Year: 1878

If there isany one thIng more than
another lacking in the mind Of the
average farmer it is ambition. Am.
bition to excel as tiller of the soil,
q grower Of the finest crops; ambi.
tlon to breed the finest animals Of
the best breeds; ambition TO have
model buildings, fences, hedges,
lawns, trees, shrubs and flowers.


When n young lawyer takes his
position at the bar he takes it with
the firm determination to eventually
become :he peer of any man in the
profession. Blessed with fair ability,
unless through discouragements and
delays he weakens and falls, he push.
es on for years, and step by step he
wins position, honor and fortune.


So with men in other positions,
An honorable ambition spurs them
on, obstacles are overcome, and at
the end they can look down from the
height they have reached, and with
pride and satisfaction view the work
of well spent life that has been a
continued series of hard won victo-
ries, every one of which has brought
its own reward in higher manhood
and in the noble example it has Sc,
for others.


The merchant, the banker, the en-
gineer, the inventor, the business
men of all classes has before him an
ideal which he strives to reach with
every energy of mind and body.


But is this so with young men born
on the farm and who intend to spend
their lives there ? Do they start out
in life for themselves with the firm
resolve to be the best farmer in the
neighborhood, the township, the
county, the State ? Inspired with
this laudable ambition, do they labor
persistently with brain and muscle
to this end ? Do they read, calcu-
late, observe, question, study, with
this single purpose always before
them ?


The farmer who is enthusiastic in
his vocation, imparts his enthusiasm
to everything around him. His wife
does not lead the life Of a drudge, a
slave, but she walks side by side
with him, her heart full of hope, her
active mind suggesting and planning
for Others to perform. The children
are inspired by the example every
where before them. They take de-
light in their active out-uoor life,
and deep interest in the success Of
everything going on around them.
They are born farmers, and there is
nothing that can allure them from
farm life. The very domestic ami
mails have an air of enterprise and
thrift, and every acre of the farm
seems ambitious to respond to the
efforts and hopes Of the owner.


The ambitious farmer, if persistent,
is always successful. And success
ful as farmer he may be successful
as man. He developes in culture
and breadth. He has the confidence
of the community in which he lives.
He is called upon to fill the small
hut important neighborhood Offices.
He is commissioners of highways,
school director, justice Of the peace.
He fills these Offices we'll. His abil.
ity is strengthened. He is sent to
legislate for the State. He knows
the wants of the people and he works
for them. A seat in Congress is
within his reach. In fact, there need
he no Office within the gift Of the
people to which he may not aspire.
But such . man never forgets that
he is farmer. Being a true man
he thus ennobles his profession. He
has no cause to be ashamed Of it.
To him there is no higher calling.
And such men will convince, are con-
vncing, the world, that there is no
vocation higher or more honorable.


For the good of the country, as
well as for his individual good, it is
the duty of the farmer to be ambi-
tious, to get out of the ruts, and as.
sumo all the rights and responsible.
ties of his position,-"Farmer's Re.
view"