FARMING AS AN OCCUPATION. 105 



i 



In the present condition of society, and with the abundance 

 of newspapers, there is no reason why the young farmer can- 

 not be as well informed in regard to all matters of public inter- 

 est as the young man in the city ; and if the former will spend 

 his leisure in acquiring useful information from books, he will 

 be probably the more intelligent of the two. 



Fourth. The small opportunity for gaining distinction in 

 any public capacity. It may be questioned whether this dis- 

 tinction is as enjoyable in possession as in anticipation, for we 

 know "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown" ; but if one 

 has the ability to rise in public life, there certainly is nothing 

 in farming as a pursuit to hold him back. 



The history of this nation abounds in illustrations of this 

 truth. From Washington down the line of presidents, and 

 among the statesmen of the country, too, we find eminent 

 names distinguished both for success in public life and for in- 

 terest in agriculture. Webster's biography gives an account 

 of the interest which he took in his farm, and some of his let- 

 ters mention his oxen in a way which shows he had a true 

 farmer's regard for his team. So, then, let us be good farm- 

 ers, and if needed in any other place, have no fear but that 

 we shall be called, " not to go up higher " (for we claim that 

 an intelligent farmer is on a level with men in any other posi- 

 tion), but to take a position of larger opportunity and wider 

 fame. 



At the present time, when so many young men are going 

 West to settle, there is no doubt a temptation to many of us to 

 follow their steps, and abandon these rocky hills for the fertile 

 prairies of the distant States ; but any who are inclined to go 

 should ponder well before forsaking the old farm, for in look- 

 ing at any new position, we are more apt to see a few obvious 

 advantages, than to gain a just conception of things as they 

 really are. 



The dangers which beset the growing crops of Western men 

 from insect foes are much greater than in this region, and the 

 hardships which men undergo in establishing themselves on 

 new land are so severe that it may be questioned if the money 

 made by some of them would counterbalance the privation 

 which they endure to get it. 



So, all things considered, if one has a farm here, he runs a 



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