THE AMERICAN FARMERS-THEIR BUSINESS AND CHARACTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 300, 29 August 1857, Page 2

THE AMERICAN FARMERS-THEIR BUSINESS AND CHARACTER.

" farming conducive^ to -Health, Morality, and Domestic-Happiness." "7^;,-; [From the New York Tribune.'} r . The^question, "Who was the farmer?" is^vVry^fr r equeWy£as i ked/and almost always "answered, .V Adarfi.^/'itfut I have failed to; find the proof. either?in^a<fred or pro^ fane -history that. A^am -was "ifcfaraier. „. The Bible account ;isi*that ; '';God jpfanted'a gar? 1 den, eastward in Eden, and.thef.efhe put^the, man -whom hehad'fbVmed.'V^The accburit further states- that tf out of .the N 'grqund „the Lord God- made to grow,e\jery tree "tfiaVis pleasant tb.the 1 sight, ana.'- gobd for food. And the Lord s God -put- tKe man into the garden^of Eden to* 4 dress it and keep it." The statements do not show that Adam ever did a " hand's turn" towards cultivating the garden, or. raising the crop that grew in it ; but, on the contrary, in violation of his instruction as gardener,, he ate the fruit of a tree that he was forbidden to eat, and for this act of disobedience and for j his indolence, he was turned out into the wide world. The only labour that apologists can claim for him, during his residence on the premises, was to help his "wife to sew some fig leaves together to make an apron, because he was ashamed of himself. The Lord then told him that because he was a sluggard and had neglected to take care of the garden and the crops that were growing in it, and had proved himself unworthy of the trust, and had been so mean as to try to throw all the blame on his wife, " thenceforth the earth should produce thorns and thistles, and that in the sweat of his brow he should eat bread all the days of his natural life." All this does not prove that Adam ever ploughed, planted, or tilled a single square foot of land, but on the contrary, it is prima facie evidence that he was indolent and slothful, supporting himself upon the crops that the earth produced without a single effort of his, and therefore totally unworthy of the honourable apellation of farmer. See what a legacy he bequeathed to his posterity. Cain, his eldest son, tried to be a farmer ; but how did he succeed ? There is no good reason to suppose that he was a first-rate farmer, for his work was not done in a manner that was acceptable to the Lord. He was, doubtless, like his father, indolent, disobedient, refractory, and a man of violent temper, who in a fit of unbounded jealousy and passion murdered his brother. For indulging the evil disposition which prompted him to commit this wanton act of violence toward an innocent and unoffending brother, the Lord pronounced upon him a curse. Cain was admonished by the Lord, that under such a course of shiftless indolence and bad husbandry the earth would never yield to him her strength, and that reckless, violent disposition that he was harbouring and cultivating in his heart would make him a vagabond and fugitive in the earth. He was highly incensed at the admonition, although it was kindly given for the sole purpose of reforming his future life ; and farming not being the business congenial to a man of his disposition and temperament, he forsook his country and kindred, and was next heard from down in the land of Nod, where he had doubtless established himself as a " stock-jobber and real estate broker," and had been successful in his new business, for it is said of him that he builded a city. Hence came the saying that " God made the country, but man built the city." The descendants of Cain's brothers were of a wholly different character ; partaking more of the nature and disposition of „ their mother, they were kind, gentle, faithful, and confiding, liable to be imposed upon by rogues and sharpers, but always maintaining an honourable respect for fidelity and integrity, Many of them | became farmers and stock-growers, and ac- ! quired to themselves not only great wealth and a good character among fellow men, but were elevated to high and honourable positions in the state and nation. " The very nature of the business has called to its aid, both in ancient and modern times, a class of men proverbial for their morality,, virtue, and intelligence. . '' ' . ; Amongst the ancient who honoured this profession we can mention Noah, Abram, Jacob and his sons, Labah," Moses, and scores of others who were equally distinguished for all the good qualities which human nature may- acquire^-as well as many who -have; lived nearer to. t our own times, and .have considered ; themselves honoured by being regarded^ as farmers. J-. Even at the present day, it.is, said .that the Emperor of China,, at r the,Yernal equinox, holds the -plough -with h'is^oVmhands/as an example of industry to his ( people/ £rid to show the Bigb. esteem , he has'forjthe

