The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-05-21
Farming.

Farming is the God ordained oc-
cupation of man Farmers are the
only really independent people
The world depends upon them for
its existence. Let them cease to
cultivate the land and starvation
stares mankind in the face. Yet,
farmers, your calling is the noblest,
the most independent on the face
of the earth. Stick to the ways of
your fathers, be not beguiled by
temptations and become grovelers.
Such phrases as these are used
by the professional man, as he pre-
sides over farmers meetings, or
when he needs their votes, and this
man who would consider it an in
dignity to be mistaken for one of
these very independent farmers ele-
Yates himself among them, and be-
comes their leader in every enter,
prise, taking to himself the lucrative
positions, and sacrificing the honor
of these Gods ordained laborers.
Merchants and professionals laud the
farmers vocation until he imagines
his position a very envi"ble one in
deed. He goes about his work,
draws his burrows long and straight
for twelve hours in the day, all the
time thinking of his elevated posi-
ton. His spirit of independence
rising. for who dares interfere with
him the live long day; even the
birds desert the fields and seek the
dense shades of the forest. His
faithful dog lies quietly under the
solitary oak, spared by the wood
mans aAe," he alone remains plod-
ding along beneath the scorching
sun, "monarch of all he surveys"
He is tired, but the glow of health
is on his cheek. His keen appetite
relishes the plentiful supply of
wholesome food, prepared by
his skillful wife AT four the next
morning the lowing herd" remind
him of milking time and then to the
station. What more independent
life could man desire?
At the end Of the month he pro-
ceeds to the city for the reward OF
his months labor. In the basement
of some building, back from the
public thoroughfare, youth, sur
rounded by couple of milk cans,
a quart mug (liquid measure) and
a push cart, might be seen counting
over his morning gains. Before
this capitalist appears "the inde-
pend sovereign of the soil" And
trembling in the awful presence he
humblv inquiries, "How much he is
TO be allowed for bis months milk?"
Frowning, the stern magnate ekes
out a meagre percentage of his re-
ceipts, at the same time loudly COM
planning of the quality of the fluid
supplied him. Quailing before
these complaints this natures no
bleman," like a. guilty criminal,
takes the proffered portion and
starts for home, glad to be through
with ii trying ordeal.
Perhaps disguised with milk, he
turns his attention to grain, and in
dependently raises a large crop OF
wheat. Within a noble structure
on one of the principal streets of the
city meet from time to time num-
Der of men-shippers and dealers
in wheat-to regulate the price OF
this invaluable cereal. The inde-
pendent farmer has nothing to do
but take his wheat to them, and get
what they offer him. Could you
imagine anything more indePend
ent. noble and honorable?
But how is it when he goes to
buy? Does the butcher, the tailor,
and various other tradesmen take
what he offers them? Oh no; he
pays their price, for they are lea
gned together to protect themselves
from impositions.
And that is what the farmers of
America must do before they can
hope to enjoy the position assigned
them by the orators and poets.