The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-08-08
3stNyht9
NI UST 8, 1874.
,eHc and Eorvrn v.Hc
.rds and Forwards.
t a bountiful harvest
portion to the amount of
directed labor expended in

directed labor expended in
lus lis most appropriate sea-
son to rs,Aa Retrospective glance at the
years labors just closed, as respects the
cereal and grass crops, and discover if pos
sible, where labor might have been better
directed, and the income of the farmer
increased A careful search after errors
in planning and execution might result in
enhanced profit in the future. That the
great industry of this county, overshadow-
ing all other pursuits, is and must continue
to be farming, every man will admit who
examines the industrial question carefully.
Manufactures and trade must ever remain
but of secondary, and comparatively trifling
Importance, when placed beside the one
great source Of wealth and comfort for the
mass of the people. A diversity of labor
is of vital Importance to the healthy indus
try of community, and we have already
that diversity; if not Immediately in our
midst, it is furnished within easy reach, by
the large cities on either side of us, which
are the busy marts Of commerce, or still
buster hive of manufacturers. Te ascer-
tain the kinds of produce in greatest de-
mand in those markets, and commanding
the most money for the outlay of labor and
capital, is a subject that ought to engage
the most searching inquiry among farmers.
There is no way that this problem can be
SO we'll investigated as by joint discussion
and inquiry. This is one of the many
things in the farmers life that demand
association; and the sooner complete
organization is effected among agricultur-
lists the better it will be for the whole fra
ternity of tillers of the soil; and their pros
perity will react on every other interest
within the sphere of their influence. 1t
does not matter whether such an organiza-
ton is effected through the order of the
Patrons of Husbandry, or by the machin-
cry of farmers club-so- called for the
want of more expressive name. A COM
plete association is the one thing impera-
lively needed.
The chronic complaint that farming
doesn't pay is answered by the recent panic,
and the answer is a negative to the asser-
ton. Every interest was affected in a
greater or less degree by the collapse in
money matters and the stagnation in bust
ness, but farmers, as class, felt the pres
had so ordered their business as to keep
clear of debt, scarce had cause to COM
plain at all, while tradesmen, manufacture
ers, and mechanics were reduced to almost
ruin; many large establishments closing
up entirely, while scarcely one can be found
that has not been reduced to half time rum
ming.
There is great deal of hard work per-
formed by farmers that is entirely useless
and without the slightest compensation.
This is the result of defective judgment
and bad management. Many field is
sowed and laboriously cultivated that does
not yield enough 10 pay for the labor
expended, and oftener such result is in con-
sequence of the impoverished state of the
soil. This is the very worst kind of farm
ing. A few men have an almost instructive
knowledge of how best to manage their
farms to receive good income from their
lands-others again have acquired a large
stock of useful knowledge on the subject.
Why should not every farmer in the neigh
borhood receive the benefit Of these mems
knowledge? The spirit of emulation which
is cultivated by association is of incalcula-
BILE benefit. An acre of rich land will pro-
duce double or three times as much as one
acre of thin soil, and with very little more
labor. How to improve the acres and keep
them fertile is study worthy the highest
order of talents. This fundamental point
in farming achieved, independence and
prosperity is certain and the caprice of
tickle fortune may be defed.
There is another consideration of great
weight in this question of farming. And
that is, vast majority of those engaged in
it must, by the force of circumstances,
stick to it; and in view of this fact, which
can't be got rid of, it is wisdom on the part
of those who are engaged in it to put all the
brains into the business that is possible, by
a combined and united force, and the por-
ton of success achieved will measure the
satisfaction derived from the business, as
we'll as add dignity to it in their own and
public estimation. The Changers in few a
months have exerted power so vast as to
turn the eyes of the whole nation upon
them