1847,] Diffusion of Agricultural Knowledge. 159 



ous and influential. Of all classes of men the agriculturist has 

 the most time to read and reflect ; we speak of those that pursue 

 some calling after arriving at the age of manhood. What has 

 the plowman to do after commencing his day's labor by striking 

 out a land, when his team, in the language of the poet, volun- 

 tarily 



" Pursues with care the nice design 



Nor ever deviates from the line," 



but to contemplate the elements around him. How much time a 

 company of field laborers have to discuss the varied topics con- 

 nected with agricultural science during the toils of the day. 

 They can do so with the same ease that counsellors discuss the 

 principles of law in courts of justice. The tarmer can devote the 

 long winter evening to reading, and in the summer, many hours 

 intervene the time of labor and repose. It has been asked, of 

 what is the use of subjecting the mind to so severe a discipline 

 and of adopting so rigid an economy of time? The same use that 

 you would plant the seed of a fruit tree ; on its germination and 

 during the first year of its growth, no benefit can be derived from 

 it. In tliis process there is the prospect of the future aUhough at 

 times it is stricken with frosts and bent down w^ith the weight of 

 driven snows. So it is with the mind that sets out in early life in 

 pursuit of knowledge, it has its growth and it must arrive at a cer- 

 tain age of maturity before the pleasure of its fruits can be en- 

 joyed. 



In view of the preceding remarks, all that is wanting on the 

 part of the husbandman is, a taste for reading and reflection, and 

 acquiring knowledge. We consider it exceedingly fortunate in a 

 young man commencing life, though with limited means, and with 

 an imperfect education, to possess moral propensities, industrious 

 habits, and a taste for reading. Such an one will always find 

 time to gratify his taste and improve his mind, a good founda- 

 tion is lai 1 thereby for his future prosperity and distinction among 

 men. We therefore turn to the point at which we started, by re- 

 peating the gratification we feel in seeing the publication of ag- 

 ricultural essays in the popular journals of the day. In this kind 

 of reading the mind is not only entertained, but the area of 

 thought is enlarged and the beauties of the intellect are exhibited 

 in a justly proportioned frame-w^ork of knowledge. A. O. 



