Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-04-15
FOR the Ellsworth American. |
Farming Well.

Farming Well.
Ma. EDITOR wish to speak at present
OF some OF the reasons why no more of us
thrive by farming, and if nothing happens,
more anon. For few years past our State, or
the front of it at least. has been cried down
and many of our discouraged farmers have
gone West where they hope to accomplish
more by less labor. have learned that some
OF them have not had their hopes realized,
and will return as soon as they can get good
ready Nowadays we see families leaving
their homes by the sea, -emigrating to the
Aroostook region for the express purpose of
farming. Now it is obvious to me that we
need not be 50 particular as to where our
farms are.it there is sufficient depth Of earth,
should we conduct them Alright. In the
hrst place allow me to say our farms as a
general thing are too small. This is the point
ON which purpose to speak at this time. for
1t Is the first consideration to be made should
We wish to correct our faults and hereafter
be successful Many persons, however, in
dulse in the idea that, because large crops
are produced i'll gardens aud other small
patches near markets, where land is dear
and manure to be had in plenty, they come
at the conclusion that the scattered farms of
New England with their diversified husband
rv, may. and ought to be the same. But let
uss!c. In the first place, we must consider
that the surface Of our country is rough and
broken-that the land is. partly for that
reason. cheap-that the same number of
dollars which viii furnish manure enough
to pat one acre into condition equal to thlt
OF a markct-garden near the city will give
him the fec Of perhaps several acres additional
that the best possible use to which this
rough, rocky lard can be put is grazing
thus producing with little labor. stock and
the productions Of the dairy for market or
tami y use. and manure fer the necessarily
titled parts Of the farm.
Another DISADVANTAGE Attending small
farm is the lack Of grazing lanl and scaut
allowance of wood. Unless we have the
necessary proportions of the farm, it is 50
much cash out of pocket; for we are obliged
to 70 abroad fora supply which is obtained
IN most eases at a greatly enhanced price
10 be deprived Of a single comfort renders
home unhappy, and discord is the result
1t is Just as Indispensable to a happy h-mc
As the balaHce wheel is 10 a we'll constructed
watch. 1t does not of necessity follow that
because a man has large farm he cannot
till with as good Success certain parts of it
as though it w re not half 50 large. in fact
he has the advantage Of his neighb1r, for
he can select such parts of his farm as are
best adapted for his particular use. while the
other must take what he has or none, wheth-
er it be all ledsy or all swamp
On the small farm, a man may. by per-
severance live snusly and make good living;
Oh the lar5e farm, il he has capacity, with
the same OF an equal amount OF diligence
though directed in little dferent channal-
he may attain - competence and wealth
Ii yon should ask me how large a farm would
be necessary for man to support flfnily
and not be dsgsad.nt on bis neighb1r
should say one hun Irei and fifty acres at
least. There are men in the circle of my
acquaintance, however. who own LARGE farms,
but for the want Of good management, (5f
which shall speak if write again.) they
fail to succe d. ..Mr Jones" of whom II.
spoke few days since, as killing large
h2s, IS, BY no malas Il narrow contracted
man. lie has lived to learn by experience
the fandame tai principals of farming in
this country. and since he has enlarged his
Farm to a wide extent has fast increased in
wealth. lie together with Col F. Taft. and
Benz. Moore Esq. who perhaps are the letd
ing farmers of this town, have very large
farms; and find as general thing. the lar
ger the farm, the more wealthy the farmer.
1t is true large farms cost more time and
labor to keep them in good repair, but if We
would thrive and become independent. if we
would catch fish on our own hook, and live
on the fruits Of oar own labor, we must
expect to be dilisent at our business, we
must be content to work early and late, and
see to it that all is we'll. But farming is
not unlike other business in this respect
Look for instance at the shoemaker hei5iner,
merchant, &c., and sec if there is much time
tor play. have already taken all the time
that was given me for play in writing this
article. Much might be said on this point
and hope to hear from others.
G. Z. G.
Gouldsboro, April. II 1859.