The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-01-30

ing. This is to be attributed in no small
degree to the obvious good already accom-
plished by the agencies in operation, and we
are warranted IN expecting that its progress
will be rapid in proportion to judicious Of.
fort hereafter. ~ -
That the county societie, have been pro-
ducthe Of great good, and have already re-
paid many fold, the aid received from the
State, is obvious to all who have watched
their effects. They have awakened interest,
inquiry and thought, excited emulation,
diffused knowledge, by their reports, ad'
dresses, and the mutual interchange OF views
and practice, and the communication Of each
Others SUCCESSES and failures.
There is q fitness in them, too, as means
OF improvement, arising from the fact that
agriculturalists are by the nature Of their
occupation more isolated than others. The
farmer for the most part must abide upon
his own acres; he cannot, like the manufac-
turer, visit all the establishments similar to
his own, in order to profit ut the earliest
moment, by the discoveries and improvements
Of Others, nor are his products, being large
ly consumed ut home, subjected to compar-
ison and competition in the markets of the
world, to an extent so suggestive as those OF
Others.
Another form Of association which pre-
walls to some extent in the State, is worthy
of notice, as capable Of accomplishing in an
agreeable way, u great amount of good.
alludc to FARMERS CLuEs, each embracing u
town or neighborhood, with meetings for
discussion, the reading Of papers prepared
by its members, and in every practicable
way aiding and encouraging one another.
Their scattered lights, though before OBJ
scure, if not actually under u bushel, are
thus concentrated, and enlighten all. BY
moderate contribution to q common fund,
the best agricultural books and periodicals
are made easily available, and they may al
so thus combine for the purchase of dcsira-
bic labor-saying machinery, too costly tor
the separate means Of any. The testimony
rs toytheir utility from those who have en-.
gagged in them is ample and satisfactory and
their establishment IN every neighborhood
is specially recommended to the farmers Of
this State.
OF the wants of Agriculture, the report
says:
! These are too numerous to be mentioned
IN detail, and our effort will DO simply to
discuss a few Of the more urgent and COM
prehensiye; and the first is, the adoption
into its practice, of those habits of system,
method, and accuracy, which are found IN.
dispensablc to success in all branches Of busi-
ness whateyer-Jusiness habits. or in other
words, that agriculture be pursued as btisi-
ness, in distinction from and preference to,
pursuing it as calling or employment, by
means Of which the tiller Of tho soil hopes
20 earn his bread. his taxes, and something
more. This is not distinction without u
difference. BY employment,
is understood that in which labor and skill
are disposed Of for an equivalent. The me-
chanic who works for wages does this, and
cannot properly be termed business man.
II good workman at his calling, prudent
and economical in the management Of his
affairs, he is thriving man. He gradually
acquires competency, or il may be. wealth,
but it is plainly upon his earnings, that he
does this, and not upon his profits. In it,
he is not transacting business, but SIMPLY
disposes of his labor and skill at their mar
kot value. Business, on the other hand, Is
not employment in which man earns wages
simply, but that in which profits is TO be
realized or loss incurred, us it is successful
or otherwise, aside from, and independent
of, wages. As farming is conducted in this
State, is it business or an occupation? Is
it looked upon by those engaged in it, rs
that which simply affords remuneration for
services rendered, or as that which yields n
net profit over and above wages, interest up
ON capital, and all expenses? Ii is believed
few will pretend, that as at present managed,
with q very few exceptions, it is an occupa-
ton of which profit or loss can be fairly pre-
dictated, but is rather calling, by means of
WHICH tho cultiyator hopes IN earn livoli-
hood. Few indeed are there who can even
tell what their crops, or any other farm
products cost, or whether when sold, they
yield profit or not; and what should we
think of q business man who did not know
the cost OF the wares in which he deals?
Now | hold that until agriculture be pur-
sued as a business, and until tre hare faith an
IL as profitable one, il can never attain the
degree of improvement otherwise practical
bic, and there are some considerations going
to show that farmers now generally lack
faith in their pursuit as q business.
Other considerations are pointed out, and
enlarged upon, but We have not SPACE for
their insertion in this number. We shall
give our readers further extracts from the re.
port in future numbers.