The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-04-23

Dor does his We all have our own opinions
as to the success of farming Some are much
more successful than others. But in most
cases it is what we make it. 1t is not often
that any one leaves the farm and engages in
some other occupation when he receives the
full benefits that can be derived from the
farm. Every one knows the depression the
farmer has had to contend with for some
years. but with it ALL he is to-day the most
Independent man that contends for a living.
There are plenty who say the farmer has to
take what is given him and pay what is
asked. That is too true. But l contend, if
the farmers would do business on the same
plan Us other industries, we could fix our
own prices. But each farmer does his own
buying and selling. But with the present
state of things l think success on the farm
! depends upon ourselves just rs much as the
success of anything we undertake to do. BY
strict attention and diiigent use of the
! method best suited to our individual condi-
tions. l think farming can be made IL success.
| have found mixed farming to be the most
profitable. A thorough preparation of the
soil for each crop to be sowp, and Il liberal
application OF some fertilizer will produce a
fair result. think common error among us
is to use a fertilizer which contains ingred-
ents not suitable to our soil and then we
complain about the results. Whereas the
fault lies with us, in not knowing what the
soil lacked, for us to furnish, there not being
anything wrong with the formula Of the fer
tilizer. We who have not been been educated
to the point of knowing will be obliged to do
the best we can. But We can see to hnvilg
our children properly Informed aud not let
them stumble over the same difIiulti's As
we have, a great variety Of soil We should
endravor 10 fnd out what is needed and
apply manure that will furnish the needed
ingredients for fertilization. The item of
economy has an important place in farming,
| do not wish to be understood that we are to
deprive ourselves of the comforts and plea
sures Of life for the sake of economy. One
idea of econom, is that hired help is all right.
But do not hire so much. Use more mach
inery. Some think that is Il very bad way 10
economise, but think not. What is machiT
cry Tor, if not to make work easier and more
would not be made, were they not needed.
The farmer has at present many ways of i'm
proving his condition. He has such organi-
cations as are helpful to him as well as other
occupations. 1t is thought by some of other
occupations that the farmers has no need or
right to organize in order to consider what
will be to his best interest. That is very sell
D.b rba fn La,
matical language, not make as fine an
appearance as his brother or friend but he
succeeds just as well when he tries as earn.
rstly as they do for success in his occupation
which is at once an honorable, and when
properly conducted remunerative one.
Comment on the essay being in order Mr.
Michiner said that while Mr.. Reeder's essay
was not lengthy it contained good sense. He
thought one suggestion of the essay struck
him, that as a class farmers were more i'm
posed upon, possibly, than any other class of
men, for a little want of snap, and get into
the habit of paying what they are asked, and
taking what they can get. He thought this
was the inevitable result of lack of organiza-
ton and confidence among farmers, and want
of mutual cooperation for mutual interests
That in the traffic Of the farm they often
unconsciously worked against each other while
every other business class was combined for
mutual protection and benefit.
Mr.. Rawlings said he approved one idea OF
the essay, that every farmer should do his
own thinking MS we'll as his own farming,
without consu lting every man he met as to
tho best method of putting in this or that
crop. He believed that as a class farmers
could do better were they better organized
for mutual benefit. Like every other bust
ness, what Il farmer saves by economy con
sttutes the profit of his business.
At this juncture, dinner being announced
the president designated Messrs. Michiner,
Cameron and Kirk the committe to examine
Mr.. Reeder's stock and premises.
Upon reassembling after dinner criticism
on the essay being resumed Mr.. Maxwell
thought that the use OF machinery on the
farm could be overdone.
Mr.. Kirk thought favoraby OF organiza-
tion by farmers, but they have never ava lied
themselves of the benefits OF it, and cited his
experience in this respect. Very many farm
ers were often loath to make public their ex-
periences and methods of farming. They
think in many instances that their trade
secrets are their own and they do not care to
join organizations.
Mr.. Michiner, as chairman of the committee
on premises, reported that Mr.. Reeder de-
served great credit for the noticeable i'm
provement OF a tract OF land which at one
time was unpromisng. He thought Mr..
Reeder's herd Of Jerseys was as fine as he
ever saw. His swine were very favorably
commented on, and his wheat was rs as fine
as he had seen this season.
MIR. Kirk said that Industrious labor had
conferred value on land that at one time
really had no value. He complimented Mr..
heeder upon such results as are now visible
all around his farm.
Mr.. Michiner said that the price OF land in
this vicinity had certainly doubled in the last
thirty years, and cited the farm OF Mr.. Reeder,
Mr. Riale and others as examples Of this
Questions being in order Mr.. Reeder asked
the club as to the most available material for
draining a swamp meadow. Where stone
was not available the opinion OF the club was