The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-05-22
Farming Business.


Many men make the mistake of en-.
gaging in agricultural and horticultu'
raj pursuits under the impression that.
unlike trade, 1t requires no previous
preparation and training. The fact Is
there is scarcely any avocation that
requires so long preparatory course.
The farmers boys are in training till
they grow up to manhood, and then
have much to learn about the BUSH
ness. But the farmers boy may leave
the farm and learn trade, and in
three or four years he may be Il good
saddler, or shoemaker, cooper, brick
mason, stone-cutter, carpenter, tanner
or painter, or even a pretty fair law
yer, physician, teacher or preacher, or
other professional calling. Farming
is a peculiar calling, in that it requires
Il ready knowledge of multitude of
duties. The work is varied. The
drafts upon experience and knowl-
edge are constant. Soil, climate con-
ditions and u thousand varying cir
cumstances must be studied in order
to make farming success. The farm
er is a tradesman, because he buys
and sells; he is "a manufacturer, be-
cause he produces; he must be read
er to keep posted in various matters
that concern his interests he must
take part in public affairs, because
there are fewer people in the country
than in the city within given area
of territory to look after and maintain
highways, bridges, schools, etc. 1t is
well if he knows something of many |
of the skills, as painting, carpenter
work, harness-mending veterinary
and the care of live stock generally.
The beasts of the fields, the birds of
the air, the insect tribes-all claim
his thoughtful attention. The farm
er's curriculum is the most extensive
of all educational institutions, and he
never graduates, but is always study
ing, acquiring, storing and searching
for more. That is, this is what the
successful, progressive farmer does.
And in this age OF sharp competi-
ton, intelligence, improved methods
are more needful than ever if success
would be achieved. This little para
graph from our Atlanta contemporary,
the Constitution, is pertinent to the
thought we are discussing:
At times we meet with men who are en-
gagged in farming who tell us that it does
see no reason why it should. Farming,
ike law, medicine, or anything else, is a
business, and men who engage in it must
'ecogniZe this tact-must become familiar
With all the times and seasons, and the
cience and mechanical skill of farming. !
There is such thing as planting. crops at ,
he wrong time, in the wrong soil, in the
wrong way, harvesting too late or in Il bad
condition. Some men do not provide them
elves with suitable stock, do not know
low to care for them protitably, show to
,ring them to maturity at the proper time,
II how to mark them. The sensible, pru- {
lent, business farmer will not risk all the :
interests of his farm on one single product ,
The above is suggestive; so much :
% that we cannot undertake., in this ,
rticle, to follow it to all its conclu- 3
ions. But this much is speedily at :
aimed in pursuing the idea of pro- t
,ressive farming: Those who do not :
tudy the best methods are sure to be :
eft behind in a race for competency. r
}y this we have no reference to fancy i
arming or " book Methods but the
lain, practical, business like ways 8
which distinguish some farmers who +
re eminently successful, and the alb :
ence of which characteriZes too many +
Tiers who are content with old ways i,
nder the characteristic idea that ,
what is, is best" '
The best thing the young farmer, or r
ven the more experienced can do, is |
0 watch and closely follow the sys- +
EN- of the successful farmers. They 4
re to be found in every neighborhood. 8
'ounsel with them compare the r
oils, drainage and surroundings of +
our farm with theirs, and then, upon
our own Judgment, after weighing f
heir suggestions, make the best you g
an of your opportunities. Such a !
purse persistently and vigorously !
ursued cannot fail in the end, with /
rdinary intelligence, tact and indus $
ry, to reap golden harvests. i