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intelligent farmer should not share. He may know that tlie 

 most of what is best lies within his reach ; so tliat he need not 

 be hindered from arriving at large attainments if he has the 

 mind for it. He has the great Book which, besides its one 

 chief aim, has proved itself in its quickening power on the 

 mind, a book of Life. Passing beyond this he can surely find 

 means to establish himself well in history, which is the basis of 

 all general culture. He may grasp the outlines of the natural 

 sciences ; and may follow out somewhat any for which he has a 

 liking. Then there is a range of special studies, with books of 

 reference in great numbers useful for those that pursue them, 

 but for others possible to be dispensed with. But beyond these, 

 and of that which for general purposes is more needful, for 

 range of thought, for power and beauty in speech, for elevation 

 and refinement of mind, the really great masters in all ages 

 and tongues are but few. In philosophy, poetry and oratory 

 their names may be spoken almost in a single breath. He is 

 wisest who is most with these. Of books in these departments 

 you need but few. If you know the masters, it is of little 

 account that you are not acquainted with all the pupils. 

 Saving for special study, your authors may be less in number 

 than twenty rather than more than forty. And though you do 

 not have all, even of the best, a few may still sufiice. 



These appliances for growth and culture lie within the young 

 farmer's reach. He need not vex his soul, or reckon himself 

 an underling, if he does not read all the books that are written, 

 old, or even new. If he has on his table a joint of beef and 

 good bread, with milk and vegetables and a basket of peaches, 

 he can live without maccaroni and frog and mushrooms. The 

 lighter literature of the day need not be set wholly aside ; but 

 if one will make his main diet of it, he will spoil shortly both 

 his taste and his digestion. 



I repeat it, therefore, the opportunities of the young farmer 

 in this respect are not poor. He can buy the books he really 

 needs. The money tlie clerk, his neiglibor's son, spends for 

 cigars will pay for them. He can find time to read them. 

 Part of it he can take by leaving the evening gathering at the 



