38 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



an editor to publish whatever is new, without a scrutiny of 

 its truth. With a few honorable exceptions of standard 

 periodicals, we scarcely take an agricultural paper which 

 does not contain most absurd stories gravely indited with 

 out a word of comment. Now, it seems to us that agri 

 cultural papers ought not to be the common sewers of news, 

 full of waste and refuse matter ; but registers of rigid facts 

 and scientific expositors of the principles deducible from 

 facts. Farmers are at fault also in the matter. An editor 

 who depends for his support upon the proceeds of his 

 paper, must be a man of rare independence if he can shield 

 himself from the selfish influence of those who are his best 

 supporters. Men that have a novelty, a new and precious 

 jewel of a flower, a heavy stock of nursery commodities, or 

 large herds of fancy stock, sheep or swine, can afford to 

 circulate widely and praise any paper that will circulate 

 widely and praise their special interest. A sanguine 

 editor inditing a eulogistic article, with a red-hot specula 

 tor whispering at each ear, will be very likely to lead many 

 simple farmers astray. Such articles, copied by newspapers, 

 spread the infection beyond the circle of subscribers. Far 

 mers that take, and farmers that do not take the paper will 

 be deceived. 



Now, let husbandmen give to their agricultural papers 

 such a support as shall leave the editors free from tempta 

 tions to listen to interested persons ; let them contribute so 

 freely of their observations that editors will not have to 

 draw upon their imagination for facts, and the agricultural 

 press will become sober, stable, accurate, and so, pro 

 fitable. 





