Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-06-08


fluences Independent of business profits
These are determined by the economic
habits of the farmer and his family. by
good or bad investment of the profit. o.
farm operations.
The present generation commenced
business under influences very unfavor
able for the development of those habits
of economy which are just as indispensa
BILE to ultimate financial success as-largd
business profits. An inflated currency
and consequent inflated prices of farm
products, are conditions as unfavorabld
to the development of habits adapt-
ed to the present agricultural situation
as the surroundings of the man of tho
tropics are unsuited to fit him for an arc
tic life.
In mingling with the farmers of anv|
section we find wide difference in the
manner of conducting the practical work
OF the farm. One is systematic in all he
does and can give an intelligent reason
for his manner of conducting every de-
tail of his farm practice. He is svste-
matically increasing the production, and
just as systematically decreasing the
wastes of his farm. His farm is made to
be self-sustaining. By an intelligent use
of the proper appliances his farm expen-(
SEES for labor, board of help, etc.. are
greatly reduced, while his crop produc-
ton is correspondingly increased. This
style of farming invariably pays, both in |
present profits and in ultimate farm
values.
neighbor, under the same conditions
OF soil, markets, ETC., but without intelli-I
gent, systematic effort, but with usually
more severe physical labor, fails to make
farming either profitable or pleasant. His
farm goes down, both in productiveness
and value, his mortgaged indebtedness
increases, he is displeased with his BUSH
ness, both he and his sons are discon-|
tented and complain of the poverty of
their calling. Then follows foreclosure|
OF mortgages, and farm is thrown upon|
the market in wretched condition and
sells for what it will bring. The sons. i'll
any, who, with more favorable training
would have enjoyed the business. and be-
come purchasers of Vermont farms. Sc
lect some other calling or 90 to the far
west, that great receptacle for agricul-|
tural incompetency, where, as in the ear
ly history of our State, brains are not
supposed to be essential to success in
farming, and where the sknning process
In agriculture is the rule and not the ex-|
ception. This is no fancy picture, but a
faithful representation of class of farms
and farming too often observed in West
ern Vermont.
The home surroundings of the farmer
reflect his agricultural merits. not neces-
sarily his skill and enterprise, by magnfi-
cent buildings. These may be the result
OF inherited wealth. The good manage
ment will appear in well-cultvated fields
and good crops, in well-selected stock
and the evident care bestowed upon them.
in the neat, well-kept rather than costly
surroundings, in the numberless convent
ences and appliances so essential to cheap.
easy and abundant production.
Where an intelligent, progressive agri-
culture predominates, the community
will be prosperous, and real estate will
be comparatively high. 1t is distinc-
tive feature of agricultural prosperity
that its benefits extend to all classes. All
wealth originates from the earth and the
manipulation of its products, and a very
large proportion comes through agrcul-
tural channels. If farmers prosper so do
merchants, manufacturers. mechanics
and artizans. All classes feel a healthy
financial impulse.
General agricultural prosperity implies
the promotion of public as well as pri-
vate interests. Better common schools.
academies and libraries will be maintain
ed; general advance in education. in
telligence, business capacity and indus
trial skill will be inaugurated; society
Will be better organized and developed;
better school-houses, churches and other
public buildings will be provided:
public grounds will be better kept.
more neat and attractive in their appear
ance; streets and private residences will
be improved and the whole neighbour
hood will wear that peculiar air of peace
full, quiet, rural beauty, so attractive to
both citizens and strangers. Well man
aged farms with such surroundings are
practically exempt from mortgage fore
closures and sheriff-s sales. This is
truthful picture of what may be found in
some localities in Vermont.
Results like those which | have de-
scribed followed that temporary agrcul-
tural prosperity induced by inflated cur
rency. A general advance in the profits
of farming, resulting from the introduce
ton of an improved and more systematic
farm practice, would have the same ten
dency, while less spasmodic in its opera
ton. Here is field for intelligent, ener-
getic work. 1t is for our farmers to de-