AS AN EMPLOYMENT. 29 



and of sound morals," says an eminent medical author,* 

 " than any other human occupation." The business of 

 agriculture is one of exercise in its most approved forms. 

 It brings into healthful action the entire muscular system ; 

 and when exercised with prudence, as all employments 

 should be, it insures appetite, digestion, sleep, a sound 

 constitution, and a contented mind. " The declaration 

 is as trite as it is true, that exercise promotes virtue, and 

 subdues the storms of passions."! 



Although the garden and the farm may be made to fur- 

 nish a great many delicacies and luxuries for the table, 

 yet these delicacies and luxuries are such as conduce alike 

 to health and to rational pleasure. It is a remark of St. 

 Pierre, that every country and every clime furnishes, 

 within itself, the food which is best fitted for the wants of 

 the animals which dwell in it. The same remark, with a 

 trifling modification, will apply to the farm. The prod- 

 ucts of the farm and garden do constitute the best food 

 for the farmer ; and there is no class who can indulge in 

 a greater variety of native products, or enjoy them in a 

 higher state of freshness and perfection, than those who 

 grow them. And upon the farm, and among an intelli- 

 gent rural population, the pleasures of social intercourse 

 are not curtailed by the cold formalities, nor taxed by the 

 extravagant folly, of the town and city. The agricultur- 

 ist relies upon his own resources — upon his industry and 

 the blessing of Providence, for the enjoyments of life. 

 His farm and his family are the special objects of his 

 care, and his ambition is to obtain good crops, a good 

 name and reputation in society, and to deserve them, by 

 a liberal and kind deportment to all around him. He is 

 exempt from a crowd of evils — of rivalships and jealous- 

 ies — of corroding cares and feverish anxieties — which not 

 unfrequently hang around other professions, mar the pleas- 

 ures of hfe, and undermine health. He should hate no 

 one ; for he should dread no rivals. If his neighbor's 

 field is more productive than his own, he borrows a use- 

 ful lesson. If his own field is the most productive, it 



* Dr. Caldwell, Prof. Med. Dep. Transylvania College, Ky. 

 t Dr. Harris, Philadelphia, on Physical Culture. 



3* 



