The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1880-04-15
Farming a Business.

MANY men make the mistake of en-
gaging in agricultural and horticultural
pursuits under the impression that, un-
like trade, it requires no previous
preparation or training. The fact is
there is scarcely any avocation that re-
quires so long preparatory course:
The farmers bo;s are in training till
they grow up to manhood, and then
have much to learn concerning the
business. But the farmers boy, when
he is eighteen, may leave the farm and
learn a trade, and in three or four
years he may be a good saddler, or
shoemaker, cooper, brick-mason, stone
cutter, carpenter, timer or painter, or
even pretty fair lawyer. physician,
teacher or preacher, or other profess
sional calling. Farming is peculiar
calling, in that it requires a ready
knowledge of a multitude of duties.
The work is varied. The drafts upon
experience and knowledge are constant.
Soil, climate conditions and thousand
varying circumstances must be studied
in order to make. farming. a success.
The farmer is a tradesmaif, because he
huys and sells; he is manufacturer,
because he produces; he must be a
reader to keep posted in various mat
ttTS Judb COuCCkh hto iAtChCotcs iO Ahuos
take part in public affairs, because
there are fewer people in the country
than in the city within a 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-an claim his thoughtful
attention. The farmers curriculum is
the most extensive of all educational
institutions, and he never graduates,
but is always studying, acquiring, stor-
ing and searching for more. That is,
this is what the successful, progressive
farmer does. And in this age of sharp
competition, intelligence, improved
methods are more needful than ever il
success would be ashieved. This little
paragraph from our Atlanta contem-
porary, the Constitution. is pertinent to
the thought we are discussing:
| At times we meet with men who are engaged
4 in farming who tell us that it does not pay
After conversing with them we see no reason
engage in i must recognize this fact-must be
i come familiar with all the times and seasons
| and the science and mechanical skill for farm
ing. There is such thing as planting crops a,
the wrong time, in the wrong soil, In the wrong
| way, harvesting too late or in a bad condition
Some men do not provide themselves with
suitable stock, do not know how to care fol
ty at the proper time, or how to market them
| The sensible prudent business farmer will mo-
risk all the interests of his farm on one singh,
product
The above is suggestive; so much sc
that we cannot undertake, in this arti
Gle, to follow it to all its conclusions
But this much is speedily attained il
pursuing the idea OF progressive farm
J ing: those who do not study the bes
methods are sure to be left behind il
the race for competency. By this WI
have no reference to fancy farming o
"book methods but the plain, practi
cal, business like ways which distin
guish some farmers who are eminentl,
successful, and the absence OF whicl
[ characterizes too many others who ar
) content with old ways under the char
acteristic idea that "whst is, is best.
i The best thing the young farmer, o
, even the more experienced can do, is
watch and closely follow the system Q
, the successful farmers. They are to b
found in every neighborhood. Counss
I with them; compare the soils, drainag
and surroundings of your farm wit
Z theirs, and then, upon the strength {
4 your own Judgment, afte1' weighin
their suggestions, make the best yo
q can of your opportunities. Such cours
g persistently and vigorously pursue
Q cannot fail in the end, with ordinar
d intelligence, tact and industry, to rea
r golden harvcsts.- burlington Hatckey