Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-05-15
Vol. XIV. Whole No. 1858. No, 20.
Farm Thrift.

Two neighbors occupy farms, both In
herited, that are so nearly alike In size and
; SOIL that there is little choice between them.
IL Is difficult to tell which of the two has
enjoyed the better health, or which has
had the hetter opportunities for thrift. hut
" Is not difficult 10 decide which Is the
more thrifty. Everything, seemingly. that
one undertakes prospers. Failure charac-
terizes the undertakings OF the other.
Ihrlft Is written on the buildings, stock,
land and crops Of the one, and thriftless-
ness is equally manifest on the premises OF
the other. What makes the diiferencei 1t
Is manifest that the difference of success
between the two neighboring farmers was
not in consequence OF the different value of
their lands, and the cause OF farm thrift
generally must be found In something be-
sides the quality OF the soil. We have
| known young man to inherit a splendid
| farm from his father, aud afterwards a
good one from his father-in-law. and still
ne was not able to make a living. II this
was solitary Instance no general rule
| could be deduced from 1t, but the cases
are msny 10 which rich inherited lands
have failed 10 give the possessor a repu,a-
| ton Tor thrfft, and the instances are mum.
erous IN which young men without patrI-
mony or capital OF auy sort, except stout
hahds aud sta!wart hearts, have dug 4 for
N'HN ''' thVHhstiNts Out OF rough, TQCkH
farms Thrift is In the farmer. not In the
farm Not that rich land Is not desirable
| IN itself, aud Is not 4 great aid 10 success,
but the best farm In the country Will not
support family unless fertilzed with
brains. There must be good man agement
10 make IL profitable, and good man
agement Is never found without a man at
The helm who Is man, has brains. and ap-
plies them To the cultivation OF the soil.
We come then TO consider what are the
qualities OF that manhood which leads on to
fortune In farming. In the hrst place u
| farmer must have a Natural taste tor his
ealing. great many men fail in the
mission OF HE because they are not put
~here they will do the most good The
| desire 20 own land and "A taste for It's cul-
ture are very generally aud widely diffused
IN community. Providence very evident
" designed that agriculture should be the
leading industry OF the earth, iuasmuch as
u furnishes the staples for food and clo.h-
ing, the TWO great physical wants OF hu-
nlanity, As matter OF tact more than
ha1l the population OF the world are en-
gagged, directly or Indirectly, in this occu-
patton, Dat 1t Is not true, As some suppose,
that every man can make farmer That
parent IS wise who studies the bent OF the
senius OF bis son and gives him an oppor-
own capacity, The old style is that "many
4 good farmer has been spoiled by trying
TO rake minister" but it Is also true
that some ministers and more mechanics
have been spoiled by complying with their
fathers wishes to be farmers. Agricul-
turc j. very safe and very nsble calling,
and doubtless j. more congeniai than any
other TO the average taste and capacity, but
10 excel In It, TO be u thrifty farmer one
must have all enthusiasm for the business
All Others will be mere ploddcrs.
Much hard money Is lost by farmers by
foolish trades. They do not Keep them
selves well posted as 10 the markets, aud
are, therefore, Swindirt by the sharpers
! who come around buying stock and pro-
duce. Brains and Drawn must cooperate
70 ensure the highest thrift One term at
Il commercial college where book Keeping
and the laws of trade are taught will be
worth thrice waa: 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 ii. Brawuy hands are required in
every branch Of farming. and In ulme cases
out of ten the thrifty farmer is one that
pats his own hands to the work, leads his
m"a, amd SAYS to them, Come on" not
Go on The eye and energy OF the mas
ter puts life into the men. and almost
double tile amount OF work IS thus Sc
cured. Il is sap, bat no more sad than
true, that man j. naturally lazy, and works
only under some stimulus. The wild H.
d.an, With his few wants. works precious
little. lis -4Iaw may cultivate little
pa,rh Of corn and beans but he is above
such mentaI service; he must smoke aud
Loaf Cigllized society, with its mutlfari-
ous wants. tuicratcs no loafers In the thrifty
/ front ranks. They must take the back
seats, whether they be farmers, mechan-
les, OF professional men. Brains TO plan
business and energy to accomplish 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 Il good
wife Il great element OF thrift on the
tarm-ts, in fact, about half the battle. N.
Y. Tunes