The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-07-14
The Profits of Farming.

The Profits of Farming.
A correspondent of the Country Gentle
man says: In this part Of the country, the
land is good enough for all farming pur-
poses; it is easily titled, the climate is
healthful, water is plentiful-four condi-
lions exceedingly favorable to the business
of farming-yet farmers generally are not
making money beyond what is necessary
for very careful, close way of living, al
though there are some who are getting rich.
Five farmers willsay to- you: "There isnoth-
ing in farming any more; prices are so low
that we can barely make living at 1t.
The sixth one will say: Farming is safe
business, and as profitable as any kind of
productive industry with which | am ac-
quainted. The prices of some farm pro-
ducts are low, but on the average they are
fairly remunerative; and on the other hand,
clothing and groceries are low in price,
which helps out on the profit side"
This is no fable or allegory-it is actual
fact, but no new thing. If wheat were
worth 50, corn 81, wool 60 cents, and
other products proportionately high, there
would still be about as many farmers who
would barely fetch things around at the
years end as now-not a dollar laid by,
pocketbooks empty and business credit
none of the best. Why is this? 1t is
from lack of business habits, lack of bust
ness tact and management, or from trying
to run some other business in connection
with farming. A farmer in this neighbor-
hood, at the beginning of the war of 1861,
owned over 600 acres of splendid land,
with living water running through it; he
owed but little, and had two sons large
enough to do any farm work. After the
war began, there was brisk demand
for beef He thought he saw money In
buying and shipping cattle-a fatal illusion.
He sold part Of his farm and went into the
cattle trade, leaving the boys and hired
man to run the farm. After a year or
two, the oldest boy was needed in the cat
tie business To-day, strangers own these
broad, fertile acres, and the former owner
is homeless. How did that happen, do you
ask? Why, he undertook business that
he knew nothing about-an outside specu-
lation-and neglected his farm which he
knew how to manage, which required all
his time, all his business ability, all his
care and watchfulness, all his skill and
tact as a producer and fnancier, all steadi-
ness of purpose of the sturdy mariner who
at the wheel takes his ship through the
Narrows safely in a storm. Speculation
ruined him. The notion that there is some
easier way to make money than by digging
it out of the soil often gets away with farm
ers. and when a farmers mind is filed
with any such fancy, no matter what direc-
ton it may lead him, his fate is sealed.
! know another young man in this town
ship who married and lived on q beautiful
fertile farm-not foot Of waste land upon
it. He was industrious and made money,
built fine residence and barns, and as he
went along to prosperity was rearing three
or four boys. Then the inventive genius
of the age began to bring into the world
of industry those wonders, the reaper, the
mower. threshers, and other horse machi
merry, and the makers wanted agents. This
man was drawn into the current that was
sweeping over the country. 0fcouFse, the
farm thereafter received but small share of
his time or attention. He lost his farm and
soon after died himsalf, His widow works
by the day or week. Speculation ruined
them also.
A man must stick to his regular bust
ness. If farmer, he must be farmer
altogether; if merchant, a merchant alto
gether. Let spectators make their hun
dreds or their thousands in day or year,
stick to your regular trade or occupation,
never looking to the right or left. You
understand that, and it demands of you
your best talents, for there is always a
chance to do better every year that flies
over your head. There is no profession
or business that calls for more business
tact than farming. With all the varied
clements with which the farmer has TO do,
if he does not give it his undivided atten-
ton, how can he succeed? He cannot.
"Well, it is so slow and toilsome ?" some
one will say. So is merchandising, so are
mechanical pursuits, the ministry and legal
professions. The height to competency,
greatness or honor is not reached at
DOunu, DuG ny slOW anu tolsoine SlaSSs.
There are no difficulties, which diligence
and assiduity will not overcome.
To succeed in the business of farming,
one must have good business habits-indus-
try, frugality, close application, knowledge
of his soil, of the diseases of animals, and
OF the condition of the markets of the
country. He should have regular sys-
tenn of crop following crop-keeping his
land in good heart. He must spend a
good deal of time on his farm, and very
little of it in town. Napoleon, when on a
campaign, would often spend days without
undressing, riding from point to point,
debating dispatches, examining maps, etc.
So let the farmer become wholly interested
in his farm duties, and he will scarcely
find time, or be inclined, to engage in the
outside cares which hazardous speculation
always incurs. A forty-acre farm, well
managed, is better and safer trust than
ap investment in any of the tempting spec
ulations OF easy money-making schemes
within the reach OF limited cash resources.
Raising Pork Cheaply.