The Rural Voice, 1980-01, Page 9A silo on the 400 acre Ladina farm
outside Milano. The flat roof at
right is to keep the rain off a
wagon and worker as the silo is
unloaded.
Inside the barn. Cattle are in stalls open to
the outdoors on one side. They are too
valuable to graze.
Glen McNeil started showing
calves when he was four years
old.
Farming in the past
Agriculture declines, so does society
BY ADRIAN VOS
"When man was created in the image of God and given
dominion over all the earth, he was directed by his CREATOR to
dress and to keep the beautiful GARDEN in which he found a
happy home. Thus at the very beginning of the history of the race
God placed the stamp of his approval upon the labor of tilling the
soil. And after the FALL, with all of its ruinous consequences,
when man was driven out into the world, he was directed to
continue the same employment. In due time he received the
promise that the earth should be cursed no more, and that
seed -time and harvest should not fail."
Thus begins John Read in his book: "Farming for Profit"
which he wrote in 1880.
Further on he stated that "As civilization advanced agriculture
has become more and more necessary for the welfare of
society."
Nothing much has changed in the 100 years
since then. His comments could have been written today and
very few people would think that it actually was 100 years ago
that these thoughts were expressed. Listen; "...there have
always been some who despise manual toil and look down upon
labor as socially inferior... this feeling is rapidly passing away
from the minds of those who once cherished it foolishly."
"As a class, farmers are becoming more intelligent ...and
now get more respect from those who despised them before."
He goes on to warn the farmer not to become conceited, for
' ... all classes should remember that no mere employment has
the power to make a man true and honorable."
He said something that could be remembered by our present
politicians. "History shows that as nations rise, agriculture is
more and more honored and respected, while as they decline it
falls into disrepute and decay. It was so with Rome, the greatest
of all ancient powers, and it has been so with states and empires
of lesser note. So it will always be; for agriculture is the only safe
and sure foundation upon which a nation can be reared. It is
plain to see that a nation which produces none of its food
supplies would be constantly dependent upon foreigners, and in
case of war, might be almost utterly helpless."
Read goes on to say that because farmers make Free time forthe
thinker and the scientist, they have the time to advance
civilization. Without the farmer he would be raising his own
food. He warns the professors that they should always remember
this.
The more food is produced by the farmer, the more he can sell
and the more scientists can work on developing science,
literature and art.
As Solomon said 3,000 years ago, "there's nothing new under
the sun."
THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 1980 PG. 7