The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-01-25
Does Farming Pay?
From the New ENGLAND Farmer I

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, (if question il
can be called, who base their calculations
/ OF the proftableness or unfitabeness of
farming 10 general by the profit or loss on a
single crop Of farm produce, on a certain
] piece OF land, il a certain year. 1t is not
I 10 be expected that any branch of business
| will be equally remunera,iYe at all times,
and under all circumstances Trade of all
! kinds is fluctuating. Manufacturing has its
ups and downs. Commerce is attended
with many casualties. So is it with farm
ing. Seasons differ; markets are uncei-
tain, soils vary there is difference In the
4 mode OF culture; in the quality and quanti-
ty OF seed used, in the kind of manure its
manner Of application, and its adoption to
the particular soil and crops, and various
other circumstances to be considered, in
forming q correct judgment on a question OF
this character. This | might illustrate by
nuniberless instances in my own farming
experience, some of which have proved
profitable, and others quite the reverse
either OF which, taken by itself alone, w0' d
give very poor idea of the proit.or loss of
farming III general.
The question is not whether a certain
crop pays in d certain year; it is not whether
! poor farming pays on poor land any year;
I 1t Is not whether poor farming pays on good
land; it Is not whether farming paws as
much cash profit as some other occupation,
Or branch of business, where great risks are
incurred, and much capital and much tai
ent employed; neither is it whether farming
pays as much as it should or would, if it
received that fostering legislative care that
It's great interests demand, and that is 50
often bestowed on other interests. and some
times perhaps, 70 the ijj3Ty Of farming In
terestS. | would, n0t be understood a. de
tracing al all from the merits Of other call,
ings and pursuits. They are Of incalculable
advantage both in themselves considered.
and in their relations and bearings to farm
ing and other interests. Bar tie question
Is, does gooi, Intelligent farming, on land
suitable tn cultivate, Notwithstanding all
the drawbacks occasi0ned BY drought and
Hood, winds and irosts, destructive insects
and birds, aad nnrniy annials-pay? Not
III year OF war and high prices, uor in
some future year OF peace AMI low prices
bat IN the long run, or through series OF
years, most assurediy it does
Farming Is the best business on earth for
those who are adapted to it aud love the
calling, and let me add, he is a poor apolo-
~ tor man, whatever his occupation may
be, who takes no interest In the cultivation
OF that soil, FROM whence alone cometh his
daily bread. Other stations must be filed.
aud other calhug5 must have their place.
bat truly pity the man who would de
grade farming, or feel himself degraded
white engaged ~ 1t. IT there is man on
earth more to be cnviad than another. In
my estimation, SO far as outward blessing,
m fsNpnf .,l }, l..
compact farm, substantially incl0sed. and
under good cultivation, with good conye-
nlent buildings, and good In PIGMENTS OF
husbandry, IN good repair, whose farm is
we'll stocked with choice animals, whose
land yields the finest vegetables, and whose
grounds and garden, like Ike garden of
E4ea produce every tree that Is pleasant
to the sight and good for food. If, in al L.
+ ton 10 all this, he Is blessed with good
health, is happy in all his family relations.
free from debt, and has a few hundreds or
few thousands even in cash capital, IL
+ diciaiiy invested, together with thl otter
always indispensable requisite to hapni
ness, mind satisfied with reasonable en-
/ joyments, then | say he is rich indeed. =
( And such incidents | trust are by no means
rare Certain am / that there are scores OF
/ farmers III many farming communities. who
q CitHGl nave VI St!bIiu nave all tIe~G,
/ Some persons seem inclined 10 estimate
all profit by dollars and cents. This is far
! from correct standard. How many ines
Unable blessings we. enjoy which gold and
! silver could not furnish. What business so
conducive to health as farming? Is not
/ health profit? What yields 50 sure a com
! petcecy, or gives greater tranquility of
mind? u hat calling more INDEPENDENT.
! honest l,l
/ OF Industry and good morals? What other
/ business 50 safe, or other property so secure?
! What other place so good for he reaiing
and training OF children and youth? Or
4 what other 50 properly adapted TO the ne
! essary quIetude OF declining years? We
should give the farm due q edit tor what i
I derived igJal Il, not only as regards money
/ value, but Ill the blessings and comforts il
I c0ufers TO those engaged IN it,. We are not
apt To consider huW large AT amount OF mo
/ ncy is expended by families in Other occu-
| patlOn5 Tor vegetables. meat, mix. butter
/ cheese, fruit, grain, hay, wool fuel, tim
/ Der, horse hire, &c, most or all uf which h
saved to the Farmer, am! should ba credited
/ to the farm just look around over any
/ good, thriving farming community. and
/ witness che abundance OF good things OF
/ this life with which they are surrounded,
/ anu ttii ifiE N!iEIG Eise Gdil' ne lJuBG more
! solid comfort. TO back, those who can,
ten, twenty, thirty or forty years. and BE-
hold the rapid progress that has been made
In all the elements of material wealth and
! prosperity. Witness the Improvements in
! farm buildings, implements OF husbandry,
and stock, mark the change that has been
wrought IN the general cultivation and i'm
/ pfosGment OF the soil. and with all this a
corresponding adv aucc in Intelligence, good
taste and refinement.
Farmers, let US awake to the magnitude
and grandeur OF our calling. Did we real
/ iae as We ought the advantages Of the posi-
zion we occupy, and the noble nature OF our
pursuit, we shoaid seldom repine and muir
muir, but rather glory in our lot While
doing all IN our power for the benefit of
Others let US guard well our own interests.
We live in world Of sharp competition,
and farmers, like others, must take care of
| themselves We should sustain those agii-
cultural papers that truly sustain our call
I ing, and we should choose those legislators
who watch over our interests, aud advocate
our rights We should watch carefully the
( l.. Iii, u, I I