56 



THE farmers' cabinet. 



VOL. I. 



suckle, which in some counties in England 

 covers almost every cottage. 



As to fruits, our farmers shew a wilful 

 neglect of the blessings of Providence; not 

 one in ten has pears, grapes, plums or mul- 

 berries, which, once planted, are hardy and 

 occasion little other trouble. 



The above thoughts occurred to us in a 

 ride of 18 miles in the country, which to our 

 eyes never wore a better appearance than it 

 wears at present. 



Agriciiltsirc iiEBtl its advaisfajjcs. 



Of the various occupations and professions 

 which have engaged the attention of mankind, 

 there is none which seems to be so pre-emi- 

 nently useful, so honorable, in short so com- 

 patible with all our interests, as the cultiva- 

 tion of the earth. There is none which has 

 so many resources within itself, or which can 

 furnish from its own means, the supplies for 

 all our necessary wants. Food, raiment, and 

 luxuries innumerable, are the fruits of the 

 farmer's labor and care : and in their train 

 follow health, happiness, and independence. 



And in view of these facts, for facts they 

 are, are we not led to wonder that so many 

 of our young men are placed behind the coun- 

 ter, to learn the arts and mysteries- of the 

 scales and yard-stick, to deprive themselves 

 of the bloom and freshness of youth, and 

 bring early and deep furrows of care and anx- 

 iety on their brows, by the difficulties and 

 perplexities attending the prosecution of mer- 

 cantile pursuits, when so many, and so strong 

 inducements are held out for them to enofaore 

 in that profession which was the earliest em- 

 ployment of man, and which as the light of 

 science is spread abroad, and improvements 

 are made in the art, is becoming more in- 

 teresting, more profitable, and at the same 

 time less laborious. 



With what diflerent feelings do the farmer 

 and the merchant leaves their pillows in the 

 morning ! The one buoyant with health and 

 spirits goes forth with the first dawn of day 

 to his cheerful labors in the field, while the 

 other, after a restless and perhaps sleepless] 

 night, walks in a sober mood to his countini; 

 room, anticipating with fearful forebodinnrg 

 the insolvency of his customers, or the ill 

 success of a voyage. 



With what hontist pride and heartfelt sat- 

 isfaction does the farmer look at his luxuri- 

 ant fields, his richly laden orchards, and his 

 growing flocks, with the happy assurance 

 that with every returning season his sub- 

 stance is increasing, that he is above want 

 and far from feeling the fluctuations of mer 

 chandise, or the embarrassments of trade. 



Who, that has seen the hale and vigorous 

 ploughman whistling along as he turps up 

 the furrow, and has not sighed for the joys 

 of pastoral lifel Or, who has enjoyed the 

 privilege of witnessing the internal arrange- 



ments of a thrifty farmer's establishment, 

 and observed the care and attention evinced 

 in all her domestic economy by his industri- 

 ous and frugal wife, and has not coveted the 

 happiness and independence of the farmer! 

 Much as the wealth and prosperity of a na- 

 tion may be advanced and promoted by its 

 commerce and manufnctures, stitl we are con- 

 strained to lofik upon agriculture as its source 

 and foundation. It is absolutely necessary 

 to our existence. For let men pursue what 

 other business they may, they are still de- 

 pendent on the farmer for what they eat, drink 

 and wear. 



And, suppose the farmer, by way of relax- 

 ation, occasionally deviates from his regular 

 routine of duties, and engages a little in hor- 

 ticulture, or the cultivation of the choicer 

 kinds of fruit, will he not he repaid a thou- 

 sand times for the time and labor bestowed 

 on a few trees, vines, or shrubs ? 



And further, will not the appearance of 

 his house and " front-door yard" he immense- 

 ly improved ; himself and family enjoy a 

 large amount of pleasure, and gratification, 

 not to speak of the frequent lessons of neat- 

 ness and order which his children would 

 learn by the cultivation of a few varieties of 

 flowers. And will not these silent monitors, 

 which so beautifully remind us that 



" Tlie Iiaml iliat luadf them is divine," 



also have a moral tendency, and teach us to 

 look 



"Throiigli natiiiv up to nature'* God." 



Creiiera.1 Axioms. 



The maxim of Bacon, " Knowledge is 

 power," is never more true than in regard 

 to agriculture. Hence no farmer who does 

 not avail himself of the fruits of others' ex- 

 perience, and who does not improve his 

 knowledge by perusing the ablest works on 

 agricultural subjects, can expect to be suc- 

 cessful. The prejudice of many farmers 

 against agricultural knowledge in a printed 

 form is absurd. 



Endeavor to raise good grain, which will 

 sell in years of great plenty — whereas infe- 

 rior grain can seldom be sold, except in times 

 of scarcity. 



Let your cattle, horses, &c., be of the best 

 sorts, and more remarkable for real utility 

 than for beauty or fashion. 



Be not above your profession, but rather 

 consider it above all others. 



Admit no guests into your house who can- 

 not live upon the productions of his own 

 country. 



No farmer ought to undertake to cultivate 

 more land than he can stock' and manage to 

 advantage. It is better to till 20 acres well, 

 than 100 in a slovenly manner. Owning a 

 larjre farm is no excuse for imperfect tillage. 

 What you cannot improve, do not attempt to 

 cultivate, but allow it to grow up to firewood 



