The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-03-28
Why City Farmers Fail.

HE SCTcSS VI Tic tlluc Is competing
thousands of families who have hereto
fore lived in cities to GO to the country.
Men who have failed in other business
take the remnants of their fortunes and
betake themselves to the country with
the idea that they can make money by
farming. Almost invariably this idea
has proved delusive. Men who do not
succeed in avocations where they have
spent their best years and which, it is
to be presumed, they understand, will
not usually do better in business about
which they know little or nothing.
Farming especially is a poor business
for beginners. 1t requires considers
BILE capital, and unless this is carefully
watched much is sure to be wasted.
Beside, at the best, farming is never a
very profitable business. During the
last four years only good farmers have
made anything more than living. If
we are to have an influx of thousands
crowded out or starved out of the cit
les the prospect ahead is quite as blue.
Farming is a safe business, but even
this is only true of experienced farmers,
for they are invariably SO cautious that
they would make any business safe. If
! the beginner in farming thinks of going
ahead at railroad speed, there is just as
much likelihood of smash-up on the
farm as on the rail.
We know very we'll the answer which
will be made to these forebodings 1t lis
that the city farmer proposes to do so
much better than all his neighbors that
his increased expenses will be more
| than met by still larger profits. They
know only the rose-colored side of
farming. Mature works for the hus-
bandman. He plants or sows the seed
and the crop is growing while he is
sleeping" These and like aphorisms
have satisfied them that farming is
simple and easy business. If farmers
do not make money, it is because they
are so incorrigibly stupid and old-fogy-
ish. With all their doubts about the
ability of average farmers, they have
none whatever as to thei1 own. "Wait
till we got on the farm, and we will
show the natives how good crops are
grown!' This is the thought and often
the language of men who hope some
day to be farmers. We met such a one
years ago, who had bought a hundred-
acre farm and retired from professional
business. 81 presume l shall have no
trouble in managing the farm. have
learned that the secret of success is al
ways to use plenty of manure on every
CROP Certainly" we replied, y
good deal piqued by his affected mas
terry of the mysteries of farming in one
easy lesson. lit is Just as easy,
doctor, as your old business. The
secret of success in medicine lies in al
ways giving remedies adapted to cure
the disease. 1t is all simple and easy"
The doctor took the hint. He became
afterward an excellent farmer, but he
learned how difficult it often. and in
deed always, is to follow his excellent
agricultural prescription, "PleMty of
manure for every crop" That is ex-
actly what we all want, but how and
where shall this enormous amount of
fertilizers be obtained?
Good practical farming involves a
greater amount of thought than any
other avocation. The conditions of
success are more complex than in any
other. 1t is, least of all, business for
lazy, listless men who dread the drudg-
cry of thinking. Nor is mere acquaint-
ance with the ideas and practices of
progressive farming enough. There
must be practical experience on the
farm and some degree of practical
work and attendance by the owner.
} Thousands of farmers fail for lack of
this, especially men who disdain to
learn the ways of common farmers in
} the conceited assurance that they can
do q great deal better. There can be
no greater mistake than this. If we
want to improve anything the first
requisite is to thoroughly understand
its methods and management. No man
learns to be a superior farmer until he
first learns how to be a good ordinary
farmer. Honest Joe Gargery's advice
to Pip, when that young gentleman as
pired to be something uncommon, con-
, tanned world of shrewd and homely
wisdom. "You will never get to be
| uncommon till you have first got to be
common This is true of almost
everything and is especially true Of
farming.
; Possibly the later recruits to the sg.
ricultural interest come with humber
Ipations and more teachahle spirit to