AGRICULTURE AND MANHOOD. 19 



results are put in the shade by what farming does in promot- 

 ing health and vital energy in the farmer. The employment 

 of the farmer gives him in his varied labors just the exercise 

 that develops harmoniously the muscular system. The vital 

 energies are augmented by constant exercise in the open air. 

 He becomes used to all kinds of weather and all degrees of 

 cold and heat, until the vital powers of the system can not 

 only defy rain, snow, hail and wind, but use them in enhanc- 

 ing their own powers. The cold that drives the city boy 

 shivering into the house, causes the farmer's boy to leap and 

 laugh with physical joy. To the latter the coldest January 

 morning is the most exhilarating stimulant. 



Second. Farming promotes a manly feeling of freedom 

 and independence. He that has conquered severe climates 

 and the hostile elements, is not to crouch before crowned 

 heads or earthly sceptres. Nature is free, and the farmer 

 who has dealt with her until she has imparted to him not only 

 the fruits of her field, but the free atmosphere of her moun- 

 tains and the spirit of her laws which spurn at human control, 

 will never bow beneath the yoke of tyranny. Nature is self- 

 reliant and so is the farmer. He would rather die than beg. 

 This feeling grows out of no false pride, but from the lesson 

 Nature has taught him, to earn what he w^ould possess. That 

 in the farmer's hands which he has not earned is to him a coal 

 of fire. Nature allows no shams, and the farmer can allow 

 nothing which looks like mere ostentation and display. To 

 him use and beauty are always combined. He loves to have 

 things exact. He wants pay Xor just what he parts with, and 

 nothing more. It is not the farmer's half-bushel which has a 

 false-bottom in it. Exact weights and measures are his espe- 

 cial delight. The farmer sometimes attempts to cheat the 

 speculator I am aware ; but he learned the lesson, not from 

 his employment, but from having often traded with the specu- 

 lator. I think it was Napoleon who said, "Do not go to war 

 too often with the same nation, or you will teach them your 

 art, of which they will take advantage to your hurt." I have 

 sometimes thought this caution might apply with equal force 

 to speculators concerning their deal with farmers. Plain-deal- 

 ing, plain words, and plain dress characterize the farmer, for 

 Nature has taught him to be like herself — simple. 



