The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-09-18

DIS these are true, his farming i'm the
most important particulars NAV he
considered a success. That farmer
who neglects what Is due to him
self and family cannot be regard
ed as successful and good farmer. II
Is not that which looks alone AFT
material results, but that which in
addition to fair returns for csnitel
aud labor uses all the processes OF the
farm as a means of culture and inn
provement which indicates success
Perhaps one will be inclined to ask
now Is this possible? Ia the first
place, the farmer can record his bust
ness transactions however small. so
as TO become q neat and accurate
book-keeper. Ii the way to do this
was not learned at school it can
be learned afterwards by the
help OF friends or books. When becan
do t1is systematically he is prepared
to extend his own business or to trans
act business for others or the public.
He Is practically interested in the soil
he cnltlvates, but can hardly under.
stand his own without comparing it
with Others. Ii he continues his indui-
rles IN this dire ction until he is learned
the character, origin, composition and
capabilities OF the soils in his vicinity,
he VIII have considerable progress
IN geology, and il he pursues the sub
lect still further it will add greatly to
his general intelligence. The farmer il
interested also in all changes OF the
weather, and IN all the characteristics
OF the region where he lives. He ought
not to be satisfied with old proverbs
or what he finds in his almanac, when
he can study the subject exhaustively
IN books and papers on this and simi
lar subjects, which he can easily OBJ
tain, and at no great expense. Ii the
farmer Is as curious to learn all about
his crops as we would suppose, he vii.
want to know the natural history and
relationship of the plant he cultivates,
and also OF every weed with which ne
has to contend and all this he
can obtain from observation aud
the study OF botany. If he is an
intelligent manager, and desires to be
an lmprover of stock he must observe
closely, and read q good deal of the
laws OF animal life, both in health and
disease. Such inquiries will not only
result In pecuniary profit, but may
have good effect on the farmers own
health and that Of his family. Then,
before he can find the indications and
fluctuations OF the market and the
laws OF supply and demand, he must
look into and more or less compre-
bend the subject of political economy.
Now, IN all this, the farmer uses his
ordinary farming operations to open
his way into various interesting and
profitable fields of knowledge; but bet
ter than all the knowledge he has OBJ.
tanned IS the fact that he has learned
to think Systematically and has &C
CURED methods and habits of investi-
CATION which will give him the mastery
over any other subject that demands
his attention. Are you inclined to
say that the farmer has no time for
all this, and cannot afford the ex
pense? | venture to think otherwise.
1t costs less of time and money to get
news OF the day and prices current at
first hand from q good newspaper
than to pick up news and prices at
second hand at the blacksmith shop
and corner store. Information on all
the subjects named may be obtained
from papers or books and they
VIII COoO hcboGlJ iCSS IMAM WHhb cbLIy
one may easily lose through
ignorance. Farming needs a ''new
departure" with q higher aim and
purpose, so that it may not only be
remunerative and secure competence,
but also secure that social position
and influence which men expect to
gain through the learned professions,
making agriculture the most elevating
and emo bling because the most intel
lectual pursuit of man. The sober
downhill of life dispels many illusions
while it develops or strengthens within
us the attachments for that dear old
hut, our home, which in various ways
we should endeavor to embellish and
make attractive, and in the afternoon
of life, when its sun, if not high, is still
warm, may We be able to realize the
serene 10y which shall irradiate the
farmers vocation, when a fuller and
truer education shall have refined and
chastened his animal cravings, and
when science shall have endowed him
with her treasures, redeeming labor
from drudgery while augmentingitse eff
cheney, and browning with beauty and
plenty our bounteous, benefcent
earth.