The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-07-25
SENSIBLE TALK ABOUT FARMING.
No Profession More Honorable than Ag-
ricu1ture.
Southern Gl'tirator.

lis very gratifying indeed to note
with what earnestness and zeal the far.
mers are pushing forwazi the crops of
1889. There seems to be an effort 10
excel all former results, and from present
indications the labor will not be spent in
vain. A great many, and in fact we may
safely say a majority, have long since
learned that success in agriculture de-
pends solely on the individual effort of
man, SO applied to make every possible
moment return compensation sufficient
for the time, and by following in strict
conformity to the laws of Nature and
Natures God. But how often do We
see men disregarding the laws most
essential to the full development of plant
life at its most critical period of growth
and then, because the soil fails to respond
with waving corn and pastures green,
they raise the cry of farming don't pay"
never for once attributing the cause of
failure to any fault or negligence oftheirs.
They will write long articles to the news
papers of the country full of theory,
which they think will forever impress it
upon Che popular mind that agriculture
is q failure, and means only disaBpoint-
ment and lost opportunities for all who
engage in it. Can the views and express
sions of such men, circulated around the
world through the medium of the press,
be anything but detrimental to the inter-
est of farmers? I think not, and the
sooner ell such chatf and nonsense has
been dismissed, the better it will be for all
classes who have the welfare of the coun-
try at heart. How can ne ever expect
farming to command the capital, atten.
tion and respect it is justly entitled to,
ifa few discontented and unqualified
men continue to proclaim the erroneous
statement Of farming don't pay," and
asserting that all who engage in such will
only be "hewers of wood and drawers of
water" for their more fortunate fellow
men?
This may seem to some an unwarrant.
able attack upon few; but, Mr.. Editor,
you are we'll aware of the fact that once
in while some one takes special care to
wage war against farming; that, too, by
men who profess to follow the occapction.
Go where you will, say what you may,
the doleful cry is heard to disheartsn
and depress the spirit of the most san
guine.
farming don't pay-we are imposed
upon by The commercial world, the trusts,
syndicates and money.lenders," is the
chorus that is sung. Admitting that to
be the case, which is true in certain
way, would it not be more becoming in
US to exert our greatest endeavors in
throwing off the hand Of oppression now
throttling us in the guise of trusts and
combinations of capital, than to raise the
howl of farming don't pay7" think
so, and it is time for all this nonsense to
stop.
I move that we look upon all who
attempt to decry thu pursuit Of agricul-
tnre with indignation and contempt. II
there are those among us who are incapa.
BILE of guiding and directing the plow to a
successful end, let them quietly drop out
and give room for men whose ambition
and greater ability aspire to higher at
tainments than some are willing to
content themselves with. The silent
voices of the immortal trio, Washington,
Clay and Thomas Jefferson, stands as
undyiDg evidence that agriculture is not
only successful calling, but is "the
most useful, most honorable and most
noble employment of men," So away
with the discontented element among US,
and give us men who are willing to fight
the battle of life through the varying
scenes of adyersity and prosperity -,n
with strong arm and brave heart,
who, when once attempt q thing, push on
regardless of obstacles that may confront
them until their ideal is reached-men
whose integrity and force of character is
SO moulded as to make it impossible for
the petty trials and temptations to swerVe
them from their duty and purpose through
life, the uyimotum of which is "peace and
victory"
There is another class of men who
belong to the fraternity of farming don't
pay" that is an enemy to agriculture
more formidable than all the rest com.
bined. They think that education is
secondary accomplishment upon the farm
and person who has been 80 fortunate
as to attain one should not lower himself
to the plane of husbandry, but cast his
lot among the professional class, or, per
chance, walk the floor ofsome mercantile
establishment, shut in from the freedom
of life, like bird in its cage deprived O.
its liberty. A greater mistake has never
been committed. Farming needs the aie
of the educated just as much so as any
other branch of science, and for the wan
of which lies vanquishing at the mercy
of its foes. We want a mind so educated
and disciplined as to take in the broae
comprehensiveness of our calling, and 81
applied as to produce results worthy o
its name.
Dear readers, are you exerting tn
utmost of your ability in improving
your condition and adding to the wealth
of society and your country? If so,
bid you take courage; your labor vii
not be spent in vain. Study your bust
ness and try to make each day an i'm
proYement over the other. Subscrlb
literally for papers devoted to your call
ing; such as the Caltivat0r, which ha
done more for its readers than any jour