Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-02-27
The Department of Agriculture.

care exercised in advancing agrlculture.-l
The truth of this axiom, with a1ge benefits
resulting from it, has been demonstrated
under every form of government. Earlier
practices, and latterly almost in unlimited
expenditure by Germany and other regal
powers of the old world, furnish examples
in widening thrift and production that
teach wise lessons in the economy OF the
people and not without large share OF
conservative influence in maintaining steady
government. Such are the facts in Europe,
as experienced by England as she has i'm
planted her rule in Asia and elsewhere on
the globe. This being SO, the enquiry can
well arise, how such policy is to affect
Our free country, annually expanding its
new fields of production. The question is
here answered by careful review of the
past, which. until late years, left the great
interest of agriculture in its progress almost
destitute of aid from the general govern
ment. The States and the people have
fostered it to a limited extent, and are
greatly enlarging their efforts under the in
creasing encouragement of Congress to pur-
sue policy which has just resulted in
making it a coordinate department of the
Federal Government.
In looking at the past for the purpose of
reaching proper conclusion as to future
results, it must be admitted that in foster
ing this great and growing industry the
thrift of the whole country is to be pro-
NOTED, and the influences more marked in
their operations here than in countries
having other forms of government. The
policy becomes wise one in association
with our modes of government, and the
purpose to increase development and the
opportunities of the people for progress
1t must result in the expansion of foreign
trade SO essential to profitable agriculture
and its kindred industries in our country.
This accomplished, the power and influence
of this country with other nations will be
unlimited and truly great because of the
strength, the conservatism, and prosperity
which it will secure for its own government
and people and the stamp of durability it
will fix in the minds of rejecting men
everywhere.
In addition to this general view, it is our
privilege as we'll as duty to consider the
subject in its bearings upon our local inter-
ests. Somehow or other, our young men,
reared upon farms, as they have come and
are coming upon the stage of action, have
not been properly impressed with the obli-
cations resting upon them as due their own
habitations and associations which, If
properly estimated and fulfilled, would
change for their own good, though no
other aim be considered, the situation of
many of them. This is one reform essen
tial to the real prosperity of our agriculture
in Virginia, which, in its ramifcations of
service, the department of agriculture will
gradually and greatly assist local organiza-
tions and influence in bringing about.
To pass over that wide field of oppor-
tunity which will fit and afford our farmer
boys chances for the scientific, as well as
the practical pursuits of their calling as
learned from their fathers, it will not be
out of place to contrast with them come of
the occupations they take up in preference.
Just here our eye fell on an article in the
american Ag,iculturist which forcibly
presents the subject and We accordingly
reproduce it.
"There is a frequently recurring COM
plant from the farm, reached through the
agricultural press, of the reluctance of
boys to remain in farming pursuits, indeed
sometimes even to enter on such a life
What is the cause Of this restless and un-
willing spirit? Are country employments
odious in themselves? Is it a task more
dIeary or more DANCE, GUS to break fiery
colt than it is to face the winter as brake
man on a freight train? Is it more perilous
to tend Short.horn bull than it is to be
policeman and club burglars? Is it worse to
do chores as a small boy on his fathers
farm than it is to work for four dollars
week and pay travelling expenses to reach
the Office, where the boy is the scapegoat
who is always wrong, and at VIII Jse door
the shortcomings of every other employee
lies? Is it harder lines to plough behind
your own team, to drive your own moving
machine, or do good part of your own
cartlng, than il would be to work in
factory at any one of the various industries
carried on throughout our land? While we
ale compelled to acknowledge that farming
has its unsatisfactory points, none can dis
prove that much discomfort is broadcast
everywhere. The advantages offered by
agriculture to it's followers are freedom
not from duties but from personal iDcon-
v-uiences. 1t is the farmers own fault if
his house lacks comfort; the artisan must
work in his employers shop or factory
81 49, III ,ol..- Al.
diVidnal. How many type-setters have ill.,
jured sight? How many brakemen are
manned and killed? How long is the dark
list of mechanics worn out before thew
have reached maturity from the hardships
incident to the duties Of their oallings, So
take look at higher social grade as con.
trasted with what country avocatioBs offer
1t is appalling to note the young lives
wrecked in cities: youths who strain every
nerve and use every means to attain pro-
fession, who Just reach the threshold and
then succumb, worn out in mind and
crushed in body. Of the vast multitudes
who year after year leave their country
homes TO seek fortune in cities, how many
succeed? The percentage is very small,
even of those who find moderate amount
of success. Some lack ability, others en-.
durance, and many do not possess sufficient
strength.
From these remarks it must not be in
ferred that dull and weakly boys are By
nature best fitted to remain in the country
and become farmers. The ablest men
mentally are none too enlightened, none
too capable, to cope with the many difficult
problems of agriculture. To day the land
question holds the attention Of Europe
and with our abundance of territory, as vet
sparsely populated, we are not many gene
rations distant from scarcity of land and it's
inevitable difficulties. The hardest part of
farm life is its seeming mouotony. We adj
visedy use the word seeming, because farm
life is more varied than is professional or
mechanical life. The four seasons bring to
The farmer varied occupations and varied
pleasures. The journalist, the lawyer, the
doctor, in their eallings know no seasons
three hundred and sixty-five DAYS annually