The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-08-23

Akin to this sagacity is a certain business
tact, which is large helper to whoever
would successfully engage in agricultural
pursuits. 1t implies and demands adapta-
ton of crops to soils, exposure, and the
market wants. 1t is eminently opposed
to the drowsiness in which q good many
honest country-livers are apt to indulge. II
reckons time at its full value it does not
lean long on a hoe.handlc for gossip.
The farmer who turns his capital very
slowly, and only once in the year, is not
apt to be quiekened into business ways and
.usthods. The retired trader, who plants
mself some day beside him, bringing his
old prompt habits of the country will very
likely, if shrewd observer, outmatch him
in a corn rop,-outmatch him in pork
outmatch him in everything, if the years
balance were struck and shown. And all
this, in spite of the traders comparative
inexperience, and by reason only of his
superior business tact. sa
The finest shows of fruits at the autumn
housekeeping always those of the pro-
fessed nurserymen--are made, in three
cases out of five, by mechanics, or by busi-
ness men, who have brought to this little
episode in their life the methodica habits,
and the observance of details which govern
their ordinary business duties. Not being
in the way of leaving book accounts or
stock on hand to take care of themselves,
they are no more inclined to leave an in
yestment in trees or orcharding to take care
Of itself. They reckon upon care at the
outset, and they bestow it. The farmer,
who has complacently smiled at their in
experience in tillage, and is COMPOUNDED by
the results, will loosely attribute them all
to lavish and thriitless expenditure of
money. But the conclusion is neither logical
nor warranted-in the majority of instances
by the facts. No superior fruit can be
grown without labor and extreme care, and
if these be controlled by business system,
they will be far more economically bestow-
ed than when subject to no order in their
application.
From time to time | observe that some
venerable old gentleman in my neighbour
hood is overtaken by one of those sporadic
fevers of improvement, which will some
times, and very strangely, attack the most
tranquil and selt-satisfied of men. The
attack is slight one, of the orchard type.
He consults far and near in regard to the
best sorts of fruit. He deyotes to the ex-
pertinent one of his best lots, reserving the
very best for his next years patch of po-
tatoes. The land he reckons in "good
heart" since he has Just taken off a heavy
crop of corn. He digs his holes after an
elaborate system of garden measurement
and stake driving, which, to his poor,
tagged brain, seems the very climax Of
geometric endeavor. The young trees are
carefully staked, and for year or two
show thrifty look. But the spring temp
fotinp n s,tAta hat ha Sc,
irresistible the ploughng oxen brouse a
few, knock over few, break off a few.
This maddens our friend into "laying
down" of the orchard to grass. he half
promises himself, indeed, that he will give
hand cultivation to the trees, but he does
not; his fever is abating, and so is his or
charding. The MOSES fasten on the young
trees, the borers play havoc, the cater
pillars strip them, the rank grass strangles
them.
From beginning to end there has been no
business forecast of the requisite labor in
volved, no method in its prosecution, no es-
innate Of the scheme as business opera
ton.
It is certain that by special dispensation
of Providence in favor OF those who make
up the bulk of the human family, a man
may secure simple livelihood in ag' iculural
pursuits with less OF energy, less of prompt
itude, less of calculation, and greater un-
thrift generally, than would be compatible
with even this scanty aim in other callings
of life. With respectable crop insured
by only a moderate amount of attention
and activity, the temptation to lazy indif-
ference and sleepy passivity, is immense.
There are farmers who yield to the tempta-
ton gracefully and completely. The stir,
the wakefulness, the prompitude that seize
upon new issues, develop new enterprises,
create new demands, are as foreign to the
majority of landowners as ringing discuss
sion of new topics, or juicy haunch of
Southdown to their tables.
But whatever may be the triumphs of
business tact-and of a just apportionment
of capital, between land and implements,
or fertilizers, the real question with man
of any considerable degree of cultivation
who meditates country life,--is not whe-
Their legitimate attention will secure toler-
able balance sheet, and the fattening of fine
beeves, but whether the life and the rural
occupations offer verge and scope for the
development of his culture-whether land
and landscape will ripen under assiduous
care into graces that will keep his attach
ment strong, and enlist the activities of his
thought ?-Ik Marvel, IN " Ny Farm Of
Edge,oood."