The Portland daily press., 1879-02-19
AGRICULTURAL.
No Money in Farminys

There are those who thoughtlessly affirm
that "there is no money in farming" and
who repeat it SO often and without coatradc-
tien, that they more than half believe what
they say. Now, such persons ought to know
that, to state it mildly, they are lab,ring
under deusion, and that they are exerting
q bad influence on society. 1t is not fair to
throw the blame OF personal imprOvidence or
misfortune upon any innocent cause Let
every tub stand on ITS own bottom.
From the nature of the case there is,
always was, and of right ever ought to be,
modey In farming. By farming the world is
supplied with food. When famine visited
the ancient Jews, they sold their bodies and
their lands for bread. There is no want that
cripples animal life, so quickly or effectually,
as the want of food. Cut off the supplies of
an army, and they are "weak as other men,"
The surrender at once begins.
There are not waiting individual cases at
the present day, where money has been made
by farming. A notable explanation OF this
was seen and heard at the recent meeting of
the state board of agriculture. A stout-look-
ing. modest-appearing, weIl-vouched-for man
from Dighton, Damed A. w. Paul, made his
MAIDEN speech there, and it was very effec-
tive one. He told how, thirty years ago, he
ran into debt for worn.o out farm of 20 acres.
The buildings were poor, and he had very
to make Improvements. He began, in very
cautious manner, the breeding and feeding of
pigs. He kept on till he sold from 5000 to
5000 pounds of pork in year. In favorable
seasons he made profit on his hogs, and
once when pork was 20 cents pound he
cleared sos on three animals. As rule, he
found that pork could be afforded at as many
cents per pound as corn cost dimes per
bushel. He found also, that pigs slaughtered
at six or eight months old gave the largest
profit.
As bis means increased he began to under
drain his land, hire help, and buy fertilizers.
Stones were first used In draining, but now
he prefers round tiles, from IL inches to 5
inches in diameter. He has paid out as high
as $1400 year for labor and has kept one
man tor IA successive years.
his special fertilizer was at first chiefly
wood ashes. For dozen years he used from
800 to 900 bushels of ashes annually, paying
from 15 to II cents bushel He now buys
stable manure in Boston, from 500 to 81 900
worth per annum; manure that costs $3.50
per cord in Boston, can be delivered on his
place by cars for 81. He applies his stable
manure in the fall, p'owing it in from two to
three inches deep. He maps out his work as
fully as possible year ahead, so as to have
no delay or hesitation when the time comes
for pushing things. He purchases at whole
ndtO IdtGos anu dliOWp III cudfl UlilS W CTc6p
up against him. He prefers to hire money,
pay interest, rather than let small bills accu-
mulate. His crops are, as rule, sold as
soon as they are ready for market, and be-
fore the shrinkages begin. By planning his
work ahead, he keeps ahead of his work,
which is a greater source of comfort aud
strength than those who let's things drag
know of. His crops have been chiefly hay
potatoes, onions and strawberries, the latter
a leading product. M
At the end of % years he found himself
free from debt and his farm we'll stocked
with the necessary animals and tools. In
addition to hogs he keeps only two horses
aud COW. Since thai time his annual
sales has been about $4,000, of which he has
been able to lay aside $500 per annum for a
rainy day. He thinks this is about Is per
cent. on his investment. He offset in this
calculation the labor OF himself and family
by their living and board.
A Bostonian who heard this simple nara
tion exclaimed that "Mr. Paul's method of
keeping accounts is different from that of
merchants They do not take out their liv-
ing from their income before they strike
balance. II the farmer kept his books cor
rect, he should charge for house-rent, fuel,
food, carriage rides and all luxuries that are
now nameless. This would show greater
percentage of profit, and make farming ap-
pear III q OiueItut ugut. lQo mistake OF
these times is that we are ever comparing un-
successful farmers with successful mer-
chants"
Hereafter let us think before we affirm that
''there is no money in farming" The
brighter side needs studying. But then, in
order to make money by farming, one must
appreciate the business, love it, try to UNDER
stand it, and make years of trial of it. Don't
undertake to reap before you SOW. Don't
give an opinion till you have heard all the
testimony. Don't put your hand to the plow,
and be continually looking back. Don't keep
saying, "there's no money in farming"
Success never comes to any business thus.
While we know not what mighty discoveries
are in store for us, discoveries that may revo-
lutionize trade, put in peril manufactures
and disorganize governments, we are reason
ably sure that agriculture will always be in
fashion; that food will be wanted, day by
day, and that people will eat at whatever
cost. The consumer will hunt up the pro-
ducer, and the hungry man, If need be, will
'sell his birthright" for piece of bread.
The only way to make famine, pauperism,
vice and crime stand back in our commune
ties, is TO build up a prosperous agriculture.
An ounce of prevention will be a pound of
cure.-Ne,o England Homestead.