EDUCATION OF FARMERS' SONS. 9 



new discoveries and fresli developments. If a sliipwriglit builds 

 a vessel, if a carpenter frames a house, if a miner embowels the 

 earth, if a tanner turns skins into leather, if a machinist makes 

 a steam-engine, if a cunning workman fabricates and puts 

 together a watch, if an optician constructs a telescope, the last 

 disclosure of science guides his hand and moulds his work ; 

 and why should not the farmer bring, to alleviate his hard toil, 

 and make more exuberant the fruits of his labor, whatever aid 

 science as well as art can furnish ? There is a wide distinction 

 between fancy and scientific farming. A man comes into the 

 country from city or college, and sets out to be a model agri- 

 culturist. He buys a place, pulls down all the old structures 

 and builds a small palace. He erects a green-house, and hen- 

 nery, and piggery, and buildings for his cattle, which surpass 

 in their appointments the habitations of decent people around 

 him. He imports at fabulous prices foreign stock which he 

 knows not how to use or raise. He buys whatever in the way 

 of implements or tools is advertised as new, without knowing 

 whether they are good or bad. And then he gets his books, 

 and without previous experience, and spurning the advice of 

 old cultivators, he sets up for a gentleman farmer. For a year 

 or two he runs on swimmingly, makes a great figure, throws 

 into the shade his humble competitors, and then, as might 

 have been expected, he miserably fails, and a sherifTs auction 

 closes the scene. And his neighbors cry out, " So much for 

 your scientific farming ! " It is no such thing. It is fancy 

 farming. 



Now look upon another picture. A gentleman (he may or 

 may not have had early practical acquaintance with farming, 

 but he has good sense and sound judgment) with resolute mind 

 and purpose, and iii.%ratification of long cherished wishes, 

 devotes his attention alia wealth to agriculture. He proceeds 

 carefully and systematically. He has taste, and he makes his 

 place an object of beauty as well as utility. His buildings are 

 ornamental as well as useful. His fences are both handsome 

 and durable. His fields are clean as well as fruitful. If there 

 is an unsightly bog, he reclaims it and makes it fertile. If 

 there are impoverished acres, he studies and experiments, and 

 finds what elements are lacking, and supplies them. If, upon 

 trial, he ascertains that his lands will not profitably raise cer- 



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