occupation of the farmer, in which many of the dignitaries of his empire are engaged, and that, too, without degrading ther rank or detracting from their dignity. Honour.able occupation of farming! This employment, however, seems best adapted to a people living ti.nder^aj:epublican form of government'ffor the degrg&bf. independence .Avnich; -inspires/ him with' an enlarged idea of -freedom and manliness ; andt^p "other oqcjipa.tldn 1 unider heaven' is sdjwij^calci&tela\ed. to promote. indu'«tr^,^d\^le¥ge^/a'nja virtue, which are- the very lifeVbTopjl ojf!?a republic, as- the varied and healtny^busWls of" tilling "the soil/ :Equality of Yatik^afid some degreeiif equality in the distribution of Wealth, are promotive of the pross?rity and healthy growth of a republic, and the * happiness of its people. When agricultural pursuits occupy a large proportion of the inhabitants of a country, each being lord of the domain he tills, this condition of things will be most fully realised. In Rome, the most remarkable republic of ancient times, a large proportion of the people were engaged in agricultural pursuits. History informs us that during the time of the greatest prosperity of the Roman republic persons of noble blood tilled their little farms of seven acres with their own hands ; and the highest ambition of the women of that republic was to make good housewives. The daughters of individuals of all grades and all ranks were inspired with a high degree of emulation as to which could best perform her duty in the domestic affairs of the household. Happy would it be for our country, if the young ladies of the American republic would follow their example. Although farming does not lead to the rapid accumulation of wealth, yet it yields a competence to the industrious and frugal, arid is the most independent calling in life. The items of profit, though apparently small in themselves, amount, when those for the year are added together, to no inconsiderable sum. And a farmer's expenditure in money being less than is required by other kinds of business, nearly every article for the support of his family being raised on his farm, his balance sheet shows a healthy and thriving business at the close of the year. Commerce and manufactures are the bases of large cities, and the sources of rapid accumulation of wealth, the legitimate products of which are luxury and excess. These crept into the Roman republic, and undermined the very foundations on which it was established — industry, morality and virtue. Licentiousness and vice of every kind followed in their turn, corrupting the better portion of her people, and -in due time did their work of destruction. Thus terminated the existence of one of the most magnificent political structures of which the Old World could boast. The great diversity in agricultural employment is well calculated to enlarge the -mind and improve the judgment, for every season brings a different kind of work, and therefore the mind is constantly exercised and the judgment expanded ; whereas a mechanic, who has a regular routine of duty to perform, day after day, is apt to be narrow-minded, and to possess a weak judgment. Facts and observations prove that the minds of farmers of equal natural capacity are generally superior to those of persons engaged in many other occupations. Agriculture, from the constant and regular employment it gives, is most conducive to health. The labourAif requires is calculated to knit the frame, and give strength and vigour to the muscular system ; besides, it is mostly carried on in the open air, which tends to promote a free and generous perspiration and give tone and elasticity to the body;- while many kinds of mechanical and other employments are rendered unhealthy by the constrained position in which they must be performed, and • the close confinement which is necessary in carrying them on. It is obvious that mind and 'body must be exercised together in order to promote a regular and healthy growth in both. Man is naturally indolent and loves his. ease, and were it not for the strong hand of, necessity he would often become .idle,, useless, and wicked. - 1 The' constant and regular employment, therefore', which a farm .requires makes it promotiy.e. of good morals; whereas, im other employments^. -, where those engaged are more dependent . on others, their labour is more irregular. Thil often leads them ; to i spend -apportion their time in idleness; and thus bad habits are ; con traded,, acquaintance is' formed with persons of ;; m orals,". ( and .their, charactersi v and"' 'standing. in i: society', are destroyed. ...This >is .one^ among- many, reasons why persons ■■who±^e ;i-|ir ,ciKe& axe ; more

liable to become profane, intemperate, and. vicious than those who reside in the country. The business of farming is one which renders mankind more or less independent of each other, but impresses their minds deeply with a sense of their dependence on the Divine Providence ; for they know that they may cultivate His land in the best possible manner, and plant it with, the best of seed ; yet, unless God gives a fa- .,' vourable season, they can raise no crop. They constantly realize the truth of the holy oracle that "Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but God giveth the increase." There is no employment that leads a man to reflect so much upon the taracter and works of God as farming, ,d consequently none is so conducive to morality and the practice of virtuous principles. The employment is conducive to domestic happiness ; for the farmer is seldom obliged to leave home for any great length of time, and from the facility with which a comfortable support for a family is obtained he is often induced to marry early in life. Indeed, the nature of his employment is such that it renders a female companion indispensable to the prosperity and happiness of a farmer. In nearly all other kinds of business " getting married " increases a man's expenses, but in farming it not only diminishes the expenses of living, but increases his income ; for the care of the dairy and poultry — and, which are prominent items in the assets of many farmers' accounts, is almost universally confided to the female portion of the household. Lord Bacon tells us that "the improvement of the ground is the most natural way of obtaining riches." And observation will convince any one that there is more stability and permanency in wealth acquired by farming, than in fortunes obtained by trade and speculation. In most other callings an apprenticeship of several years is required to obtain a knowledge of v the business, while in farming a young man of ordinary capacity can commence at once, and will have an ample return for his labour every year. An idea is extensively entertained that farming is more laborious than most kinds of mechanical business ; but from experience we can say that it is the most pleasant and agreeable business in which an intelligent man can be employed. The great diversity of exercise which it affords is equivalent to rest. A farmer does not work more than two-thirds as many hours in a day as a trader or many mechanics, and taking his business as a whole it is not so laborious and far more agreeable than a majority of other employments. Tts tendency is to enlarge the mind and beget feelings of disinterested benevolence, and a mutual participation of good offices. You will find more practical piety and pure Christian benevolence among American farmers than among any other class of equal numbers in our country. It is universally admitted that farmers are the backbone, nerve, and muscle of our country, and it appears very strange that so many smart industrious young men should hang about cities and labour for others year after year for a mere pittance, while the vast fruitful field of the west lies open before them, and with a little exertion they can be lords of their own domain, perfectly free from the control and dictation of others. Let us suggest to them that to avoid the danger of going alone into a new country, they form companies of 20, 40, or more, select a favourable locality in some of the Y/estern States, and migrate at once, feeling perfectly assured that they will bless the day when they resolved to become farmers. What is said on this subject is said from experience,- by one who was once a resident in the city, labouring for his bread, and is therefore now free to assure all who are similarly situated that there is in the country more enjoyment of life, more freedom from want and care, more truth, religion, and morality. Piety. — Some gentlemen of a Bible Association who lately called upon an old woman to see if she had a Bible, were severely reproved with a spiritual reply, " Do you think, gentlemen, I am a "heathen," that you should ask me such a question ?" Then, addressing a little girl, she said, " Run and fetch the Bible out of my drawer, that I may show it to the gentlemen." The gentlemen declined giving her the trouble, but she insisted on giving them " ocular demonstration" that she was no "heathen." Accordingly, the Bible was brought, nicely covered ; and on opening opening it, the old .woman exclaimed, " Well, how glad I am that you have come ; here are my spectacles, that I have been looking for these " three years," and didn't know where to find 'em. 1