The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1873-10-10
JJae ytlarietta bournal.
Marietta. Georgia. October 10. 1878.
SENSIBLE WORDS.

6&4N 6AA15A| " ~~SA~~'
John Ii. Dent, of Floyd county,
Ga, writes as follows to the country
Gentleman
We hear from all quarters the gen
eral complaint that farming don't
paw and see general disposition
to change to some other occupation.
Why does not farming payY The
earth produces in abundance; grain,
they say, has become drug; the
grasses are abundant; all other
crops are bountiful; as much cotton
made as when cultivated with slaves.
The truth is. the farmers have
changed from their former economi-
cal and prudent habits. and embarked
in extravagancies. Hence our ex>
penses exceed our incomes. 1t 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 cultivating the
earth, from which OILY so much can
be made, whilst with bankers, stock
brokers, merchants, and Others who
live BY speculation, foatunes may be
easily and rapidly made when in
luck. But how many fail to the few
that succeed 7 With the farmer it is
different rapid fortunes cannot be
accumulated but steady income can
be made annually from farming, and
although small, it may become an
indie pendence if judicious economy
is observed. remember we'll when
our wives and daughters required
only seven yards of calico to make a
dress; after while they came up to
ten, now to fifteen yards. So it is
with everything else. Hence we
may lay it more to the fashions than
to anything else that farming don't
paw Our wants have become un-
reasonable. This is not confined to
the woman Of the farm alone, but
the men are rather in the advance.
Every department Of business has
become tainted with this mania
Hence the prices Of everything must
be advanced to keep up the order OF
things. But only so much food Gao
be consumed; consequently its price
is regulated by supply and demand.
When it comes to pleasures, fashion
and imaginary wants, the demand 10
unlimited; hence the cost becomes
heavy and extravagant.
Great hopes are entertained of the
Oranges doing something to promote
the welfare Of agriculture. They
will, if properly managed, and main
tanned strictly as an agricultural
body. But this must be borne in
mind, Grange or no Grange, it is as
the farmer manages his affairs that
his success will be. If reckless and
extravsgant, fall short he must
Success with him is as with all other
classes, depending on good manage
ment and judicious economy. he
formation is what is wanted, going
back TO first and sound principles
that is living within ones income
If we are poor. we must 1--we humbly.
If in ordinary circumstances live In
an ordinary way. If rich. then in
dulge in extravagance but never
attempt what we cannot afford. II
we do 50, no business will pay, hon.
estly conducted. The general cry
now is, corruption and dishonesty
have seized upon all classes. Such
is the result Of extravaganza in ideas
as well as in living, Millions are
as no more than what
thousands once were, and the effort
is to become miIlionaires by the
shortest possible route, let it be the
right or the wrong road. Hence, IT
any pursuit cannot support wanton
extravaganza, it is said ''it don't