The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-19

4 few weeks ago the Boston Journal Ia
mented the decay of the New England VII
LACE. Its blindness to the causes Of this
the decay of the New England farm, was
evidently assumed, especially when IT looked
10 summer boarders TO upbuild town life
Now in triumph it utters such absurd
aphorisms sent by correspondents as
"Dont let us 20 back to the old style OF
living. but work out the old theory that
supply and demand govern values, by cor
tinuing to produce and doing all in our
power to stimulate a demand by encourag'
ing such manufacturing interests as will
make demands for our products
agriculture here in Massachusetts has
changed as much in the past thirty years as
the methods in manufacturing, and of two
Young men Of the same ability and the
same capital think the one that chooses
the farm Gf he understands the improved
methods Of farming and adapts himself to
some specially adapted 10 his farm and his
local market), at the end Of twenty-five
wears will be the best OIL financially, and
enjoys life better than the one in other bust
ness"
"Agriculturc, properly carried on, is sure
to pay. and to those who engage in it there
comes a happiness, a peace Of mind and
heart, unknown to those who spend their
energy and time for the sole purpose Of Sc
curing that article of least value to their
mental and moral nature-money.'
III The same amount of energy and abll-
ity were put into agriculture in its various
branches, as is required to make an ordi-
nary mercantile business a success, it is
our opinion that such phrases as the de-
pressed condition Of agriculture the terri
ble distress of farmers etc, would not be
common-ccrtainly would not rebound
much to the credit Of those making them.
= II man dawdlcs around and eN-
poets the earth or business to produce her
or iis fruits without intelligent or per-
sistent effort on his part, he will make a
failure, either as a farmer or mercantile
man."
From sdch able generalitics the Journal
deduces the remarkable assertion that
"they 20 10 show the hollOwness and insin-
cerity Of the current talk about the decline
of New England farming and the distress
Of New England farmers" and in the same
breath. that "the fact is that farmers who
cling TO WORKOUT soil or 10 WORKOUT
methods in New England or elsewhere, are
sure to be left behind by those who are
more progressive"
In opposition to this rosc-glow Of theory
stand the deserted farms of Vermont. The
Vermont men have evidently followed the
advice of the journal and ceased to cling
to WORKOUT soil. Then, again, the agri-
culturists Of Kansas have had to burn
their corn for fuel all, of course, because
they have not been progressive, as the Jour
nal would say.
But the thinking farmer who realizes that
during the last thirty wears agricultural
values have steadily diminished while
taxes have increased, will take different
view of the cause of his impOverishment
than the Boston journal. lie will upon in
vestigatiOn discover that it is time for him
to cease clinging to the most pernicious doc
thine Of a protective tariff. The carrying
out Of this doctrine by the Republican party
has made farmers the principal sufferers.
Its abrOgation would result in natural
settlement Of the financial troubles, which
4 Al. Ipttfa
long as New England farmers follow such
false guides as the Boston Journal they may
expect nothing but ruin and starvation.