Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-19
FARMERS MUST HAvEExPER1ENCE

1t is the current belief with many persons
who have spent their lives in cities, that
the most common attainments are all that
is required to become a successful farmer;
that if a man in the city fails in business,
it is only necessary to go TO the country,
procure small farm, hire a few hands and
rest easily in the lap of contentment, peace,
plenty aud domestic felicity. Never
was there a greater error. If we
were required to specify the occupa-
tion that demanded at the same time,
a high order of intellect, extensive knOwl-
edge, far-reaching ssgacity, commanding ex-
ecutive ability and the most untiring indus
try should unhesitatingly name that of
farming. The variety of work, the divers
ity of crops, all requiring a different cul-
ture; the tact and skill necessary 10 manage
successfully the employees, the innumerable
orders to be given, and above al,
the energy to be infused into
the business to make it profitable,
show that the life of farmer is not that of a
sinecure. A long apprenticeship required;
experience must be gathered not only from
successful farmers in the neighborhood, but
from careful study of the best works on
agriculture, and a patient investigation of
the laws of nature. A variety Of knowl-
edge is constantly demanded.
Scientific truths become to him leading
element of success. To cut timber, for in
stance, when it will have the greatest dura-
bARy; TO know how to measure his fields,
and to calculate the area of each; TO anal
we and improve the soil by the application
of such fertilizers as such analysis may
show to be necessary; to understand the
pathology and anatemysand diseases of his
animals; a knowledge of these truths GER
tainly demands no little study, reflection
and thought.
And then the judgment necessary to ar
range the several fields so as TO have prop
= ar and systematic rotation of crops; the
cheapest and best fences to be made; the
calculations necessary to arrive at the ex-
penditures which should, by the laws Of
probability, be made; the employment of
labor proportioned to the prepOndeTance of
certain crops. All these certainly require
an intellect trained in the interest Of
the farm. And then there is the
practical knowledge-such as when
to SOW and when to NOW; and the tinan-
sial knowledge as when to sell and when
to keep. Commanding others, be must be
able to command himself. He must be
positive, but not peevish with his employ es;
pleasant, but not familiar, commanding
their respect and confidence, but not in
spring terror. To be hated by employees
is quite as bad for the successful manage
ment of a farm as to be too familiar with
them. Promises on the part Of the
manager should always be complied
with, even though to do so may
require great sacrifices. A failure on his
part will be an excuse for hundred failures
on the part of the laborer. All these ques-
tions, psychological, moral and mental,
successful farmer must deal with.
The nature ofhis land; its local influences;
its aptitudes and capacity; its wants and its
peculiarities must all be studied. Aud
not least Of all he must know how
TO work himself; must know how to
regulate the depth of plow, how to set a
hoe handle, how to prevent gear from
cha6ag, how to lay off corn row, how to
make ridge, how to SOW grain--a knowledge