Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-07-23
Are Faymer, improving I

but Itvhttes hld Improvements VI - %"
diyidual MEMBERS for IN proportion to
/ their Advancement In mode Of culture, the
judIeious Management Of their Affairs, and
! in the attainment of Wisdom and Wealth,
will he the Happiness Of the People and
Prosperity OF the Country. I, is perhaps
diaicul, TO determine the relative progress
Of improvement during the year past, or the
pas, Eve or ten years, yet by discussing the
question somewhat inicrroIaiively, We may
aid individual readers in deciding whether
material. substantial advancement has been
made by themselves. and in their respective
localities.
Much thA, is 80 called is neither progress
nor improvement. Appearances are not
always reliable testimony. Good buildings,
fences. &c. though always ereditablo to the
owner. and Indicative Of improvement, do
not invariably accompany superior culture
and husbAudry. The production Of an cI-
traorlinary crop on limited space, or Of a
single animal OF extra weigh, or beauty.
does no, prove the owner a Profiabls cul.i-
yator, breeder OF graIisF-tOr the crop or
animal may have cost FAR more than its
market value. We admit that much de-
pSnds upon the appearance Of the farmers
homestead and premises generally. and have
ever advocated the importance Of good
buildings, fense', roads, and the various
" improvements and eonvenienees which
tend 10 render his home pleasant and At
traciiye alike TO his family and in the eyes
Of strangers. Yet theso items, and the ad-
di,ion Of superior educational aud religious
priyilssos-the eonvenienccs Of good schools,
churches, Sc.,--thOugh OIce"dingly COM
nsndablc aud importan, in aud OF them
selves, DO no, invariably demonstrate mark
ed iaprownent n agriculture. SoofeHtra
garden culture, ornamental surrounding.
fne stock. and other matters all are
pleasant to behold and crcditabls to tho
proprietor, ye, Il he is not annually incFcas-
ing. or AZ least maintaining, the richness OF
bis soil, and Auemen,ins the value Of bis
premises, he 10 MT passenger in the car Of
Improvement.
The great question for every suliiraior.
and community Of farmers, 10 decide, is,
whether be and they are laboring adyan,a-
gcoasly and prOitably. l. the soil deierio-
rating or improving Does tho farm pro-
duee less or more than formerly IL the
income sGii,ieni 10 leave a proper balance
over and above the necessary expenses OF
cultivation. for the support and education
Of his family? II farming does no, pay
why? I, i: lack OF good culture, rotation,
manuring, &c, or in consequence Of per-
sistsnce in endsavorins 10 produce what is
not adapted 70 the soil and climate. or crops
which are annually rAvas,d by insoct.' ? Or.
i the reason attributable 70 the want Of a
convenient and good market for the articles
proluecdl b. the way, as much judgmen,
and attention are requisite in prcparins iOr
and marketing as in the production Of ma
ny Artielcs-mAtter, too frequently over
looked, and which subject the producers 10
much lO--. For instance, the packing, ship
ping and marketing Of fruit, DAIRY products,
poultry, &c, and proper information as to
prices aal the b,st markets, are often OF as
much importance - their production.
These articles are frequently sold 10 sPecula.
tors and " middle men at from one.iourth
70 a half les than their actual market VAL
ue-. sad commentary upon the intelligence
and enterprise Of producers.
But we are digrcssing, and to return to
the qusry-Are Farmers lmproVins7 The
grea, majority Of our readers IN this State,
the Wet and Canada, are grain-growers.
Ars they improving in culture and manage
nent ?-sustaining tho fertility Of their soil,
increasing It's produetivencss, and augment
ius their profp2 This is a vital question,
and one which will come home to the minds
and pockets Of thousands herein addressed.
Can you. reader, answer il satisfactorily ?
Have you not missed it, and failed OF
improvement. in s0mo Of your operations T?
by persisting in depending mainly upon one
erop-whea,, for instancc-have YOU no,
made much slower progress, and FAR less
profit. than you would by adopting differ
ent system? Would not more attention to
other crops mixed husbanary, il you
please-be altogether preferable, especially
wherever the nudge prevailsp In fact. will
not fruit growing, stock breeding. grazing,
dAirYing. &c, 70 a greater or lees extent,
pay ritter, even m your locality where wheat
has been the staple crop from time whereof
the memory Of that venerable and astuie
psr,ouAge, "ihc oldest inhabitant," run
meth not to the contrary? In these days OF
railroads. and easy and cheap accessibility
10 market, farmers should take advantage
Of their L,caiiOn aud eonvsnienees for dispos-
ins Of products which are, under favorable
circumstances, taueh more profitable than
the ordinary staple crops of the country.
This matter seems to be overlooked by ma
ny who reside ia the immediate vicinity Of
village and city markets, and railroad sta
tons.
Connected with this matter Of improve
nent are various important considerations,
and We could easily OIer many pertinent
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