Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-10-29
Snug Farmers"

We quote our caption from memory, but
are quite sure we are correct. What is the
meaning aud Significance Of this expression ?
The primary meaning Of snug is tight,
handsome" but in this connection, used 10
good sense, and suited to describe the whole
class of good farmers, this meaning will
hardly apply. The best farmers never get
eight" and they are not all "haudsome."
Another meaning of snug is "neat." This
is peculiarly appropriate in its application
to the good farmer. On his premises, neat
ness and order everywhere prevail. The
house proper is under the management Of
the wife, but the cellar must come under the
management of the husband. There he
stores his vegetables, and he knows it is of
the utmost importance to the health Of the
family that the cellar bottom be cleared Of
all foreign matter--such as decaying pota-
toes, beets and cabbage, aud that the walls
be frequently whitewashed and cleansed.
A neat and orderly cellar is one Of the best
indications Of a snug farmer. If the good
housewife can have such cellar in which
to deposit her milk-paus, she will cheerfully
guarantee neat pantry, kitchen and dining.
room.
The snug farmer is also neat in his per-
sonal habits Though clothed in home-spun
garb, suited to his occupation, he is so neat
and orderly that it becomes "royal robe"
TO him. He remembers that he is GENTLE
man if he is labOring farmer and 4 Ct COM
panion of a tidy wife. And he is neat and
orderly in all his arrangements about the
house, barns and sheds. His dOOr-yard is
not strewn with sticks and stones aud under
brush, but is neat and orderly. His unused
tools are all under cover and in their places,
SO that he can find them at pleasure. His
barn is "swept and garnished," and his ami
mails are COmbed and curried with the utmost
care. His door-ySrd fence is not made Of
rails nor slab.wOod, but more likely of pick
/ Gus III bOu0 lOIht w lhulOaeo ta5to auu JUL
ture.
The snug farmer has a snug little farm.
Everything about his buildings is convent
ent and suited to its purpose Every field
is cleared of its stone and brushwood and
laid open to the cheering sunlight and the
gentle rains. The fences are all in order
and every change in the weather or season
is anticipated. SO as to enable him to cooper
ate with nature in securing the productive
ness of the soil
And the snug farmer is public spirited
man. He is interested in all public improve
ments. Side walks and shade trees that
reach beyond his own door-yard, interest
him. He sees that everything that tends to
make the neiRhborhood and town more at
traotive will increase the value Of rea
estate, and thus diminish the taxes. Such
a farmer is willing to share the expense Of
educating not only his own children, but thu
children of his neighbOrS because intelligence
and virtue in the community will raise the
value of his farm. He understands that al
improvements that affect the public good
promote his own personal welfare, aud the
welfare Of bis children. I...-
Now we ask our readers To look about
over the community, aud SEQ il they do not
6nd the best farms and the most thrifty anc
independent farmers in that neighbOrhOO'
where the most money has been expended il
public improvements; in churches, schools
public buildings, highways parks, foun