The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-06-25
FARMING-ITS DIGNITY AND
IMPORTANCE.
IA. W. Smith, in Arkansas Enterprise.

n w A4Atn AL OoAA
A long cherished desire of the
American farmer is fulfilled at last.
A long deferred duty was performed
when the 50th Congress raised the
Commissioner of Agriculture to the
full rank and dignity of a cabinet
minister, and President Harrison de-
serves the thanks of the farmers for
selecting as the first Secretary of Agri-
culture the Hon. jeremiah Rusk, a
practical farmer, who from the hum.
Bile walks of life has by his own
energy and worth been raised to a
seat in the highest councils of the gov
eminent. His hard common sense,
his practical experience, his dauntless
courage, his wise craftsmanship, will
without a doubt place this new branch
of our government on a par with the
other departments and will give a new
impetus to the agricultural industries
of the nation.
1t is refreshing to note that the i'm
portance of agriculture and the fact
that farming is a science is being ad-
mitted. The old idea that anybody
knows enough to farm is a great mis-
take. 1t requires as much knowledge,
as clear judgment, as good business
tact, to be a successful farmer as it
does to succeed in any other activities
of life. knowledge is the symbol of
success, the key that unlocks the
coveted treasure.
The farmer is dealing daily with the
essentials of life, hence a thorough
knowledge of his profession is indis,
~pensable. A knowledge of the great
economic questions of the day and
their effect and bearing upon his in
dustry is a necessity; a knowledge of
government is a duty; self-govern-
ment among the farmers of America
is an instinct; and history teaches that
where the ownership of the soil is
largely distributed, good government
is the rule.
1t has been truly said that whatever
disturbances may threaten the order
of society, whatever wild theories
transplanted from other chimes may
seek foot-hold here, the republic of
the United States must rest upon the
basis Of agriculture, where the farm
ers of the revolution and the farmers
of the constitution placed it.
The farmer in this country who
owns broad acres which he has earned
by his own industry, and whose title
is IN his W name, is not apt to have
any sympathy with the communistic
theory that NJ one has a right to
ownership in the soil. We are glad
to know from personal observation
that the man who has the product of
his labor in wheat, in corn, in pork
and in beef, is not easily led astray
with wild and revolutionary theories.
Our government rests largely upon
the shoulders of the farmers. They
are responsible for its c and per
petuity. They are the conservative
elements in society, and in the end
are the guiding, restraining and con
trolling force in government against
theories of administration that have
drenched other lands in blood; against
the spirit of anarchy that would sweep
away the landmarks and safeguards
OF u Christian society and republi.
IA government; against political muir
der and ballot-box corruption; against
the encroachments of the saloon and
other kindred vices, the farmers of
America stand and will continue to
stand as the shield and buckler. them.
selves the willing subjects of laws and
therefore its safest and strongest adj
ministrators. Hence the justice and
Importance of having a representative
IN the council of the administration.
The Importance of developing every
branch and phase of agriculture can
not be over-estimated. It is the foun.
dation of all u wealth, prosperity
and happiness. 1t is the foundation
on which all other industries rest.
Agriculture, commerce and man.
u~factories are the three pursuits that
enrich a nation, but the greatest of
these is agriculture" for without it's
products the spindle cannot turn and
the ship cannot sail. We honor com
MERGE with its busy marts and the