14 



NEW ENGLAOT) FARMER. 



Jan. 



meetings she brings about, and by the kindling 

 and renewing of the social allect ions that grow 

 out of, and are chiefly dependent on these. 

 And what sweet remembrances and associa- 

 tions does she not scatter before her, through 

 all the time to come, by her gifts — the "new- 

 year's gifts." Offerings of the affections to 

 the affections — of the heart to the heart. 



How happy ought we to be in the lilxirty of 

 speech, action and conscience, and the free 

 pursuit of happiness ! In the exemjition from 

 cruel wars which, in othet lands, are devastat- 

 ing some of the fairest portions of the earth, 

 crushing the efforts of genius, destroying the 

 finest works of art, breaking up homes of the 

 aged, sick, and defenceless, and casting them 

 upon the pitiless world. The beautiful villas 

 which so lately adorned the fields of sunny 

 France, have become the charnel-houses of 

 the slain, and echo only the groans of the dy- 

 ing or the wails of mourners who go about 

 the streets. When will men 



" bans; the trumpet in the hall 



And study war no more ?" 



In the light of progressive science, too, how 

 much there is to encourage the farmer in his 

 liealthful and enviable position. The posses- 

 .'^ion of truth will confer happiness, not the 

 possession of mutable and perishing things. A 

 more accurate knowledge of the elements with 

 which he must deal, and of their operation 

 upon the materials which he is constantly 

 handling, and which are indispensable to life 

 itself, are of infinitely more importance than 

 to amass property beyond a competence to 

 secure the necessary comforts of life. "Many 

 a man contracts his spirits upon the enlarge- 

 * ment of his fortune, and is the more empty for 

 being full." 



As the farmer labors for future harvests 

 in his physical endeavors, so should he labor 

 for that future harvest of transcendent purity 

 and truth, which will bring permanent peace 

 and joy. In this view, let us introduce to him 

 what the celebrated and good Dr. Dick says 

 in regard to the little understood and much- 

 abused word. Science: — 



"Science is nothing else," he saj^s, than an in- 

 vestigation of the divine pcifections ami operations 

 as displayed in the economy of the universe ; and 

 wc have every ground to conclude, both from 

 reason and revelation, that such investigations will 

 he carried forward on a more enlarged scale, in 

 the future world, where the intellectual powei-s, 

 freed from Iho obstruetions which now impede 

 then- operations will become more vigorous and 



expansive, and a more extensive scene of divine 

 operation be presented to the view." 



Ko other avocation affords more favorable 

 opportunities for the mingling of labor and 

 study, than that of the farmer. Some affect 

 to think that labor of the hands is incompatible 

 with labor of the head. Undoubtedly it is, if 

 in an inordinate degree. The powers of body 

 and mind must presence a proper balance. 

 The truth in relation to this lies in the pithy 

 remark of Sir John Ruskin, who said that "it 

 is only by labor that thought can be made 

 healtliy, and only by thought that labor can 

 be made happy." 



The position of the farmer is comparatively 

 an isolated one. Not many can own fai'ms in 

 or near villages. They must, therefore, form 

 associations of one kind or another, which will 

 call them together. Here the interests of 

 their own calling, or the moving events of the 

 day may be discussed, after the interchange 

 of friendly congratulations. Under our con- 

 genial laws, it is their privilege to discuss the 

 propriety of repealing revenue bills, .or the 

 annexation of San Domingo to our little do- 

 main ; and it is their voice which will greatly 

 affect the decision upon them m Congress. It 

 is a duty to be enlightened upon, and inter- 

 ested in the afi^airs of the Republic. 



In his retirement at St. Helena, Bonaparte 

 uttered many traths ; one of them was, that 

 "The only true way of appreciating and gain- 

 ing a thorough knowledge of mankind, is by 

 trying, and associating with them." 



And now, kind reader, as we welcome in 

 the New Year, we gladly tender you sincere 

 acknowledgments for your good company, 

 your valuable contributions in promoting the 

 successes and amenities of rural life, and yonr 

 friendly counsel and support. No special 

 change is contemjjlated in the course which 

 the New England Farmer has so long and 

 so steadily pursued. If any improvements 

 can be suggested to increase its value, the 

 liberal support of its patrons will justify' their 

 adoption at once. Its columns will bear a 

 fair and inviting impress, while they are con- 

 servative, but progressive, as new light dawns 

 upon the great agricultural art. 



—Hog cholera is causing the farmers great 

 losses in the vicinity of Springfield, 111. One far- 

 mer on Lick creek has lost seventy -nine hogs from 

 this disease within a few days, and other losses 

 are reported. 



