The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-08-07
Docs Farning Pay?

This question has been discussed at
farmers clubs, in farmers conventions,
and by writers ia the agricultural pa
pers, and seems not to he answered in
the affirmative in the minds of the ma
jority, if we are To judge from their talk
and manner of procedure. That farm
in Z is poor business, would be the an
swer OF nine-tenths of those engaged in
it, if the direct question were put to
them. Hence we find discomfort, and
desire TO sell, on the part Of many. In
this vicinity many advertise to sell; yet
10 one appears TO buy. | have always,
until within a few years, known men
who wanted to buy farms; those which
were well located and desirable found
ready purchasers-the demand was fully
equal to the supply. But of late it has
not been so. do not know to-day of
person who wishes to buy a farm, or to
invest money in land for agricultural
purposes, nor would any farm about
here sell Tor its real vakIe il offered.
There is no doubt that many who are
now anxious to sell, will live to rejoice
that no one appeared to buy. 1t is that
only which will save them from iinan-
cial ruin. The desire to invest the pro-
ceeds In something which shall pay large
interest, and live nm easy life without la
boT, is the idea. Large rates of interest
are attended with CORES pOnding risks,
and the majority would seek such invest
ments as would in short time leave
them penniless. Ii is blessing to them
that their farms cannot he sold. The
time will doubtless come when man
who Owps farm free from debt and a
hume for HE family viii think himself
well OFF. SpeculaiionS and the proceeds
of money iAVestGd will not always prove
the greatest blessing. In times of COM
mcrCial distress these are often not TO
be trusted, while the farmer who owns
his farm has not much to fear.
Farmers do not live up TO sheir priv
ileges. They NAV have as good a living
ms those in towns who spend three or
five Thousand dollars year for that pur-
pose. Their tables may be better sup
piled with a greater variety and much
better quality of articles. Fresh vege-
tables, butter, milk, cream, eggs and
fruit, "A horse ami carriage, more leisure
taking all these tlingS into COnSidera-
ton, aud reckoning the articles COnsUm-
ed by the farmers family at the price
paid by his city friend, we shall not find
so much difference as one would sup
pose. 1t would be more apparent than
real. Looking at it in this light, we
should be better cOntented with our lot.
IL Is the few in any occupation that
ANAAlNlN lNA hNtlNH7 WIZ olAf ShNNtNAtS1
multitudes fail. And perhaps as large
proportion of farmers gain i'm property
rs in any other business. Certainly no
one will deny that the small farmers are
better off than any other class of equal
means. IL people would live us ecOno-
mieally ~ formerly, probably as much
money could he laid up as at any previ-
Gus time. Habits of eXtravigance have
done much to bring the business into
disrepute, and it is apparent in almost
everything.
We see il in houses and furniture,
clothing, carriages and harness. a sta
ble-Seeper recently told me that he for
merly found ready sale among farm
els for his secondhand carriages, after
running them for a couple or years or
so; now he makes no sales to farmers
the best have become none too good
for them. This is true i'm regard to al
most everything else. Our easy means
of communication have brought the
country and city into closer relation,
and the result has been that many have
become DISCONTINUED with the slow but
sure gains of agriculture; and haste to
become rich has done much mischief to
the rural populltion.
IL people would view the matter as il
Is, | think they would find that the
farmer has as many advantages rs men
of any other calling-and on closer eX-
animation might find that farming pays.