Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-07-03
3arm anb koussbolO.
4 Ss..a; WAY.


lance to the farming interest OF Maine
What he saws OF the condition of the
farms in the cifcumscribed region
through which be passed 10 true in .
greater or less degree, of farms in all
tie older portions OF the State. There
is too much unproduclive land, and Q
still broader area which produces but .
small part of what it ought. and of
what it might be made TO produce with
proper treatment. We do not propose
TO fud fault with the farmers of Maine.
There are no more intelligent, indus
triOus and perseveiing tillers of the soil
in this or in any other country. than we
have in the State OF Maine. and yet
every intelligent farmer will agree with
Us that We are far from perfection both
in the science snd the art of agriculture.
The time was, aud s, no very remote
period, when If the farmer could make
bare living from his farm, he was
measnrsbly satisfied; with very small
annual gains. at the expense OF the
strIctest economy. he was entirely so.
But the more expensive habits which
were adopted during, aud for few
years subsequent TO the war. wrought 6
great change in the habits Of our people,
habits which are not readily laid ASIDE.
During those Yeas. farmers made
money aud to some extent, better meth
DDS OF farming were practicei. The
era OF such extreme high prices 10 past,
gore forever, and II We could fall back
at once, int the grooves in which we
moved before the war, We might get
along ~ well Is We did then. when
nominal success attended even the
poorest farming because mos, farmer.
were conten,ed with the little they re-
ceived from IT, But it 10 not easy TO 20
back 10 the simple habits Of those days.
During the flush times farmers families
lived better. dressed better and enjoyed
more privileges OF every kind .hsn they
ever did before. and having enjoyed
them they are 10th to give them up.
And must they do it. Is there no Al
tentative?
All will sgree that the farmer should
make both ends meet and something
better than that, something should be
devoted every wear 10 farm improve
ments and something laid aside as
provision agains; sickness and such
other casualties SIS are liable 10 overtake
Us all. II necessary. every farmer
should practice economy and even self
denial in order 10 accomplish this. He
must do this. or sdop, what we believe
10 be the only alternative. namely, bet
ter farming. With present prices. slip
shod farming such as too msny practice,
will produce only the bare necessaries
of Lie. and besides. such farming will
eventually run out the farm and the
situation grow worse and worse Pru-
dence and economy are essential TO
thriit not alone with the farmer, but in
every other department OF labor and
business. but when these sre carried TO
mony and mesnness. Many feel that
the pressure of the times calls upon
them TO pratice the most rigid self-de-
NAL, even TO the extent OF stopping the
family paper which has been q source
olpleasure and intellectual enjoyment
for many years. We believe that bet
ter farming will obviate the necessity
Of this, and while there 10 no profit
either present or prospective In poor
farming, even in these depressed times,
good farming will insure moderate pro.
Ats now with the certainty Of improve
Dent hereafter.
There hss been no time since the wa
when farm labor could be procured SO
cheaply As now; our currency is down
TO the hard-pan. and while the speculs-
tive prices Of years ago. when every
thing Was unsettled. are neither pos
sibls nor desirable, farm products
promise 10 be higher rather than lower.
Farmers. therefore. have no special
cause for discogragement; nor should
they be deceived nor cajoled BY the
eiap-trap Of political adventures who
magnify the evils under which we suf-
fer for party purposes. They who de.
pend upon political PARTIES to right
wrongs aud improve the times. are
hewing to themselves broken eisterns:
political parties make fair promises to
the ear but invariably break them to the
hope. Better agriculture 10 the only
specific for the evils of which our far.
nsr friends complain. aud this brings
us back to the point whence We started.
Some plan must be devised for the
improvement Of our worn-out lands. and
to this subject We invite the attention Of
our correspondents. The problem would
be easy If farmers had Q eu0cient
amount ofcspital and had the courage
to invest it in farm Improvement. Too
many farmers invest their surplus ear.
nings in enterprises outside of the farm.
and often to their sorrow. We believe
that money invested in the improve
ment of worn out-lsnds and In the prose-
cution of better farming generally. will
psy better rate of interest than auy
moneyed institution can now Afford 70
pay. and will have the advantage Of
bsing an entirely cafe investment.
Maine 10 . money lending State. Large
sums through Cur banking institutions.
are invested in western securities. aud
western farmers do not hesitate to hire
money 70 tavsst 10 fsrhias operations.
We would not advise Maine farmers to /
- - lhaf extent, bat We would sdvise
than 10 isvest al thar savings in the
inpeovenest Of their farms. 70 the end |
q beetsr farming. Very many Ut our
farDsss Try 70 ealHvsis 70 much land.