The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-11-01
City Ag ainst Country.

T. B. Terry, the great Ohio potato
grower and agricultural writer, in an
swcring inquiries by two young men
on the subject OF farming, in the course
of his reply to their queries makes the
following statements:
GLOW many farmers realize how
hard they would have to work in the
city to make good living, with the
little capital they have? Few, l think.
II would do them good to visit some
city business men who are doing bust
ness on small capital, men who would
tell them the truth. The writer has
had this experience lately. An old
friend who has been in business for
forty years, and has over $4,000 in
vested, told me that competition was
now so great that it was with difiulty
that they could hold their own. (The
son is now in partnership with the
father) They do not live as well as
many well,to do farmers. They told
me plainly that they were obliged to
economic. l doubt whether the men
have had day off from business this
year. Truly, one half the world does
not know how the other halt lives.
With an investment of perhaps SlO,.
900 the writer has no difficulty in liv-
ing fully as we'll as his old city friend.
Our house is as we'll furnished and |
know we have more fruit and Injuries
in their season than they do. For
about FIVE months in the year we are
tied up tightly and must attend right
to business. The rest Of the year We
can be away, back and forth, as we
choose, or take it very easy at home.
At the end of each year we can easily
withdraw from our working capital
from $500 to $1,000 for outside invest
ment. Now, mind you, this is from the
farm. Any money received for liter
airy work is left out Of this account.
Now which is the better off, my city
friend or myself? Nor are these iso-
lated eases on each side, as | could
show if | had time. A lawyer in an
Ohio city gave me the inside figures on
his business, last winter. Although
he is looked up to as prosperous man,
we have farmers in this town who are
doing better right along, if they only
knew it.
81 hope your readers who may be
somewhat discouraged with the profits
of farming will not forget this state
ment, which l believe to be true, viz,
that there is no honorable, legitimate
business in the world that pays better
in proportion to The brains and capital
invested than farming.
II never allow letter to 90 out IN
til my partner has read it and passed
judgment on it. Her comment after
reading this was: Don't you think
you had better explain why you would
pay 500 an acre for good land rather
than take poor as gift2' Yes. On
good land should expect to get about
500 an acre for the potatoes. On poor
land I should look for about $40 per
acre. In the former case there would
be, say $50 clear profit from each acre.
In the latter case there would be moth.
ing. The good land would pay for
itself in two years and then be ready to
make me some money. The poor land !,
although costing nothing, would be a
long time making me much profit. To
be sure much of it can be brought up,
puI IL IakeS tlue.
In the same article speaking of pay
ing for small farm out Of the products
Terry gives his own experience. He
says:
ut is long pull. 1t has taken the
writer just 20 years to get his farm paid
for aud improved to his mind, all
through, including all new buildings,
and to get little money laid by for a
rainy day. But truly, if l had to start
over again with mo capital 1 think it
would be in about the same line"
Apple Tree Borer.