The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-12-24
Selling The Homestead.
rrro.n me Rnral nome.

My neigbb0r, Harris has sold the old
farm on which he was born, and on
which his people had commenced life
and succeeded to a comfortable comPot-
ency. The land was rich and productive
the location healthy and attrative. Here,
for half century, the broad fields had
ripsned there golden harvPrts, the wood
lands had fed the cheerful re-pinUe, the
orchards had bowed their strong branch
es, with ripeninR fruit, and the pastures
had provided for the coniented herds.
Here, rnddy-faced, light-fooied, frolie-
some children had birthplace, and ev-
cry wide-SPreading old maple OF oak by
the wAyside, under which they had
played and SWING, the brook from which
they had fshed. even the paths worn by
little feet across the fields to the school
house, were connected with associations
that could never be forgotten. Every
thing was here bat cOntentment.
My nei ,hbor was good farmer and
thrived we'll enough, but he had Ruraed
the belief that farming does not paw; he
couldn't see that be was making interest
on what the farm would sell for, after
throwing in all his labor. Now, / firm
ly believe that farmers generally do not
give their lands credit for one half Of
that which il does for them. In the case
Of neighbor Harris, with his family Of
six per~ons, have made a careful eati-
mate Of what he should have given his
farm credit for, and the following Is the
result, without enenmbering this article,
with the figures for each separate itemi
He should give credit for the use d
his house and carriage barn, for 6rewood
for horses and wagons. for pleaaure-driv-
ing, for meat, including fowls, for -four;
eggs, meal, &c., for fruit and vegetables,
for butter and lard. for milk, for family
clothing and groceries paid for out Of re-
ceipts from the farm, for net profit above
all other expenses, which would average
$500 yearly. The sum Of the value Of
the whole Of the above for one year ac-
coriing to my estimate, l. 81 .825. Now
this is pretty good interest ON the value
of my nrighbor's farm-&l 0. O.O0O-leuv-
ing something for his labor also.
My ne.ghlor has gone 10 the city
where he expects 10 live ON the interest
oi las money without doing much Of
anything himself, hut looking after good
chances 10 make strike. Having had
no experpense with the expense Of city
living. he hpli,ves he can live there in
the same stylc as in the cOuntry-for
about 81 600 year. Let ~ see how far
he IL mistaken. His house and harm
rent il the city, his Rroceries and provis.
ions, his coal, his family clothing. his
expense Of housekeeping, biz amuse-
ments, extra church asaersnenta. car
fare, milk bill, small swindlers and beg
gar-, foot mp for one year on low esti-
mate $l,750
Nor has the worst been told yet. for
yonr farmer once hurried into the tide
Of city life with $4,000 in his pocket, is
a fish for which many a shark has waiery
mouth. He IL one Of a thousand II he
escapes the snares Df these he fondly inn
agines bis warmest friends.
Stand by the old farm my friend, Who
over Won are, beliving that when farm
ing don't pay nothing else can prosper
When farmers are poor the whole bupi-
ness world is poor, and prosperity will
always knock first at the farmers' door.
A CORN PLANTER.
CoMMENTs:-"Corn-P Planter" il right
Farmers fail To estimate properly these
numerous values and privileges which
they derive from the farm, in addition
to their receipts from cash sales. Let q
farmer who has an itching for city life,
rent his farm for one year, and make a
trial of life in the city, and we think
that in three cases ont Of four he will be
cured. When he come TO pay from $500
to $500 rent for dwelling having fewer
conveniences than the plain old home
stead; when he comes 10 bny all Of his
vegetables, fruits, eggs, butter, milk,
cream, in fact all Of those necessaries
and Injuries which he enjoned on the
farm, almost without recognition, be
will find that 50 900 will go no farther
in meeting his family expenses than
81 900 in cash would on the farm.