Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-12-06

stJ's ,he ppunties OF ms providence.
Tor how else, could the countless
millions of the human family have
been clothed and feed? Those take
a very narrow view of this question,
Ct question it be called,0 who base
their calculations of the profitableness
or untitableness of farming IN general
10y the profit OF loss on a single crop
OF farm produce, on a certain piece Of
land, IN a certain year. 1t is not to
be expected that any branch of bust
ness will be equally rcmunerative at
all times, and under all circumstances.
Trade of all kinds is f~uctuating, Man
ufacturing has its' ups and downs.
Commerce is attended with many
casualties So is it with farming.
Seasons differ; markets arc uncertain,
soils vary ; there is difference in the
mode OF culture /; in the quality and
quantity of seed used, in the kind of
manure its name of application.
and its adoption to the particular soil
and crops, and various other circum-
stances TO be considered, in forminga
correct Judgment on n question Of this
character. This l might illustrate by
by numberless instances in my own
farming experience. some of which
have proved profitable, and others
quite the reverse !; either of which,
taken by itself alone, would give q
very poor idea of the profit or loss of
farming in general.
The question is not whether a cer-
tain crop pays in a certain year it is
not whether poor farming pays on
poor land any year /; it is not whether
poor farming pays or good land it 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
II whether farming pays as much as it
should and would, f it received that
fostering Legislative care that its great
interests demand, and that is SO often
bestowed on other interests, and some
times perhaps, to the injury of farm
ing interests. l would not be under
stood as ~detracting at all from the
merits Of other callings and pursuits.
They are 81 i~ncalculable advantage
both in themselves considered, and in
their relations and bearings TO farm
ing and other interests. But the ones
ton Is, does good intelligent farming,
on land suitable to cultivate, notwith-
standing all the drawbacks occasion
ed by drouth and flood, winds and
frosts, destructive insects and birds,
and unruly animals-pay? Not in a
year OF var and high prices, nor in
some future year of peace and low
pricef-but in the long run, or
through a series Of years, most assur-
eddy it does.
Farming is the best business on
earth for those who are adapted to it
and love the calling. and let me add,
nc is a poor apology OF a man, what
ever 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, and other callings must have
their place, but l truly pity the man
who would degrade farming, or feel
himself degraded while engaged in it.
II there is q man on earth more to be
cnyied than another, in my estima-
ton, so far as outw ard blessings are
concerned, it is he who owns q good,
compact farm, substantially iuclosed,
and under good cultivation, with good
convenient buildings. and good imple-
nents of husbandry, in good repair,
whose farm is well stocked with choice
animals, whose land Yields the finest
vegetables, and whose grounds and
garden, ike the garden Of Eden, pro-
duce every tree that is pleasant to the
sight and good for food. Ii, in addi-
lion to all this, lie is blessed with good
health, Is happy in all his family rela-
lions, free from debt. and has q few
hundreds or a few thousands even, il
cash capital, jndiciously invested, to-
getiier with the other always indis-
pensable requisite to happiness, a mind
satisfied with reasonable enjoyments,
then | say lie is rich indeed. And
such incidents ! trust are by no mears
rare. Certain am | that there are
scores Of farmers in many farming
communities, who either have or
should have all these.
Some persons seem inclined 10 esti-
mate all profit by dollars and cents.
This Is far from a correct standard.
How many inestimaLle blessings we
enjoy which gold and silver could not
furnish. What business so conducive
TO health as farming? Is not health
profit? What yields SO sure a com
potency, or gives greater tranquility
of mind? What calling more indie
pendent, more honest, or more pro-
motive of habits Of industry, and good
morals! What other business SO safe,
Oh other property go secure? What
other place SO good for the rearing
and training Of children and youth.
Or what other SO properly adapted to
the necessary quictude 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 aud comforts it con-
fers to those engaged in it. We are
not apt to consider how large an
amount of money is expended by fam
lilies in other occupations for yegeta-
bles, meat, milk, butter, cheese, fruit.
grain, hay, wood, 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 good
things Of this life With which they are
surrounded. and tell m where else
can be found more solid comfort. Go
back, those who can ten. twenty thirty
Or forty years. and behold the rapid
PROCESS that has been made in all
the elements Of material wealth aud
prosperity. Witness the Improvement
in farm buildings. implements OF hus-
bandry, ard stock.-mark the change
that has been wrought in the general
cultivation and improvement Of the
soil, with all this a corresponding adj
vance in intelligence, good taste and
refinement.
Farmers let ms awake to the magni-
tudc aid grandeur ofour calling. Did
we realize as we ought the advan-
5000 49, -1-..a- $3.50 ~n.. -