Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-11-16
agricultural ana 4rattital,
Does Farming Pay.

to live on Gods footstool, and enjoy the
bounties of his providence? For how
else could the countless millions of the hu
man family have been clothed and fed
Those take a very narrow view of this
question, Gf question it can be called who
base their calculations of the profitable
ness of farming in general by the profit or
loss on a single crop of farm produce, on a
certain piece of land, in certain year.
1t is not to be expected that any branch
of business will be equally remunerative
at all times, and under all circumstances.
The question is not whether certain
crop pays in certain year; it is not
whether poor farming pays on poor land
any year; it is not whether poor farming
pays on good land; it is not whether farm
ing pays as much cash profit as some other
occupation, or branch of business, where
greater risks are incurred, and much cap
ital, as well as talent are employed; neither
is it whether farming pays as much as it
should and would, if it received that fos-
tering Legislative care that its great inter
ests demand, and that is so often bestowed
on other interests, and sometimes, perhaps,
to the injury of farming interests. Iwould
not be understood as destracting at all from
the merits of other callings and pursuits.
They are of incalculable advantage both
as in themselves considered, and in their
relations and bearings to farming and other
interests. But the question is, does good,
intelligent farming, on land suitable to cul-
tivate, notwithstanding all the drawbacks
oecasioned by drought and food, winds
and frosts, destructive insects and birds,
and rinruly animals-pay? Not in years
of war and high prices, not in some fu-
ture year of peace and low prices,-but in
the long run, or through series of years,
Most assuredly it does. .fan s-;-
Farming is the best business on earth
for those who are adapted to it, and love
the calling, and let me add, he is poor
apology for man, whatever his occupa-
ton may be, who takes no interest in the
cultivation of the soil whence alone COM
eth his daily bread. Other stations must
be filled, and other callings must have
their places, but l truly pity the man who
would degrade farming, or feel himself
degraded while engaged in it. If there is
man on earth more to be envied than
another, in my estimation, SO far as out
ward blessings are concerned, it is he who
owns good compact. farm, substantially
enclosed, and under good cultivation, with
good convenient buildings, and good i'm
plements of husbandry, in good repair,
whose farm is, well stocked with choice an
imals, whose land yields the finest vegata-
bles, and whose grounds and garden, like
the garden of Eden, produce every tree
that is pleasant to the sight and good fol
food. ii If, in addition to all this, he is
blessed with sound health, is happy in his
family relations, free from debt, and has a
a few hundred, or few thousands even,
judiciously invested, together with the
other always indispensable requisite tc
happiness, mind satisfied with reasonable
enjoyments, then | say he is rich indeed
And such instances, | trust, are by nc
means rare. Certain am that there are
scores of farmers in many farming com
munities who. either have or should have
all these.
Some persons seem inclined to estimate
all profits by dollars and cents. This il
far from a correct standard. How many
inestimable blessings we enjoy that gold
and silver could not furnish. What busi
ness so conducive to health as farming
Is not health profit? What yields SO sun Il
a competency, or gives greater tranquility
of mind3 What calling more independ-
ent, more honest, or more promotlSe Of
habits of industry and good morals
What other business so safe, or property
so secure9 What other place so good fol
the rearing and training Of children and
youth? Or what other so properly adapt
ed to the necessary quietude Of declining
years? We should, give the farm due
credit for what is derived from it, not only
as regards money value, but in the bless
ings and comforts it confers on those en-
gagged in it. We are not apt to consider
how large an amount of money is expend.
ed by families in other occupations for veg.
tables, meat, milk, butter, cheese, fruit,
grain, hay, wood, fuel, timber, horse-hire,
&e., most or all of which is saved to the
farmer. Just look around over any good
thriving farming community, and witness
the abundance of good things of this life
with which they are surrounded, and tel
me where else can be found more solid
comfort. Go back, those who can, ten,
twenty, thirty or forty years and behold
the rapid progress that has been made IN
all the elements of material wealth and
prosperity. Witness the improvement in
sarm buildings, implements of husbandry,
and stock,-mark the changes that has
been wrought in the general cultivation
and improvement of the soil, and with al
this corresponding advance in intelli-
gence, good taste and refinement.
Farmers, let us awake to the magnitude
and grandeur of our calling. Did we re-
alize as we ought the advantage of the
position we occupy, and the noble nature
of our pursuit, we should seldom repine
and murmur, but rather glory in our lot.
While doing all in our power for the ben
eft of others, let us guard well our own
interest. We live in a world of sharp
competition, and farmers, like others, must
take care of themselves. We should sus-
tain those agricultural papers that truly
sustain our calling, and We should choose
those Legislators who watch over our in
terests, and advocate our rights. We
should watch carefully the bearings of all
their acts. In short we should make farm
ing what it was designed to be, the foun-
dation and corner stone of all other pur.
suits. O, how immeasurably superior, ev-
cry way, is the good farmers position,
when compared with the thousands of lit
tie professional gentlemen, and hangers on
who, to escape what they call drudgery Of
farming, exc out "a pitiable existence, bur
den to themselves and to them that carry
them. l know that farm labor is some