Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-11-25
A0runltural
lfu SUCCESS d, Earni,.g.

published IN the FARMER OF October i,
| should Ike to give some sketches OF my
experience rs a farmer, though am no,
much given to writing. | do not wish
to encourage such Us our friend &C,
who commenced farming after the best
part Of his lite had been spent rs clerk
in a stOre,-for such will usually fail,
as he did,-but I DO wish TO encourage
the young farmer who has entered upon
the business qualified for the work aud
with that love for it which Is necessary
for success in any avocation. With
such. farming does and will pay, nOtwith-
standing the bitter experience of friend
&c"
The sooner people learn that tillins
the ground Is great and lite-leng study,
the sooner We shall cease hearing of such
failures as that detailed by your dry
goods clerk. The whole secrc, Of MS
failure he tells in the last part Of his
communication, where he saws IL admit
that my iuexperieuce and theories We're
the prime cause of my failure; but at
best farmers life Is . life of Serere t3L
and little pleasure" The prime cause
OF his failure lies in the last four words,
"scyere toll and little pleasure" l al
init that farming Is hard work, but be-
ieye that work Is one Of the greatest
blessings of this life Tor, when the day 5
work Is over. we can retire with clear
conscience. II our friend &C cannot
enjoy this result Of honest toll, he hal
best 90 20 his store and remain from
early morn tiIl late at night, and as be
closes his shop. boast among his fellows,
Ell, too, have cheated some hard-workus
man or woman to-day"
But, Mr. Editor, and readers Of the
FARMER, Is It true there Is little pleasure
In farming? OF course profit Is th,
handspring OF all labor, but there Is real
pleasure in watching the growth and per-
lection Of plants and animals and In seq
iag Improvements going on from year To-
year should Ike to dwell Ut some
.cagth on this point, for l believe that th'
quiet farmer has IL least his full share
o. the pleasures Of this, but l Will cone
tine my remarks 10 my experience e. a
t..er Of the SOIL
Seven years ago l bought a farm Z
800 acres for 10000 the stock aui
tools cost me $4,000 more. Ihad $1,000
90 pay down, which left me in debt SIS
GOO. The first year l kept a cash .e-
count, aud found my receipts $500 per
month and NY expenses about 500, m-
Guiding interest and help. The first year
paid two notes, both before they were
DUE and ia each >ucceciin. year paid
my notes before they became due, auj
got some discount by doing So
/ should have said in the frs, place
tina, l had dairy of forty COWS, and %
sugar bush Of 1000 trees. From these
two sources received most of my money,
though | sold few tons o, hay, lcw
bushels Of oats, corn, beans, potatoes and
apples. also raised some pork to sci.
each year, and occasionally y fat COW or
yoke 70. oxen, when they were no long
az useful for the dairy or the woke.
From seven colonies OF bees | received
steady income and increased my stocks
each year.
But without going into details, l wi,
say that at the end OF SIX wears sold
my farm back to the man of whom
bought it; He had been West and came
back thoroughly homesick and wanted
his old home.
In 10 one Of the SIX years did l clear
less than $500. Now take my $4,000
and ny age, thirty years, and suppose
that should live 10 the allotted age Of
man, three score years and ten and
each year add $500 and interest at SIX per
cent, and | think It viii compare favor
ably with the profits Of any Of the pro-
LESSONS. | do not say that | have not
made more then $500 any year but l
DO say that this Is the lcas. | made ia
any one Of the SIX years. At the same
time l have had an experience which is
worth more TO NE than all the rest.
have helped build one railroad by taking
one share Of its stock and paving for il.
and have eudeayorei to do my sh4r-
towards the support Of society, and To-
wards cncouraglngevery enterprise which
) for the public good.
Some Of the glitter and show Of our e.
q and village cousins, which has 50 long
d4zed the country youth, has been sadly
dimmcd by reeen, events in our CONNER
c.al cities and manufacturing towns, and
some journeymeu, clerks, &c, who have
for years had large salaries or wages ar
now looking forward 10 a hard wiu;e-
without employment or work, with fear
and trembling. The price Of the farmers
produce may be somewhat lesSened Pos
these business crashes, but they know
nothing Of the dread Of being "0ut o.
work for weeks and months, with empty
cellars, store rooms and wood-shcds.
have not alluded to my success as
farmer with any desire to boast. | have
done only what thousands Of farmers aye
doing throughout New England. and
while 1t Is SAID on every hand that farm
ing GOzt DQy. | claim that It does pay.
and shall purchase another large iara
the first chance | ind which suits.
II l have said anything which viii
help the young farmer, or inspire in hjm
hope and confidence, am satisfied. IT.
gage in some straightforward work and
follow It to success, thought YOU fail the
first time. Some viii tell You to breed
horses; others Will say there Is fortune
in the poultry business others viii re-
commend beans or hOrs ,r3 o,,s ,...