THE EARMEk’s manual. 
125 
are objects of prime importance upon your farms, not 
only for the revenue which they afford, but for the ex- 
pense of rum, and other liquors, which your good ci- 
der will save, and for the saving, more especially, in 
your time and doctor^s bills, in using cidiir in the 
place of rum, or other ardent spirits. I am sensible 
that all arguments against the use of rum and tobac- 
co, are lost upon those who have long been accustom- 
ed to their use ; but 1 hope to be believed, by those 
whose habits are not irrevocably fixed, when I sayj 
that I have in the course of my life used both rum 
and tobacco, and for many years hate disused both, 
with a full conviction, that my health is better, and 
my strength more permanent and durable when 1 la- 
bour, than when I used either — mark the difference 
of expense — yes, of useless expense — an expense 
that would pay the taxes and clothe the families of 
many farmers, and how much more, 1 dare not say — 
let such farmers calculate, and see for themselves, if 
they dare look the evil in the face. All this, and 
more too, your orchards will remedy, with one barrel 
or two of good malt or hop beer, for the warmest of 
the weather. Try this mode as I do, and if you find me 
in an error, correct my error, and I will yield to your 
better judgment. But if you are satisfied with the 
improvement, let this waste of money, which costs 
you so much toil and sweat, be placed at such inter- 
est as shall ensure a quiet life, a trancjuil old age, and 
a happy and peaceful death. Neither of these were 
ever obtained by rum and tobacco, nor ever will be. 
For remarks on your other fruits, see Gardening. 
Here let m'e repeat again the remarks I made in 
Jaiuiary, upon education. The news-papers arc the 
great vehicles of general information ; they give us 
a general knovvledgo of men, their political connec- 
tions and movements; their commercial relations, 
agricultural improvements, &c. To understand pro- 
perly this important source of information, a general 
knowledge of Geography is absolutely necessary. 
11 * 
