The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-06-16
GOOD FARMING.

DIR. Frank Richardson, pastor OF the
Main Street NJ. f. Church South,
Bristol, Tenn, publishes in the H0l-
stem Meth0dist an article on farming
from which we make the following
ATTRACTS:
Every farmer ought to be a politl-
clan. He ought to acquant himself
with the men and measures at the
front in the political arena, SO as
to know how to vote. lie had better
be careful about receiving his ideas
and impressions second hand. The
political dead-beat thinks the farmer
is his lawful prey. He has no
money and he knows the other
fellow will buy the purchasable
votes, and he relies, therefore on pull
ing the wool over the honest farmers
eyes. Let the farmer study the po-
litical situation and be prepared. to
vote or accept an office, if his negh-
bors suggest it. But don't be a PRO
fessional politician, sitting at the street
corners in town or at the crossroads
sore and whiting sticks and talking
politics. Nothing in that. Whenever a
man takes up politics as profession
everything else with him goes to the
dogs, and he frequently goes in the
same direction.
Practice book farming. Farming is
4 science, broad and intricate. To
know the adoption of soil, the influence
of climate and the effect Of the various
modes of cultivation here and there
and on this and that, requires much
common sense and thorough and pa
tent investigation. Farmers, like
others in other callings, are made wise
by the experience of their fellow in the
past and in the present. Read good
books on agriculture, and take one or
more agricultural periodicals. Attend
the Farmers Conventions. Look and
read and listen and talk and learn all
YOU can about farming. But, mark
YOU, books won't run farm. Some of
the poorest physicians and lawyers and
preachers you ever knew had great
libraries to which they were always
pointing with a justifable pride. These
libraries were good tools but theirpoor,
simple owners did not know how to
use them. Travelling once through
good agricultural section we came
upon a naturally good farm all run
down. 1t looked like it might have
been the home of some poor, penniless,
old widow lady for quarter of
century. "Whose farm is that?" We
asked our travelling companion. "That
belongs to Colonel So-and-so,' Now
we knew Colonel So-and-so as a con-
tributor to agricultural papers and
speaker at the Farmers Convention.
"Too much brain and too little brawn,' D
we said. Common sense and muscle
is the victorious combination on a
farm.
Use all the improved machinery
you need on the farm, but don't buy
every so-called labor saving machine
that comes along. Keep machinery in
good condition. When a wagon,
moving machine or other farm nipple
ment begins to need frequent repairs,
throw it away and buy new one. 1t
will save time and money. Don't keep
any but the best stock on the farm.
Fix it definitely in your mind what
style of a horse, COW or any other
animal you want to raise on your farm,
and make your arrangements accord
ing. Don't keep any more stock on
your farm than you can keep we'll. 1t
does not take any more food to keep a
fat horse fat than poor one alive.
Don't keep any mature animal on the
f1rm that you do not need.
Improve your farm. No farming
lays that does not improve the farm.
Beside, the money you put in the farm
Is safe, if the title is good. That bank
won't break or that boom burst.
Bcautify your homes. 1t don't cost
much, and it pays better than any
other investment. Plant some vines,
shrubs and trees; prepare pit or
g eenhouse for flowers Your children
will be purer, better and more happy
for being raised in the midst OF taste
full and beautiful environments Make
home happy place, and cultivate in
the hearts OF your children a love of
home. Don't be always grumbling
about the hardships Of farm life, until
you drive your children away on
wildcat chase after wealth that will |
wreck their characters and bring your
gray hairs in sorrow to the grave.
God bless you, my farmer friend.
The conservative influences that
are to save the country from wreck
by the unhealthy excitement and wild
speculations of this age are in the rural
homes of the land. Acquit yourself
like man, and preserve and improve
the fair heritage God has given you.