ors. What would be the financial condition of the other
great economical interests, if merchants and owners never consulted
together, nor marked the course and policy for their mutual guidance?
The best agricultural papers and magazines which favor each farmer's
peculiar interest, whether of stock, or fruit, or dairy, or grain,
should be subscribed for and read, and preserved for future reference.
Our best farmers can do a great deal, by contributing facts of their own
knowledge, to raise the standard and worth of such periodicals. It only
needs the feeling of personal interest in this matter to procure for
each farmer whatever books are necessary to a perfect understanding of
his special work. They must soon learn that the education of their
children is the best investment they can make of the value of their
services.

They should be taught, by example, by reading, and observation, the
general success in life of those who plant and water and reap; and the
general failure of those who attempt to gain an early or a late fortune
in money by entering the marts of more active and more crowded
competition. Most men fail to make the fortunes which the dreams of
youth placed before them in such brilliant colors. In the present
condition of the various professions, except farming, they only succeed
whom fortune favors by special mental gifts or special personal
friendships.

The peace, quiet, and contentment of a cheerful home; the charms of
nature, free, unobstructed, lovely; the generous bestowal of an
'unostentatious hospitality;' the patient spirit of him who waits upon
the accustomed return of the seasons; the attachment, the joy and
pleasure of looking upon the broad acres, the shaded walks, the
beautiful landscape, planted, improved, and protected by his own hand;
the herds of favorite cattle and sheep which love his coming, the kindly
tones of his voice, the gentle stroke of his hand; the respect paid by
friends and neighbors to the venerable man who waits only the
termination of a virtuous life; the faith in 'the sacred covenant, that
while the earth remaineth, sunshine and shower, summer and winter,
seed-time and harvest shall not fail,' are his who lives through long
years devoted to this, rightly followed, noblest of all
occupations--farming.

'He that goeth forth in humility, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless
come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.'

APHORISMS.

NO. IV.

Inno