class can he turn with a better
reliance than to the owners and tillers Of the
republics wide domain. Removed from the
cankering vices of the cities, the false luxury,
the feverish chase for RICHES, the absorbing
struggle for ephemeral ends, what offers such
repose to hope as the rural homes9 The affairs
and hearthstones of our American farm
sides are sacred places. They have been
the nurseries of the great men and
great women of this country in them
have been laid the foundations of that purity,
patriotism and power which have been the
glory of our public men. To these calm re-
treats our wisest and strongest have ever
loved to retire to shake off the vicious in
fuences of crowded centers, to restore the
brain, to purify the heart and invigorate the
soul. There the sweetest pleasures of life
have been found. There they have found
rest and peace when the storms of life have
exhausted them with turbulence. And there
they have gone to die. From the farmside
came Washington to draw the sword for man,
and to it he withdrew and joyful contentment
found when the great victory was won. Thence
he came again to take the helm when our ma
tional voyage begun, and there again retired
when his duty was done. And there he died
How holy is that soil of Mount Vernon
How wishfully did Webster, the great
expounder of the constitution, ever
turn hic weary in the y,aridiop