1862. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



11 



Fnr the Keto Enffland Farmer. 



nSTFLTJENCE OP WEWSPAPEKS. 



Messrs. Editors: — I am now over 82 years 

 old, and remember the wars of this country, from 

 the revolutionary to the insane rebel war of the 

 south. I remember when there were but two 

 newspapers j^ublishcd that reached the country 

 from Boston, viz., the Independent Chronicle and 

 Columbian Sentinel. The Chronicle was the or- 

 gan of the rej^ublican party, and the Sentinel the 

 organ of the federal party. Their editors were 

 nren of talents, faithful to their parties, not spar- 

 ing of any invective Avhich would redound to the 

 glory of either cause. My father took the Chron- 

 icle, and I well remember the account it gave of 

 the struggle wliich took place at the convention of 

 delegates from the twelve old States while form- 

 ing the confederacy. The weekly Chronicle gave 

 us an illustration of the progress going on at the 

 convention by twelve pictures of prostrate pillars 

 at the beginning of the meeting of the delegates. 

 Each pillar was to represent a State ; ten of the 

 pillars advanced from different positions of eleva- 

 tion from week to week, till they arrived at an erect 

 posture ; the other two finally became erect after 

 a -sufficient course of "compromises." 



What a strong impression pictures make upon 

 the minds of children. It is astonishing to witness 

 the progress Avliich newspapers have made from 

 that time to the present in their increase in num- 

 bers and vastness of circulation. As long ago as 

 17S7, there were but few newspapers taken in my 

 native town, Avliich would compare with the rest of 

 the towns throughout New England for the en- 

 couragement bestowed upon the editors of news- 

 papers at that time. The Chronicle or Sentinel 

 was taken by the clergyman, the justice of the 

 peace, and perhaps a few others Avho were able, 

 and fond of reading. Political proclivity made the 

 decision in the choice of newspapers. I presume 

 there are hundreds of newspapers now distributed 

 in the country where there was but one then. At 

 that time (1787.) and for years afterward, each sulj- 

 scriber had to send to the office to get his paper, 

 and when travelling was bad, they would lay be- 

 hind one or more weeks. 



Libraries are useful for standard works, but they 

 will not compare with newspapers for spreading 

 light and knowledge among all classes of people. 

 Where people have the means of being instructed 

 in true knowledge, there is but little danger of 

 their being humbugged by demagogues or seces- 

 sionists for any great length of time. It has been 

 but a few years since an agricultural paper could 

 be sustained in New England ; now there are three 

 or more puljlished in Boston, which are eagerly 

 read and are exerting an influence upon the farm- 

 ing community wliich is invaluable ; they are do- 

 ing good in various ways ; they are a school of in- 

 struction to the whole country, except those who 

 are already inlallible. Knowledge wliich formerly 

 could be^ conveyed only from one individual to 

 another, is now spread broadcast at an impression. 

 The_ farming interest is held in much higher esti- 

 mation than formerly, through their means ; the 

 correspondents to these papers, though scattered 

 over the country, almost become acquainted. A 

 good liberal newspaper is an angel which scatters 

 light in all our paths. The difference between 

 newspapers of good influences and bad influences 



is very striking ; the former is governed by the 

 principles of practical Christianity, which tends not 

 to unprofitable controversy, but inculcates the love 

 of peace, charily, and the exercise of good-will 

 among all people, without regard to sect, creed, or 

 denomination. The latter issues scurrility, slan- 

 der, misrepresentation, doctrinal theories and big- 

 otry, from which grow every evil work, even to 

 persecution for conscience sake. Such papers stir 

 up the evil passions of men even to warfare. Con- 

 tests much oftener originate from theoretical doc- 

 trines founded on absurdity, than from any ration- 

 al causes. Great is the influence of newspaper 

 editors for good or for evih 



Free schools and free presses are great annoy- 

 ances to despotism, as well as the safe-guard and 

 defence of liberal principles. In all the States that 

 uphold the free school system, and lay no restraint 

 upon the newspaper presses, but encourage the 

 dissemination of useful knowledge among all class- 

 es of people through newspaper reading, there 

 will be but little danger of the predominance of 

 despotism over republicanism. If the free press 

 had even been tolerated with other free institutions 

 for the instruction of the ignorant in the slave 

 States, this calamitous and destructive war would 

 not have taken place. Ignorance is liable to sufi'er 

 all manner of imposition by shrewd, ambitious, 

 selfish and designing tyrants. Wliile newspapers 

 are allowed to cu'culate, knowledge cannot be con- 

 fined to self-important dictators. Success, then, to 

 a free press, and the means of knowledge distri- 

 buted to aU classes of people. Silas Brown. 



North Wilmington, December, 1861. 



To Keep Rabbits from Trees in Winter. — 

 Two years ago I found the rabbits gnawing my 

 choice trees severely. I had seen several remedies 

 recommended, such as tying on strips of lath, bark, 

 wrapping with straw, &c. But I thought some 

 kind of a wash would be much cheaper, and less 

 work to put it on. I took a small quantity of to- 

 bacco and made ^a strong tea of it ; then a thick 

 lime whitewash, and stirred in the tobacco. With 

 a brush or swab, a man can wash 1000 in a day. 

 It proved a remedy with me. My rabbits, although 

 uncivilized, are too nice to chew tobacco. If storms 

 wash off' the mixture, wash them again. It does 

 not cost much. — S. Foster, in Country Gentle- 

 man. 



The Homestead. — This paper, published at 

 Hartford, Ct., has been coming to us with great 

 regularity for six years, and ever with sound and 

 cheering words. We have read it with profit, and 

 copied from it into our columns with pleasure. 

 The publisher has discontinued it, finding that, 

 through a "seductive, but most unwise system of 

 credits," he could not get back the outlay which it 

 cost. Its subscription list is to be merged with 

 that of the American Agriculturist, which excel- 

 lent paper is to be sent to the late readers of the 

 Homestead. In tliis union we hope all parties 

 will reap an abundant reAvard for their valuable 

 labors. Mr. Weld, late editor and publisher of 

 the Homestead, we learn, has become an associate 

 ditor of the American Agriculturist. 



