The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-11-19
COMMON SENSE IN BUSINESS
FARMS, ETC.

COMMON SENSE IN BUSINESS
FARMS, ETC.
Common sense, in the business of life, is
greatly needed. Men, who, in ordinary
conversation and in the daily routine of af-
fairs, exhibit good Judgment and commenda-
bic energy, are totally devoid Of perception
and forecast in determining upon the best
policy to be pushed in the selection and
means Of making the largest returns from
their occupations. Without examining
facts and figures, they plunge into engage
ments, and map out their course, trusting
more to chance to bring them in satisfactory
returns, than to the stern logic OF facts.
The consequence is that they are continu-
ally failing, when, If they had made the
proper investigation beforehand, they
would have discovered that nothing less
could be expected. And yet, if told that
they lacked common sense or judgment,
they would become offended in the highest
degree.
The truth is, men depend toOEmuch upon
custom, and too little upon expe-
rience. It is trite saying that men carry
pumpkin in one end of the bag and
stone in the other because their fathers did
So" This homely truth car be applied to
many occupations. We see men deliber-
ately ignoring important truths in trade and
production, which, if acted upon, would
save them many disappointments and losses.
But because Mr.. Somebody did so, they fol-
low suit. This blindness is particularly
apparent in what is called farming. The
tilling Of the soil is noble, manly and in
dependent occupation, if properly followed.
In no other pursuit can a man be so free
from annoyance as in agriculture. If he
owns small farm he is little lord-one of
natures noblemen, if he properly uses the
mind which his Creator has given him. He
may surround his cottage home with tasty
attractions which viii afford him delight
ful retreat when wearied nature calls for
rest. But the amount of profit derived from
his farm viii depend upon his Judgment in
planting and cultivation. If, like the most
Of men who call themselves farmers, he de-
votes the best lands to cotton, and depends
upon the money which he viii receive from
its sale in the fall and winter to supply him
self with the necessaries Of life-with
bread, meat, sugar and coffee, with bag
ging aud rope, with iron for his plows and
corn for his horses, luxuries for his table,
with dresses and bonnets for his wife and
daughters and clothing for his boys-then
1t il evident that he is the pr0ng man in the
~right place, and should have guardian ap-
pointed to look after his fields, stock and
orchard, #, indeed, the latter can be found.
This kind Of farming has been tried in the
older Southern States with the most per-
feet success in running the owners in debt to
such an extent that they lost farms, scrub
stock aud all that remained, which they
have had the pleasure Of seeing sold to men
who could find money in something besides
cotton.
Facts prove that the most successful
farmers devote but small part of their
lands to cotton. Corn, wheat, barley, rice,
grasses, and sugar-cane, where the climate
suits, ale planted and carefully cultivated.
Cattle, hogs, horses, sheep, goats, poultry
and bees are looked after, and every provis-
ion, which prudence and forethOught can
devise. made to keep them in profitable
condition through winter and summer.
The consequence is, that they raise their
own milk and butter, bacon, draught
horses, mutton and wool, kid and poultry,
honey and beeswax, aud live hike princes.
Their farms are the pictures of thrift and
happiness, where ''milk and honey fow. y
But they do not forget the orchards Of ap
PIES pears, peaches, plums, cherries, nee
tarincs, aprscots, figs and ounces, nor the
arbors Of luscious grapes, nor the beds Of
delicious strawberries and hedges Of rasp-
berries. These arc all attended to, pruned
and titled, and the best and most profitable
species introduced
The little cotton that is raised Is clear
gain. The money derived from its sale il
not paid out for supplies, leaving nothing
but 4 dry and ruined fern, with a stinted
family and poor bony stock. No, for from
the sale Of corn, bacon, beeves, milk and
butter, honey and besswax, poultry and
fruit, tie amount sWells to hundreds Of dol
lars more. The man Is contented and happy
while his cotton raising neighbor is houn
dcring along and growing because he Is II
debt lives hard, and sees no better prospects
shcad.
This is not fancy picture; but is drawn
from real life. There are thousands nov
who win testify % its truthfnlncss.
Ihen We may well wish for more hard
commoa sense IN he business Of life.
We trust that the Patrons 81 Husbandr,
win look ven Co ihese results and insis
upon q healthy reforn. Il Is very great.
needed. Let the next crop prove that the.
ere doing 8 noble work.
I'm Naco k.naiasr spells Ssntsr county
4l,l,ea,. viii 4 s'p.s But this Is q vor