Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-12-01
r,rthe OXFORD DgHUcRAr.
Does Farming Pay?

Agriculture lctus us 10 SiCdt "a
tent it clothes us; without it We could
not have manufactures, and we should not
have commerce These all stand together
like pillars in a cluster; the largest in the
centre, and that largest is agriculture.
Although the Importance of agriculture
is readily acknowledged by every one, yet
there seems to be prevailing idea IN the
minds of most men that farming does not
pay, and that it is the mos; uncertain way
of procuring living. The great import
anee Of it is too often forgotten, lost sight
of in the avarice of the present day
Although it can not be denied that 1t IS
the foundation rock on which rests all
other pursuits in life, vet it is the least
sought by the young aud educated people
of our country. Being, as ii truly Is, the
main stay, the underlying and supporting
principle Of all other interests, 1t ought
to be encouraged and sustained by more
Of our educated young men. To some ex-
tent the old and erroneous idea that 1t re-
quired no knowledge Of books, no educa-
ton in the ants and sciences, is become
exploded; vet it is too Otter the case that,
when young man educatl.s himself, he
can not be induced TO return to the farm.
He is apt to deem it mere waste of the
time and money which he has expended:
He hears Of fields Of shining gold and
silver in the far off West, where naught
but afflueuce awaits him. He fancies
that the professions, or mercantile Pur-
snits, offer greater inducements, and he
starts out TO seek his fortune, with no ca
pacity, perhaps, for his business, and he
Is almost sure to fail sooner or latcr; but
vet he has a dread for the farm, and
drags out a miserable existence trying TO
live without toll. This error ought to be
remedied, and agriculture regarded as a
oieSsion and an honorabls calling, then
would the farmers sons be willing to lend
hand to make the old farm more pro-
ductive, and make Its broad acres shine
under their skillful management. The
farms a, the present dag are too much
neglected; their acres do not produce as
much rs they ought, and IL Is because the
farmer Is trying TO cultivate too much
ground Large farming is not always
good farming, and small farming Is often
the largest" Ii is rot the number of
acres Of land which man cultivates, or
pretends to cultivate, which makes him a
successful farmer, but the manner in
which he cultiyates them. The great OBJ
ject in farming, should he to make the
land produce as much as possible; and
this can only be accomplished by being
thoroughly worked and dressed. rs
general rule through our County and
State. one acre may be easily made to
produce what two now DO, thus saving
vast amount Of labor unnecessarily be-
slowed and give a higher tone TO agri-
cultural pursuits. Many farmers who
own small farms, get a better living aud
are more successful than those who own
large farms, because they can raise more
from their well cultivated acres, and with
much less expense; showing, that II Is
much better TO cultivate thoroughly and
well, few acres. than 10 half cultivate
many Again, farmers are too often
changing from one thing TO another
They DO nothing long enough to make it
pay, consequently their farming is not
success. Ii one would make money by
raising hops. he should continue in the
cultivation Of them, and not be discour-
aged because they are low one year, The
same is true Of all kinds OF crops, and
also of stock raising 4 farmer. per-
chance, may conclude to make 4 speciality
OF raising sheep, and he tries his luck
for year or TWO, and wool Is low; his
lambs DO not bring high price, aud he
becomes discouraged aud turns his atten-
ton to some other speciality just in time
to miss large prices for his wool and
lambs. The most successful farmers are
those who first fnd out what they can
best do. and then turn their energies in
that direction, and 90 straight forward
in that line; a poor crop or low price
for their stock does not discourage them,
but they press forward with the goal in
view, and are finally successful. II farm
ing does not pay. the above are some Of
the reasons why. The farmers OF Maine
should pay more attention to the raising
Of fruit, as one Of the sures, means Of
success. Taking one year with another,
fruit commands q good price, aud the
farmer finds a ready market The farmer
should have faith in his profession, then,
with perseverance and industry, he will
be sure 10 succeed. W.
Paris, Nov. %, "A.