Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-03-17
THE FARMER.
AN EXEGESIS OF THE SUBJECT.
Delivered by Mr.. John Hegg, at the Last Ses-
sion of the Winneshiek County Farmers
Institute, held at Calmar, Iowa,
March and 7, 1890.

understand the object of these Far
mers' Institutes is not merely to OBJ
tain knowledge as to the different
modes and methods in farming, but
also to encourage each other in our vo-
cations. The object is good one, and
if can contribute something to that
effect my desire will be accomplished.
In order to raise q crop it is necessary
first to SOW the seed, cultivate the soil
well and then hope. l for one don't
believe i'm dynamite rain making nor
electric sunshine; / will leave that to
the Supreme power, to give rain, SUM-
shine and growth.
/ am unable to teach you how to be-
come rich, because / have had no ex-
perience. 1t must be difficult task
for any one to teach a farmer how to
become millionaire, for the simple
reason that it appears to be impossible;
but if it is not possible for a farmer to
become very rich or millionaire, it is
possible and easier for farmer to live
happy life than millionaire. How
to overcome our difficulties, disappoint-
ments and troubles would probably be
a topic worthy of our attention, and L
shall endeavor to make a few remarks
touching that subject.
There is natural desire in man to
become happy, but there are different
opinions in regard to the nature of
happiness. If you ask the question,
"what constitutes real and actual hap
piness?" the answer will be different
according to the different opinions and
desires in man. Some areseeking hap
piness in wealth and riches; they have
lot 1act rn tr thar nd ,,iln
up property, but will never reach the
top. Their desires will never be ac-
complished, consequently they will
never be really contented and happy.
1t is possible for man to be rich and
happy, but it is not probable; as gen.
eral thing we do not find real happi-
ness in the extremes, either in riches
or poverty. Where we find happiness
is generally among the middle classes,
and to this class the common farmer
belongs. We know there is not un-
animOus contentment among the far
mers; there is among them a prevail
ing spirit of dissatisfaction and discOn-
tent; something appears to be out OF
gear all the time. The most common
complaint, however, is in regard to the
scarcity OF money, or what we call
mara tllneS. Ills cOIlplaluU Is
heard more or less at all times. The
cause of this dissatisfaction is partly
found in circumstances, but more fire.
quently we find it i'm the nature and
character of man. 1t is standard eX-
preston: "There are two sides to all
questions;" if this holds good in other
cases, it can certainly be applied to a
farmers life, and unless man is level
headed and sees both sides, as well the
light as the dark, he is apt to get one
sided and even cranky. The farmer iD
general is exposed to many disappoint-
ments, adversities and troubles in his
pursuit, which are apt to bring him
out of humor if he don't brace up his
courage and think like this: elf at first
1 don't succeed, will try, try again.
He will sow his seed in the spring, in
hope of good crop, but will not al
ways succeed. Everything may look
encouraging, but all at once hail
storm may come on and crush his
crop, and hope; or the cut worm, the
chinch bug or other insects will dam
age and destroy all. He may get an
abundant crop, but then prices are way
down; he won't sell his grain at such
low figures; he stuffs it into his stock
and expects to get better returns; hogs
will take drop; he holds them a
waiting better prices but finally has to
sell them for good deal less than he
was offered, or hog cholera will come
and make clean sweep.
Let us for moment turn our atten-
ton to the other side and see if we
can't discover something more attrac-
tive, or is farming only toll, trouble
and defeat? No! not by any means.
| for one will say that in spite of all
adversely and trouble there is not a
man on the globe that / wish to
change positions with. Is there any
man under the sun more ia dependent
than farmer who is even vsth the
world? l know of none. He need not
go restless in his shop looking and
waiting for customers, nor advertise
that he is closing out his stock regard
less of cost, to draw customers and
even then not get them. His produce
belongs principally to the necessities of
life; they will not be out of style nor
out of date; there will always be a mar
ket for them if not always high prices.
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