Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-02-05
Commerce and the Farm.

1t seems to be u prevalent idea with many
farmers sons throughout The country that
farm life is n kind of drudgery, an incessant
toll from day to day. and year to year, yield
ing MS its only profit just what the soil pleasos
to produce; and the agriculturist's position
they regard rs one of wearisome, monoto-
nous waiting for somthing better To turn up,
his business transactions being mainly that
of selling crop rs soon rs 1t is threshed, or
holding it over until he is obliged to sell at y
sacrifice. Out in the world they imagine they
see numberless inducements and chances
for making fortunes. They envy the mer-
chant, the manufacturer, the mechanic, and.
comparing lots, imagine themselves entirely
in the background both financially and
me ntally. No speculations to test the inge-
nuity or draw out tho mind; no circum-
stance connected with their calling calculat-
ed to eAlist even passing degree of interest;
whilst in tho cities and towns all things COM
bine to develop tho pocket and mind OF II
man, and give him his proper place amongst
his fellows.
Now, there is scarcely quality Of activity,
shrewdness, or skill which gives success to
the commercial man, but could he even
more proftahly employed on the farm.
There is really more speculative genius re-
qureJ in the latter than in the former posi-.
ton, and much greater facilities Afforded for
its development. A merchant may be de-
ceived in purchase, and his goods may in
conseq uence lie for months, perhaps years,
on the shelves. But the farmers purchase
means simply the production of his soil, and
II mistake here means not only an Immediate
loss directly, but also u continued and aug
mentcd series Of losses from the same by
repetition, if not properly and opportuncly
remedied A poor farm implement may not
only consume the time necessary to replace
it by n better one, but may also hazard an
entire crop by its failure at the required time.
Again. in the selection of animals for the
moulding and formation OF n herd, where
can greater skill possibly be exercised? All
these require foresight, taste, Judgment and
wisdom. winch no man ought to despise.
But the farmer being more u seller than buy
Ell, it is in the latter capacity he is called on
to exercise more than an ordinary degree of
commercial skill lie should not only know
how to sell, but when to sell, and the tram
ing requisite to give him such knowledge
implies much greater breadth of research,
observation and calculation, than is usually
attained by the ordinary merchant. An in
telligent and successful farm or ought to be,
and indeed most frequently u.s. n man ofmuch
deeper thought and penetration than an
equally successful shOpkeoper. The one
draws his knowledge direct from nature
storehouse, and traces the commerce bear
ing upon his particular branch to its source
Implying an acquaintance with the crop
standing of all the leading countries of the
world, its probable results as affecting that
of his own country, and the consequent fig,
! me which should to II large extent rule the
market. The latter's stock of information
is much more superficial and transitory (;
here to-day, away to -morrow. The one re-
plenishes his store ever from the fountain
source, the other mainly from the chit-chat
Of his customers as they drop in from day To
day. Can there be any question then as to
which position offers the greater chance and
opportunity for the practice and develop
ment of all those qualities which combine to
mark the perfect manP-CdRada Farmer.