Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-08-23
YacIIlatIng Farmers.

THERE are probably very few farmers
who have not at some time suffered losses
through making changes in the manage
ment of products of their farms.
1t is well enough to experiment with
new kinds of grain or vegetables, but to
be continually twirling ON pivot waiting
TO see which way the wind is going to
blow is the unsettled policy of far too
many farmers, as well as of men in other
professions
At least one.half of mankind are, Mi
cawber-like, waiting for something to turn
up, and that something is just what a
few leading progressive men choose to de-
eide upon as the very thing that every
body wants and which these leaders hap
pen to have for sale 1t does not make
much difference what it is little talk
and a goodly show of printers ink will
make it go. Should it be sheep, every
farmer will think it his duty to purchase
flock, and of course at fancy prices, be-
cause in times of excitement things are
sure to sell far above their intrinsic value.
AS soon as the markets are overstocked
with wool and mutton prices go down,
and sheep are slaughtered by the
thousand, and then scarcity brings
prices up again. Similar instances
of the fluctuation of prices occur
in all the different products of the farm in
consequence of this vacillating spirit
which is so prevalent among our farmers,
who are not content with a good, und
policy which, if pursued for term of
years, would certainly be the most remu-
nerative There are, it is true, few men
who have learned that whenever any one
or more Of our staple farm products fall
very low in price there is sure to he u
change, and prices 60 to the other ex-
treme. If we have not made n great mis-
take in our observations and calculations,
the farmers who have really made money
by farming are those who pursue one
course, without any considerable varia.
tion, never changing their stock or crops
because somebody thinks certain things
are going to be high and others low. If
they keep sheep one year, and wool is
low, it does not make them discouraged,
but instead of this they will purchase the
cheap lots of their once over sangulne
but now disheartened neighboIs; in fact,
they are always going in as others go out.
We think if our thoughtful farmers
will just look over the prices of farm
products for the past twenty years they
cannot fail to see just how money has
been and can be made by sticking to a
few of the leading products of farm,
whether IL be butter, cheese. meat, hay OF
grain. The same truths hold good in
orcharding and gardening, and it is only
those who select certain crops and make
a specially of them who are sure TO get
rich from the products of the soil. We
know one man near this city who devoted
large portion of his farm 10 cabbages
for twenty years without any variation
on account of price, and the result was
$4,000 profit during the time named
Another has cultivated twelve acres OF
tomatoes for nearly the same length Of
time with equally as good results.
1t may be necessary to change occa
, sionally, but when change is made LEI
it be a permanent one, and not for a sea
son or two, because man can hardly de
termine what the results will be in 81
: short a time. All our eminent anC
wealthy stock breeders, dairymen, ant
other noted agriculturists, are men VIII,
: have persistently devoted their time an,
energies to a special branch and no
changed about to suit the times or whim
of spectators in our markets. We mus
, have specialties in farming as well as il
other industrial pursuits before the high
. est order of skill will be develope
l. among those who pursue this calling
NeW York Sun,