The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1893-04-27

/ The following well-timed editoria
artisle from the Mesklenburg Times
Of Charlotte, IS SO fall OF good scnes
and practical thoughts for farmers
We give space to it in our eiltoria
colnmns. Read It carefully:
| "AQricnltnre as nediciue Law OF
any other occups 5ion, pays to such
persons as work intelligsntly and
lndu striously.
Profits on all staple farm articles
are much smaller now than when cot
ton culture vas . new enterprise In
the South. But this fall in price il
natural land not the result Of "op.
pressive legislation" 40 the political
agitator would teach. Profits IN all
new enterprises sre large, because
the demand 10 great aud competition
IL weak. The introduction Of labor
| saving machinery and the rise Of
competition gradually redace the
prices Of all products snd also the
margin Of products in producIn3
them. This 10 the process by which
r larger production il furnished to
society for = given quantity of labor.
| " lille he margin Of profits in all
lines Of business is becoming small
u, the purchasing power Of products
is yearly increasing.
Farmers now get less for their
staple articles than they did Is or 20
years ago. Banks do not make the
profits they formerly did. Merchants
must sell more goods to make -
much money - tnsy made ten yeara
ago Railroads are hauling mole
goods at lower rates than ever be.
fore, &C., Sc.
The gradual cheapsning of prod.
ucts 10 blessing to all classes, AID
yet in che eyes Of the indolsnt and
pessimistie 1t is only sign Of decay.
We have studied the agricultural
problem calmly and looked ut the 81.
legged oppressive features Of 1t from
ali sides and Ne are firmly convinced
that farming yields 4 larger return
ia proportion to tee capacity anG in.
dustry expended upon it than any
other occupation.
The complexity Of industry and
the perfection Of system are demand.
ing a higher order Of ability in all
lines Of business for success. A
time is approaching when a man or
woman without special education
stands little chance Of success in
life.
Lawyers mast now know more
than ever bsforsj il addition to .
general knowledge Of the law they
must excel in some particular
branch. The progress Of tho science
every year demands more of the
medical student. He must not only
have . general knowledge Of the
science, must be . specialist il he
would rise above mediocrity. The
progress Of journalism every year
rsises the standard Of ability for sue
cess in that profession. The same
is true Of all literary, scientific and
commercial pursoits. A young man
starting out In any of these. pursuits
must expend q considerable sum for
education and when he sic thorough>
IL trained, it Will take bin from Eve
to ten years to secure enough income
to enable him to marry and raise = |
family
Any farmer who is Industrious
and has ordinary Intelligence can Sc
cure a farm and support \ family |
apon it, while with the same 1esour>
ces and energy ne could barely make !
honas rent for a family 1t any occu>
patton in . city.
The reason there 10 90 much com.
plant among farmers IL that they
expect to make several hundred dol.
lars . year above the maintenance
II their families. If they could try
own life awhile and have to reach
Town isto their pockets for every
pound Of butter, bread or msat that
Loes on the table, and for every stick
II wood or bucket of coal that goes
N the IRE. to say nothing Of gas aud
vatar-thsn they would begin to
eallze the advantages which farm>
og offers them, and that 4 family
an be supported easier in tina coun-
~ than anywhere else.
There are species of legislation
erhaps Of which operate to thei
OF agriculture ~ we'll AZ