The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-04-21
Piratical Farming.


ing of the Vermont Dairymen's Asso-
citation by Mr.. T. d. Curtis, that one Of
the reasons why farmers are not more
successful in many of their undertake
ings is because they do not enter upon
their business as though it were to be a
life business, but are constantly looking
forward to some change. 1t may be a
change in their system, or in the kind
of crops grown, or, quite as likely. it
may be a change in location. Too
many farmers are ready at any time,
and at all times, to pull up and sell out,
or to move off for new location, even
bsfore selling out. This is not peculiar
to New England farmers, for the same
measiness and unrest is seen all the
way across the continent. Mr.. Olcott,
of the Connecticut C0urd,at, gets too
near the truth when he calls us ''pirat-
ical" farmers, who only handle the soil
TO rob it of its fertility. Piracy NAV
appear to pay for = while, but it is II. 1
a business. to be recommended for IA
steady employment, and farmers who
would deserve the name of farmers
might as we'll make up their minds that
if they expect to make living that is
worth living, on a farm, they will attain
their object soonest, who drive their
stakes with the feeling that they are
driving them to stay. a.ts,l
The dairyman who is ever ready to
sell his farm and 90 to new place, or
to adopt new line of farming, will
never be a successful breeder of good
stock. He cannot wait the slow process
of growing up such herd as would
suit him, but buys his COWS here and
there, of any breed, or no breed, as
convenience may dictate. He will not
build good barns and provide neat and
convenient dairy rooms, nor will he
purchase first-class dairy utensils, but
will make anything do, because he ex-
poets before long to sell out and do
something else. Butter or cheese made
under such influences can never be of
the best quality, nor will it bring the
highest prices.
A man who can't change when cir
cumstances and his best interests re-
quire that he should is to be pitied. A
man may find himself surrounded by
new and unexpected conditions that
may demand breaking up and begin
ming anew, but that that is not the rule
among farmers is our firm belief. As a
rule, we believe farmers should look
upon their homes as their homes for
life, and feeling thus they will have
every inducement to make those homes
just as comfortable, pleasant and happy
as it il possible to make them with the
means and skill at their command. =
How different the appearance of two
farms where the owner of one is always
thinking that he shall not stay a great
while longer, while the other looks upon
his as his permanent home, and where
he hopes his children win continue to
dwell after him. On one, the fences
are weak, the buildings decayed and
the fields overgrown by weeds and
bushes. The house needs painting, and
the barn new shingles, though its mows
may be but half filed at the end of
harvest. Consumption seems to have
got , firm hold upon everything. Dis
order and decay is visible everywhere
But on the other farm everything seems
full of life and prosperity. The owner
is looking constantly upward ~ well IS
omW WoA AuEulSuOO WUul0. 0D uasEu S
are tight and warm, and securely pro-
tect the choice stock and the well-pre-
served fodder. His fields are we'll
drained. cleared Of rocks and stumps,
well fenced where fences are needed,
asEa The sell Thoroughly TILED, not oulY
with an eye to present crops but to fu-
ture profits also. He does not neglect
to set choice fruit and shade trees for
fear that he shall not stay to enjoy them
- they grow. M ,f ~ -qgo. =
Piratical farming has ovsrrun and
devastated the South; It has left ito
destructive marks here In New En-
gland, and it Is now depicting the rich
Iantls OF the West. Shall we ell turn
agricultural pirates, or will we endeavor
70 earn an honest living from the soil,
and treat It - II We had come to stayr-
Metz xnaloNd Farmer. :. :,