The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-12-16
Thought---Profitable in Farming.

Perhaps there is no respect in which farmers
differ more from each other than in the amount
Of thought they bring to their work. One man
labors hard from January to December yet won
ders to see that he accomplishes less than his
neighbor who works fewerhours a-day than he
He tolls on laboriously in the same old routine,
without forethought, without skill his neighbor
seeks to do everything inteligently, with wise
forecast fthe best means of doing it. Suppose
the first farmer wished to remove large boulder
from his wheat field. He had seen his father
get rid of such rocks by calling together all his
hands and neighbor or two, and rolling it by
mere muscular force into corner by the fence
Now, he never bothers himselft to inquire whether
there is auy better method than his fathers; so
he spends a whole day in getting single boulder
into a corner, and thinks, after much stra ming
and WEAKNESS and many bruises, that he has
really done great deed. But the second farmer
thinks twice before touching has boulder. He
examines its shape, size, texture. Can it be sunk
out of S ght, and below the reach of plow- point
Or can it be more easily rolled out of the way by
good stout levers or will blasting do the work
as quickly and save him the pieces for future use
Having once settled the point he goes to work
with WILL and the boulder is soon disposed Of
This is an example; but the same principle APP
plies to every operation. The thinking farmer
takes advantage of opportunities and means of
doing things, which escape the notice of careless
men. Hishought shows itselfin his house, barns,
stables, pig-sty, cowyard; ditches fences, fields,
vreywhere-Spring, Summer, Autumn and Win
ter.
Hearken, now, to the improvement " of our
little sermon Another season of out door labor
has closed the year, with its tolls, successes and
failures, cannot now be recalled; but it can be re-
viewed. And let us reviewit. Neighbor Jones,
how do you account for your il-luck in that corn
field down in the corner lot i? Is the ground
cold, wet, and full of grubs and wire worms p
Ii so, or possibly so, think about it before you
repeat. the same proftless experiment. Read
and think about the effects of draining, its cost
and the probable gain to your crops Then, if
you determine on draining (and we really hope
you willy, make yourself master of all its details
such draining with plank, stones, tiles, and the
best kinds Of tile, the best way of digging the
ditch, its depth direction, its outlet, &c, &c
And So when the season opens, you will be pre-
pared to go to work intelligently and success
fully.
And farmer Smith, what gave you such
rousng crop of potatoes while neghbor John
sons was SO small Perhaps you scattered a
good top dressing ofhougM over the land before
you plowed and planted. This should be applied
to the management of the dairy and orchard,
sheep and young CATTLE rotation of crops, and, in
short, to all the operations ofthe farm
During the leisure months in Winter now be-
gun, form ourplans for the coming year. Make
good use of the past Review the year now clos
ing, and see what real improvements you have
made and where other things will bear little
mending. This will make your experience Of
great advantage Avoid if possible, former
mistakes, and repeat the methods which have
proved successful.
Draw up on paper plan of your farm After
suitable deliberation, assign to each field its re-
spective crop, and determine on the vav the lank
shall be prepared for the crop Nav not the old
orchard be improved by re- grating some of the
trees with new and superior kinds of apples |?
Perhaps it is time to commence the planting of a
new orchard And what grand undertaking is
that ! How it looks into the future, and what a
spirit of benevoence it awakens for those who
shall come after US To determine what sorts
are, on the whole, the best for succession Of
Summer, Autumn, and Winter apples is no small
matter, and requires no little study. These
Winter months are just the time for that study
And so, in reference to all the details Of farm
ing. Give them careful overhauling. Don't
be mere routine farmers, but have a reason for
everything, and do everything in the best posi-
BILE way. Put as much thought into your farming
as you have to spare, and surely it will pay.
Wholesome sentiments is rain, which make
the fields Of daily life fresh and odorous.