The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-01-24
The Heritage Of Young Farmers
An Address delivered before the
Somerset County Farmers In
stitute January 10, 1894.
BY J. M. BERKEY, COUNTY SU-
PERINrENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

PERlNTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
| FARMERS AND FRIENDS -
1t was with some hesitsncy that / ac-
cepted the invitation Of your Executive
Committee to speak again to the farmers
Of Somerset county in their annual con-
vention. Not, however, from any lack
of interest in your institutes which have
already proven veritable Mecca of good
things to the farmers young and old, aud
interesting alike to all who gather here
but rather from pre-disposition to sit
here among you, listen and learn, look
wise, and say nothing.
And old farmer once said of his BOYS.
that at sixtel, they knew more than he
did at twenty, they knew as much at
twenty-five, they were willing to hear
what he had to say at thirty, they
sought his advice; and al forty, they were
ready to admit that the old man actually
did know something. Now, my friends,
have not completed, quite the two
score years of life, but sm quite willing
to admit that the farmers of Somerset
county do know something about Turning,
and in this their school, am but pupil
in the lowest grade.
have noted, however, in this and in
former institutes, the absorbing interest
taken in the discussions concerning the
food and products of the soil, the relative
value of fertilizers, the rotation Of crops,
the culture of fruits, the care and keep
ing of livestock, the enemieslof husband
ry and how how to destroy them, the
economy of time and labor-saving ma
chinery, what pays, or does not pay all
bearing directly or indirectly upon the
question of investment and profit, labor
and compensation-all seeking to bring
to the farmers and the farmers homes,
the necessities, the comforts and the lux
uries of life as the reward of honest toll.
Bat why, may l ask, is this reaching
out for new and better things in agricul
ture? Isit simply to satisfy desire to
know? | assume not, for knowledge,
however attractive and desirable, is
scarcely worth having unless it bear fruit
in higher purposes and better living. Is
it a matter of actual necessity? No, for
although the rich, as the world knows
them, are seldom if ever found among
the tillers of the soil, yet the poor, as the
cities know them, are never found among
farmers. Is it the simple question of dol
lars and cents? Surely not: for the strug-
gle to merely accumulate wealth is in
itself unworthy of true manhood.
Is not the motive for all this interest,
labor and progress here on the farm, the
promise Of a brighter tomorrow fo- the
farmers household. knowledge and
thought and work will bring wealth and
culture and mutual happiness.
The farmers hope, and the object OF
his toll, is a better cultivated farm, more
abundant crops, better livestock, finer
fruits, more comfortable home; but
above all else, and reaching far into the
future is the development ofyoung life in
the farmers home. What fortune shall
coming years bring to the boys and the
girls? What legacy shall be left them ?
What is the rightful and natural heritage
Of young farmers? Is not this, my
friends, the great vital question in the
background OF all your thought and labor
as true patrons of husbandry? While,
therefore, will not assume to discuss
any of the practical means and methods
Of successful agriculture, let me enlist
your interest in the future of your boys
and girls.
presume l am speaking for, rather
than to, young farmers. Yet If they be
here to-day, let me say fist Of all that
their birth was not under a star of i'll
omen. 1t is a fortune, rich as the treas
ures of all nature and lasting as life itself
to be born in good farm home. "What
is put into the first of life is put into the
whole Of life" Early associations and
environments make or mar the man OF
the woman. 1t is not matter of indif-
ference, therefore, whether we passed our
youth in the quiet retirement of village
or farm, or in dark, damp dwelling in
the turmoil of the city. 1t is not the
same whether we played before the farm
house door, in the warm sunshine and
in the pure air, where mountain giants
looked down upon us esrly and late, or
whether we played in the crowded streets
ofthe metropolis with its many sided
stimulus and its ceaseless activities. Man,
as part Of nature, reaches his highest
estate only when in touch with natures
teachings, with her beauties and her
grandeur. The simple lesson OF trees
flowers, field and forest, brooks and
mountains leave lasting impress upon
youthful heads and hearts, and give color
and tone to all subsequent life.
Aside from all considerations of health
and vigor, industry and economy, indie
pendence ofthought and action, moral
strength and purpose, it is grand priv
ilege to be pupil in the school of Moth
er Nature, and more than We can meas
ure do her lessons. simple yet effective,
direct the mental energies, fill the heart
with poetry and music, inspire pure and
lofty purposes, and point the way to live
and right living. No wonder the old
man, who had been to the city, exclaim-
ed.
aS'mag guide ganuck i'm schtedtel sci;
Gep mir das greena land
Do Is net allies house IN daeh,
Net aIles schtrose IN wand.
Vas hut mir IN der schtld.fsr fraie,
ssis nix e larm I'm yacht:
H'rhn IA ruhe di gsnsA dag.
IA schlofe di ganse naeht.'
Mir Is n venieh gfeenes doe,
Ka birmma un IA bshm:
Won isa IN sehtund Inc sehssissl bin.
Don vn ich yit;er helm"