Rural Suggestions

A farmer should never be ashamed of himself or his business. He should have dignity enough to respect his calling and if need be eloquence enough to magnify [it.] He should have independence enough to set a price on the products of his industry, and not depend so much on the oily tongue of the market-man or trader. He should have a shop well stocked with tools, where he can make or repair farm implements, or learn his boys the art. He should have a library of his own, take agricultural and other papers, and keep posted on current events. A few dollars spent in books or papers is a better investment than loitering about public places or talking up others’ defects.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2