The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-05-07
FARMERS.
HAMILTON Nc

Mr.. EDIToR:-The YOUNG farronrs
of to-dayasay: "Life is short and &C
ap~rogressive farmer, l will drive ahead
and make the mos of it." Then hon
does he proceed
Years ago his good father and
mother commenced very humblv the
farmers life. They managed economi.
cally until they could secure and paw
for a small piece of ground, with rude
buildings and but slight improve,
ments. For a long time barn floors
were the rule and honest toll for
weeks and months and years BROUGHT
in slowly, but surely, the necessary
means to purchase more and better
land more and better stock and .
greater amount of the comforts of lifo
In their old age. they have, perbans
many e%njoyments, and even luxuries
as the result of their toll and caro-
and good management. Does the
young progressive farmer of TO-DAY
copy any Of this experience ?
How often, in all the various occu.
pations, of life, does the young man
expect to commence. with all the ad. 1
vantages which years of toll have
barely suficed to bring to his elders
He thinks tia great hardship to be
forced tor undergo what he. calls the
drudgery of working for, what he
wants. He must, enjoy every com.
fort, every luxury that his parents
have won by steady labor; and have a
life of ease and leisure before him
His1wife, too, must be wholly relieved
from the ordinary cares Of home
work and shave every within gratifed
to it's full.
The young farmer, especially if he
calls himself progressive" occupies
this position. His farm must be as
large, as fertile, as productive. in the
beginning as is his parents at the close
of their life. He must have as fine
stock, as fast horses, as rich a turn.
out" as his neighbors who have
labored forty years or more, to secure
theirs.
These things are the ruin of a g great
many young men as farmers. They
n realize at once all these things,
and they seek straightway to desert
the farm. They seek in some other
occupation t % secure them more
speedily than by the regular method
of patient toll, strict economy, with
constant watchfulness and cheerful
management. But the rule is the
same in every occupation and pursuit.
There is no royal road to the blessings
and comforts of life. 1t is close at.
tention and faithful labor that wins
it is the steady gait that consumes the
road and is sure to reach the goal.
We would warn the young farmers,
then, that a progressive farmer"
does not mean one who c-ommencesa at B
the top, lives fast and high, ,revels in
the luxuries of life, outstrips his fel-
lows on the road, spends lavishly, and
finally ends at the bottom. The "pro.
gressive farmer" is one who com.
mences at the bottom, learns patiently
the meaning of personal labors, keeps
his eyes open and his mind clear to
see every improvement that will help |,
nm V0NO "NFOAIoSC VI oh GuO oLuo IL
machinery, of all The advance in
breeds of stock, in frulr, ia vegetables,
learns and practices Tie best methods
of cultivation of his fields. spends less
than his income AMI thus gradually
mounts the ladder and reaches the top.
Thousands of young men and women
who are wearing away an already dis.
appointed life in city and village,
might commence now this life If the
progressive farmer, and long before
old age arrives be at that position
where they could enjoy life's pest
comfort and blessings. All they iced
is to bear always i'll mind that he
real good they are seeking comes finn
the patient exercise of the powers thy
possess in common with all others aid
they have in their keeping all that's
necessary o labor, of industry and {
e fieultivation to accomplish all the.
havesdesired. VIM POWELL,
Sec'y of Roanoke F. A, No. $40,
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