The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-12-16
CEClL FARMERSl CLUB,
Regular December Meeting at VIM. w.
MoOre's Near COIora.

Colora, on Wednesday the 18Th inst. A
eleven o'clock a quorum of members rot
being present, Mr.. Thos. G. Bond the
president directed the call of roll Of
members, which showed eight members
present. Upon the reading of the min,
utcs of the last meeting, Mr. John P.
Wilson's arrival completed quorum OF
members, as follows, w. W. Moore, II
S. Coudon, George w. Sutton, Col
Enoch Noyes, John P. Wilson, Thos.
c. Bond, L. L. Duyckiuck, VIM. f,
Gillespie aud II. Il. TDrbert. The visi.
tors present by invitation were Dr. Geo.
5. Dare, William Coale, Granville Rev
] nolds, Charles E Moore ex.county trea.
surer, and VIM. NJ. Maxwell.
The minutes of the last meeting hav-
ing been read and approved, and there
beng no unfinished business and no
reports of experiments, the regular essay
WAS in order, when Mr.. Moore presented
tle following paper.
THE PRESENT SITUATION OF THE FARMER AND
|
As prices OF grain are low, many are inclined to
feel discouraged, and are ready to grumb!e and
| groWl about dull times for the farmer
Would 1t not he we'll for them to consider what
effect the great financial trouble which has
brought dis tress to many homes during the past
year, has upon the farmer. If they would but
sean the long list that have been compelIed to
make assignments ami close their doors against
| lusiD hoy faaI
farmer is goiGg on lin the even tenor of his way
| notwithstanding the adverse conditions that are
| depressing other classes Of business 1t is the
| banker, merchant and manufacturer that have
been the great sufferers. The very men who have
been favored by legislation ana that too. often
at the expense OF the farmer 1t is true we have
in measure been affected, in the way OF decline
in the prices of our products, but we can still
make both ends meet five but properly manage
So long as We can do that in time of business
| depression should feel encouraged
| The simple truth has Deen verified in the fact
| that agriculture is the safest occupation.
Statistics show 30 per cent OF merchants fail,
| while but 10 per cent OF farmers fail.
| There other forms OF industry that often
| prove more profitable at the time but today they
| revcl in riches, tomorrow they are subjects OF
| poverty. Not SO with the farmer his wealth
| which is his land, cannot vanish in n day
| There is always reasouat lie assurance OF
reward in the tilltns OF the soil il but observe
| the rules Of diligence and economy and avoid
the mistakes against which Intelligence should
| guard and when nature smiles upon our land
| our reward is greater. Taking one year with
| another, summing up all items will get fail
| returns for the amount Of capital invested. No
| account is made OF what is consumed at home
| and few realize what it would amount to if we
| had 70 pay market prices Tor the flour, meat,
| vegetables, fruits, milk, butter and eggs we get
| from The farm, and all of which should be
| credited to the farm.
| 1t matters not what crisis overtakes our country
| the products OF the soil will ever md sale
| Our many mill ons of people must live and be
| fed. The farmer must not consider his wealth in
| that which he receives every year, neither can
he estimate his yearly gain with degree OF
certainty. We may apply to the soil what Will
| take more than one season to give an adequate
| return.
How many stop to consider the increased
| wealth Of the land Itself or the amount in value
| OF crops that may be taken from the land without
any addition to the soil in the shape OF manure or
| fertilizers.
| Though some may be seeming to barely make
| both ends meet if they Starve not their land and
are true to their Occup atom they will Irely gain
though al first the increase may not be noticeable
| The land is our treasurer, Il receptacle for more
wealth, and locks up within itself valuable
material that at some future day may be con-
verified into marketable products. Every farmer
| then who wishes to increase his wealth. will
| store up in the soil plant food, which though it
may not be utilized Immediately, will bring four
| T. .s.t.s Il.
saleable quantity into forms by which it becomes
| articles OF demand.
The farmers wealth lies chiefly In his fertile
fields, and the source of the increase is manure
and fertilizers. 1 have spent my entire life on
farm, life OF 70 years on the same farm.
have seen seasons Of depression and also
OF prosperity, and TO give my experience in a few
words have made farming pay me.
l wish to add, when times are dull don't sit
down and complain OF hard times but be up and
| doing what you can to make amends for the dull
| times.
| Comment en- the essay being in order
Dir. Duyckinck said the tenor of Mr..
Moore's remarks was very ilatte,ing 20
the farmer, but he took issue with Mr..
Moore in the statement that 80 per cent
| Vi IIldlulsCt tISlS lTii NIilG Only ~ pei
cent of farmers do. He thought that
shutting down" q factory did not mean
failing. Ia a recent conversation with a
Philadelphia manufacturer. he learned,
that even at present depressed prices
they could make little money, or a
living profit, aud in proportion to the
| 81 Cd than farmers
cyuid make. His inference was that
even with low prices, Che manufacturer
hal Better investment than the farmer,
since the farmer can't afford to shut
down at any lima
Mr.. Sutton thought Mr.. Moore essas
was good to listen to. Mr.. Sutton ex'
pressed himself as opposed to a protec
2 tive tariff because the manufacture: was
protected while the farmer was
not, the farmer being compelled 30 com
pate with India in growing wheat, and tt
compete in Liverpool with the grain
growers of the world. he though th'
policy of protection made the manufac
tuTer millionaire and the farmer {
pauper.
Mr.. Gillespie thought Mr.. Moore!
view of tia flymec's oc1uplti)n WAS
rather rose colored but he thought while
the view may have been applicable year:
ago, he thought it doubtful whether evel
with good management g could nov
, make both ends meet. Ii q man ha
a good farm and stocked, clear o
debt, he could by good management
keep square, bat if he has interest Il
pay on third Of the value of the iarn
even, he would be apt to run behind.
Mr.. Wilson appreciated the essay, an;
, thought with Mr.. Moore that the CT
| of hard times had in measure becom
chronic with the farmer. lie did no
think Mr. Moore's views were too roseate
He thought if due and full credit wer
! given the farm for ali we get off of II
we would not be as depressed as We thin
; we are. There was really only ono GRO
=. that is depressed-wheat. Corn is fai
price, hay is higher this year than last
potatoes are better in price, and We at
y not really as bad off as we think we are
= and we do not as class appreciate on
- advantages.
- Mr.. Henry S. Coudon said, he did nc
intend to make any adverse criticism {
, Mr.. Moore's essay, but he thought,
MIR. Moore would recall his ezperleuc,
- he would find he had made the bulk {
y his accumulation in previous years. Il