Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1885-03-20
THE IGNORANT FARMER.

toned to characterize the farmer as
ignorant 1t has at the same time given
him credit for being more honest than
other classes of mankind. But some-
times city chaps are mistaken about
his ignorance. Occasionally some
man from the farm startles the world
with his wisdom. People seem to
think wisdom cannot be obtained out
side of the city, consequently when a
farmers knowledge outstrips the law
yer, doctor or merchant, they can only
regard him as prodigy. While the
farmer is generally thought to be ig-
norant, he can really be the most in
tellgent and enlightened man in the
world. He has advantages which
town man cannot have, and many Of
our farmers are shrewd enough TO see
this and take advantage oft. In the
city too often, young men acquire only
such frivolous accomplishments as
skating, dancing and billiard playing,
to the detriment Of solid mental cul-
ture. They shine brilliantly at an
evening party, while the farmer looks
awkward, and has no place to stow his
hands and feet; but sound this accom-
plished society man on philosophy,
history, science or general literature
and you will be astonlshed at what a
barren waste his mind is. He may
even be ignorant ofpolitics and every
thing save fashion and society notes.
Then turn to that awkward farmer, get
him at his ease and you will find there
a mind well stored with facts, rich in
healthy culture and strong in its
growth. True, his expressions may
: BE little awkward, but the thoughts
and ideas are connected. His mind,
like his corn has been cultivated and
owes its awkwardness to its very
strength. There are some farmers
whose minds are more barren than the
average society mans of the city, be
cause they make no effort to improve
them, but they are not the average
farmer. Nearly all the farmers o
ADArR COUNTY take some good paper
many three or four. Travel through
the country even at the busy season o
the year and at noon and night whit
the farmer rests his body you will Sc,
him reading some valuable paper o
book. The farmer gets more of wha
: ne reads than the man in town.
you want to know what is gong on il
4 town, go out in the country to som
4 reading farmer and he will tell you
Newspapers are very good and indis
e pensable to farmers, but they shoul'
begin as rapidly as they can to suppl
h themselves with good books. No on
e knows until he tries how easily it is t
n gather gooc library. The farme
has more leisure to improve his min
O than any other man. He is not re
n quired to be in his Office or at hi
is store OF shop after night, but is :
II home. He has his nooning hor
k which gives him six hours in the weel
y But then that is only in the busy Sc:
y son. During the long winters, whe
o s'farm work is slack" and the Ion
S winter nights at the country firseid
of the farmer has a world of leisure
which to improve his mind.
+ Books are cheap now, cheaper tha
l. ever known before, and each farmt
y should have a small library. 1t
it essentially necessary to study farmin!
d to have agricultural journals an
n newspapers, but.why not know some
'f thing of history, science, poetry ar
e literature. Don't think you can no
, We knew an old farmer who, when h
l. was forty years of age, took fancy
l. astronomy and in few years coul
y have astonished a college professt
d with his proficiency. The great tro,
it BILE with farmers is, they are not alb
to have large libraries and do nj
know what to buy. We would rigf
. here say beware of book peddlers, ft
e they are sure to sell you just VIII:
: you do not want. If you want
o read history, get a cheap edition
Macaulay's England, Gibbon
q Rome, Prescott's Mexico, or som
It good history of the United States.
l. you want to read science, any of OF
: text books would answer. Take a
8 interest in the children's lessons du
S ing the evening study hours and moi
4 Al pa e,,ra ho,,a mn