The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-01-14
A Realistic View of the Farmer and
the Lessons He Learns From
Nature.
An Interesting, Valuable and Instructive
Paper Read by W, e Smith, OF Massil-
Ion, Before the Farmers Institute of
Stark County.

in self defense would be to acknowledge
all the above clipping asserts. In order to
Judge whether the calling of the husband =
man be high or low we must first fix dis
tinctively in our minds the requirements
of that position. Does the business de-
mand responsibility, forethought, tact,
talent and really useful knowledge? II
so, then the calling must be classed IN the
highest order. That the responsibility of
the agriculturist Is great is fact patent
to all since all are directly dependent on
him for food to supply their natural physi-
cal wants as we'll as material for clothing,
Food and clothing, the first two requir.
ments OF our physical being, all supplied
by the tiller OF the soil. Suppose the agri.
culturists were to suspend operation for a
single season, what, think you, would he
the effect? II would strike blow will
not say to kill-but a blow that would hc
felt throughout the nation. But respon-
sibility alone does not imply an exalted
position.
The switchman on railroad occupies q
position OF great responsibility, being re-
sponsible for both life and property-a
most honorable calling-yet we do not
think of him as occupying high position
because II does not admit of development
or require ability, while on the other hand
the business Of the farmer demands both.
This world is not so bad q world as some
would like to make it. But whether good
or whether bad depends on how we take
it. The opportunity OF the agriculturalist
fnr nj l. lodi 10 In
ton to the demand for tact, talent and
skill. Constant association with nature
affords greatest opportunity for observa-
ton. Every one engaged in agriculture is,
Tor ought to be) an independent investi-
gator the result of his investigations
made known to the world being his title
to fame.
Again, subdivision of labor always calls
for intelligence and skill. The farmer
does not make pin heads or turn out car
riage spokes, or mould car wheels or work
at any particular kind of work week in
and week out from January to December
as many of our manufacturers do.
Neither is he continually trying to force a
latin phrase, (Divaleitus for him to know
into the minds of the unwilling pupil or
trying to make the junior understand that
2 and 2 make or that bat spells bat;
but is master of many branches of hus-
bandry, each branch deep study in itself
and each demanding that he be careful
observer Of facts,
We sometimes hear it said that the
farmers are the Drawn and muscle of the
country. While we admit to full share
OF vigor and strength we still maintain
this to be OF secondary importance. First
to know how and then take hold of the
handle and do the work. Who ever heard
Of a successful farmer doing ell his work
by proxy. "He that by the plow would
thrive, himself must either hold or drive"
Man is endowed with five distinct ma
lures, viz: the physical, mental, social,
moral and religious, each demanding cer-
tain requisites for its development, and
the most congenial soil for this develop
ment is found in rural districts and in
rural homes. 1t has already been seen
that the wants of our physical natures are
met by the industrious tiller OF the soil :
and if we may judge the future by the past
the world depends upon the rural district
for mental capacity; since large proper.
ton of our men land women, too,) Of
greatest minds have been reared in the
country. Examples of such are familiar
to all and we need no further proof that
the mental makeup of the agriculture
class stands second to none. And what
Is true of us physically and mentally is
also true OF our social, moral and religious
standing. II the standard OF the husband
mans position in life were determined by
his accumulation of wealth in money,
then we might possibly be compelled to
admit that his calling is sub-ordinary
one, since comparatively few men have
ever accumulated large fortunes by agri-
cultural pursuits.
But then il brings him health and con.
tentment, things which money cannot buy.
millionaire on the morn of his
birthday anniversary was asked by
his daughter what she could give
him as a token of remembrance. Give
me an appetite for my breakfast said the
great Money King.
This reminds me of a quotation from
the poet Burns: "Some ha' meat and can
not eat and some ha' none that want it.
say the Lord be thank IT,"
After all IL agriculture be poor matter
Ii points to q rich end, Let us thank "God
and take courage.n For the benefit of
those who think the farmers life dull and
uninteresting would call their attention
TO the fact that he has the whole universe
for his library, with its hundreds of thou
sands of different kinds of plants and
every kind volume in itself, with every
change from seed TO fruitage, from green
to maturity,a chapter worthy of his closest
attention and thought; thoughts which
cannot help but awaken enthusiasm and
enspire the soul.
"From the meanest flower that blows
can give thoughts that do often lie too
deep for teaTs.n
The cold and seeming lifeless seed Ia
placed in the ground by the husbandman.
Nature forces, heat and moisture begin
To operate, the germ swells, the seed bursts
forth into a new life. "First the blade,
then the ear, after that the full corn in the
ear.n Can any one take part in such a
work as this without being elevated In
character and life?
For the benefit of those who think the
business OF the agriculturist of small i'm
portance, requiring but little talent and
skill, / would like the pen of Raphael,
and paint picture, and for the back
ground of that picture / would take the
different kinds OF soil from every part of
the inhabited globe, and let it represent
the base of all knowledge in agriculture.
l would have thousand groups of hol-
low eyed, hungry looking faces, asking as
plainly as faces can ask, for bread. These
groups will be the cities, towns and villa
ges who are dependent on the husband
man for the staff of life, and would repre-
sent in part the Importance OF the industry.
TO represent the difficulties met and
overcome by the faithful tiller OF the soil
would have a mountain range or chain
stretch diagonally across the picture and