Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-08-28
From the New England Farmer
PROFITS OF FARMING


on subject which requires to- be exam
med in various aspects and relations, in
order that an enlightened and we'll found
ed judgment may be mace up; and espe-
cialfy in order that we may not lead to
any false inierences of its appropriateness.
nor encourage any falacious expectations
as to any advantages, 1--WE mean pecunia-
ny advantages,) to be derived from ill.,
The erroneous opinions and calculations
which have been. formed in this matter,
have led 10 most painful results, to serious
losses, and to bitter and vexatious dlsap-
pointments. We know a gentleman who
tried farming on an extensive and expert
mental scale, whose authority is often
quoted as asserting that in agriculture
two and two do not make four" We un-
derslsnd it to be implied in this, that CAL
culations respecting the profitable results
OF agriculture, or fair return for the ex-
penditure of labor and the Investment of
capital, are not likely to be verified as in
the other business. pursuits of life. We
do not admit the axiom ia any fair sense.
We do not believe that il does Justice to
agriculture; and no small experience and
some observation satisfy us, that circum-s
stances being equal, farming would fur
nish as fair a compensation for labor. and
as ample dividend upon the capital In
vested, as the common trades which men
engage in, and even the pursuits of mer-
camille and commercial life. OF course
we except all extraordinary cases of good
fortune, and all matters of gambling and
speculation.
The returns of most crops strike one
sometimes with establishment; and would,
litaken as a test, lead TO the most delusive
expectations. A grain of seed sometimes
returns one hundred fold; and this being
sown second year, would perhaps give
ten thousand fold, and so on in geomet-
ricai ratio. Twenty bushels of potatoes
planted will frequently yield four hundred
bushels, that is twenty for one. A bush
ell Of wheat sown oftentimes returns thirty
bushels. A peck of Indian corn planted
will often produce sixty bushels, that is
two hundred and forty for one. A pound
OF carrot seed or of ruta baga, which costs
a dollar, will produce six or nine hundred
bushels Of roots worth one hundred dol
lars. The proceeds in this case seem
enormous and yet they are constantly re-
alizeds and often, it must be admitted, at a
comparatively small expense. But 20
confident conclusions on the profits Of
farming are to be drawn from such results
as these. So many circumstances OF
abatement enter into the case, that if these
are the only elements given in the case,
the solution Of the problem would give
the most egregiously erroneous and de-
ceptive results.
We are not TO look to agriculture for
any extraordinary or sudden gains, as for
example, like drawing the capital prize in
a lottery where there are two blanks to a
prize; like some successful East India
voyage, where the sale Of the cargo yields
q nett profit Of one hundred per cent. OF
like some sudden rise in the stocks, or
some monopolized article of produce,
where shrewd operation draws lis thou
sands or twenties Of thousands into our
pockets. But that skill, experience, ASST
duty, and industry will, in agriculture,
: yield fair, and to reasonable mind, an
ample compensation, there are too many
and reiterated proofs to admit even of a
doubt.
AS we said in the beginning, we do not
design at this time to 60 largely into this
subject, and we refer to it in particular at
this time. for the sake of relating some
parts OF a conversation which he once had
with a respectable and independent but
complaining farmer in our own despised
State.
This man then had farm which was
fully valued at four thousand dollars
The father. who had given the farm to the
son, had begun life without dollar, had
run into debt for a large part of the pur-
chase money, but had sometime since,
while he supported his family, earned
from the proceeds of the farm, sufficient to
pay for il. Without any incumbrance he
had then put it into his sons possession,
and now lived with him under the same
roof.
Said the son, farming is a miserable
business
But why 500 Let US look into the mat
ter. What is the estimated value of your
farm2 M
Four thousand dollars.
Is it increasing in valuel
Yes; by its favorable location, and by
every improvement that is made upon it.
Do you get all the produce from it
which it can be made to yield!
No, not one-third. 1t consists of one
hundred and twenty acres. AT least fifty
acres Of ii are in wood, and considerable
portion in pasture. Besides that, have
several acres of peat bog, which might be
redeemed and brought into English grass
es
What is the. value Of the wood land