Connecticut western news., 1879-04-09
FARM THRIFT.
BY ALEXANDER HYDE.

and soil that there is little choice be- tween them. It is difficult to tell which of ike two has enjoyed the better health, or which has had the better opportuni- ties for thrift, but it is not difficult to decide which is the more thrifty. Every thing, seemingly, that one undertakes prospers. Failure characterizes the un- dertakinss of the other. Trift is written on the buildings, stock, land, and crops of the one, and thrift tlessness is equally manifest on the premises of the other. What makes the difference It is mani- fest that the difference of succeas be- tween 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 some thing besides the quality ef-the soil. We have known . young man to inherit a splendid farm from his father, and afterward a good one from his father-in- law, and still he was not able to make a living. If this were solitary instance no general rule conld be deduced 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 a fortune for them selves out of rough, rocky farms. Thrift is in the farmer, not in the farm. Not that r.ch land is not desirable in itself, and is not great aid to success, but the best form ill the country will not sup port family unless fertilized with brains. There must be good Emanage- ment to make it profitable, and good management is never found without Q man at the helm who is a man, has brains, and applies them to the cultiva. tion of the soil. v.
 We come then to consider what are the qualities of that manhood which lead on to fortune in farming. In the first place farmer must have a natural taste for his calling. A great many men fail in the mission of life because they are not put where they will do most good. Tine desire to own land and a taste for it's culture are very generally and wisely dih'used ill community. Providence very evidently designed that agrculture should be the leading in- dustry of the earth, iuasmuch as it fur nishes the staples for food and clothing, the two great physical wauts of human ity. As @ matter of fact, more than half the population of the world are engaged, directly or indirectly, in this occupation, but it 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 to develop himself in the line of his natural capacity, The old saying is that ""many good farmer has been spoiled by trying to make minis. ter," but it is also true that some min isters and more mechanics have been spoiled by complying with their fathers wishes to be farmers. Agriculture IS a very safe and very noble calling, and, doubtless, is more congenial than any other to the average taste and capacity,
 but to excel in 1t, to be @ thrifty farmer,
 one must have an enthusiasm for the business. All others will be mere pIod-
 ders.
 Much hard-earned money is lost by farmers by foolish trades. They do not keep themselves we'll posted as to the markets, and are, therefore, swindled by the sharpers who come around buy ing stock and produce. Brains and brawn must cooperate to insure the highest thrift. Che term at a commer.
 cial college where bookkeeping and the laws of trade are taught will be worth thrice what 1t costs to every young far.
 mer.
 Farm thrift, however, does not depend
 solely on the right choice of an occupa. tion and the amount of brains brought to bear upon it. Brawny hands are re. quired in every branch of farming, and ill nine cases out of ten the thrifty far mer is one that puts his own hands tc the work, leads his men, and says to thom "Come on," and not "Go on. The eye and energy of the master put , life into the men, and almost double the amount of work is thus secured. It ii ) sad, but no more sad than true, that 3 man is naturally lazy, and works only , under some stimulus. The wild Indian 3 with his'few wants, works precious lit tie. Hiss squaw may cultivate a little 8 patch of corn and beans, but he is abov' 3 such menial service he must smoke 8 and loaf. Civilized society, with it g multifarious wants, tolerates no loofer 0 in the thrifty front ranks, They mus , take the back seats, whether, they b, B farmers, mechanics, or professional men 7 Brains to plain business and energy t' e accomplish: it are the requisites fo ,. thrifty farming. . ;.n ;.
 There ere, many miner points to whicl d we would like to allude if space permit :, ted, but we must take space to say tha B good wife is great element of thrif d on the farm--is, in fact, about half thu o battle, = ?"
 a A STRIKE.-A strike occurred among
 the "rressmen of the Governmen d Printing Office at Washington. Tn g business of the department was not ma tt terially affected, sufficient number o