North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-01-28
farmer's Gul II M II.
THE PROFITS OF FARMING.

We all know of instances where man has
begun with nothing, as We may say, and in
few years has paid for his farm, stock, &c..
besides supporting his family; but we wish
70 know how 1t has been done. | have had,
lately, some little experience of the income
end outgces of farming, having kept minute
farm account for several years, and have
thus far succeeded in obtaining surplus, en-
tirely within the farm, and have also mprov.
ed it yearly, though have had my share Of
bad luck in corps and herds. He might ex-
press the term, bad luck" more correctly,
If not SO concisely, in nine cases out of ten.
thus the natural result of carelessness and
ignorance.
Before going any further, will mention
the five essentials of farming, to make it pro-
ttable, without going to the wood-ot or SELL
ing the corner-lot, as Mr.. P. urges, and he
will agree that they are oil important.
find the first requisite Is prudence; and
would like space to give list of the many
different themes that cluster around it. The
second is capital, even if it only les in health
and strength of body and mind, with skill
and knowledge. The third, honesty, or else
the profits might arise from overreaching, in
stead of farming. The fourth, permanence
ot occupation, either by long leases or owner
ship, as that will enable the farmer to adopt
all necessary rotations, plan ahead, and work
out a system peculiar to his land-as there
are seldom two contiguous farms in this val
ley that require exactly the same system
and lastly, over all, the blessing of the Crea
tor with these, and market, any man can
bring the balance on the right side of account.
Now, as | said above, have found farming
profitable, and my general farm account shows
it; but when try the figures that cannot
lie on the cost and value of single crops, or
the raising and fattening of cattle, swine, &c.
la mode de pincham, generally get the
like result as he, and here lies the difficulty,
and here also stands the solution. Mr.. P's
accounts-see Vol Xl., page 563, N. E. Far
mer--are not properly farmers accounts :;
they may be tailor's or stovedores memor-
andum of what it cost to obtain an acre OF
land aad hire labor, and buy manure, &C., for
crop of corn, or to get calf one day old,
and buy everything for it until it is COW
This is not real farming. 1t may be amateur
farming, and it is as innocent a way ofspend-
ing money, as going to the watering places,
or patronizing the race-course.
The prudent farmer don't hire his labor
and manure, without cash outlay, or any out,
lay. but his time and strength in word,
his time is devoted to his land cutting wood
and poles in winter; then fencing; then in
spring, planting in hope; cultiyating, haying,
composing: &C., through the summer; reap
ing the fruit of his labor in autumn while
his sales all the year round bring in the dol
lars, and the difference between his cash out
lay and his cash receipts is his profit, and yet
our farmer is stay-at-home man; !; he don't
hire out on the road, or 60 about hewng, to
get money to pay his taxes for the old pro-
verb teaches that . the foot of the owner is
the best manure" There is always enough to
do on his own land, by which his future
work will be easier done, with greater pr
fit-Nelc England Farmer.