Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-03-28
written for the Oxford Democrat.
IhE FARMER.

culture to compare the financial condi-
ton Of the modern farmer with those OF
one-half century ago. IL the object is
to make the husbandman Of to-day per-
fectiy contented with his present situa-
ton, it would tend TO paralyze every
effort on the part Of the farming com
munity to keep apace with other classes.
Though the progress OF science ana
civilization have elevated the farmer
above his ancestor, there Is no reason
why he should remain Inactive and con-
tented, when he has ample capacity Tor
further development OF physical COM
forts and intellectual improvements,
which greatly add to the happiness Oh
man In every station of life. The farmer
is the great wealth producer OF the world
and Is certainly entitled to a larger pro-
portion Of Its blessings than Others liv-
ing In Incidence upon the fruits OF his
toll. Farmers In old Oxford and per-
haps through New England have too
long under valued their own abilities
aud tacitly submitted to the opinion of
others on many questions directly Dear
ing upon the farmers Interest.
In the progress of higher CIVILIZATION
the demands OF modern society Increase,
hence a better mode Of living and more
expensive raiment Il required. Ihe
farmer Il compelled to increase his out
Law, while he finds the income OF MS
farm l. inadequate To pay the bill hence
many farmers unwisely leave the old
homestead and seek more profitable en-
ployment In other fields Of labor.
Ii Is wisdom In every farmer 10 IN
crease the products OF his soil so TAT rs
practicable without depriying himseii o,
suitable rest, time for Improvement anu
recreation. lie should practice rigid
economy In everything not essential 10 the
good of society or to the welfare oil him-
self aud family. lie can avoid chewing
tobacco, smoking cigars, using spirituous
liauors except for medical purposes, but
proper food and raiment are indispen-
sabie and should be furnished wife anu
children with a generous, liberal manu-.
Nearly all the different trades In the
United States have organized societies
To benefit them selves, with AN aggregate
membership of Gs. 900, aud not single
farmer included In the list. Agricuit.
ural institutions wholly under the control
of men not actually engaged In tilling
the soll are Of doubtful utility compared
with the expense. hut board of agH.
culture with an intelligent, practical
farmer at the head. like Mr.. Mckeen OF
Maine, also farmers Institutes, county
fairs and farmers oranges, under the
immediate control of farmers themselves
are Of inestimable value; Tor they nave
a tendency to enliyen AN Interest In az
riculture, encourage economy and the
most approved methods OF stock raising
aud tilling the soil, besides elevatlng the
social position of the farmer and Family:
Though the isolated condition OF rural
districts depriyes the Inhabitants OF many
privileges enjoyed by more dense pop
ulation, vet the farmers peaceful,
auite home, tastefully surrounded, ana
a comfortable supply to meet the wants
of life, have attractions never FOUND
amidst the disorder and turmoil OF
crowded city.
m the husbandmsn sells his homestead
To avoid hard labor, he viii be greatly
disappointed II he becomes wage Garner
in any Of the manufacturing Industries
of Massachusetts,, where nine and ten
hours for days work are eSacted oy
their employers, year In and year OUT,
with but little cessation. Many OF the
workmen live eight or ten miles from
their place of employment, and for part
of the year seldom see the sun shine up
on their own dwellings.
The farmer with his modern appliances
for tilling the soil and gathering the
harvest has ample time for rest, recrea-
ton and mental Improvement, denied 10
operatives who have scarcely an hour 10
call their own. Long continued EN-
ployment In manufacturing Industries
lends 10 impair the health aud arrest the
progress of intellectual development
While the farmer holding the plow has
the world aud inhabitants thereof before
him. AN unbounded field Of observation,
from which he gathers lessons OF in-
.truction upon all the secular and reiig-
ions duties of man. Hence the intelll-
gent farmer Il well qualified To Judge on
all questions involving the interest ami
best welfare of the people.
Ny experience as FARMER ior long
series Of years, aud my critical observa-
ton for eight or nine years more, enable
me to max, a just comparison between
the average farmer of Maine anu the
wage Garner Of Massachusetts. The
I,tier gets better pay, but the former
Law. by larger sum for rainy day.
livery person should have the neces-
.l,les % life, yet IL seems Wise provr
lion In nature that human felicity does
not solely depend upon the amount Oh
gold locked up In the Golfers OF the mon
ey kings Of the world.
Whenever higher standard OF prac-
teal education shall prevail among the
people, a greater number of learned men
hold the plow, and farmers fully rely
upon their own good Judgment In cor
recting unwise, impolltic legislation,
which burdens them with needless taxes,
and when they possess equal poiltieai
rights In making the laws under which
they live, and also exert controlling in-
fiuence In their commercial relations with
other clases, then will the farmer attain
nj. true position In society aud the travel
err " IN no longer behold abandoned farms,
uncultiyated fields growing up TO bushes,
and dilapldated buildings falling Into
decay, as are now so frequently found
Throughout the farming districts OF New
England.
FARMER FROM OLD OXFORD.
Pembroke, Mass, March 3, 1893.
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