The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-08-29
stpuselrold aud farm
Farmers Must Have EXPERIENCE.

Farmers MUST have Experience.
at is the current belief with many
persons who have spent their lives
in cities, that the most common at
tainments arc all that is required TO
Her9me a successful farmer; tIat If
q man in the city fails In business,
itfsonly necessary to 90 to the eoHn
trv, procure a small farm, hire a few
hands and rest easily in the ap of
contentment, peace, plenty and DO
nestle felicity. Never was there a
ggeater error. 1t we were required
20 specify the occupation that de-
manded at the same time a high
order Of intellect, extensive knowl-
edge. far-reaching sagaeity, com
manding executive ability and the
most untiring industry, we should
unhesitatingly name that of farm
ing. The variety of work, the di-
versity ofcrops, ell requiring q diff
ferent culture, the tact and skill
necessary to manage successfully
the employees, the innumerable or
ders to he given, and above all, the
energy to be infused into the bust
ness to make it profitable, show
that the life Of farmer is not that
of a sinecurc. A long apprentice
ship is required; experience must
be gathered not only from success
ful farmers in the neighborhood,
but from a careful study of the best
works on agriculture, and patient
study Of the laws Of nature. a va
riety of knowledge is constantly de
manded.
Scientific truths become TO him q
leading element of success To cut
timber, for instance, when it will
have the greatest durability, to
know how to measure his fields and
To- calculate the area of each; to an
alyzc and improve the soil by the
application Of such fertilizers as
such analysis may show to be nee
essary; TO understand the patholo-
gy and anatomy and diseases of his
animals; a knowledge Of these
truths certainly demands no little
Study, reflection and thought.
And then, the Judgment necessa-
~ to arrange the several fields so
rs. to have a proper and systematic
i ft5t5ltiOn Of crops the cheapest md
best fences to be made; the oalcula
tlOhs necessary 70 arrive Attic OK
penditures which should, by the
laws. Of probabilities, be made; the
employment of labor proportional
to the preponderance of certain
crops. All these certainly require
an intellect trained in the Interest
Ofthe farm. And then there is the
practical Acknowledgements as when
To SOW and when TO NOV; and the
financial knowledge, as when to sell
and when. to keep. Commanding
others, he must be able to command
himself. lie must be positive, but
not pcevish, with his employees
pleasant, but not familiar; com
manding their respect and conf
dence, but not inspiring terror. To
be hated by cmpl yes is quite as
bad for the successful management
of a farm as to be too familiar with
them. Promises on the part Of the
manager should always be complied
with, even though 20 do, 50 may re
quire great sacrifices. A failure on
his part will be an excuse for a hun
dred failures on the part Of the la
horer. All these questions, psyche
logical, moral and mental, n success
60 fIIl farmer must deal with,
The ma ture Of his land, its local
influences, its aptitudes and capaci-
ties, it's wants and its peeuliarities,
must all be studied Aud not least
of all, he must know how TO work
himself; must know how to regu.
ulate the depth of a pillow, how to
set a hoe handle, how to prevent
gear from chatting, how to lay off q
corn row, how to make a ridge, how
to sow grains Knowledge of all
such things is quite as valuable as
to know that soils OVERLAPPING lime
stone are usually fertile, or that wa.
ter and carbonie acid are the chief
products Of vegetable decomposi
tiOn.