The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-04-16
A Word to Young Farmers.

While winter fingers IN the lap of
spring, there a few days left for We far
mers Of the north and west to look leis-
urely over cur grounds, calculate, plan,
and prepare for the busy season In ono
respect the business of Turning is like all
other trades or professions. These per-
sons who enter upon it with the most de-
termined energy and perseverance, con-
tinually guided 10 their course by habit
of close observation of whatever is taking
place all around them In the liue of their
chosen pursuit, will be sure TO win sue
cess in the end. Another class. who feel
as If they were more or less prospered by
the dOings Of some other class, or most
do as their neishbors about them do, try
ing to follow in their tracks, without tax
ing into account the difference in their
circumstances. will be almost sure in the
end to fall behind the bright anticipations
they had formed for the future Every
man in the end usually makes or mars his
own fortune. If a person would be a sue
cessiu! farmer he must be self reliant. 1t
viii Dot do to ask prosperous ueighbor,
just at the commencement Of the busy
season, "Do you think had better
plant that lot with corn again. as the last
season was so dry, | had 10 benefit of the
sod or would you SOW with oats and
peas as had intended, preparatory to a
wheat crop and re-seediBg? Don't you
think | had better try corn again under
the circumstances % Nine times cot of
ten the answer will be : "Well, yes. per-
haps so" The man you ask has 30 time
to spare it is your business, not his.
You mi ght have drawn him out, and ob-
tanned his ideas and experience during
seme one of the long winter evenings that
hare passed, but this is not the time or
place.
As rule, have a good rotation, and
stick to it; but there are exceptions to
all rules, ard the man the most interested
should be the best judge. Conform to
circumstances, bat be self reliant, and
act as your best judgment dictates
In all matters relating to expenditures,
either for the family or the farm, this
trait of character should be we'll cultivated
or developed. think a gfeater portion
of our young enterPrising farmers fail
here than of those who comprised that
class thirty and forty years ago,
To use the old adage. ''Don't be afraid
to cut your garment according to the
cloth" II your neighbor who is twenty
years older than you and worth $40, 600,
rides in his carriage and his horses 80
past your door in silver plated harness, it
is 20 reason that you, who are worth but
$4,000 and perhaps owe s. 600 or more
for the farm upon which you live, should
ride in the same style as he. Nobody,
excepting very small class of the most
shallow minds, will think any ;he better
of you if you do so. The larger aud by
far the better part Of the community
among whom you liee will respect you all
the more for riding in your best lum Ser wa
gon, aad waiting a few years until your
debts are paid, and with the money in
hand you can pay for carriage as good
as that used by your wcalthiest neighbor.
Mr. Editor, | aight enlarge upon this
idea of self reliance. 1t really has more
to do with successful farming than almos.
any other one thing.