The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-02-21

but simply hang on to them and watt Bad
as the times are for farmers, they are not 30
bad as for those in otner occupations. Tho
industrious farmer Is always dead sure OF
enough to eat 1t is of the best quality, too,
for he raises it himself. Absolute certainty
of food and shelter goes long way to making
a light heart In this respect the farmer has
the advantage of everybody else, and may as
well think ON his mercies.
Ii is infallibly certain, that old saw which
reminds us that the darkest hours come just
before dawn. After every one of the previous
commercial and agricultural depressons there
has been rapid recovery. Prices have risen
speedily and certainly, the farmer has realized
at last good returns for whatever he had to
sell, and good times have come suddenly back
to the discouraged spirit.
In the small farms it may be necessary to
change the articles and methods Of production
to some extent. Near the large cities it has
been found that struck farming so-called,
pays better than the old-fashioned grain rails
ing. Fruits, small and large, vegetables,
poultry and honey, and even flowers, are
among the products whereby the skillful and
energetic ruralist coins money from the gem
erous earth. But he must be skillful and ener-
getic Old free and easy ways of letting the
chickens find themselves, and leaving half the
bees and third Of the lambs to be winter
killed will not do. Trusting to providence
and letting things run themselves is no way
to farm in our times. Probably providence
has become tired Of encouraging slovenly
farmers. The agriculturist must learn the
latest and most scientific methods of carrying
on his trade. People in other occupations
were forced to this long ago. The trench
dous competition in our age compels the
farmer, as all others, to economic his time
most strictly, to let nothing go to waste or
ruin and to get the most out of his capital.
And the small farmer can get on with
energy, health, and determination to succeed.
We know a woman farmer at this moment
who is laying upa competency off twenty
acres Of land, near one of the large cities.
She makes butter, raises vegetables, honey,
small fruits and poultry. AT the same time,
she is highly cultivated lady, and shines in
the most intellectual and brilliant society.
That as a matter of course. The more highly
educated a person is in the right way, the
better farmer he will make. This woman
farmer is exceptional, but why need she BET
Can any farmer or farmers wife give good
reason whyl
Meantime it is pleasant to read a letter
from live and lively farmer declaring that
of his knowledge farm Of 100 to 100 acres is
enough for a man to make a good living on
and prosper. There is no doubt about it. A
small farm can be superintendent In every
part personally by its owner. He can do
much Of the work on it himself With a small
farm, well fortified and cultivated, and with
good roads and good fences all about it, all
its parts duly apportioned among fruit, stock,
garden and grain, so that in case one fails
there will still be something else, our rural
friend can better afford to wait for good
times than if he was responsible for a great
estate, with high taxes, many farm hands
and expensive machinery.
In any case, good times will come again.
They always do. Bear that in mind con-
tinually, O, respondent farmer, and hang on!