Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-01-31
Successful Farming.
"He that by the plow would thrive,

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Him. self must either hold or drive.'
This couplet both measures and rhymes
but after all there is as much truth as
poetry in it. If Il man is to be Il farmer
that occupation should be his all-engross.
ing business. 1t is honorable. and of sutli-
cient importance to occupy his time, EN-
plOy his talents. and demand his careful
and earnest study. The good farmer not
only earns his living and rcars his family.
but around his farm. his stable, his barn.
his home. clusters his dearest associations.
and 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 so.
cicty may be more independents; no one
should 'c more happy. And what main
tain is, that the -ood and successful farmer
does attend to his farm; that is his chief
business; everything else is secondary to
it. Tie same is true of every other occll-
patton or profession, The clergyman.
lawyer. ply or teacher who does not
trcl enough intcr S! in his spccial work to
induce him TO devote TO it his time and best
energies, Will fail, and he ought to fail. The
merchant and manufacturer must pursue
their special hMsines; with eaIwestncss if
they expect to excel Or care to succeed.
Nor is farming an exception. 1t cannot be
safely neglected or delegated TO others
who have no special interest in it.
The farmer must not only bc attentive
to his business and industrious. but he
must be studious. Successful crops aad
improved stock result from improved
methods of culture. and t,esc are learned
ny study. 1t is true that modern inverr-
ton lss relieved the farmer of much toll
which his ai,ces;o ors We're cesn,tsses1 TO en-
seGuently he has much more leisure for
reading and study. as well rs for pleasure.
This fIct sEoul! lead him to improve his
opportunities. that lie may become Il better
farmer and wiser man. His farm, his
stock. Ills crops. his household economy.
c::rne:t thought and care.
And maintain that Successful farming.
which is the resi- 1t OF intelligent and earn
est effort. pays rs well as any other occs'-
patton. and often better. know this is
not the general impression. l frequently
hear it said by the farmer: ''All | can do
is to support. clot!ie and educate my tuni-
ig." Very well. What twr occupation.
that requires NO more outlay and effort.
pays better? The professional man has
spent thousands of dollars in preparation
for his work. and then. if lie succeeds. he
mast toll early and late. from the years
to IFS end But the farmers ed
uc;tion has cost but little, and he spends
hardly half his time in steady work Oh his
farm. and still 'E lives independently. and,
in as many instances rs in any other en-
ploymeni. lie accumlilates property. and
lays it up tor a rainy day" or for his
The farmers is not life of drudging. /
priva:ion and hardship. compared with
others in the various pursuits and profes
sions; it is a life OF comparative leisure.
pase. comfort ana independence. This
statement is true. whoever may undertake
TO deny it.
But never knew an ignorant man who
VAS really and thoroughly a good farmer.
i'- may be honest and laboriOus, and aim.
to be faithful, but lie misapplies his labor
ike one who beats the air. and can never
achieve success in the full round of farm
The successful farmer is a
student OF agricultural literature and
,l.:ap.a IJauon i,a L.nruS how fO .pnlv hiS
abor. enrich his soil and Wien and where
o put in his seed. This class of farmers
,et only thrive themselves. but they really
support the whole community. Farmers.
hink of these things Hiram Orcutt. in
Home ard Farm.