Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-09-18
Sensible Words.


John ii. Dent of Floyd county, TIA
writes as follows to the Country Gen
tieman:
We hear from all quarters the gen.
cfal complaint that "iarming don't
pay and see general disposition to
change to some other occupations. Why
does not farming pay? The earth pro-
duces in abundance; grain, they say,
has become drug; The grasses are
abundant; all other crops are bo,mti-
ful as much cotton made as when cul-
tivated with slaves. The truth is, the
farmers have changed from their for
mer economical and prudent habits,
and embarked in extravaganza. Hence
our expenses exceed our incomes. Ii
is all folly for the farmer to Try to
keep up the appearances in his family
which we see among persons of great
wealth. Our incomes are derived
from hard work in cuitivating the
earth, from which only so much can
be made. whilst with bankers, stock
brokers, merchants, aud others who
live by speculations, fortunes may be
easily and rapidly made when in luck.
But how many fail to the few that
succeed! With the farmer it is diff
ferent rapid fortunes cannot be accu-
mulated, but steady income can be
made annually from farming, and al
though small, it may become an indie
pendencc 1t judicious economyis OBJ
served. ] remember well when our
wives and daughters required only
seven yards of calico TO make dress
after n while they came up to ten. now
to fifteen yards. So it is with every
thing else. Hence we may lay it more
to tho fashions than TO anything else
that farming doesn't pay" Our wants
have become unreasonable. This is
not confined to the women of the farm
alone, but The men are rather in the
advance. Every department of busi-
ness has become tainted with this
mania. Hence the prices of every
thing must be advanced to keep mp the
order of things. But only so much
food can be consumed I; consequently
its price is regulated by supply and de-
mand. When 1t comes to pleasures,
fashions, and imaginary wants, the de-
mand is unlimited /; hence the cost be-
comes heavy. and extravagant.
Great hopes are entertained of the
Changers doing something to promote
the welfare Of agriculture. They will,
If properly managed, and maintained
strictly as An agricultural body. But
this must be borne In mind, Grange or
no Grange, II is as the farther manages
his affairs that his success will be. II
reckless and extravagant, fall short he
must. Success with him is as with all
other classes. depending on good man.
agement and judicious economy. Re-
formation is what is wanted, going
back to first and sonnd principles
that is, living within ones income. II
we are poor, we must live humbly.--
II. in ordinary circumstances, live in
an ordinary way. If rich, then in.
dulge in extravaganza; but never at.
tempt what we cannot afford. If we
do SO, no business will pay, honestly
conducted. The general cry now is
corruption and dishonesty have seized
upon all classes. Such IS the result oi
extravaganza in ideas as well as in liv.
ing. Millions are considered as nc
more than what thoneands once were
and the effort is to become millionaires
by the shortest possible route, let it be
the right or the wrong road. Hence
If any pursuit cannot support wanton
extravagance, it is said lit don't pay