News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-07-30
News and Citizen
MORRISVILLE and HYDE PARK
Thursday. July 80. 1891.
Sound Sense for Farmers.


Senator Leland Stanford has many
wildcat notions as his endorsement
of the silly and scandalous sub-treas-
ury scheme and other legislative
freaks proves; but in calling DR.. Dav-
id Starr Jordan of Indiana to have
charge of the new Stanford university
in California he selected level-bead-
ed, matter-of-fact man. That there
are political reasons for agricultural
depression may be true; but the farm
ers themselves are not free from fault.
DIR. Jordan, in a recent address, gave
some admirable thoughts for rural
digestion.
] go back to the old farm in New York on
which was born, the farm my father won
from the forest and on which he lived in free
dom and independence; knowing no MASTER
dreading no oppression. | find on that farm
to-day tenants who barely make a living. |
go over the farm. | see unpruned fruit trees,
farm implements rusting in the rain and sun,
falling gates, broken wagons, evidences of
wasted time and unthrifty-labor.
How many farms present similar
spectacle to-day? The old-time eff
fort has departed, and with it the
old-time prosperity. The occupant
of demoralized farm bemoans con-
ditions, and attributes his want of
success to the development of the
west, the tariff, modes of taxation
and various other matters. If he
would do his full duty first, he might
then find little to complain of. Com
petition he must expect. Agricul-
ture is not the only branch of indus
try which feels adversely the force of
western rivalry by any means, but
that should be only simulative to re-
newed diligence. In Il sly hit at the
Farmers Alliance, Dr. Jordan remark
ed of well kept farms:
Their owners are in alliance with
the forces of nature. The gods are on
their side, and they need no help from
politicians. The butter sells for mon
ey, their oats are clean, their horses
are in demand; whatever they touch
is genuine and prosperous" These
are thoughtful and sensible sugges-
tions, and every farmerreaders should
reflect upon their utility in this par
ticular case Many farmers make
money to-day; compare their meth
dds with those of less fortunate
neighbors. Continuing, DIR. Jordan
said.
No duty on iron was ever so great as the
tax be pays who leaves his moving machine
unsheltered in the storm. The tax on land
is high, but he pays higher tax who leaves
his meadows to grow up to white weed and
thistles. The tax for good roads is high, |
but higher toll is paid by the farmer who |
goes each week to town in mud knee-deep to |
his horses. There is high tax onperson-
al property. but is not so high as the tax on |
time which is paid by the man who spends his |
Saturdays lettering about the village streets |
All the farmers income arises from the wise |
use of his time One-sixth of his time means |
one-sixth of his income. If he has learned to |
make use of his time, all other ills will cure |
themselves.
The farmer who cannot compre-
bend the philosophy of such admira
BILE counsel is ill-ftted to win success
in life. Fortunes are to be won in
agriculture as well as in trade and
manufacturing. But they are to be
had nowhere except by overcoming
obstacles and in the face of fierce ri
valry. The agriculturist who would
achieve victory must bear his arms
for the combat.-Troy Press.