INFLUENCE OF THE AGRICULTURAL PRESS. 4Q1 



the country ; that week after week it is educating the people by 

 its silent, effective teachings; that not only the diffusion of correct 

 principles, and accurate knowledge is being made, but that it is 

 also carrying to the most humble home the latest intelligence from 

 all parts of the world, the discoveries and inventions that arc being 

 made in science and the arts, and furnishing to the masses the 

 most direct and ready means for obtaining an acquaintance with 

 the world, a familiarity with the sciences, and forming a stepping 

 stone to still higher intelligence, a broader culture and a truer 

 refinement. And when I reflect upon the narrow influence of the 

 pulpit and rostrum — giving them fullest praise for their immense 

 power and great achievements in enlightening and christianizing 

 the world — and the limited sphere of our colleges, useful and grand 

 as they are — when I see so many instances of this seeming indif- 

 ference of farmers to attend upon the means within their reach of 

 listening to great teachers in agriculture, I rejoice that the news- 

 paper which comes within the reach of all, so that those who run 

 may read, and which seldom forces itself upon or bores a single 

 reader — for if they don't like what it says they have only to throw 

 it down and no one takes offence — I rejoice, I say, that it carries to 

 all the best thoughts of the best farmers of the times, and gathers 

 up and preserves the golden truths of those who speak to empty 

 seats. 



To realize fully the correct foundation which the first agricultural 

 papers laid for the education of the people — the working people of 

 our country — it is necessary to know something of their contents. 

 Forty years ago there were few writers for the press from among 

 the people. Occasionally a farmer communicated his views to the 

 public, but in such cases the writer, if part farmer, was also part 

 clergyman, or doctor or schoolmaster. Consequently the articles 

 in the early agricultural papers were elaborate treatises published 

 by installments ; and in looking them over one finds the reproduc- 

 tion of leading English works on domestic animals on general 

 husbandry, on fruit culture, on veterinary practice, and other 

 fundamental subjects.-* Prom this source our farmers of thirty 

 years ago obtained a correct education in the principles and 

 practices of the most approved systems of the time. The paper 

 was in fact the farmer's library and the farmer's college. It 

 furnished him with thoughts and ideas ; and the farmer who care- 

 fully read the New England Farmer of forty years ago was a man 

 of note in his dav — a prominent citizen of his town, and very 

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