The Portland daily press., 1879-04-07
AGRICULTURAL.
Farm Thrift.

Two neighbors occupy farms, both inner
tied, that are so nearly alike in size and soil
that there is little choice between them. 1t
is difficult to tell which of the two has epj oy-
ca the better health, or which has had the
peter opportunities for thrift, but it is not
dlf1cnlt to decide which is the more thrifty.
Everything, seemingly, that one undertakes
prospers. Failure characterizes the under
taklngs OF the other. Thrift is written on
the buildings, stock, land and crops of the
one, and thrlftessness is equally manifest on
the premises of the other. What makes
the difference? 1t is manifest that the Diff
ference Of success between the two neighbor-
Ing farmers was not in consequence of the
different value of their lands, and the cause
OF farm thrift generally must be found in
something besides the quality of the soil.
We have known young man to inherit
splendid farm from his father. and afterwards
good one from bis father-in-law, and still he
was not able to make living. If this was a
solitary instance no general rule could be de-
duced from it, but the cases are MANY in
which rich inherited lands have failed to give
the possessor reputation for thrift, and the
instances are numerous in which young men
without patrimony or capital of any sort,
except stout hands and stalwart hearts, have
dug fortune for themselves out OF rough,
rocky farms. Thrift is in the farmer, not in
the farm. Not that rich land is not desira-
bic in itself, and is not great aid to success,
but the best farm in the country will not sup
port family unless fertilized with brains.
There must be good management to make it
profitable, and good management is never
found without man at the helm who is a
man, has brains, and applies them to the
cultivation of the soil,
We come then to consider what are the
qualities of that manhood which leads on TO
fortuna In, forr ninrr taG - r.
er must have natural taste for his calling,
A great many men fail in the mission of life
because thy are not put where they will do
the most good. They desire to own land and
taste tor its culture are very generally and
widely diffused in community. Providence
very evidently designed that agriculture
should be the leading industry of The earth,
inasmuch as it furnishes the staples for food
and clothing, the two great physical wants
OF humanity. As matter of fact, more than
half the population of the world are engaged,
directly or indirectly, in this occupation, but
II is not true, as some suppose. that every
man can make farmer. That parent is
wise who studies the bent of the genius of
his son and gives him an opportunity 10 de-
velop himself in the line of his own capaci-
ty. The old style is that "many good
farmer has been spoiled by trying to make a
minister" but it is also true that some min
listers and more mechanics have been spoiled
by complying with their fathere's wishes to
be farmers. Agriculture is very safe and
very noble calling, and doubtless, is more
congenial tnan any other to the average taste
and capacity, but to excel in it. to be a
thrifty farmer, one must have an enthusias m
for the business. All others will be mere
plodders.
Much hard money is lost by farmers bv
foolish trades. They do not keep themselves
Will posted as TO the markets, and are. there
fore swindled by the sharpers who come
around buying stock and produce. Brains
and Drawn must cooperate TO ensure the
highest thrift. One term at a Commercial
college where bookkeeping and the laws of
trade are taught will be worth thrice what it
costs to every young farmer.
Farm thrift, however, does not depend
solely on the right choice of an occupation
and the amount of brains brought to bear
upon it. Brawny hands are required in every
branch OF farming, and in nine cases out of
ten the thrifty farmer is one that puts his
own hands to the work, leads his men. and
says to them "Come on" not $50 op,5 The
eye and energy of the master put life into the
men, and almost double the amount of work
Is thus secured. 1t is sad, but no more sad
than true, that man is NATURALLY lazy, and
works only under some stimulus. The wild
Indian, with his few wants, works precious
little. His sqnaw may cultivate little patch
OF corn and beans, but he is above such men
ial service; he must smoke and loaf. Civil
lied society, with its multifarious wants. toll
crates no loafers in the thrifty front ranks,
They must take the back seats, whether they
be farmers, mechanics, or professional men,
Brains to plan business and energy to accom-
plish it are the requisites for thrifty farming,
There are many minor points to which we
would like to allude if space permitted, but
we must take space to say that good wife is
great element of thrift on the farm-is, in
fact, about half the battle.-N Y. Times