Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-13
balm keuueber :3ourual.
The Fancy Farmer.

Mr.. Newall, in his address before the
Essex County Massachusetts. Agricultural
Society. draws a picture OF the fancy
farmer" which will doubtless be recog-
nlzed at sight. by not few Of our readers.
We uuote As have discoursed on the
practical farmer, thought arises that
have a duty devolving upon me at this
time, which necessitates my making rel.
erence to the fancy farmer. who should
receive due regards for his commendaole
undertakings, and the lavishnesss win
which he spends the fortune be has accu-
mulated from other remunerative business
1t furnishes him an opportunity OF keep
ing the currency in active circulation, ana
many are directly and indirectly beneht-
ed thereby, and no man honors his good
intentions more than ! do. There IS
pIeasurable feeling of contentment to the
owner, in viewing the attractive features
with which he has embellished his sur
rounding. and it should inculcate in the
minds of all observers desire for im-
proyement. But who of you ever heard
Of any sane man engaging in any business
except farming. simply for the fun II
would afford him? Yet. there are many
who seek recreation in this way.
Although it is disaffection to most OF
Us 10 be harassed in our business by COM
petitors who are farming on the profits OF
some other business. vet, we accept 1t
with a good grace, and | make mention OF
it at this time, simply to eounterbalance
the statements which have often been
made AZ to the advantages to be derived
where fancy farmer locates in your
midst, by observing the workings of new
and improved methods which he will
adopt. / should as soon expect to gather
"grapes of thistles." as to gather informa-
ton from this source, and the lesson you
will learn will lessen your income, unless
you profit by his attempts and failures.
Many have not conceived the true rela-
ton which exists between the fancy farm
er and the practical farmer. who must
draw his sustenance from the soil, and
whose aim is not solely for the pleasure it
affords him. For instance, you have
farm adjoining his. and the assessors will
tell you that it is more valuable than for
merly, owing to the improved surround
ings. consequently, your tax increases !;
yet your farm is worth no more to you as
a means of getting living. You send
your teams to town." where you have
purchased manure for the past ten years.
and you receive word that your neighbor,
1.-THE fancy farmer" has offered nearly
double what you were paying, and is sat
isfied with six feet for cord The men
in your employ, whom you were paying
current wages, have been informed that
your neighbor wants help. and will pay s.
per month more than you are paying
them; consequently. they strike for higher
wages, or perhaps quit. You fill their
places with other men, at a loss of
time and money, consequent on learning
the routine duties to which they must be-
come accustomed. When, 10! they dis
cover that at six 2. NJ, your neighbor's
men are kicking football; that while
your men are doing the milking in the
morning. your neighbours men are not
out of bed. for he keeps but few import
ed Jerseys with more pedigree than COLI
stitution, and as they are kept more tor
adornment than profit. it is unnecessary
to milk them till after breakfast. But if
you have money enough left after paying
your increased taxes, to buy what little
manure he has not secured, and can quell
the spirit CT disquiet among your men,
(Which will naturally arise) long enough
to perform your work in that thorough
manner which has been your wont. you
need have no anxiety about his being a
competitor in your market. for in this par
ticular he will seldom be rival. for he
will have but little that would be classed
as understandable. Such is my acquaint-
ance with the fancy farmers whose de-
signs are pleasure and not profit"