Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1871-09-30
A WORD FOR THE FARMER"

The first volume of the VERMONT FARMER
is approaching its close, and as the publisher
is making his proposals to our patrons else
where in this number, it is II good time for
the editor also to say word to his readers.
We began the FARMER with strong faith
that the agriculturists of Vermont felt the
need of II paper of their own. and hope that
we might be able to give them such an one
asthey would be willing to adopt and sustain.
The experience of the past nine months has
weakened neither the faith nor the hope. 1t
is evident, from the freedom with which
voluntary subscriptions have come to us from
all parts of the state, that large number of
our best farmers desire to see I'M organ of
Vermont agriculture successfully established.
Many of our best Vermont writers on agri-
cultural subjects have also come to our as
sistance, and we have been warmly encour-
aged by many of the leading men of our diff
ferent agricultural organizations. We be-
lieve that no newspaper enterprise in the
state ever rallied around it, in the same time,
larger company of friends and supporters
than has the VERMONT FARMER in its brief
existence
We are satisfied with what has been real
lied. so far us the past is concerned: we feel
that the public has done for us us much, and
more, than expected. But we are not sat :.
isfied, either for ourselves or our patrons,
that we should stop where we are. A good
foundation is laid for paper that shall do
credit to Vermont agriculture. We do not
wish to see that foundation stand without q
suitable superstructure.
No one who will compare this paper with
any other agricultural journal in the country,
but will be ready to admit that we have Civ
en-, and are weekly giving to our readers,
full value for their money Putting aside the
important fact that every line is written OF
selected with special reference to the needs
of Vermont agriculture, that there is no
waste or superhuous matter, we call atten-
ton to the fact that, measure for measure
we are giving our readers as much agricul-
tural reading us most of our two dollar and
two-dollar-and-a-half contemporaries in New
England They print larger sheets, tits true
but while we give but four OF five short col
umns to advertising, they give sixteen and
eighteen long columns to the same purpose
indeed, their extra size is mainly given to
their own pecuniary profit, and their pat
rons pay for it. We call attention to this
unquestionable fact, not to reflect upon our
esteemed contemporaries, who publish their
papers cheaply enough, but in justice to our
selves, that our readers may sec and realize
the actual facts of the case.
Now, if for dollar year we are giving
MS much-and we hope, at least, us good, ag-
ricultural reading to our subscribers MS any
paper in New England, are we not entitled
to the liberal support that Vermont farmers
can give to the only agricultural paper it has P
We do not ask support simply on the ground
of local pride we give, we firmly believe,
better value than can be had elsewhere, and
then we ask the farmers of our state, Will
you buyp"
Publishing paper is like any other bust
ness; it must pay profit OF it must cease.