xliv Notices for a Young Farmer, 



under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make 

 them afraid." 



Those who wish for enjoyments comparatively elegant and 

 luxurious, must depend on other resources than those of a 

 mere farmer on a moderately sized plough farm, producing 

 chiefly grain; or even a grass farm of reasonable extent; 

 but, with every additional resource, they will not be a jot the 

 happier in real comforts; though their habits may require 

 artificial substitutes for them. 



A farmer can be a well informed gentleman, according to 

 the true import of that appellation, without the imitative and 

 shadowy pretensions of many who affect that character ; which 

 does not consist in expensive display. Let his motto be, 

 esse quam videri ; — to be, and not merely to seem; — and his 

 station in society will be respected, as it merits, for useful 

 actions ; and he may be distinguished for politeness and sua- 

 vity of manners, without the tinsel of affectation and insin- 

 cerity. He will be more esteemed, the more he accommo- 

 dates his wants and habits to his circumstances. 



XXVI. A farm homestead is enlivened by Poultry; and 

 family comforts arc much increased by their eggs and young. 

 But their numbers should be kept within bounds ; and their 

 kinds prudently selected ; as some are less inclined to wan- 

 dering and mischief, than others. Turkics are the most mis- 

 chievous and offensive; and geese are predatory trespassers ; 

 very voracious, and injurious to grass grounds. It is ques- 

 tionable, whether the balance of the account, giving credit 

 for their market price, (and some believe it might be doubled) 

 be not much against both. So that, in many situations, it 

 would be, perhaps, most economical, if they must be had, to 

 buy them for the table. Dung hill fowls, of innocent breeds, 

 arc preferable to either. Confining these too much has not 

 been found eligible; and high feeding is not promotive of, 

 but checks, fecundity. It also destroys one of their uses, by 

 making it less necessary and desirable to them to seek for 

 and destroy insects and other pests to your garden and fields. 

 They thrive better when kept in good condition ; and by 

 moderately feeding them at home, they return from wander- 



