The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-11-03
A DESCRIPTIVE PEN PICTURE OF
THE AGRISOPH.

class of writers for the agricul-
tural press who are well known,
but heretofore have had no distinctive
name. The name chosen is a compound
one like agriculture made up of ager
a filled and cultura cultivation, while
agrisOph comes from ager, filled and
sOphistes, false teacher-and means
a false teacher of agriculture, who
fosters bantllng of uncertain paternity,
originates visionary schemes, advO-
Gates chimerical projects, prOmulgates
absurd the, rieS, CherisheS evolution OF
his own innate consciousness (unCOn-
sCiOusness fits him better) and follow
the baseless fabric of his visionary
dreams until they break and leave not
q wreck behind.
Doctor Peter Collier calls them
teachers of ther Jasper school, not
even acquainted with the incuhObula
of agricultural science, for like the
Rev. John they cling with all the ten
aciOuSness of blind unreasOning belief
70 their pet notions. as he does to his
fixed theory that the sun do move.
CLASSES OF THE AGRISOPH-THE VAIN
KNOW TALL CLASS.
1t the first place, it IS well known
that there are more writer's for the
agricultural press, of the paid and
voluntary class who assume to know
1t all, than can be found in any other
branch of industry The arrogant pre-
tensions of these vain agrlSOphS are
wonderful, for in their estimation there
Is no wisdom, correct theory or right
practice outside of their own prescribed
curriculum; industrial Ishmallites an
tagOnize all other theories, practices
and opinions except what squares with
their precOnceived, imperiOuS views or
has their authoritative sanction or en-
dOrsatlOn. Self constituted icOnOclasts
panOplled (in their vain imaginatlOn)
In more than popish infallibiity, they
presdmptuously assure that what they
don't know is not worth knowing.
Is 1t any wonder that such writer's
bring dlScredlt on what is termed book
farming and disgust sensible, practical
farmers, who have really forgotten
more of correct farm knowledge and
practice than these consequential agri-
SOphs ever knew?
THE DESIGNING MERCENARY AGRISOPH.
OF all the writer's who contribute to
the industrial press, those who do SO
with purpose to deceive and mislead,
IA Is done by many of the paid hire
lngs Of subsidized press III behalf of
monopoly and corporate greed, are by
all odds the worst, because Of their
latents and the unSCrupulOuS use
thereof to blind the reader. that he
may be the more easily tleeced.
THE CHRONIC NIPRACTICABLESA AND WILD
ENTHUSIASTS.
The man who cannot adjust himself
TO the thoughts, needs and progress of
the age, can no more become a trusted
teacher than he who goes wild over
new, VlslOna Y and impractical theory
and follows novelty for progress and
innovation for advancement, ObliviOuS
or regardless whether they lead up
ward or dow inward advancing or
retrOgrading.
The emanatiOnS from such minds
doled out by the page on prescribed
subjects at stipulated price per thou
sand ems are rarely of a character to
entertain or instruct the reader, but
they too often bring discredIt upon So
called " book farming" and reproach,
If not disgrace, upon the papers pub
fishing them.
Men who write for the press with the
dollar mark alone and always in view,
will fail sooner or later, unless in cases
where such writer has the faculty OF
binding the editors or publishers who
pay for the manuscript. But as re
CARDS the reader, he is less easily
blinded, for none but a dulIard will
fail to detect the literary grinder"
the agricultural hack" that runs his
lgnOble race and sooner or later is re
tired from the turf The real misfOr
tn here Is that such cObS were ever
allowed to enter the ring
THE AGRISOPH MUST GO.
He ought to remember that this is
an enlightened, progressive age, for
thanks 10 organization and education
the masses are not so easily deceived
or imposed upon now as was formerly
80 often and disgracefully done by in
sIdious impudent charlatans
This country is fortunate in having
a greater number of thoroughly
equipped teachers of agriculture than
can be found in any other cOun nv,
and boasts an agricultural press
abreast, if not in advance, of all other
nations
That few of the pseudo agricultural
class prostitute their name to unworthy
purpose Is greatly to be deplOred.
These constitute the agrisOph's chosen
field, now that he Is beng excluded
from the true agricultural papers. and
even here he begins to lay surperfuOus
upon the sta-e.
WHY HE MUST AND WILL GO.
Because. like Othello his "occupa
tion is gone or will go soon, for better
teachers stand ready to take his place,
for the day of the charlatan, let us
hope, is over and he must step down
and out
The times and the exigencies of the
rural industries demand better teach
ers in sch 'ol, field and press; and
thanks to State and national encour-
agement to these industries through