The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-05-21
sHirrLEss rARnrHa.


The report Of an investigation Just
make by the Kansas State Board IL
very instructive and suggestive In
the way Of showing why 80 many
farmers become victims Of mis-
fortune and dIscredit their business
by prOclalming IL to be one that does
not yield Just and fair returns. II
appears that thirty wheat fields In
one county were visited, and In
every instance Il was found that the
grain had been sOwn on wheat or
corn stubble, without any previous
blowing or other preparation Of the
soil. The same fact was disclosed
by the inspection In other counties
and II may be- taken for granted that
q majority Of the farmers Of the
state followed that superficial and
shiftless practice In their last falls
planting. They were too busy, In
other words, with the affairs Of the
Alliance to give proper attention to
things Of practical and vital import
ance. Instead Of blowing aud har-
rowing In a diligent and sensible
way, they sOwed their wheat in
haste and folly, and devoted most Of
their time to politics. They sue
ceeded In electing q legislature,
several congressman and . senator
by neglecting their farms; and a. q
result, their wheat crop will be q
comparatively small one, and the
politicians whom they placed In
Office will not be able to do q thing
for their benefit.
This lesson Is one that ought TO be
needed by the agricultural element
everywhere. II shows that n politi-
cal crusade which distracts the
farmers attention from the duties
and opportunities OF his occupation
IL not a profitable experiment. The
true plan OF operations lies In care
full and persistent observance Of the
old-fashiOned rules Of industry and
economy. There Is no short cut to
success u must be earned 10y honest
and adequate labor. The soil will
not yield satisfactory crops without
proper cultivation, nor has any pro-
cess yet been invented Iy which n
failure Of crops can lie rectified
through Legislation Of any sort.
These homely truths are far better
worth considering than the various
schemes uf relief which have been
evolved by the Alliance movement.
The farmer who pursues his bust
ness In an int lligent and persever-
ing manner has rs many chances Of
success a. a man Of any other class
or calling lie can not expect 10
produce big crops and get high
prices every year, but taking one
year with another, and using neces-
sary discrimination In the adjust
ment OF his proceedings, he will Sc
eNAN vi HTOH-
perlty. The records leave no room
for doubt upon this point. IL IL
with the farmers as IL Is with all
other people in the matter Of occas.
lonal loss and disappointment.
They have their times Of 10 luck and
their times Of good luck, and the
average is In their favor, notwith-
all their legitimate causes
Of complaint and encouragement.
IL IL well for them to take an inter-
est In politics and to study questions
Df current interest, with n view Of
acting the part Of patriotic and faith
Tul citizens; but II does not pay
hem To do loose and slothful farm
ing In order 10 attend political
pienics and carry on political agita-
lions having reference exclusively
10 their own affairs. Globe Demo-
rat.