The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-01-12
Does Farming Pay ?

Mr.. John W. Murray, of Hampstead
writes as follows to the Baltimore Weekly
| San:
"What is the matter with farming, that nine
out of every ten farmers say that it does MOI
pay? | have been farmer forty-6ve years
! and say it will pay, but you must give credi
where il belongs. | knew but one farmer
who did that. He had well stocked farm
| given to him. He spent it IL riotous living
! but said he got more than its value IN enjoy
ment Another man had 1000 acres given
him, and he soon spent it, and now goes about
| saving the brokers robbed him. What bust
/ ness had he in the hands of brokers? What
/ is it makes it cost twice as much to live as il
did forty wears ago? 1t now takes $50, 600 to
pay the President of the United States, when
formerly it only took $3.50 1t now takes
81 900 to pay your preacher when 1t only
took $500 thirty years ago. | know when
there was not one buggy to twenty farms; now
some farmers run out five on Sunday. Let
farmers keep fewer buggies an more piows,
fewer organs and more cows.
Il think my part of the State will compare
favorably with most of the State in farming.
Most OF them can pay 100 cents il dollar
and have some left for a rainy day. | have
farmed in loose times and when times were
better, and have always progressed. | have
made three farms out of one, and now each
farm raises as much as raised on the whole
three hundred acres. | make living and
some to spare off of twenty acres, and have
some enjoyment but do not let the fun get
the best of me. | think if the farmers wouid
make small farms and try to keep the boys
on the farm they would do better Let farmers
keep their hands off the brokers goods and
the $40 wheat and $40 oats.
Mr.. Thomas F. Shepherd, of Cniontown.
also writes to the same paper, or the same
subject, as follows
IF ever the farmers successfully combine
and cooperate for their benefit, they must
entirely ignore parigpolitics and vote for good
men OF either party. who will enact such laws
as will do Justice 10 the farmer without doing
wrong to any one | think our young men
fail to appreciate the advantages they have on
the farm. Fifty years ago ! could count on
the frgers Of one hand every pleasure car
rage within five miles of my home. Now
every farm has from two to i've. Every
farmer son has his horse aud buggy. They
attend county fairs. camp meetings. picnies,
festivals and dances. An this IS not possible
for yuung man in the large cities working
for a salary. In conversation recently with
one Of the most successful merchants OF
Baltimore, who lell our county many years
ago. he said Had known a, the begin
ming OF my career What | would have to 90
through / would have given mp in despair and
gone back 10 the farm He is one OF the
men who would succeed il any place. For
every one who succeeds there are nifty Who
fail. We hear bat lutte Of the unsuccessful
many, hgt We hear much OF. The successful
one. The farmer. as a rule, Is ashamed OF his
calling. He does not see the noble side of Il
he looks only al the mud. He sboald look
on the bright side Of bis life. and il Il has no
bright side. polish up the dark side and wake
Il bg5glt The farmer fails to credit his farm
with bis living. hoase rent. horses. carriages,
&c. During aud after the var, when prices
were high and money vas plenty, ne all &C
quired exiravagau, says of living. and We are
not willing 10 give up those habits. IN ng
Judgment farmers can make doable as much
money now IS they could forty years ago.
Bat unfortunately they spend toar times a.
much as they did thea, and are continually
complaining Of bard times.
Il think there Is 10 better coHuJEy - live
in than Maryland aud Virginia. aad if oar
yoHug men wouia be willing 10 endure the
privatsous thsy arr compelled 20 submit 70 IN
the Western States they eoald DO as Eell herr-
aud have the glorious privilege q living vith
iheir friends.
Instead Of saying Go West, youus man.
aoald say, yOaBg maa % % sruyE Stick 10
the farm, improve It, apd live happily ou H.