Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-04-12
Another Young Farmer Speaks.

Another Young Farmer Speaks.
Dear Sir being a constant reader of |
your paper, have been quite interested in
the Labor and Capital question. think
your correspondent "A. b., Of Chelsea, hits
the nail squarely on the head, in his reasons
why young farmers wish to go West. Being
one of that class (young farmers), know
whereof write. No doubt there are profit
gate, reckless spendthrifts among the sons of
Vermont to-day; but believe out of every
ten farmers sons, at least nine would prove
themselves honest, industrious economical,
yirtuous citizens il there was proper en-
couragement for them to remain in their ma
tive state, and follow the occupation of their
fathers. For one, like farming as an occu-
patton. ] love my native hills and valleys,
woods, springs and meadows. love the
healthy climate we enjoy, and the varied
exercise farming affords Let me change
the personal pronoun | to 1--WE" for hope
and expect that am not an exception to the
general run of farmers sons. We love the
domestic animals around us; we love TO
grow up fine specimen of the horse, sheep,
kline, or swine. We love to raise good crop
of grass, grain, fruit, or vegetables There
are other things about farming that are not
so pleasant, but there are such things about
every other occupation no other occupation
affords so much freedom of action, or chance
for experiment and not many, more chance
for intellectual improvement. But let us
commence at the beginning again, and sup
pose young man has just attained his ma
jority, the son Of man OF moderate means !;
the young man has good common school
education, is industrious, moral, frugal, and
ambitious TO make man among men. lie
casts about him 10 decide what business he
will pursue. lie can be blacksmith shoe
maker, carpenter, etc, with q short appren-
ticeship and small capital, and with reasons
BILE prospect of usual success, He can get
employment upon the railroad, with pros
pect Of rising TO lucrative position; but
when he thinks he would like to engage in
farming at home, he also thinks that he
must have some capital, say at least one
thousand dollars, to commence upon a small
scale. To get this, he must work out quite
series of years. His next step is TO secure
helpmeet, which generally is not very
hard or unpleasant task. Then they cast
about them for home; plenty of farms for
sale, of all sizes, prices, locations and condi-
81. % o.
three thousand dollars pay in their thou
sand, and give mortgage notes for the rest.
Now they must have stock and tools, which
will not cost less than another thousand they
on stock, ETC., paying nine per cent They
20 10 work full of ambition, hope, health
aud happiness. When they have worked a
year, payday comes there are two thousand
dollars at six per cent.--one hundred and
twenty dollars; one thousand at nine per
cent.-ninety dollars and two hundred prin.
cipal, in all, four hundred and ten dollars, to
say nothing about household necessaries
hired help, taxes, etc, Perhaps the income
barely covers the dues, with not dollar for
repairs not dollar for articles really
needed in the house for book, a new
dress for present to the wife, or to sup
port the minister. No wonder he thinks 4" il
could have had that extra thirty dollars
paid that greedy money-lender, what lift
it would have given mel" but next zeal
there will be twelve dollars less to pay
and he tolls on brayely. But before next
payday comes there is newcomer in the
house. OF course they are pleased with baby
but there is the doctors bill, and the hired
girl 10 be paid, and at the end of the yea
the income is not sufficient to meet the dues
so some pet yearlings, that were counted OF
TO take the place Of some OF the old cows il
few years, have to be sold. In this wa,
II will take but few years 10 run down tn
buildings and stock, and discourage tn
young couple, so they get disconnected, settl
up or sell out at sacrifice, and seek othe
fields of adventure-let us hope with bette
success. There are thousands that can ties
tify that this is no overdrawn case, but nigh
in many instances be truthfully made darker
II is truly the grasping greed of the none,
spectators that is depopulating and depre
ciating the hills and valleys of Vermont
The most conscientious people do not Scru
pie TO break the law in this respect. 70
instance, the other day, thinking would lik
four hundred dollars to use for an especia
purpose, asked good deacon what inter
est he should require, naming the security
which was satisfactory. lie replied, Onl
eight per cent" and told me Of man VIII
hired Of him at that rate and let it again 70
ten. Good soul, il had bought and pal
him for four bushels OF oats, aud he told IN
TO go into his granary and measure them NJ
and did SO, taking two quarts extra o
every bushel, he finding II out, would hay
rightly thought that I did not have much n
gard for law. There is one other thing b.
side exorbitant interest that serves TO kee
the young farmer down, and that is unju,
taxation. Thus the young man who Ia
only one thousand dollars invested in III
farm has 10 pay on the whole three thousan
dollars at its apprized valuation, thus payin
tax on two dollars Of some ones else propert
10 one Of his own; and II the holder Of IL
mortgage notes 10 taxed as be should be Q