St. Landry democrat., 1888-03-10
WUTnERN AGRICULTURAL.
The Business of Farming.

West North or South is the one who
aeyotes himself most diligently to the
Business of agriculture. He should
not delegate his work to others, nor
fancy that toll of mind or body for
which he pays can efficiently take the
place of that which he himself might
perform. Tho man who attempts to
1--we by any other profession or busi-
cess, finds that tthe first condition Of
success lies in his full understanding
8i his work and his complete devotion
80 il. The lawyer. the physician, the
merchant, the manufacturer, the arti-
san, the chemist, all devote them
selves solely to the vocations that
shey have chosen, all pursue the lines
Of labor before them faithfully, stu
aiously. with unfagging industry; and
IN direct proportion TO the industry
and singleness of purpose of each does
he excel In the work he undertakes,
or achieve the object that he has set
before his life to attain. The same
rule holds good of the farmer His
thoughts and his interests should all
center about his farm, his stock and
his crops. His farm should be his
drst interest and occupations; all other
matters in which he engages should
subordinate themselves completely to
shat.
By this we do not mean that farm
er should become dumb slave to his
work. We do not mean that he should
make of himself mere draught-horse,
soiling early and late under the self
inflicted goad Of avarice or stupidity,
even as his OK and horse labor for him.
We do not mean that he should toll,
as farmers we know have done, un-
remittingly, increasingly, allowing
themselves neither physical or mental
recreation, in their eager desire to ac-
eHmnlate wealth. until the health of
both mind and bodN had become inn
paired, and their one desire was
shwarted by the very persistence of
their effort, to obtain it.
No, the life of slavish toll that many
farmers lead is not only unwise. but
wholly unnecessary. A fair degree of
effort, intelligently directed. will al
WAYS secure to him. ii the conditions of
soil and surroundings are at all favor
able, more than a living competence.
A farmer has it in his power to secure
more of ease and comfort, during the
lime when he is amassing his fortune,
than the member of any other occupa-
lion. He is more independent than
any other man. as entirely independent
rs any man can be in civilized society.
The enjoyment to be derived from
pure air, fresh fruits and flowers,
and all the beautiful things in nature.
that other men seek az cost of ex-
penditure of time and money, may be
part OF his everyday life. The con-
ditioEs Of real pleasure and comfort
are his in far greater degree than is
granted to most of men of other voca-
tions, the question is how fully he win
avail himself of these conditions to
make his daily happiness.
Generally speaking. the more in
teligsnt q farmer is, the more con-
tented and successful is he. The an
who most thoroughly understands,
not only the nature Of the soil he
tills. he character and value
Of al plants and, other things
directly connected with agriculture,
but other departments of knowledge
as well, and especially the nature and
needs Of men. will, other things being
equal, prove the most succe ssful
farmer. We never yet knew an
Ignorant man who was good farmer
throughout. The most truly success
full workers in agriculture read and
ponder and understand. With minds
active and devoted to their business,
they arc ever ready TO search for 'in-
formation wherever it is to be found,
IN hooks or papers. and to profit by
its practical use And the further
they search into the realms Of science
The more thoroughly do they see that
the mine of useful knowledge re-
Tealed by tho proper study |
Of agriculture aid the rela-
tive physical sciences is well nigh in
exhaustible. Book farming is |
often spoken of with great contempt. |
but this contempt is wholly nn-
deserved. Books on farming con-
tain tie experiences gained by many |
praeticai farmers through direct com
tact with their ork for many years.
He;wlio reads and profits by the les
orfsAyliich These men learned saves
hirpsff not only the time spent
in learning these things by the slow
rraeess s..of experience, but time, labor,
and lEoaes. oftcn lost through the
MISTAKES of ignorance. Every man.,
tilsn.3wllo puts his hand to the plow.
should be, in every wis, and reason-
able sense, a book farmer. * Lepis,
In RitSat aud Wofbmaa.
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Covering for Tobacco Plant Beds
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