The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1884-04-24
DR.. EARWELLS ESSAY.
Read Before the Giles County Stock
Breeders Association.

| StOckbfeeflefS Association hclt IN Ru-
laski on the 10Th inst, Dr. Thos. B
Iarweill read the following essay thai
should interest every farmer and which
we publish at length below.
Mr. President and members Of the as
SOctdtjOIt: This association in its
} purpose to improve the condition OF
Giles county farmers and to promote
the development OF one OF the most
important branches of moral husband
ry in our midst, does well in providing
. for the discussion of questions of prac-
UicaI interest and exhibits in so doing,
in my judgment, just appreciation of
one OF the gravest obstacles TO the sue
cess of any association of farmers in
: our county.
1t is aware of the fact that progress
in any material direction will keep pace
with the practical intelligence that di-
rec, and that nothing is better calcula-
ted to excite thought and inquiry than
such discussion az elicits truth, and, in
fact, educates in the practical Knowl-
edge required.
Stock breeding, to say the least OF 1t,
both in the character of the labor it re-
quires, in theOpportunity it affords for
the renovation OF the worn land, and
in its commercial aspects, peculiarly
cOmmends itself to the farmers of our
county,
This association with its objects clear
ly defined and keeping in view the su
perior adaptation OF our soil to this
form of hus sbandry, will promote the
good work it seeks to accomplish by
keeping the importance and advanta-
ges of stock breeding constantly before
their minds and TO DO this it must en-
ploy vigorously every means at its
command. 1t must keep itself per-
manently before the public eye and by
the glittering prize it offers, it
| will first attract and when more tamil-
lar grown our farmers will embrace it. |
The pursuit of success may be rock !
upon which even farmers may split, /
| but success in any branch of husbandry |
depends upon the intelligent applica- |
ton of underlying principles and not |
upon the haphaZarG of die. The farmer |
who does not known this may founder
in the pursuit, but he whose intelli- |
gence has been quickened, will |
thoughtfully consider the means to an
end; and the associatson perhaps just
ly concludes that the Giles county !
farmer who properly appreciates the
duties that deVolVe upon him as such,
will zealously labor to perform them,
his own success being his reward.
But in the estimation of this associa
ton no Giles county farmer lives to
himself alone. Each one one is in COM
mon parlance, ga social, industrial and
political factor" and in considering the
duty he owes TO himself it will be diff
cult to forget his duties in these several
relations or to contempla1e him apart
from them. To be the subject of this
essay and in Yeiw of the restrictions
imposed, his condition must be a nor
mai one and one in which his own
happiness and prosperity should be his
chief object.
These are under ordinary ciTcum-
stances within his reach He is em-
phatically the architect of the fortunes
contemplated by the association and
with a solid foundation upon which to
build.
His first duty must be to improve his
opportunities and to mould as far as
human effort can do so, the circum-
stances which surround him. Few
formers, perhaps, appreciate the extent
to which they may shape their own for
tunes, or how far their successes de-
pend upon the intelligent use of means
ut their command. This becomes ap-
parent when we consider how surely
effects follow causes, or to what extent
the success of the farmer is the meas
ure of his possibilities, or the products
of his farm the measure of its ca
pscity.
1t is a practical step forward when
the farmer is brought to consider the
duty he owes to himself. Perhaps when
fully aroused, his first thought will be |
to be beautify and adorn his home and |
to make it attractive to his household |
in with he will find the hOliest and |
sweetest pleasures OF life. He will pro- |
vide Tor it those social and Instructive |
advantages without which it will be in
complete. He will appreciate the truth !
| that a cheerful industry is an inValua- |
BILE ingredient in a happy home, 1t is |
the patient, plodding, persevering, |
| hopeful spirit that wins; that careful |
| ly prepares the soil, sows the seed, cul- !
| tivates the growing crop, and awaits
natures methods tor the harvest. This
Is in striking contrast with the impa-
tience that too eagerly grasps the gold
en- egg, to find worthless dross In the
hand,
The Giles county farmers owes it to
himself to make his farm self-sustain-
ing and himself good citizen. To do
this, he may soon realize the need of a
higher practical intelligence to direct
his labor and the discharge of the du-
ties his position entails upon him. He
will realize the Importance of treasur-
ing the lessons gathered from his own
experience and observation and from
the interchange of ideas with others,
but in the press he will find an mex
haustible fund, mine of varied, useful
knowledge in which he may constantly
dig, and always with the assurance
of finding the treasure he seeks.
He will find his county paper indis-
pensable besides containing fund of
/ - 80 f,f
sential to intelligent citizenship, it will
keep him in contact with his neigh
bors and will serve to awaken to-
| wards them the kindliest feelings
and sympathies and will identify him
with them in the pursuit OF their COM
mon interests.
He will also find good agricultural
paper OF great value, and should take
one published in his own state, because
it will, most likely, contain the infor-
nation best adapted to his section. Such
paper will keep him abreast with
the progress and improvements OF the
day and be to him an invaluable store
house of practical knowledge, whose
supplies will constantly increase with
| liberal use.
But the Giles county farmer who de-
sires to discharge intelligently the
whole duty he owes to himself as such
will not stop here; he will take good
general newspaper from which he may
obtain both the general and political in
formation which the farmer needs as
much as any body else, and which is
so essential to the intelligence of the
sovereign in dlscharging the high and
important duties of citizenship. Per-
haps he will realize further the
need of a literary paper, to furnish the
often pleasing and attractive literature
which often contributes so largely TO
the formation of the habit of reading,
and of good taste in the selections,
These papers will often do more to
make home attractive, the treside
! cheerful, its inmates intelligent, and
I everybody happy, than it would be pos
| sible for the same amount of money
many times multiplied, if investt in
any other possible way.
Whilst it would be difficult to esti-
mate the value in the household of this
4 sp,on collection tho whole p5S DplSp may