The Columbus journal., 1880-11-17
Failures I'm Farming.

That many persons fail In the
business of farming is certain. Their
effects may not be closed out by the
Sheriff but they meet with poor sue
cess, borrow money on bond and
mortgage and finally become SO
much embarrassed that they are
obliged to dispose of their places.
Long before this occurs their farms,
buildings, fences, stock and tools
have been gradually running down.
Indications of decline were seen on
every hand. The pastures carried
less stock than formerly. The fields
produced small crops of potatoes,
corn and grain and very large crops
of all kinds of weeds. The trees IN
the orchard grew out of shape and
the nests of worms were about as
plenty on the branches as were spec
linens Of fruit.
Many persons point to these fail
ures as evidences that farming is not
a profitable branch of business
They do not stop to consider the
real causes of the failure. They at
tribute to business what should be
ascribed to men. Investigation
would show that most of the per-
sons who fail in farming are not
adapted to business, either by ma
ture or training. Many of them
would not be very successful in any
kind of business. A large class of
persons are farmers because their
fathers were. Quite likely they in
herited some land, stock and tools,
while the little training they had
received was in the direction of ag-
riculture. They continued to spend
their time on the farm where they
were brought up, chiefly because
they did not know where else to go
or " hat else to do.
Farmers, as q rule. never consult
their sons in regard to a choice of
occupation. They are anxious that
they should pursue the same busi-
ness in which they have been en-
gagged. II they show an inclination
for some other pursuit they are dis
couraged. They are seldom allow
ed advantages for becoming ac-
quainted with other kinds of en-
ployment. If they have a genius
for some pursuit it Is never discov-
cred. AS a consequence they are
virtually compelled to commence
life as farmers. At the time they
become of age they consider them
selves too old to commence to learn
a trade, to prepare themselves for a
profession, to acquire a knowledge
of commerce or transportation, or to
obtain the rudiments of the business
of mining or any branch Of manu-
featuring.
The business of farming is never
suited to their tastes and disposi-
tions, aud quite likely it is not
suited to their physical constitu-
tions. Work in the field, garden
and orchard is never labor of love.
They are not interested In the in
PRODUCTION of new crops or the i'm
provement of old ones. They read
no works on agriculture, take no
agricultural papers, belong to no
agricultural societies. They attend
no fairs, and enter into no discus
sions about farming with their
neighbors. They take no delight in
the care of any kind OF stock, and.
as might well be supposed, are not
interested in the introduction OF
new breeds or the improvement OF
old ones. They make no expert.
ments in new methods of feeding,
and are very careless In following
old ones.
Many Of the persons who become
farmers from force of circumstances
do not intend to remain engaged in
it long. When an opportunity pre-.
sents itself they prepare to speculate
in patent rights, sell lightning-rods
or engage In mining. Some of them
are always on the lookout for per-
son who wishes to exchange lum'
ber-ysrd, a gr ocery, or q dry-good.
store for farm. They desire to bt
engaged in any other kind of bust
J ness than the one they are now en-
ployed in. Persons who do no
expect to work at farming any
longer than they can find an oppor
tunity to make change never sue
ceed. Their thoughts, desires snt
studies are all in something else
> They look to see the farm supper
, them till they can put themselves II
: a condition TO make a fortune ant
, acquire distinction in some congen
> ial employment.
Another class of persons do no
succeed in farming for quite differ
, ent reason. They propose to remain
, farmers all their lives, but they ar
+ constantly changing from one de
partment of 1t to another. The,
} start out as general farmers, bu
} soon devote all their energies t.
some speciality. They read of hov
! some person succeeds with bees an
fowls, and they hasten to exchang