Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-10-05

Il
equal propriety inquire, does it pay to live
on Gods footstool, and enjoy the bounties
of his providence For how else could the
countless millions of the human family have
been clothed and fed ? Those take very
narrow view of this question, Gf question
IL can he called) who base their calculations
of the profitabeness or unprotitablcness OF
farming in general by the profit or loss on
single crop of farm produce, on certain
piece of land, in n certain year. 1t is not |
to be expected that any branch OF business
will be. equally renumerativc at all times,
and under all circumstances. Trade OF all
kinds is lluctuating Manufacturing mas lts
ups and downs. Commerce is attended with |
many casualties. SO it is with farming |
Seasons differ markets are uncertain; soils |
vary there is difference in the mode of cul- |
ture, in the quality and quantity of seed
used in the kind of manure, its manner OF
application. and its adaptation TO the particu-
lar soil and crops, and various other circum-
stances to be considered, in forming cor
rect judgement on question OF tins CHAR
acter. This | might illustrate by number
less instances in my own farming expert
ence, some of which have proved profitable,
and others quite the reverse either OF
which, taken by itself alone, would give a
very poor idea of the profit or loss of farm
ing in general.
The question is not whether certain
crop paws in a certain year it is not wheth-
cr poor farming pays on poor land any year;
it is not whether poor farming pays ON good
land il is not whether farming pays as
much cash profit as some other occupation,
or branch of business. where great risks are
incurred, and much capital and much talent
employed neither is it whether farming
paws as much rs it should and would, If it
received that fostering legislative care that
its great interests demand, and that is so Of
ten bestowed on other interests, and some
times. perhaps, to the injury of farming in
terests. ! would not be understood as de-
tracing ut all from the merits of other call
ings and pursuits. They are of incalculable
advantage both as in themselves considered,
and in their relations and bearings to farm
inc and other interests. But the question
is, does good, intelligent farming, on land
suitable to cultivate, Notwithstanding all
the drawbacks occasioned by drought and
flood, winds and frosts, destructive insects
and birds, and unruly animals,-pay? Not
in year of war and high prices, nor in
some future year of peace and low prices,-
but in the long run, or through a series of
years. Most assuredly it does.
Farming is the best business on earth for
those who are adapted to it and love the
calling, and let me add, he is a poor apology
for q man, whatever his occupation may be,
who takes no interest in the cultivation of
that soil, from whence alone cometh his dali
" bread. Other stations must be filled, and
other callings must have their place, but /
truly pity the man who would degrade farm
ing, or feel himself degraded while engaged
in it. If there is a man on earth, more to
be envied than another, in my estimation,
so far as outward blessings are concerned,
it is he who owns a good, compact farm,
substantially enclosed, and under good cul-
tivation. with good convenient buildings,
and good implements Of husbandry, in good
repair, whose farm is well stocked with
choice animals, whose land yields the finest
vegetables, and whose grounds and garden,
like the garden of Eden, produce every tree
that is pleasant to the sight and good for
food If, in addition to all this, he is blessed
with sound health, is happy in his family
relations, free from debt and has few hun
bred or few thousands even, judiciously
invested, together with the other always in
dspensable requisite to happiness, a mind
satisfied with reasonable cnioyments, then
say he is rich indeed And such instances
] trust are by no means rare. Certain am l.,
that there are scores of farmers in many
farming communities, who either have or
should have all these.
Some persons seem inclined to estimate
all profit by dollars and cents. This is far
from a correct standard. How many ines
Unable blessings we enjoy that gold and
silver could not furnish. What business so
conducive to health as farming? Is not
health profit? What yields so sure COM
potency, or gives greater tranquility of
mind What calling more independent,
more honest, or more promotive of habits
of industry and good morals ? What other
business so safe, or property so secure
What other place so good for the rearing
and training of children and youth ? Or
what other so properly adapted to the nee
essary quietudc 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 blessings and comforts it
confers to those engaged in it. We are not
apt to consider how large an amount of mon.
ey is expended by families in other occupa-
tons for vegetables, meat, milk, butter,
cheese, fruit. grain, hay, wool, fuel, timber.
horse-hire, &c, most or all of which is saved
to the farmer, and should be credited to the
farm. just look around over any good
thriving farming community, and witness
the abundance of the good things of this
life with which they are surrounded, and
tell me where else can be found more solid
comfort. Go back, those who can, ten. TWEEN
ty, thirty, or forty years and behold the
rapid progress that has been made in all
the elements of material wealth and pros
perity. Witness the Improvement in the
farm buildings, implements of hllsbandry
and tock,-mark the change that has beer
wrought in the general cultivation and i'm.
pavement of the soil, and with all this 4
corresponding advance in intelligence, good
taste and refinement.
Farmers, let us awake to the magnitude
aud gradeur Of our calling. Did we rcalizl
as we ought the advantage of the position
we occupy, and the noble nature of oul
pursuit, we should seldom repine and muir
muir, but rather glory in our lot. While do
ing all in our power for the benefit of 9th
ers, let us guard we'll our own interest
We live in n world of sharp competition
and farmers, like others, must take care o
Themselves We should sustain those agri
cultural papers that truly sustain our call
ing, and we should choose those Legislators
who watch over our interests, and advocate
our rights. We should watch carefully thu
bearings of all their acts In short W,
should make farming what it was designed
to be, the foundation and corner stone of al
other pursuits. O, how UNNECESSARILY su
perior every way, is the good farmers posi-
ton, when compared with the thouasnds o
little professional gentlemen, and hangers
ON, who, to escape what they the call drudg
cry of farming, exc out q pitiable existence
a burden to themselves and to those tina
carry them. know that farm labor is some
times hard, and can be made oppressiv,
but machinery is constantly tightening oul
toll and making us more and more indepen
dent. If farmers but make a proper use o
the means at their dismissal thev CON nave,