10 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Jan. 



preparation in our power for the duties and dan- 

 gers, the joys and sorrows, of the future. 



But we need not be despondent. God rules 

 among the nations of the earth. He has not led 

 our forefathers from the despotism of Europe, to 

 this wilderness, sustained them in their trials, in 

 subduing the forests and the savages, — imparted 

 to them wisdom to devise such a system of gov- 

 ernment as ours and given them ability and val- 

 or to defend it, — crowned the labor of their de- 

 scendants with such success that this little one 

 has become a great nation, — that this backwoods 

 colony of but three million of inhabitants, has, 

 in the short space of eighty-three years, so de- 

 veloped herself in all the elements of national 

 greatness, as to be able now to compete with the 

 proudest and most powerful nations of the old 

 world, — as to do more to promote the arts of 

 civilized life and diffuse the blessings of the 

 gospel of peace than any other nation on the 

 globe, — we do not believe, we say, that the Rul- 

 er of the universe would have thus signalized 

 our nation, had He not other purposes to accom- 

 plish. 



We may be punished and chastened, but the 

 tree of liberty, which our forefathers planted, 

 watered and defended with so much care and at 

 so great sacrifice, will not be stricken down, — 

 but will strike still deeper its roots, and extend 

 still wider its branches, till a whole continent 

 shall take shelter beneath its shade, and its 

 leaves shall be for the healing of the nations. 



To this end, the people, the yeomanrj-, the 

 dwellers in the "rural districts," the readers of 

 the New England Farmer, and their like, must 

 realize that they are the legitimate rulers of the 

 land, and act accordingly — must take the reins 

 into their own hands, and by that conservative wis- 

 dom which has always been found in the masses 

 engaged in rural life, guide on the nation to a 

 state of civilization and power that has no paral- 

 el among all the republics or empires that have 

 preceded it, — "when nations shall beat their 

 swords into plow-shares, and their spears into 

 pruning-hooks ; when nation shall not lift up 

 sword against nation, neither shall they learn 

 war any more." 



If we start upon the New Year with the deter- 

 mination to discharge every duty with fidelity 

 and zeal, we shall soon find that Homeis the rich 

 treasury of earth, and that 



"There is a power to make each hour 



As sweet as Heaven designed it ; 

 >7or need we roam to bring it home, 



Though few there be that find it ! 

 JFe seek too high for thinss close by. 



And lose what nature found us ; 

 For life hath here no charm so dear 



As home and friends around us." 



WOKK FOR JANUARY. 



A good farmer's work is never done ; that is, 

 he can always find profitable employment, no 

 matter what the season may be, or whether suns 

 shine or storms beat. And in this he ought to 

 find one of his principal sources of comfort snd 

 contentment. 



This is not always the case with the mechanic ; 

 he may possess energy, health and skill, and 

 sometimes be unable to find an opportunity to 

 employ them, — so that although he may com- 

 mand higher wages than the workman on the 

 farm, it is quite often the case that the want of 

 employment and the greater expenses for living 

 to which he is generally subjected by his posi- 

 tion, makes the average income of each more 

 nearly equal than it is generally supposed to be. 

 We have never yet known an instance where an 

 active, healthy and skilful young farmer could 

 not find profitable employment ; but have often 

 known such instances among mechanics — M'here 

 they have travelled from place to place, and in 

 the touching language of Burns, — 

 "Begging leave to toil,'' 



while the meal and the oil were swiftly wasting 

 away at home, with little prospect that they 

 could be again supplied. 



Is it not true, then, that the certainty of em- 

 ployment ought to constitute one of the chief 

 sources of contentment to the farmer ? And now, 

 in January, it may be amidst sharp winds, drift- 

 ing snows, or freezing nights and softening suns, 

 of deep ruts and miry ways, or of smooth and 

 glassy roads over which man and beast pass with 

 an exhilarated delight, — there are duties to be 

 performed just as important as v/ere those in the 

 flush and beauty of summer. 



If the cattle have been well tended, they liave 

 again assumed the plumpness and good looks 

 which they had when first taken from the grass. 

 They have become acquainted with their master, 

 and seem to understand what any motion means 

 that he makes in their presence ; their ears, as 

 well as eyes, are ever watchful, as they move to- 

 ward the sound of his voice, or the rustling of 

 the hay, the chopping of the roots or the dash of 

 meal into the feed-trough. 



Who cannot see expressions of gratitude in 

 the countenance of the patient ox or gentle cow, 

 or hear them in the cheerful "whinner" of the 

 noble horse, as he remembers their kind services 

 and ministers to their daily wants ? 



"Who abuseth his cattle, and starves them for meat, 

 By carting or plowing his gain is not great ; 

 When lie that with labor can rise tliem aright. 

 Hath gain to his comfort and cattle in plight." 



The Barn should be kept neat in every respect 

 — so that the cattle may lie upon clean litter, 



