The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-04-16
From Walks and Talks on the Farm. in
the American Agriculturist.

/ the money is not sent out Of the country
/ The men who get these high wages are
enabled to live better. They buy better
clothes, and this has a tendency to advance
the price of wool, and they will consume
more butter, cheese and meat What
| farmers want and what our soils need, is
good price for animal products. With
the exception Of wool, we have no reason
to complain Of the present price of these
| products, and it would seem as though wool
had touched bottom and the tendency
is upward. Give us good prices for beef,
mutton. wool, pork, butter and cheese, and
We can rapidly improve our farm. To me
the prospect looks less disceuraging than it
did some months ago. Our population is
rapidly increasing. The Southern States
have received a large sum of money for
their cotton crop. and are spending it wisely
i'll developing their resources. They ale
sending North fer improved implements
and improved stock, as we'll as for pork
cheese, butter and other agricultural pro-
ducts. Then we have railroad across the
continent opening up vast regions marvel
ously rich in mineral and agricultural
wealth. Already the West is beginning to
feel the influence Of this new outlet for its
products. The other day, | received let
ter from a farmer in Colorado wishing me
to procure him two or three kinds of the
best breeds of pigs. went to the express
office in Rochester to ascertain the cost of
sending them. The agent looked on his
books, but could find no such place. lie
then went to a large map hanging in the
office, but it did not reach the spot where
this enterplising farmer lives, within five
hundred miles. The incident only shows
what wonderful age and country we live
in. Let young farmer raise anything
that is really valuable: let him he true to
fame and fortune await him.
do not think wages will be much lower.
But we shall discriminate more closely as
to the kind Of men we employ by the year.
Some men are better worth $50 a month
than others are worth $50. Good farm
mea. who are faithful and industrious. and
especially these who can take care of stock,
will continue to receive good wages. Let
the others dig railroads under the sharp eye
of contractor; it will do them good
Our farm men must learn that if they are
to receive high wages they must earn them.
They must learn to keep things in order
Il a., l,.
chinery; to drive three and four horses in
stead Of two; must ride Instead Of walk,
and then use the strength thus saved in
taking extra care in feeding and cleaning
CT management of improved stock is the
highest branch of agriculture. For my
part do not want cheap labor. 1t is the
dearest and most provoking of all labor
| want man who has brains as well as
muscle-a man whe is quick to think and
prompt to act. There is a demand for
such men on the farm as well as in other
industries, and they will obtain high wages
for the reason that they can earn them
1t may be thought that this question of
wages does not effect that large class Of
farmers who. with the aid of their family,
do their own work: but it is not the case.
High wages affect the price of everything
that we have to buy and sell. The sons of
farmers will not be content to work ut
home for poorer fare and poorer wages
than they could obtain elsewhere; so that.
in point Of fact, such farmers need to turn
their attention to improved stock and i'm
proved farming as much as those who de
pend principally on hired help. 1t has
been said that high rents and high taxes in
England conpelled the farmers to adopt an
improved system Of farming. High wages
and high taxes will do the same thing here.
a farmer cannot pay his taxes and support
himself and his family with crops of wheat
of 10 bushels per acre, or with cows that
do not make over 100 lbs. of butter a year.
or with pigs that must he kept Is months |
and then he fed an acre of corn to make |
them dress three hundred lbs. The farm
ers who do their own work are the very
men who should adopt high farming and |
keep improved stock. Tkey can bestow
the necessary care and attention, and it is
this which is so difficult to hire. l know a
farmer with - acres of good land that
makes probably $1,000 year lie is
capital farmer, works carly and late. keeps |
everything in order. gets his crops in at
the right time. and suffers scarcely weed |
to grow on the farm. He pets his cows,
and loves to feed and take care of his ami
mails. | visit him frequently and always
come away with the feeling that he is cheat
ed out of half his reward from not keeping
stock. lie bestews us much care
on a flock of common Merines as is ncces-
sary for Il flock of thoroughbred Cots
wolds; and Mr.. Campbell Shorthorns and
Ayrshires receive no better treatment
though richer food than his native cows
This good care and treatment pays him
vastly better that if he neglected his stock,
but if he kept improved animals his profits
would be more than doubled.