The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-16
odd HomeStead.)

(Old Homestead,)
A point in favor OF small farming
as against large farming is the
universally admitted fact that the
fewer acres can be, and are, tarmed
better than the many acres. Inc
smaller area permits a closeness OF
Supervision and cultivation which
is not easily attained on a larger
scale. aud better prOportlonate
results are consequently attained,
The same fact Is true of the small
dairy as against the large one, the
small flock of poultry, ETC., and this,
notwithstanding the general suppC-
sition that a large business can be
conducted more economically and
proftably than a small one. The
course of this Is true in farming,
because the best results can only be
obtained when the work is perform
ed directly under the eye and the
hand of the owner. Hired labor
deprecates in valne, and in the
return it brings to the employer IN
lust the ratio that it is scattered
over wide area or among manifold
duties. The forty acre farm, the
ten acre fruit garden, the dairy OF
ten cows, the poultry yard with a
hundred fOWls-these are the things
that pay, and that afford the owner
solid satisfaction and contentment
EDUCATION OF FARMERS.
Except in very few cases
farmers sou receives no special
training for bis business, and his
information consists of odds and
ends picked up of his own expeI-
fence and that of the few people he
may be acquainted with. He knows
nothing of principles. He cannot
tell the why and wherefore of diff
ferert agricultural operations. No
doubt a sharp and observant lad
may become a good farmer without
any idea of science, and--what is
more concern to them--SuCceSSt
flOm q monetary point of view.
But this success is generally due to
the good business qualities of the
individual rather than to his skill
III agricultural pursuits-from his
knowledge OF the best way to buy
ana scii cattle "a her than his ability
- breed IN. rear them, and so on.
The kH,w wedge required to be a
iif2t-cl : farmer is so extensive
.s..; 40 ordinary mans lifetime is
tn;. snort tnt him to master the full
details -! bis OuSinrSs II be had no
either way OF acquiring knowledge
than IrUni his own experience or by
initiating some one else. In these
days i! competition and progress a
taItu:: -l.Uui,t not oulv possess those
Oda 't,eS witch fit him fer con-
nIt.Ir;:al lie, uut must study the
Iui'n'>,:.- - chemistry, geology,
t:.Iiaf.], iI' CAaHic>, veterinary sci
eAce. aul Il host OF other scleDces.
besides which be should have "a
tb0rough practical knowledge OF
the routine work OF a farm. A
Thorough education fitting for q
tirst-cIaSs farmer is so varied and
extensive that it can only be o.
taiDed at an institution especially
carried on for that purpose, such as
a few of the mole progressive agri-
cultural colleges.
SOME CAUSES OF HARD TIMES.
TIE farmer is seeing hard times,
but what is the remedy? Is it to
sit down and talk politics, curse
monopolies, grumble al trusts, and
ask for Impossible legislation?
Three-iouIthS Of our farmers by
their own acts increase their expen-
ses unnecessarily. They buy what
they do not need, and in many
eases take no care of what they do
buy. New machinery and tools are
purchased when the old, If repaired
properly, would do good service for
years, and the interest on the
money paid for new would keep
them up. Thousands Of dollars are
thus squandered every year, and we
complain of hard times. Of course
first.class tools are essential to good
farming. But another essential is
to keep them IN repair. Our farm
eTs are in many cases trying to
reach ve-foot persimmon with
an elght-fOOt pole. Many of the