Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-11
A Farmers Opinion.

Mr.. Agricultural Editor Being a weekly
reader OF the WAToHMAN, you will not be sur
prised to learn that your corner is amongst the
first things read and read with quite as much
satisfaction, and think profit as any part Of the
paper. | read 1t with satisfaction because you
treat upon subjects that interest all farmers and
treat them in a manner, too. that shows q " mas
ter workman" We are satisfied when we have
read through one Of your editorials that 1t Is no
mik-and-water dish," and also certain that we
know what you think on the subject. In reading
the last wAroHMAN was quite interested in your
letter from a young farm laborer,-more inter-
ested, perhaps, because | fanced I knew It's
author. After reading the young mans letter
naturally read your remarks with interest, and 1t
is with those remarks that | now propose to take
issue. You take exceptions first because the
young man says that muscle seems to be the
chief requisite in farm laborer" In nine times
ont Of ten think the young man is right Other
things being equal, perhaps the young man with
good education, good address and good Clothes
II well versed in his business, might stand the best
chance. The average farmer In hiring his help
does not 60 by fancy. He makes up his mind to
pay about 80 much, and the man that will pitch
the most hay, draw the most manure, or chop the
most wood, is the one that is going to get the
job. You say you "woud not advise any young
man who means eventually to be a farmer to
leave farming for any other business for five or
ten years. A young man has worked steadily
and faithfully on farm till he ie twenty -one
| years old. He now becomes man for himself,
and is entitled to his own wages. He means,
| perhaps to eventually become farmer, but is
| obliged to work few years to earn the means to
commence business for himself Now, why in
the name Of common sense would you object to
his accepting any honorable employment where
he can get the best pay2 Are you afraid he will
| forget the trade he has served twenty years to
learn? You say he will not be worth so much to
| a farmer as before, for he will at least have to
| become convert to the "ten hour system" | do
not see how 1t Is going to harm the young man in
any way, II he sticks to the job where he can get
the best pay till he has means to start for himself
When he has once started business on farm for
himself, il he has any pluck, will guarantee the
"ten hour system " will play out A young man
of my acquaintance, soon after he came Of age,
went to Massachusetts, to seek employment. He
finally drifted into the business Of driving veg
etable wagon into market. He stuck to the busi-
ness (hs wages portion Of the time being $40
per month and found) till he had saved more
than two thousand dollars; then he came home
and bought farm near the old homestead He
| is now thrifty and successful farmer, and none
the worse for having stepped out Of the old rou-
tine Other examples are fresh In my mind,
where young men have done much better to leave
the farm while they are at work for wages, and
thus get quicker and better start for doing busi-
ness for themselves. Again you say never run
| in debt for land" We doubt whether this Is
| sound advice to give a young and energetic man
| who has arrived at that age that he desires 10
| commence business for himself Follow out your
advice and you will fill the land with small one
horse farms that would hardly sustain man and
his wife, or you would drive our best young mer
from the state. presume you would advise high
culture, fruit-growing and gardening. That NIGH
do in some sections near large towns or cities
but would never be practicable in the back town.
Of Vermont, especially off the line of railroads
| fancy also that, in order to make this branch o.
farming pay, man has got to have taste ant
talent in this direction. Most Of our farmer boyi
hate gardening, and think it almost equal to turn
ing a grindstone In looking about find tha
many Of our most successful farmers have at som'
time in their lives been largely in debt for thei
land. On the other hand notice that those tina
have not had the pluck and energy to branch ou
beyond their actual means have lived upon sor
Of "hand to mouth " basis, and have grown ole
without having accumulated enough to buy
tombstone to mark their final resting-place
know it is not very pleasant to be in debt for I"
have been ground in the same MILL" Still,
would rather see young man buy good farm
and be moderately in debt for 1t than to see ON
set down upon ten-acre patch thinking there
with to be content. J.H.
Waitsfeld, December 30, 1881.
REMARKS BY THE EDIToR.-"In In a mul
Il. i.