Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1865-12-07
Want OfSympathy Between Farm
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| 1t has always been matter of wonder to
me that so little sympathy exists between
farmers as class Their interests all lie in
one direction, and they might be great help
to each other in many ways But it is too
often the case that they seem to feel afraid of
each other, and to indulge sort of jealousy.
They ought to meet often and talk over topics
that interest all in common-such as improve
ment in culture, implements, stock, &c
prospective prices of farm produce, and the
best time to sell. There should also be an
understanding in regard to prices to he paid
for labor. This. last is an important item in
astarmer,s expenses----and while ,lahor is en-
titled "a a fair il would fsr
Isbettef q have more uniformity iin pfiees@S
Faithful, honest and skillful laborers in many
cases do not get what they ought to. In any
business except farming man must serve an
apprenticeship, and learn his business, befor.
he can demand and receive full wages Bu
in our business, Paddy, just from the Bogs
or Hanse fresh from the "Faderland," think
that he can earn as much as the best mar
that's going. At harvest time, some maj
having ten or fifteen acres of wheat to cut
often obliges his neighbor, who has four times
as much, to pay from two to four shilling
more than he ought, just becase it will make
but little difference with him what he pays
having but single days cutting So he hire,
the first men that offer, and pays them what
ever they ask-without spending though
about its effects upon his neghbor ~
Now all these things could be made bette
by more cordial and united feeling amonl
farmers. There is not n single reason VIII,
this feeling should not generally exist
Among merchants, manufacturers, mechan-
les and others, there is more or less compe-
tition, and it is not to be expected that they
should communicate to each other OF to the
world at large, their modes of doing business
and the secrets Of their particular vocation.
But with the farmer the case is entirely differ
ent. BY imparting to others the results of
his experience and his opinions based upon
such experience, he is losing nothing him
self, while he may be the means of great gain
to others Agriculture is truly most noble
occupation. That it is not as remuneratve
as it ought TO be, is, in great measure, the
fault Of the farmers themselves They ars
the producers sf most of the bare necessaries
of life, ana they have not only the right, but
the power to demand and receive a fair
equivalent for their labor and use Of capital
If supply and demands always regulated
prices, then there could be no cause Of com
plant in any quarter. 1t producer and COLI
sumer could come nearer together it would
be better for both parties; but in a majority
of cases the middle men and spectators have
it their own way. II the produce is sold ever
so cheap, it does not always benefit the con,
sumer. ..
Farmers do not know or seem to realize
the importance Of their occupation. Without
them the world would stand still The vo-
tares Of the arts and sciences must have
food, Or their labor would soon cease Poets
and Philosophers must eat, or the scintilla-
tons Of their genius would soon be obscured
Doctors Of Divinity, Doctors of Laws, and
Doctors Of Medicine, are alike dependent Oh
the farmer "for the meat that perisheth. -
Even editors, printers and politicians relish
the "klndly fruits of the farmers toll In
view of these facts, brother farmers, let us
magnify our office. Other occupations are
honorable but ours is the foundation and sup
port of them ALL Let US then cultivate Il
proper respect for it ourselves, if we would
have it honored by others Above all, if we
would elevate our calling in the opinion of
the world, we must elevate ourselves, intel
lectually, morally and socially,-P P. B.
New Yorker.