The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-12-17
INTERESTING PAPERS.

The following paper was read by Mr..
James McBroom, on Friendship, Econ
omy, Industry and Education, at the
Farmers Institute held i'm Napoleon on
the 2d and Sd inst:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
/ am much pleased with the hearty
welcome of the brave, progressive peo-
pie of Napoleon, for inaugurating a
worthy plan by which we the farmers of
the surrounding country meet to-day,
and enjoy an exchange of ideas and
friendly greetings, which will be long re-
membered. Such meetings, if established
looked forward to with delight by young
and old. 1t behooves the aged sire to
inaugurate principles and policies for the
good of the rising generation. l would
say to the young farmers, look to your
farm for money to run It; create your
own capital out of your own surplus
products; keep what is not actually
needed to run your business loaned or
in bank-loose money in your pockets
goes freely. Spend only what is neces-
sary; practice economy in all things; be
wideawake in your labor and your care;
keep your work ahead; be attentive to
every detail around the house and barn.
Your time thus employed is money, and
will make you happier. The vain pur-
suit of finding pleasure by going to town
without business, to loiter on some sue
cessful merchants counter, or in some
lawyers office, is an idle waste. Horace
Greeley said: '"The darkest day in any
mans career is that wherein he fancies
there is some easier way of getting dol
lar than by squarely earning in" Com
pare your own plans and practice OF bust
ness with that of your successful neigh
Dor or friend. Don't let your efforts be
nor visionary, but let your
good sense govern you i'm the number of
acres you can cultivate well at a profit;
the number of horses that can be profit
ably employed; also the number of cat
tie, hogs and sheep, you can accommo-
date and feed.
Why should not farmers sons and
be educated? They delude
with the idea that they can
not secure an education because they
live IN the country, and have not the adj
vantage of high school; or what is
worse, that they do not need an educa-
ton because they expect to spend their
lives on farm. An education is of
great advantage in any business. The
farmer who possesses knowledge OF
bookkeeping and COM
mercial law, is more likely to succeed. |
The mind is drawn out and trained to |
think. The judgment is strengthened.
The mind will be better able to Judge of |
the correctness and fitness of contem-
plated enterprise. If, perchance, it may
be diversified farming, or if circumstan-
ces render one special branch of farming
more advantageous, it can be pursued to
greater advantage by an educated mind,
Ill things else being equal. / hope the
kind, enterprising people
Of Mapleton, will in the near future, by
uniting in voice, heart and pocket, es-
ablish a high school at this place where
sons and daughters may receive
hat much needed education to fit them
20 more successfully grapple with the
problems of life.
Essay read by Mrs. Robert E. fuller,
It the farmers convention, held at Ma
Dleton, Dec. I'd and Sd, '86:
Farmers have every reason to rejoice
his year. They have raised good crop
IF wheat, oats. barley and corn, and