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NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Dec. 



"WHY IS THE FARMER DISCONTENTED ? 



In one or two former articles we have spoken 

 of some of the causes which induce the discontent 

 of which those having always lived on the farm 

 complain. Some suggestions were offered, through 

 which a contented mind and happy home might 

 be realized while engaged in the manual opera- 

 tions, requisite in conducting farm affairs. We 

 close our remarks with one or two references to 

 the lower animated life about the farmer, and with 

 some general reflections. 



The more intimate is our knowledge of the or- 

 ganism about us, the trees, plants, flowers, insects 

 and animals, the less labor shall we be required to 

 perform, and the more shall we adore that Wis- 

 dom which has formed them all. 



We will dwell for a moment on one or two spe- 

 cies of this lowly life, and first, the common house- 

 spider. Place one no larger than the head of a 

 pin under the microscope, and his clear black eye, 

 set in a field of delicate blue, becomes distinctly 

 visible. The top of his head is studded with 

 brilliant gems, varying in hues as he changes po- 

 sition under the glass ; while along his back are 

 plumes of exquisite color and softness. Each front 

 foot terminates in a club or ball of hair, and this 

 varies in form in different individuals. But the 

 most wonderful part of this brilliant and beautiful 

 little creature, is its spinning apparatus ; more 

 wonderful in its construction than the organiza- 

 tion and power of any other animal, we have ever 

 contemplated. No art of man has devised machi- 

 nery so perfect, and yet so simple. With this it 

 constructs its own roads, manufactures its dwell- 

 ings, weaves its own nets, and snares, and ropes 

 to bind its prey when captured, and all with a 

 spinning jenny so small that it is impossible to see 

 it with the naked eye. 



Standing by looms in the cotton mills, we have 

 often witnessed with astonishment the precision 

 and perfection of their parts, and how admirably 

 each wheel and segment performed its appoint- 

 ed office, and how the beautiful fabric grew under 

 the skilful hand of the craftsman, and his almost 

 intelligent machine ! But all this falls short of the 

 mechanism and artistic power of the wonderful 

 spider. A slight variation of ])osition renders the 

 loom useless; but the spider's is a locomotive 

 loom ! Destroy his house to-day and drive him 

 from his possessions, and lo ! to-morrow he is 

 quietly established in a new dwelling. 



Did he not give the idea of the sjyinning jenny to 

 Arkwright, and through him confer the immense 

 benefits on mankind which are realized from this 

 invention? which has scattered calton duiJi, — one 

 of the greatest benefits conferred upon man — over 

 the whole habitable globe, and at so cheap a rate 

 as to be accessible to all, until quite recently. 



All the principles of valuable powers, by which 



we overcome the obstacles in our way, are sug- 

 gested in nature's works. The power used in all 

 printing presses is that of the human knee. 



Is there not something to be gained, then, by 

 the farmer, in the study of the inferior creation 

 around him, however minute and insignificant it 

 may api>€ar? But, if there were nothing gained 

 in the mechanical powers, or protection to crops, 

 there would still be incalculable benefit in mental 

 discipline, and the moral elevation of the heart. 



The study of Natural History, and Entomolo- 

 gy, fills the soul with grateful ideas of tb.e minute- 

 ness, as well as magnitude of the operations of the 

 Omnipotent Being; expands it wijth sentiments of 

 His benevolence and love, and strengthens the 

 bonds of affection between ourselves in this im- 

 perfect condition. 



And shall not this interesting study commend 

 itself to the young farmer, impatient to penetrate 

 the mysteries around him, or find acceptance in 

 the maiden's heart, who seeks extended o])portu- 

 nities of observation, and finds little pleasure in 

 the dull routine of daily household work ? 



Iluber, one of the greatest of French natural- 

 ists, devoted eight years to the study of Bees, and 

 thought the time thus expended was promoting 

 the happiness and welfare of man. The world 

 has sanctioned that judgment by ten thousand re- 

 prints of his researches. Time will not permit us 

 to enter into any of the interesting^ details of 

 their history here. But, lord of creation as man 

 assumes to be, shall he contemn the lowly life 

 around him and trample its mysterious organiza- 

 tion into the dust, or study its influences and 

 bearings on his own condition, and thus approach 

 his Creator ns a knowledge of his works increases ? 



There is another name inscribed high on the 

 roll of honor, among the useful and distinguished 

 of our country — that of Audubon. Wiih a love 

 of the natural and beautiful tluit no hardship could 

 daunt, he devoted a life to the description of birds ; 

 passing consecutive weeks in the forest, or on the 

 mountain or plain, or by the sea-shore, watching 

 their habits. Leaning against some friendly free, 

 with his portfolio on his laj), he would patiently 

 sit through a long summer day, in writing an e.v- 

 act description of some bird, learning its peculiar 

 song, and transferring its varied plumage to his 

 note-book. His published works now command 

 the admiration of tlie world ; and his largest vol- 

 ume sells at $800 to $1000. The intensity of his 

 love of this pursuit was never dimned by any dis- 

 couragement ; it led him into remote forests away 

 from human habitations and the human face and 

 voice, for weeks in succession, where the earth 

 was his couch, and his rifle the means of obtain- 

 ing subsistence. His labors now give instruction 

 and delight to millions, and will inspire millions 



