The Hickman courier., 1877-12-07
Buying Things Cheap.

An article may be very expensive ana
still be cheap; but it is not of this kind
we intend to speak. Cheapness is one
of those convertible phases which are
as often used to mislead the purchaser
as to guide him Alright. But there are
persons who are even on the alert to
get bargains or buy things cheap; and
while 4 few may succeed and escape
being cheated, the majority get what
they buy and no more, and frequently
much less than they expect. Farmers
are no wiser than other persons in this
respect, and those who are on the lookout
for cheapness generally find it accom-
panied too often by disappointment, If
not serious losses.
Not long ago we read of a farmer who,
in order to practice economy, purchased
refuse salt from old pork and beef barrels
for his cattle. The results were, loss
of a doze head or more before he dis
covered that some noxious chemicals had
been used in making the brine for the
beef Now, the purest salt in market Is
not 50 expensive an article that man
should begrudge his stock an abundant
supply; but there are men who practice
such doubtful economy as to give their
beasts little or none.
In purchasing grain or food of any
kind for beasts, it is poor policy to Sc
lect inferior grades because they can be
had at less price than the very best.
Cheap ground feed, composed of what
no one but the miller knows, is perhaps
the most dangerous OF anything the
owner of beasts can well find. Still, the
competition is so great, and variation
Of few cents bushel so attractive TO
those who are after bargains, that it is
no wonder that oat-hulls, corn-chaff and
cobs are used in its composition. Mustv
hay, corn-stalks and other kinds Of fod-
der are dangerous, although generally to
be obtained at low prices, or what some
persons might think cheap.
Cheap arm implements, such as
reapers, mowers, Plows, rakes, hoes and
shovels, made from malleable iron instead
Of steel, and the poorest kind of timber,
can always be had by those who want
them but they are much the dearest in
the end, and we fail to see where there is
any economy in the purchase of such
articles. Ten years ago manufacturer
of farm implements conceived the idea
that really superior articles would per.
haps find purchasers, even at considera,
BILE advance in prices; ami, among other
things, he made square tined manure
fork, which could not be manufactured
and sold at profit for SIS than $50 8
dozen, or about $3.50 each at retail. We
secured one Of these forks, and ten year:
of almost constant use has failed to break
tine or wear one away to any appre
ciable extent. Such fork is worth
twenty of the ordinary ones seen in th,
market; but the manufacturer soon dis
covered that majority of person,
wanted lower priced article, and he
like Others. soughtto supply the demand
If farm implements are poor in quality
and soon break, or wear out, it is not 5,
much the fault of the manufacturer a
that of the purchaser; for he can obtair
as good an article as he is ready to pa,
for; but he should not expect TO get
2
thing for less than cost or actual worth
no matter how many times the selle
may assure him to the contrary.
If we desire honesty and ia DEALING
we must be willing to allow fair profit
and cease to demand more than on
moneys worth; but at tho same time
insist on receiving its full equivalent i
whatever Is purchased.-E. j. Sue.