Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-07-16
KEEP AN ACCOUNT OF YOUR FARM.

KEEP AN ACCOUNT OF YOUR FARM.
This is the age of statistics. Every reform
er meets his opponents with an array Of iig-
ures, which, he says, "cannot lie," and thus as
he claims, puts down by all opposition what he
calls facts. Truth is not unfrequently laid low
by this magic wand of statistics and real pro-
gress and improvement are kept back by the
false reasoning founded upon, or predcated Of
these "guess work" statistics, or such as are
no better. You can hardly turn to any depart
ment of art or morals even, where this method
of reasoning is not employed. Listen to the
lecturer on temperance, or TO the advocate of
any other moral or civil reform, and YOU hear
the same infallihle argument of figures. OBJ
servation and investigation have taught many
that figures, statistical figures are the greatest
liars in the world, excepting always the "fath-
er of lies"
1t is proposed now to make some sugges-
tons, which, if needed, will aid the farmer in
making such statistics relative to his crops as
shall be valuable both to himself and others
who may have occasion to refer to them
What we would say, then, to the farmer, is,
that he should open and keep strict account
with his farm, making it debtor for everything
he puts on it-such for example, as cattle,
sheep, horses, hogs, fowls, farming tools of all
sorts, seed, and labor of all kinds Having
made the farm debtor for all these, together
with the interest of the money invested in its
purchase and the taxes, the good husbandman
can truly estimate the expenses of his farming
operations from year to year. After having
debited his farm for all that he has put on it,
he should credit it with all the produce that is
| taken from it. At the end of the year, having
kept an accurate record of its transactions; it
will be an easy matter to strike the balance,
which will at once show the gain or loss. By
thus keeping an account with himself from
year to year, every farmer is able to know
whether he is improving his condition by his
labor, or not-whether he is progressing in
knowledge, the fruit of careful observation and
experience, or whether he permits these to prof
it him nothing.
In all the entries, whether of debt or credit,
care should be taken that the value of every
thing in the account be set down at its real
worth-just what it would sell for in cash. Be
| careful, neither to over or under estimate any
thing-for upon your accuracy here depends
| the worth of your statistics
| Let any farmer who has not been in the hab-
it of keeping such an account or record of his
dOngs, as here suggested, do it for one year
only with care, and he will not be very likely
|
record furnishes the data for statistics that may
be relied on by all who have occasion to refer
to them or use them.
These remarks are designed rs suggestive
and we hope, that, though the subject may be
deemed a hackneyed one, what has been said
will lead those who are interested in farming
to consider the Importance Of the subject here
presented. Rural New Yorker.
| The FOREST FUNERAL.-She was fair, with
tresses of long black hair lying over her pillow.
Her eye was dark and piercing, and as it met
mine she started slightly, but looking up she
smiled, Ispoke to her father, and turning to
her asked her if she knew her condition.
81 know that my Redeemer liveth," said she
in voice whose melody was like the sweetest
strains of the Eolian. You may imagine the
answer startled, and with few words to the
like import, | turned from her. A half hour
passed, and she spoke in that same deep, rich
melodous voice.
"Father, | am cold, lie down beside me-" and
the old man laid down by his dying child, and she
twined her arms around his neck, and murmur.
ing in dreary voice.
Dear father, dear father"
"My child" said the old man, "doth the flood
seem deep to thee!"
Nay, fatherN my soul is strong.
Seest tnou The thither shore?'
81 see it, father, and its banks are green with
immortal verdure."
Nearest thou the voices Of its inhabitants
81 hear them, father, the voices Of angels call
ing from afar in the still and solemn night time
and they call me. Her voice, father! Oh
heard it Them
doth she speak to thee!"
"She speaks in tohes most heavenly"
"Doth she smile?"
can angel smile" but cold calm smile =
But am cold, cold. Father there is mist in
the room. You'll be lonely. Is this death, ia.
ther 2"
Sabbath evening came, and slow procession
wound its way through the forest to the little
school house. There with simple rites, the cler-
gyman performed his duty and went to the grave
The procession was short. There were hardy
men and rough in shooting jackets, and some
with rifles on their shoulders. But their warm
hearts gave beauty to their unshaven faces, anC
they stood in reverent silence by the grave. The
river murmured, and the birds sang, and so we
buried her.
l saw the sun 60 down from the same spot
and the stars were bright before left, for al
ways had an idea that graveyard was the near