Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-01-28

taleun and demand bis careful and earnest
study. The good farmer not only earns his
living and rears his family BY his industry, \
but around his farm, his stock, bis crops, his
home, cluster his dearest associations, and
bis strongest affections and sympathies.
The boundary Of his farm limits the little
world in which he lives and over which he
reigns supreme. No man in civilized society
may be more Independent no one should be
more happy. And what we maintain is that
the good and successful farmer does attend
to his farm that is his chief business and
occupation; everything else is secondary, or
subsidiary to that.
The same is true Of every other profession
or occupation. The clergyman, lawyer or
physician who does not feel enough interest
in his special work to lead him to devote to
it his time aud best energies will fail, aud he
ought to fail. The merchant aud manufac-
turer must pursue their special business
stud:ously and earnestly, if they expect to
succeed, and especially if they expect to ex-
eel. Nor is Earnings business that may be
delegated to others any more than either of
the other professions or pursuits. The
farmer must not only be industrious but
studious. He must study his business, and
aim constantly to improve himself II is
true that modern inventions have relieved
the farmer of much of the toll which his
ancestors were compelled to endure to secure
the same results, and consequently he has
much more leisure for study and reading, as
well as for pleasure and luxury; but this
fact should only lead him to improve his
opportunities, and become a better farmer
and wiser man. His farm, his stock. his
crops, his household economy still demand
bis chief attention, and his earnest thought
and care.
And we maintain that successful farming,
which is the result of intelligent and earnest
effort, pays as we'll or better than any other
occupation. Shall we be disputed on this
point2 We do frequently hear it said by
the farmer, "all can do is to support and
clOthe myself and family" But the ques.
tion is, what other occupation that requires
no more outlay and industry pays better ?
The professional man spends thousands Of
dollars in preparation for his work, aud
then ii he succeeds he must toll early and
late from the years beginning to its end.
But the farmer has paid little or nothing
for his education, and scarcely spends half
his time in steady work on his farm, and
still he lives and supports his family indie
pendontly, and in as many instances as in
any other honest employment he accumu-
lates property aud lays it by for "rainy
day." or for his children. The farmers
life is not one Of drudgery, privation and
hardship, compared with others in the vari-
Gus pursuits and professions; it is life Of
comparative leisure, ease, comfort and indie
pendence. This statement may be denied
by some, but it cannot be disproved. But
allow US to say, we never knew an ignorant
man who was really and thoroughly good
farmer. He may be honest, laborious and
aim to be faithful, but he misapplies his
labor, is like one who beats the air, and can
never achieve success in the full round Of
farm work. The successful farmer read,
! aud studies and understands. Hence be
knows how to apply his labor, when aud
how to enrich his soil, and what kind Of a
crop is suited to given piece of land. In
this way he makes his labor remunerative,
not only by securing good crops, but by i'm
proving aud increasing the value of mis-
farm. This class of farmers not only thrive
while they support themselves and their
families but they really support the whole
community. Farming is the basis Of all
other occupations and professions. Hence
those who elevate this calling honor them,
selves and bless the world.