Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-07-18
McENNVIILE TENNESSEE SATURDAY JULY18 1891

enough to knock the truth out of this
statement; their extra exertion
would better be spent on Stheir
land. For more than twenty years l
have observed that not one farmer in
ten puts his whole energy, time and
thought into his business. l will
make the broad assertion that but one
farmer in ten devotes half his time,
force OF brains to the development
and success of his calling. Is this not
an all-suflicient reason why farming
doesn't pay? What merchant, finan>
cier, railroad manager or other bust
ness man would for one moment
think his affairs could continue to
prosper and retain the income they
should if he adopted such a course,
and devoted but small portion of
his time and thoughts to his affairs?
Any mercantile agency will supply
the information at once, that such a
course would result in disaster, fall
ure and general wreck of such a
mans business. How can much diff
ferent results be expected from the
men who are engaged in agriculture
, and follow such a course-and still
they do, thoughtlessly perhaps.
One has only TO visit country vii
lage any day in the year, no matter
how busy the season, to find lots of
these farmers who "can't make the
farm pay" sitting in grocery store
or at the postoffice discussing their
t sad situation. One has only to visit
the homes of these same tillers of the
soil (?) some stormy day to find all
| the men folks gathered around the
S kitchen fire and having real good
t time. 1t storms a little and they
S can't work; nothing to do indoors or
. under cover, Of course. In many
4 cases a visit on any pleasant day will
4 find them industriously engaged in
e "resting" under the shade Of some
, trees. Resting from what? Their
labors, you will think, perhaps. Oh,
S no, simply resting from the efforts
y made TO set themselves at work,
/ Many Of their days are something
!, like this: They are up bright and
early and stir up everybody else, es-
r pecally the women folks, so as tC
d have breakfast underway. NJ
e thought has been taken or plans
it made what they shall do on thai
e day. They are going to dash righf
). in at something-"hit or miss" Blu
n they can't do much until breakfast il
If off their minds and into their stOm
II achs. Then they are ready-but holC
II On!-the harnesses are broken anC
Ii the pillow or cultivatOr needs a little
1t repairing. These, of course, must bC
e fixed. Didn't have time the las
II shoWery day, as we were needed
l. around the store" After an hou
er spent in fixing things right, or abou
n so, they are ready for the field, bu
S, just then neighbor farmer (whos,
/ farm doesn't pay") drives up, say
d he is going up to the corner, and in
+ vites his friend to 60 along. "Well
d that corn needs cultivating bad, bu
Of I guess it will keep until this after
4 'noon," is the reply, and off they go
Ot and away goes a forenoon. The!
l. are generally pretty sure to get hom
n to dinner, and are then ready for
he good afternoons work, but when the,
ar 90 to the stable to "hitch up" the,
n discover, much to their surprise
as that the grain for the team is all out
This will never do, for eff my tear
IN is going to work (?) they must hav
Ill their grain;" so the old mare is hitch
~ ed into wagon instead of the cultivs
a tor, and away they go to town fC
er this bag of grain, and away goes tn
u, afternoon. Nothing done; nothin
g. accomplished all day; twenty-fou
de hours lost. At night this farmer
a "as tired as a dog" and his poo
a wife's sympathy is aroused to II
y. highest degree for the many hou
be John has to work and the poor r
Nv turns he receives for his labors.
&c This is no fancy sketch, but Il
ed plain matter-of-fact English of.it,
)st any thinking, observing man wi
he testify, and it leads us to this conG
sion-that any farmer who will d
vote the labor, energy and mind
his business that we find displaye
by men in other occupations, will
,d return receive fair compensate
,o+ and profit for same, his property in
proves from wear to wear, he will