Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-03-01
What Our Farmers Must Dc.


takes that have been made, by
guarding against them in the future.
There are times when it is extre-
mely hazardous for an army to in
augurate new movement by cut
ting loose from its old base; SO is it
equally dangerous for tie farmer to
abandon his mode OF farming and
engage in new enterprises bscause
he has not met with the success he
anticipated. The low prices at the
present time find the balance on the
wrong side of the sheet with very
many farmers, and they begin at
once to look around for something
new instead of studying some of the
e&that brought about the result,
which could be easily remedied by
proper attention.
In former articles we have shown
the folly ofthis changing continually
from one thing to another, and it is
as applicable to the present time as
to any former one. 1t is many
times cxpcdicnt to drop some kinds
of grain or vegetables, or to add
new varieties. So can a change be
made with some kinds Of stock,
with no less advantage. In doing
this the paramount question is
Will the soil be benefited by the
change? When a farmer will raise
such crops and stock as will keep
up or increase the fertility of the
soil, he is certain of ultimate sue
cess. Impoverished farms bring
disaster to their owners in like man
ner. When we see q farm running
down, the owner soon follows after
with equal rapidity.
The present leisure months are an
appropriate time to mature our
plans for the season. BY the aid of
Farmers Clubs, and agricultural
periodicals and books, we can be
greatly assisted in pertecting plans
that will result in success. The in
telligent farmer almost invariably
takes agricultural papers. 10 those
who do not we would say-Go and
subscribe at once, and you will
wonder why you were so thought.
less as to neglect such an import
ant matter. A farmer should be
posted in agricultural science the
same as the lawyer is posted in the
laws, or a doctor in medicines.
knowledge is the ammunition that
operates by force and secures VIC
tory. These are perilous times to
many farmers, and they well may
inquire-"What shall we do to be
saved" Too many prosecute their
business IN anticipation of big crops
and bigger prices, and, failing in
either, they are unsuccessful. The
perilous high prices made many
farmers too reckless in all their
operations, and they still continue
in the same perilous manner.
In laying out plans for the com
ing season, we must shape our bust
ness so as to lessen expense, and
thereby secure a profit on our pro-
duce, if prices are low. Nearly
every thing the farmer has to buy
is high, and he must economize or
his purchases will exceed his sales.
If the farming community would
cease buying so recklessly, it would
tender to equalizc prices which are
now greatly against them. An old
friend used to repeat often this
maxim to the writer,-"Always
live within one-half of your income"
If farmers would always live with
in all their income, it would be
economizing greatly. The great
demon Of destruction to many farm
ers is the present "credit system"
We are induced to buy many things
which we could do without. The
result often is, we have to sacrifice
produce or stock, to satisfy the
demands of the law.
Let us resolve to avoid debt, buy
ing only what we actually need,
and do all the work possible within
ourselves; and at the end of the
year, the footings Of the expense
column will be amazingly reduced.
Those who have not heretofore kept
an account should begin at once.
a carefully kept record is a strong
base to rest upon; it is a fortifica-
ton that can always be relied upon.
1t is as necessary for the farmer to
keep an account as it is for the mer
chant, OF any business mani. G.
Brown, IN Western Rural.