The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-04-20
A GRICUL L u r L.
A FEW FACTS FOR FARMERS.

And 1t may be rs well Tor lew other
classes TO learn the same facts; and first,
the grea. fact tha, Of all trades and occupa-
tions. tho farmers Is the only one that new
er suffers by "hard times" " commercial
Distress I" grcit fall Of stocks" or any 9th.
or OF the thousand and one terms that tell
OF ruin 10 many of the donIzeus or tiic city.
Its a great fact that tho farmers, as
class. are now the only class that is prosper
Gus. while al other classes IRE groaning un
der the evils OF depression in business, and
want Of employment Of those who labor to
live, and are dependant upon daily toll for
daily bread. :, y
At this very moment, while the laborer OF
the City is srlf.ring for food, the farmer is
realizing tb, highest prices he has received
for mnny years, for every description OF
farm pSduce. Think Of whole droyes OF
bullocis selling for over 800 each. What
n prIo for beef. II is from III to 1913 Tor
os,ry pound Of meat in tho fore quarters,
and tho present week even higher than
that.
Sheep, that will dress less than so pounds.
have sold in drovss at S5 and So per head.
Then, we pay five or six cents pound for
flour, and we butter our bread Mt % to 34c.
pound. Potatoes - that indispensable
necessary Of an American ,sble-are still
dearer than bread or meat for human food.
In short, il is the fact that every product
Of American soil Is selling at price more
remunerating to the laborer than any other
laborious employment, and yet the earth lies
untitled.
Thousands and tens Of thousands Of acres
Of rich soil, offered for sale a, a ,rifliny
price, and lying idle As they were a ihous
and years. Why is il so, Why do mo,
these laborcrs raise their own bread and
meat! Why do no, farmers slick 10 their
trade. and why do not others fall into ,ha,
occupation
We think we can answer.
The first grand reason is because there
il mos, abominably foolish opinion pre-
vailng that any other employment Is more
respectable than Of farmer. This false
impression is quite rs much owing TO those
engaged in the business as those who are
not. Children are taugh, from early ages,
by mistaken parents, TO look for some other
means Of livelihood than the "diry busi.
ness OF their falhes.
There is a continual longing 10 escape
from the prison.house OF the farm.
The natural consequence Is that all other
occupations are full, and all in them. In
their turn, are taught 10 look with contempt,
upon the farmer and his occupation.
This great evil is a wan, OF pride OF caste
on the part Of those who should hold the
first rank in socieiy-he rank OF land cult.
vaiors. II does no, follow because a man
is farmer that he should be fool, or even
laborious drudge. None bui fool need
be that. There is Just rs much room for
leisure, study and improvement on tie farm
rs in the store, office, or mechanics shop.
II we could only con,riye TO elevate the
character and standing OF all who cultivate
American soil, we should have not only n
more numerous, but more happy class Of
farmers. The great difficulty now is, they
are ashamed OF their calling, and 90 not ,iy
10 improve their condition; and, therefore
sink down into drudges, working like cart.
horses for their daily allowance oil fodder.
This is the cause Of scarcity Of iarm la
Dor, and ,ha, scarcity produces the present
high prices, without producing a CORES.
ponJing profit 20 the cultiva,or. Why !!
Because he has to pay an extra price 10 in
duce labor TO How into that channel. He
is in cons,an, Struggle 10 keep up appear
ances, and rival his specializing neighbor,
who u flourlshing upon "bouowed cap.
iial," and generally does break, whether
he ought 10 or not His children are bound
10 bo young ladies and geu,leman"-,hai
is idle and useless incumberances upon
the farmland TO despise their home, in-
stead Of loving aud clinying TO !, forever.
Traced directly home 10 ,ha, cause can
be the sad history Of many OF those who ore
suffering famine in this cily a, this moment.
There is another cause-ano,her great
fac; for farmers TO ponder over. Owing 10
the want Of scientific education for farmers