Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-06-21

In travelling about the country one
need not have to exercise any great
amount of critical observation to sat-
isfy himself at q glance who are the
enterprising, prudent successful far
mers along the route he travels. The
evidence Of thrift and prudence is to
be found in the general appearance
of the farmers residence, his out
buildings and fences, which Of course
do not need very extended observa-
ton in order to form very quick
mental conclusion as to his tact and
energy.
1t is too often the case that in jour-
ncying through the agricultural por-
tiOns of the country ones Observa-
tons lead him to conclude that many
farmers are retrograding instead of
improving, that is, if the general APP
pearance Of their residences and out
buildings is any criterion. The thrifty,
gO-ahead farmer takes pride in his
occupation, shows that there is O
profit in farming, and that it pays to
keep everything about him in s'ship-
shape" order. On stormy days he is
not found down in the village, talk
ing politics in "the corner store" but
he will be found at home, busy at
work in doors, making needed re-
pairs. To him wet or stormy day
is one of his busiest. He has plenty
of work laid out beforehand for just
such an emergency, and does NOT pros
pose to lose any time as. on such Occa-
siOns he can perform some needed job
that can be done without interfering
with the regular work Of the farm on
pleasant days.
The thrifty farmer so husbands his
resources, and pays such prompt and
strict attention to details, constantly
seeing that the necessary 9xipgs Of his
farm and buildings are attended to,
that he is enabled to keep his work
well in hand he Is never oyer-hur.
ried, and can find time for days
leisure without being driven by his
business. His fields are smooth and
productive, his fences and buildings
in good repair, and everything about
his premises conveys the impression
that the owner intends to have, as far
as possible, everything about him in
good order.
1t is this attention to little things
about ones farm, this fixing up,"
that counts in the long run. OF course
a farmer is not expected to make these
things the main object OF his atten-
ton, to the detriment of his regular
Framework, but thoroughly good
farmer will see to one as well as the
other. 1t is evidence to our mind
that one is successful, energetic and
thoroughly good farmer when we
look about his place and find we'll
built gates instead Of bars, barn
doors on rollers instead of hinges, and
fodder racks for sheep instead Of feed
ing them upon the floor or ground
1t will also generally be found tina;
closets are provided for harness, car.
riage robes, etc. also that there is q
tool-room, containing everything
that is needed to make the general re-
pairs about farm and last, but not
least, a room for the storage of lar
ger farm implements. Nothing is
lost in the end, in fact much NAV be
saved by providing hooks on the out
buildings for hanging up old pieces
Of rope, chains, shovels and the like,
and boxes should Also be provided
for the reception of old iron and ev-
cry sort of waste material. Reader,
you little know, until you make the
trial, how much you can improve the
general appearance of your buildings,
both outside, and how much you can
add to the convenience of..everything
about you by taking advantage Of
the spare moments. It is this atten-
ton to little things that marks the re-
ally economical, successful farmer
New York World.