The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-08-09
The Secret of Success in Farming.


The success which a man achieves il
life cannot be measured entirely by the
amount of money he accumulates; were
this the case, success in agricultural
would be far below that of mercantile,
commercial or speculative pursuits, in
these Gas in lotteries) the many blanks
and failures make the few prizes and
millionaires.
1t would be narrow-minded to claim
for agriculture all that enthusiasts dc
when they say that in it only can per
feet development of mind and body be
attained, or that farmers are of more
Importance to commerce and the trades
than these to them; still, the fact re.
mains that man, with his wonderful
physical, mental and moral compost
ton, cannot maintain and reproduce
his full powers in the artificial existence
which he leads in city, or in seden-
tary life. Without the country, cities
could not continue; the health, the
strong body so essential to the sound
mind, is furnished by recruits from the
sons of the soil. Mother Earth gives
the vitality which no artificial means
can supply. and the grandson of the
country boy who goes to the city and
makes his fortune is, nine times in ten.
the clerk of some other country boy who
has come with his bundle on his back,
but with the vim In him which soon
leaves far behind his enfeebled citv con-
temporary. From these facts we argue
that life and success in the country are
more comprehensive, and are far be-
You'd mere money making. While in
this busy world, whether in town or
country, on land or sea, each has his
duty to perform, and many minds make
willing hands at all times, still he is
most blest, and has the full scope oil
happiness and life before him, who
makes all that he can make of d coun-
try home. For the race depends not
only for health and energy, but for
morals, truth, integrity, purity and re-
ligioD, upon the influences around It's
rural firesides.
A young man beginning the business
of life on farm, should have little
capital, not too much just enough to
give him heart to work. He encounters
and overcomes difficulties, improves his
farm, his stock, his buildings, and is
not negleetful of his own moral and
mental culture; his gains, though slower
than those of his city brother appear to
be, are far more sure, and his chances
of future almost none; he may be GER
tain that if he sows with perseverance,
he viii finally reap; he lends help
ing hand when circumstances will per-
NIT, and sees as he goes, that his own
prosperity is identical with that of his
community and his country; he feels
that he is a responsible factor in the
general good. He is somewhat con-
seryasive; the contact of the land seems
to develop conservatism; he and his fell
lows are the great political balance
wheel, which does not let the engines
of the State respond too quickly to the
fiery efervescent heat which may flame
forth in the nervous city centers. After
a while, independence crowns his eff.
forts, and he moves on in life toward
its close, active and interested in every
thing; glad, not jealous, of the pros
perity of his neighbors; large hearted,
loving his felloW-men, and in turn be-
loved and respected by them. II he
does these things, and thus fills the
measure of man, he has succeeded,
and his success has brought content.
ment and peace that boarded millions
could not give Charles F.. Kirk.