The Greeley tribune., 1910-11-24

SO far as agriculture in general is
concerned, There is nothing new
under the SUM-" for the bible fire.
quently refers to Egypt "as land
20 rich In corn that it not only pro-
duced abundance for its own dense
population. but yielded supplies for
exportation -
''Diodorus Siculus bears explicit
testimony to the skill of the farmers
Of ancient Egypt. He informs us
that they were acquainted with the
BENEFITS of a rotation of crops, and
we're skillful in adapting these to the
soil and to the seasons" as the Nile
rose and fell.
Agriculture. as practiced by the
nations OF antiquity, has very little
70 do with the industry at the pres
ont time. except as 1t affords us an
insight into the customs and prac-
tices Of remarkable people. We
are told that rural affairs were in
such a state of advancement at that
early date that we may we'll choose
to speak modestly OF our own at
tainments."
In one attainment. at least, We
may wisely initiate the Egyptians +
employing steward to direct the
laborers, and help keep an account
of the produce end expenditure"
The ancient art of irrigation ac-
counts for the peculiarly felicitous
climate and the amazing productive
ness of the sou of many eastern
countries, which, at the height of
their prospe; 'ty, must have exhibited
such examples Of high cultivation,
Fich and varied produce. and wide
spread plenty and coptentment." as
the world has never yet seen until q
Of the great American Desert. "The
Land Which God Forgot" conclu-
aiveiy proved the adaptability of
the soil of the intermountain region
- agriculture. in its many and var
I'D forms, when aided by water, arti-
AcfAlly and intelligently applied.
The Romans pursued agriculture
Nth earnest love and devoted at
tention. They were a thoroughly
agricultural people, and 1t was only
- . later period that commerce.
trades and arts we're introduced
a0ong them. and even then they oc-
eapied 4 subordinate place" Again
- are told that Their passion for
agriculture survived very long, and
0Aea at length their boundless con-
aoasts introduced an unheard-of lux
my and corruption of morals, the
aoblest minds amongst them were
ARonGly attracted towards the anci-
Gnf virtue Of the purer and simpler
agricultural times"
In the words of another writer We
aro told that perhaps 1t II not too
0aeA to assert that many OF those
aoalities which fitted them for con-
qooeing the world, and perfecting
GAslf 30 celebrated jurisprudence.
Oere acquired. or at all events. nour-
1Aed and matured, by the skill, fore
1lght. and persevering industry 70
a2edful for the intelligent and sue
esssful cultivation Of the SOIL"
Tho enthusiasm of the Romans for
agriculture IL shown by Cicero. when
- causes Cato to say: II come now
- the pleasures Of husbandry. in
witch I vastly delight. They are not
Astsrrupted by old age. and they
Aos0 to me to be pursuits In which
. wise mans life should be spent.
1As earth does not rebel against au-
fAofity: II never gives back but with
aDaFy when It receives. The gains
q husbandry are not what exclu-
a1vely commend 1t. I am charmed
Nth the nature and productive vfr-
toas Of the soil. Can those old men
- called unhappy who delight in
- cultivation OF the soil? In my
sD6aion. there can be no happier life.
nDt only because the riilage of the
1nsth b salutary to all. but from
- pleasure It yields. The whole
establishment Of \ good and assidi-
- husbandman IL stored with
wealth: It abounds IN pigs, kids. in
lambs. in poultry. IN milk, in trees.
= honey. Nothing can be more
DsoAtable. nothing more beautiful.
tAaa . we'll cultivated farm"