Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-01-22
A LITTLE FARM WELL TITLED.

The greatest obstacle to the improvement OF Ag-
riculture in New England, is the propensity, the
nania might well call it, 10 oicn more land than he
can till 10 advantage. And it is thus that we see
scattered over the country large tracts Of STERILE
unproductive land, which under good cultivation,
would yield bountfu and valuable crops Not
only the dictates of sound philosophy but numer-
Gus facts drawn from experience, are constantly
and loudly calling the farmer, from every quarter,
to occupy a small farm and cultivate It tpel. wish
that this admontion could be Numbered into the
ears of the agricultural population ofNew-Engand,
until a complete revolution should be produced in
the farming system.
This great truth is already beginning to be un-
derstood in other countries, and is attended with
corresponding advantages. The densest popua-
ton in Europe may be found in Flanders and LON.
hardy, where the land is divided into small farms,
and being thoroughly titled, produces abundant
food for tile inhabitants. And the experience Of a
quarter of century in France proves that, by the
occupation of the country under small working far
mers, the land is producing one third more food,
and supporting population one-thrd greater, than
when il was possessed in large masses.
| The law is universal--t applies to every coun.
try--that the secret of success in Agriculture con-
ssts in the thorough cultivation OF small piece OF
ground, which, well MANFRED and well worked,
yields up its treasures in prodlga profuslon. In
almost every part of New England one capital er.
ror through the whole system Of farming. "A
great deal of money is Invested IN land, and uery
lille money employed in It's cultivation. And it is
sad to see the owner of large farm, pride himself
on the number OF acres which he possesses, and
undertake to cultivate the soil without sufficient
means. Such man has been happily compared
to merchant, who expends all his capital in build
ing for his own use large roomy store, and Is
afterwards seen gazing with complacency on his
bare walls and empty shelves.
He has chalked out to himself hard lot, and
voluntarily enters on a state of servitude, worse
than Egyptian bondage. His work is never accom-
plished He tolls at all hours and yet is never a.
head of his work. and his work is never half done.
He has not time to accomplish any thing through
out. His house is out of repair-his barn dilapi-
dated-his cattle poor-his fences in ruins his
pastures overrun with bushes, and acres Of land,
which, under proper cultivation might be made TO
yield rich harvest, are but little removed from
barrenness, perhaps dotted with mullen, burdocks
thistles, or filled with sorrel white weed, and other
noxious plants, which roots out the grass and eat
up the life of the soil, without affording noursh-
ment to either man or beast
What harressed, unhappy being must be the
, owner of such farm! He has no time for recre-
alton or mental improvement. He is doomed to
the tread mill for life with his spirits depressed
. dependency stamped upon his haggered Inca
ments and the worm of discomfort gnawlng at his
heart, with him there are no pleasant associations
with the past-the present is full of anxiety, care
. and hard labor-and dark cloud rests upon the
future. He reminds me of Hoods touching Song
Of the Shirt" and it may be well said or sung Of
him,