OP AGRICULTURE. 181 



practical farmer, is absolutely absurd. We question 

 whether Morse, the inventor of the magnetic tele- 

 graph, could make with his own hands, even one of 

 the screws, required for his instrument ; but he had the 

 mind to plan and direct, and procured experienced 

 instrument makers to do the work, We doubt very 

 much whether Stephenson (the celebrated English 

 engineer), could make even a rivet, to fasten the tubes 

 together in his great iron, tubular bridge ; yet he had 

 the intelligence to comprehend, and the will to have 

 executed, one of the most magnificent structures that 

 ever astonished the eyes of a wondering world. 



Can we say such men are not practical, because 

 they cannot make a screw, or a small rivet of iron ? 

 Their work stand the test of practicability. Such 

 men are the practical men of the world, who can 

 by deep thought and study, harness the very 

 lightnings of heaven, and overcome all physical 

 obstructions in nature. We cannot forbear inserting 

 in this place, a parallel drawn between two farmers, 

 taken from George E. Warren's Elements of Agricul- 

 ture, a work well worthy the perusal of every farmer. 



Who is the practical farmer?' 1 Let us look at two 

 pictures, and decide. Here is a farm of one hundred 

 acres, in ordinary condition. It is owned and tilled 

 by a hard-working man, who, in the busy season, 

 employs one or two assistants. The farm is free 

 from debt, but it does not produce an abundant 

 income ; therefore, its owner cannot afford to purchase 

 the best implements, or make other needed improver 

 merits ; besides, he don't believe in such things. His 

 father was a good, solid farmer ; so was his grand- 

 father ; and so is he, or thinks he is, He is satisfied 



