The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-02-09

the will Of the patriotic Dc Ia Howe,
with this, that is now suggested, and for
which times and conditions are every
way favorable ?
The agricultural department of the
South Carolina College, the agricultural
bureau and all other agencies which
now absorb the money which is sup
posed to nourish agriculture and its
peculiar interests within the State might
with great propriety and advantage be
concentrated in the foundation and sup
port Of such an institution.
Mr.. Tillman:s proposition that the
several counties should bid for the loca-
ton Of the institute within their boun-
daries is excellent, if the State had not
already such a liberal gift and such
plain duty. But the county Of Able
vile might we'll supplement the gift of
the generous dead by offering to erect
the necessary buildings and thus isarm
all opposition
The presence Of such an institute
(where happily managed) could not fail
to give an impetus to all agricultural
interests throughout the State, but more
especially so through the section Of
country in which it is located. 1t would
become the centre ofagricultural thought
an. progress. stimulate industry and
enterprise, guide experiments to useful
ntrfiS 1,on Y-,,r, Il &,
ing morally and intellectually tho farm
ing community and in cnriching the
State.
Another important end, which formed
part of the original design and is most
worthy Of our attention, is the practical
education Of our women in all the arts
and science Of housewifery. Nothing
80 contributes to the well-being and pro.
pIiety Of farm life as the intelligent and
cheerful helpfulness Of wife and daugh-
ter. Here as elsewhere the home must
be made attractive to ensure peace and
contentmcnt. Let the master be ever
so enterprising and successful, if the
mistress Is uninterested or incompetent,
md household and kitchen, dairy and
poultry yard arc not kept in line and
harmony with his own extended opera
tons, there must follow drain upon
the resources and a loss Of means. to saw
nothing OF that inculculable loss which
comes from want Of intelligent sym
pathy and interest.
One Of the arts most conducive to
health and consequently to mental and
spiritual activity and we'll being, is the
art Of cooking. More ill-heart and ILL
temper ana ill-ordersd lives are attribu-
table to bad cookiug-impropcrly pre-
pared food-than is imagined. And the
education Of the women in the arts
essential to judicial use Of material and
the proper preparation Of it for the
table is second only to the education Of
the men, to honor and intellgently value
and work the farm.
Whenever young men shall learn to
regard farm work as honorable and
praiseworthy, and that true labor COM
prises the labor Of the hands as we'll as
of the brain, and shall find therein profit
and independence, and the the young
women learn to esteem the cares and
conduct Of the house and yard, rcither
veXatious nor burdensome, and that no
legitimate duty is or can be degrading.
and learn also the art Of beautifying the
home within and without, and take nm
intelligent and cooperating interest in
the progress of every department Of
farm lfe-then. and then only, will
agricultural life regain it's true posi-.
ton in the social estimation Of the
world.
There was time when the farmer de
.facto was peer Of any in the social
world by reason Of his intelligence, his
independence and his culture. This,
owing to various conditions, is no
longer the case. the farmer himself con.
tributing. by pushing his sons and.
daughters forth into other walks Of life,
to keep his own in the rear. But it was
not thus in the beginning, and it may
not be SO now, II mon and women would
but agree to recognize the dignity OF
labor and value of culture.
This is what the Agricultural College
would be q potent factor in teaching,
and hence would exercise vast in
fluence for good upon future generations
Of the State. To effect this is worth
the honest, hearty effort Of every son Of