NO. 14. 



THE farmers' cabinet. 



223 



No condition which a man can acquire to 

 himself is above that in which the virtuous 

 will acknowledge him to be an honest man 

 and a good farmer. 



If the cultivation of the intellect and in- 

 tellectual enjoyment be ihe object, the pur- 

 suits of agriculture atlbrd an ample field to 

 display the taste and gratify the wishes. 

 Tiie pleasure of pursuing this occupation 

 when compared with that of others, suffers 

 nothing by the comparison. Man is said to 

 be a microcosm or miniature world, and I 

 will add, naturally in a rude and unsubdued 

 state. His natural dispositions and propen- 

 sities answer to the forest before the in- 

 genious hand of the cultivator has been dis- 

 played in subjugating it to use. The re- 

 flecting mind can form a striking analogy 

 between his own internal condition and the 

 employment in which he is engaged, from the 

 hardy and rugged business of felling trees 

 and clearing up the forest, even to the most 

 delicate employment of cultivating the flower 

 garden. 



This may be rendered more plain by draw- 

 ing a few among the innumerable compari- 

 sons which may justly be adduced. The 

 felling of trees and clearing up the ground, 

 answers to the first work of subduing the 

 natural mind by putting off the rude and un- 

 seemly manners, of which by nature we are 

 possessed, and which are refined by instruc- 

 tion and improvement almost from mfancy. 

 The planting of fruit, and other useful trees, 

 answer to the adoption and cultivation of those 

 more refined manners and habits of usefulness 

 which in after life will produce us a rich 

 ^ield of the fruit of agreeable associations and 

 )leasant intercourse with the world. Plough- 

 ng and working the ground, corresponds 

 x> improving the mind by education. Planting 

 ind raising crops which support the body, 

 jorresponds to the study of the sciences 



vhich strengtliGn and prepare the mind for the 



■eception of truths of a higher order which 

 will elevate it towards that Source of per- 

 "ection which is light and life itself. Hoeing 

 jp and destroying the weeds which grow up 

 .imong our crops, and will, if unsubdued, 

 ;hoke and destroy them, corresponds to the 

 suppressing those bad tempers to sensual 

 , )assions which are continually springing up 

 ;! n our minds and if unchecked will destroy 

 i jvery thing good that has been there im- 

 ,, planted. Building fence to .secure our fields 

 , Torn the intrusion of bad and mischievous 

 lj inimals, which would destroy the products 

 „ )f our labor, corresponds to storing the mind 

 lijvith Divine truths, which are the only pro- 

 invasion of Infidel prin- 



to every portion of agricultural employment, 

 and trace them through their minute bearing, 

 affords a great deal of pleasure to one pos- 

 sessed of a mind wliicii delights in such re- 

 flections. Tiius while the hands are at work 

 in the field, the mind can be employed in the 

 great field of Nature, "and luok through 

 Nature up to Nature's God." 



Maine Farmer, 



eclion against the 



iiiples, which, if once they get in, will de- 

 itroy every principle of truth in the under- 

 itanding. To follow up these comparisons 



1.1) 



More Economics. 



IIoio io save oil and ca7idles. — Use sun- 

 light two hours in the morning, and dis- 

 pense with candles and lamps two hours 

 after 9, P. M. The morning sun-light is 

 much cheaper and better than evening lamp 

 light. 



Ilotv io save expense in clothing. — Pur- 

 chase that which is at once decent, and the 

 most durable ; and wear your garment des- 

 pite the frequent changes of fashion, till it 

 becomes too defaced to appear decent ; then 

 turn it and w-ear it henceforth as long as it 

 protects the body. A blue coat is as warm 

 after fashion requires a green one, as it ever 

 was. A red shawl in fashion to-day, is a3 

 comfortable as a black one which fashion 

 requires to-morrow. A few years hence your 

 fame will not. depend upon the style, color 

 or quality of the broadcloth you wear in 

 1837. 



Hoio to save time. — Have a place for every 

 thing, and when you have done using it, 

 return it to its place. This will save much 

 time in hunting after articles which are 

 thrown carelessly aside and lie you know 

 not where. 



How to save expenses in traveling. — Culti- 

 vate the bump of inhabitiveness; and if you 

 want to go a mile or two, walk rather than 

 hire an establishment at the livery stable. 

 This will be for the health of your body, aa 

 well ias a seuuiily of youi purse from lan- 

 guishment. 



How to save in little matters. — Procure a 

 book and keep an exact account of all your 

 expenditures. At the expiration of three 

 months, review the account and see how 

 much you have expended in four penny and 

 nine penny items which you could have 

 done without as well as not. Then see to it 

 that each ensuing quarter shall be minus just 

 those things. In many cases the aggregate 

 would be found more considerable than you 

 would be aware of, unless you kept such an 

 account. 



How to save your property, if your house 

 should be consumed by fire. — Get insured. 

 No one is entitled to much charity after he 

 suffers loss, if he neglects so easy a method 

 1 of securing himself. 



