The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-12-17
VOL TX. RISING SUN, CECIL COUNTY. MD. FRlD
December Meeting of the Cecil Far
mer's Club.

at the residence Of Mr.. Henry S
Coudon. A fair attendance of mem.
bers was present and several visitors
including reporters for the MIDLAND
JOURNAL and Cecil Wing.
Joseph Coudon. Vice President of
the Club called the meeting to order
at i o'clo ok, and the Secretary hav-
ing read the minutes of the last
meeting, the host read the follow.
ing interesting essay which iniatiaed
a lively discussion that was kept up
till the close of the meeting.
THE ESSAY.
Few subjects of late years have been so
fully and freely discussed as this one of
farming Not only has it furnished topics
for conversation between those Immediately
interested, but others who have had no ex
perience, and who might be supposed to
have no practical knowledge of, or interest
in it have expended wonderful amount
of wind in its cons sideration. Large space
also accorded it in the press; nor has
this been confined to the periodicals that
are strictly speaking, agricultural. AL
most all the papers, agricultural or other
wise, secular and religious, surrender
considerable portion of their columns to
edify the farmers This shows the high
estimation in which our vocation is held
by the world at large, and no doubt as
slsts materially in dlfflsing M uch useful
knowledge amongst its members; but at the
same time we must remember that large
proportion of the writer's are men who
know great deal more about the use of
the pen than the plough, and who are able
to get up captivating and plausible articles
on different branches of which they are al
most ignorant. Thus ii is that deep seat
ed prejudice has arisen against what is call
ed "oook farming" The majority of far
mers do not spend much time in reading,
and when they see certain opinions and di-
rections spread before them which are dia-
metricaliy at variance with their own ex-
perience, they do not read the counter
statement ard endeavour by comparison to
arrive at the truth, but condemn all boo k |
farming. This is a short sighted policy
When We thresh our wheat large part
Of the pile is useless and is thrown aside.
We winnow the chaf from the grain and !
reserve only the latter. So ought we too do
in reading, discard the larger part, and re-
serve for use only the knowledge. This in
discriminate writing is not confined to farm
ing. 1t is unavoidable and is practced inst |
as much in all the affairs of life The world |
Is Hooded with books and periodicals treat
ing modern theology, law and all other pre-
fesslons.
But must get down to the subject assign
ed me, which is substantially this. Have
any of the members of the Clcb made |
both ends meet in last years operauous,
and if so by what means? This is a pretty |
difficult and delicate question to answer.
My native modesty for bids minute in
vestigation into the affairs of my associates. |
even if the data were obtainable; and be-
sides am little timid about undertaking
the job. Suppose were to single ont Mr..
A. or Mr.. B. for investigation and endeayor
TO demonstrate that he had been toiliny
these last twelve months for naught.
might receive rebuff that would be very
unpleasant. l can only answer for myself |
and have no hesitation in answering in the |
negative. And / also feel safe in asserting |
that no member has made anything raising
grain, that will justify the amount of labor
expended, if the grain was sold at market
price. In other words, that wheat cannot
be proftably raised at 80 cents bushel or
corn at only half that price.
1t is almost impossible to get at the act
ual cost of producing a crop. A number Of
little items must be consdered-little side |
issues that are generally overlooked. A
man by careful observation may tell with a
good deal of certainty what it cost him TO
prepare the ground, plant the need, harvest
thresh and market crop Of wheat (al-
though even in this the very first series of
the necessary data, there will be consider.