, 1885-03-03

but simply hang on to them and wait. Bad
as the times are for farmers, they are not 90
hnd as for those In other occupations. The
Industrious farmer is always dead sure Of
enough 10 eat. 1t Is OF the best quality too,
for be raises it himself. Absolute certainty
OF food and shelter goes a long why 10 making
n light Leart. In this respect the farmer has
the advantage of everybody else, and may as
well think on his mercies.
1t Is infallibly certain, that old saw which
reminds us that the darkest hours come just
commercial and agricultural deprezsions 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 1t may be necessary 10
change the articles and methods Of production
to some extent. Near the large cities it has
been found that truck farming so-calle !.
pays better than the old-fashioned grain IT r
ing. Fruits, small and large, vegetahi3s,
poultry md honey, and even flowers, are
among the products whereby the skiilful and
energetic ruralist coins money from the gen
erous earth. But he must be shillful and ener-
getic- Old free and easy ways of letting the
chickens find themselves, and leaving half the
bees and a third Of the lambs to be winter
killed viii 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 tremen-
dous competition in our age compels the
farmer, as all others, TO economic his time
49, 81 .fwr.kIw~ - IL --tlt-- -. - .ararNa ~
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 up competency oil 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 a 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 viii make. This woman
farmer is exceptional, but why need she bel
Can any farmer or farmers wife give a good
reason whyl
Meantime it is pleasant 10 read a letter
from a live and lively farmer declaring thnt
of his knowledge a farm OF 100 to 100 acres Is
enough for a man 10 make a good living on
and prosper. There is no doubt about 1t. A
small farm can be superintendent in every
part personally by its owner. He can dc
much Of the work on it himself. With a small
farm, we'll fortified and cultivated, and with
good roads and good fences all about it, al
its parts duly apportioned among fruit, stock
garden and grain, so that in case one fail
there will still be something else, our rura
friend can better afford to wait for goot
times than If he was responsible for a greai
estate, with high taxes, many farm hand
and expensive machinery.
In any case, good times will come again
They always do. Bear TINT in mind con
tinually, o, respondent farmer, and hang on