Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-04-14
FARMER NDPLANTER.
FARMING.
One Of the Most Pleasant Though Not tn
Most Profitable Of Pursuits.

! pleasant pursuits in which a man can
engage. While it is not one of the
most profitable, yet, when judiciously
conducted, it is the sure source of a
| profit sufficient to maintain man and
his family in comparative luxury,
Agriculture is truly said to be the
mother of all thearts. The importance
and necessity of agriculture is realized
when we reflect that almost every
thing essential to mans physical well
fare comes either directly or indirectly
from the soil of the earth The bread
he cats and the clothes he wears are
produced from the soil of the ground;
the former directly, and the latter
indirectly. For these reasons, agricul-
ture is the most important industry
that can engage the attention of man
kind. 1t is the surest foundation of
the prosperity of a nation, and re-
wards with happiness those who pur-
sac it.
Wealth is not generally acquired by
farming, but it has other advantages
which compensate for this deficiency.
For those of the industrial world who
wish to acquire wealth, manufacturing
is the most certain road to that result
for them to pursue. More and larger
fortunes are made from manufacturing
than from anything else. 1t would
seem that the one who first produces an
article or commodity should derive
more profit from his labor upon it than
he who afterwards, by some process
of manufacture, converts the same
article or material into another form
which renders it fit for use or CON
sumption. But that is far from being
the case. The profit of the producer Of
the raw material is small indeed, com
pared to that of the manufacturer Of
the finished product; and this is true
although, in the majority of cases.
greater labor is required in the produc-
tion of the raw product Illustrations
of the truth of these facts are found in
a comparison of the profits of the grow
er of wheat and the manufacturer of
flour; of the grower of cotton and the
manufacturer of cotton goods; of the
one who raises cattle and the one who
sells dressed beef, and so on with many
other products.
This is the age of corporate enter
! prise, and almost every large business
is conducted by incorporated compa-
nies. The principle of incorporation
has been found in the industrial
and commercial world, to be re-
marlIably advantageous. 1t les.
t sens the expense of production
4 and increaces its profits. 1t is by the
G corporate principle of limited liability
S that great commercial undertakings
can be safely and proftaably con
S Quoted But farming is a business tC
2 which incorporation does not apply
e and it is therefore deprived of the ad
j vantages of combination and co-opcra
t ton.
;, Farming is probably less profitable
V at the present day than it ever was
and the prices of agricultural products
. are scarcely above the cost of produc
y tion, 1t is not proposed to discuss her,
the causes of this conditions but it il
=, undoubtedly true that the excessive
; production and the invention of labor
= saving machinery have contributed t,
= lower prices.
But we now turn to consider ou
" subject in another light-as a sourc,
" of contentment and happiness, and no
:. one of profit. 1t is probably in this re
Il respect that farming excels all othe
o employments; for it may be truly sal,
J to be the most conducive to happiness
IS Happiness probably depends more up
on the temperament of the individual
'e than upon his surroundings and cond
to tion; but if it were practicable to as
=" certain it would no doubt be show
;" that, as general rule, the agricultur
o. al class are the happiest What i
there to mar the happiness q
" the farmer who owns a. Jarg
is and fertile farm, a comf6rtabl
,t home, and who is free fror
n debt, and who is blessed wit
n good health, loving wife and happ
70 children, and whose ambition is onl
10 to live uprightly, honorably and peac,
h ably in the sight Of God and of men?
=, The farmer is free from the Grim
- strife, turmoil and contamination
- urban life. lie enjoys, in rural sin
plicity, the beauties of nature, and u
y fresh country air which gives hi
10 health and strength. Truly his is
~ wholesome existence and all the inHl
vi ences are elevating and purifying.
ls strong argument in favor of the super
NJ ority of rural over urban life is four
ST in the historical fact that most of u
MS great men have been born and rear,
ch in the country.
en- There is no business in which sen
.b- and good judgment are more necessar
lrt and the application of which are sur
to to be rewarded than in farming
course, any man of ordinary sense C,
on farm, but to farm proftablv requir
i'm more than ordinary intelligence m
farmer has to study the markets, al
MT diversity his crops in order that he maj
secure the largest profits
III There is something peculiarly enjoy
.en BILE i'm taking piece Of land which h
sre little or no fertility and by the prop
me use of fertilizer from the stables ma
frI the same land fertile and green. al
~ this can be done with little trouble al
l,,t | cost.
h, 10 is not by the raising and mark
- ing Of crops alone that farming Is ma
most pleasant and profitable. 4
iudieious farmer wiz have his hnc a