AN AMERICAN VIEW OF FARM LIFE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 203, 5 October 1878, Page 4

AN AMERICAN VIEW OF FARM LIFE

The popular idea of a farmer Las ! been that he was a man of narrow views, j giving to croaking, and an intense partisan. We do uot dispute that this description would apply to many farmers of the past, and not a few of the present generation. We believe, however, that there ia nothing in the calling to bring out unlovely traits of character. A generation has wrought a remarkable change in the characters of the tillers of the soi 1 . The old race of bardy pioneers is passing away and a more intelligent class is taking their place . Not that we should disparage the farmers of the past generation ; they were noble men, but the majority of them began life poor. They had little time for study and little means to invest in books or papers, and their range of vision was necessarily limited. They were the "John the Baptists" to the farmers of to day. Although many still hold to the old idea that farming dwarfs a man, those who are best acquainted with farmers know that the conditions are changed. Our farmers are better educated, not only in school but through the influence of the press. Improved implements, stock, and methods of culture have been adopted ; our State and conntry fairs, farmers' clubs and granges — all have had their influence in making farmers intelligent, and elevating their calliarr. What is there in the farmer's life to make him a narrow or prejudiced man? His time is not so much employed but that he can find time for reading and study. He is not confined to a dusty or smoky shop where he must look out upon brick wails, as are most of our mechanics. He does not spend his time higgling with customers about the price of goods, as does the merchant. He is not brought in contact with the worst side of human nature, and obliged to see the depravity and meanness wbich is brought to light in our courts. His duties are not mechanical, to be ! repeated a thoueaud times in unvarying routine. But in the great laboratory ,of nature he ia an experimenter. 6he i coofides to bim her secrete, and, as a

reward for intelligent labour, unlocks to him her treasures and pours them at his feet. Through his intelligent management the plants and animals under his care are greatly improved, and the earth made to yield double. He is awakened in the morning by the singing of birds, and goes forth to breathe the health-giving air, and to view the tl-ees and plants sparkling -\Vith dew. He is not effeminate, but his labour, undet* the burning sun of summer and in the cold of winter, knits his muscles and makes hira strong and brave. Ilia table is furnished 3 with fruits, vegetables, and the products of the dairy and poultry yard. He is his own master, and does not fear that a change in administration or loss of favour with some individual will cut off his income aud leave him without the means of support. If his income is small, .no man is le'ter prepared to meet hard times or to practise ecouomv: and when Providence rewards him with bountiful crops, he can feel that the blessings which enrich him have made no one else poorer.