THE FARMER'S MANUAL. i-'5 



are objects of prime importance upon your farms, not 

 only for the revenue which they afford, but for the ex- 

 pense of rum, and other liquors, which your good ci- 

 der will save, at!d for the saving, more especially, in 

 your time and doctor's bills, m using cider in the 

 place of rum, or other ardent spirits. I am sensible 

 that all arguments against the use of rum and tobac- 

 co, are lost upon those who have long been accustom- 

 ed to their use ; but I hope to be believed, by those 

 whose habits are not irrevocably fixed, when I say,, 

 that I have in the course of my life used both rum 

 and tobacco, and for many years have disused both, 

 with a full conviction, that my health is better, and 

 my strength more permanent and durable when I la- 

 bour, than when 1 used either mark the difference 

 of expense yes, of useless expense an expense 

 that would pay the taxes and clothe the families of 

 many farmers, and how much more, I dare not say- 

 let such farmers calculate, and see for themselves, if 

 they dare look the evil in the face. All this, and 

 more too, your orchards will remedy, with one bar- 

 rel or two of good malt, or hop beer, for the warmest of 

 the weather. Try this mode as I do, and if you find me 

 in an error, correct my error, and I will yield to your 

 better judgment. But if you are satisfied with the 

 improvement, let this waste of money, which costs 

 you so much toil and sweat, be placed at such inter- 

 est as shall ensure a quiet life, a tranquil old age, and 

 a happy and peaceful death. Neither of these were 

 ever obtained by rum and tobacco, nor ever will be. 



For remarks on your other fruits, see Gardening. 



Here let me repeat again the remarks I made in 

 January, upon education. The news-papers are the 

 great vehicles of general information ; they give us 

 a general knowledge of men, their political connec- 

 tions and movements ; their commercial relations, 

 agricultural improvements, &c. To understand pro- 

 perly this important source of information, a general 

 knowledge of Geography is absolutely necessary* 



11 * 



