Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-07-12
Farming VS.. Other C.IIings.


Toa young man just starting in
life for himself the choice of a call
ing to be pursued is the one impor-
tant question for him to settle, it
sometimes proves an exceedingly
difficult one to settle, and not infre-
quently he has tried and bad some
experience in several different call
ings before finding that to which he
is best adapted. Things are not
stereotyped in this countrywide not
run in ruts as they do in the coun-
tries of the Old World. 1t is so
easy a matter to change from one
calling or business to another that
some men are all their lives chang
ing, but they generally illustrate the
proverb that "a rolling stone gath
ers no moss" 1t is certainly a
great point gained by any young
man if he can. early in life, find out
what he wants to do and then set
himself persistently to doing it. But
our purpose in this article is briefly
to consider the relative chances for
success in life in farming as COM
pared with other callings. As be-
tween farming and working for a
salary in merchandising, manufac-
lures, railroading, telegraphing or
any of the great interests which
employ armies OF men there can be
no question: The employe is likely.
almost certain, to remain an en-
ploye all his life, and that at a sal
airy which barely affords a living,
without the possibility OF accumulat-
ing a competence for old age. The
professions-law, medicine and the
mintstry-are all evercrowded: a
large percentage Of the graduates
after little time drop into other
callings. A few reach eminence and
success, but the great mass are only
mediocre in either attainments or
success.
Trade, like a lottery, has prizes
for few, but blanks for the many.
Over ninety out CT every hundred
merchants fail sooner or later.
Modern methods of conducting bus
mess make it more and more difficult
for the man of moderate means to
achieve success in trade. The small
fish are sooner or later swallowed by
the large ones. Farming does not
offer such brilliant prizes as those
which are gained by the few fortu-
nate ones in tIade; but it does offera
reasonable certainty of fair meas
ure OF success when pursued inteili-
gently and persistently. Few farm
ers are obliged to apply to the bank
rupt court in comparison with those
engaged in other callings'
Not all farmers get rich, though
the number of those who become
wealthy is by no means small. But
the great mass of them gain prop
erty, become independent in a
moderate way, surround themselves
and families with all the needed com
forts of life, give their children a fair
education, live free from the per.
plexities and worries which con-
stantly beset the man of business
and constitute, as a class, the very
bed rock OF our prosperity as Il
country.
Farming is at the present day
about the only calling in which "a
man of small or moderate means can
start and grow into an independent
business of his own. The false idea
which has at some time prevailed
that farming as calling is lower
down in the scale than other occupa.
tons, is largely done away, and now
the man who owns land, raises crops
or live stock is regarded, as he al
ways shonld have bean, as the peer
of any other man. Land owner
sbsp is becoming in this country, as
it always has been in Europe, boon
to be sought after, and the owner Of
a good farm need envy no other
man living.-Fd,nlers' Rerieap.
CAUSE AND EFFECT.-At times
symptoms of Indigestion are Dre-