The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-07-17
HOW BECAME A FARMER.

HOW | BECAME A FARMER.
VALUABLE EXPERIENCE OF A MECHANIC TURNED
FARMER.
TO the Editor Of The american Agricufturi'f:
will you allow me little space to record
nv experience !-not because it contains any
| thing very remarkable, nor that | think it
valuable because 1t is mine, but that others
who are situated as was, may, perhaps, see
the way to realize what they have long been
waiting to secure, home in the country. Il
was born and reared in New York city, and
save an occasional visit TO friends living IN
the country, knew nataing Of farm life, un.
I'll within the past few years. learned the
cabinet makers trade, aud worked at 1t
steadily for twelve years. During that time
fund use for articles Of my own make,
10 the extent OF six chairs, with other things
in propurton-iour children having fallen to
our lot.
Having no capital. was obliged to remain
iourneyman, or do piece work, and any
one knowing the active competition that has
prevailed 10 this business, can readily be-
ileye that, after making both ends meet. at
the wears end there was but little left to lap
over with. As my little nnes grew up around
NE. regard for their health aud morals. and
anxiety to NEE. increasing expenses, inclted
ne to try and secure home ~ the country.
/ II the spring Of 1884 | received an Offer
10 work in a village in the country, which
gladly accepted. as il brought me one step
nearer what | desired. looked about Tor a
place a little out OF the village, where could
have a piece of land 10 cultivate. ] found a
comfortable house with two acres of ground
attached, at moderate rent, and 1t would
have done you good TO see the delight OF the
/ .ittle ones when we took possession. lhey
had never conceived Of such extensive play
grounds, having always been e0nflaed To a
narrow back yard aud an occasional walk IN
The crowded city street.
i stipulated with my employer for time e.
nough TO work my garden, aud made com
mencement. Ii was awkward business as
sure you NV neighbours must have laughed
at my simple questions; bu; they we're very
kind in advising aud aiding me; and more
over. having seen copy OF the Agriculturls'
al ouce subscribed for il. | soon had the
satisfaction Of seeing my own vines and eat
ing their fruit, aud the probability OF some
day sitting under my own ig tree became
quite inspiring. Being entirely ignnrant,
, was not afraid 10 try whal ! saw recommend
ed, ami though was sometimes laughed q
for following the book, as they called II.
learned, IN time, thai printed experience wa
| often a. valuable as that learned by the mor'
T ol mouth--in fact. sume Of my vegetables
! raised IN what they called /" new fashioned
/. ways" were far superior TO any that ~.
nelghbors could show.
To be sure, l'h4d many failures at frsi
] The bugs would destroy the vines. the hen
scratched out some OF my finest seeds, an
some Of my planting, turned "ui nothing, be
cause ol my ignorance. but at the end ni IN
!. first Summer. found thd by working morn
e ing and evening, with an occasional da..
o when the weeds threatened To get the star
!, oi me, and with only little paid out Tor ma
b nurlng. plostng. aud preparing the grauad
9 | had iull supply oi choice vegetables 10
. the family, had sold enough 10 help pay tn
i store bills, aud had learned sufficient to tr.
!. gardening on lsi ger scale the next season
: then ,eniurrd TO hire two acres addition
al, in which. besides giving better pasture -
4 my COW, could plant patch Of putatoe
e ard another Of cora. IL vas a good yea
b with ne. A large strawberry plot which
Z had set out the prrviuus sprIng. according
% directions in tie AgrieOlturist. yielded iine
!. ly. The lruit sold al goud prices. and brOugll
NE nearly $40. 0ther products ~ my gar
den we're even beyond my expectations, an
] the corn aud potatoes would have dOne hon
j. OF TO any farmer. Tbs was not all. III
Il family were never 81 healthy, aud my tw
/. bows were becoming quite expert IN the gar
Il den, to their advantage aud mine also. W
!. worked hard, but we saw the fruits Of our Ia
j. Dor aud we're content.
!. nnw felt il safe to invest my little cspi
tai Of a lev hundred dollars 10 buying plac
r WHICH could call ny own; and the mex
: Spilna received a deed Tor ten acres Of land
/ ltIte more distant from the village, but We
]. near enUngh to enable me To continue 10.
!. regular business. did not ieel quite read
to give Up my trade. al which ! could max
n a comfortable living, though u vas becpmin
!. more aud mnre irkstme. aud iungcd for th
!. time when could lay dawn the saw aud til
If plane, and take hold Of the pillow aud The hoe
Il This year | hired young man 10 assist \
e working my new land.
J. Il is not necessary TO give further detail.
+ am nnw larmer. aud have arrived II tia
y dignity one step al time. MY place is 10
!. large. nnly twenty live acres. but six OF thus
i, are ~ lrult, and 1 count their produce equS
il 10 all Tie rest. Tie grcai point want
h make ior tie benefit Of others. is. that
j. change TO farming TO be successful, must i
q made gradually. There are thousands
d discouraged mechanics that can do as has
i. done, II they will but work patiently, and i
II content 10 become farmers by inches. VI
j. had bought twenty-five acres d land the III
!. season, aud depended upon cultiyating Il {,
le a living, ain convinced should have faiIrl
i with the loss Of my capital and my eottag'