The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-17
Kansas Young Men Can Succeed
on the Farm.
Octopus" combines and
Political Bugbears No Barrier
F. D. COBURN'S VIEWS.
Swimming and SHINING a Farm
Must Not Be Tolerated.
With Exercise of Common Sense
Farming Will Pay.

Would it pay a young man Of aver
age education and ability to choose
farming in Kansas under present con-
ditiOns for life occupation? ?" is the
question that was asked of Secretary
f. ID. Coburn of the state board of ag-
riculture recently. Mr. Coburn took his
time about answering and when he did
answer gave the best judgment of a
man who knows Kansas farmers and
Kansas farm methods.
From an observation, beginning
Wnen the state was very young and its
lands low in price and extending to
Septemb Der, A. D., 1898 I am persuaded
that the chances for the young man in
agriculture are as favorable now as at
any time within my personal knOWl-
edge. It is possible, however, that
success IN such a line will demand as
its price not the use of more muscle,
but the utilization Of more brains, or,
perhaps, brains of better quality, made
so through cultivation. I should say
however, that if a young mans dream
of success cOmprehends the rapid ac-
curing of wealth in money, bonds and
stocks. as the term wealth is under
stood In these days, he would, perhaps,
do as well or better to adopt some other
business, because agriculture would
quite probably prove disappointing and
life from his standpoint be failure. If,
on the other hand, success, as outlined
in his minds eye, means cOmfOrtab bic
competence for his later years, &C
quired by honest and honorable toll, as
his own master, in. the open air-yet not
without trying exposure to the cold of
winter and the heat of summer and the
incidents of unfaVOFabIe seasons and
Observation-Disclosures not greater, by
the way, than are encountered IN all
lies of business-the boundaries sof a
judiciously chosen Kansas farm afford
him a greater opportunity to attain his
ideals than any other with which I am
acquainted.
IF he expects to WOO prosperity by
Swimming and Skinning and starving
the soil of his farm, always rObbing,
but never restoring it, farming in
shiftless, Slip-shod way and skimping
his family to acquire all the land thar
adjoins him, changing his plans and
aims every year and diSregarding the
limitations with which nature has sur
rounded his condition, he is likely to
imbibe an incura BILE disgust for his call
ing and turn to others, any of which,
While untried, he easily concludes are
better than farming, only to fall short.
Lack of success in farming, think, is
rarely due to the farmers not doing
enough nara work or not occupying
enough land. Probably most of them
drudge too much, and spread it over
acres that were better diminished by
half while they study too little the
every day problems of soils and fertili-
ty, tilIage and moisture, supply and de-
mand, which confront them at every
turn and upon which, barring infre-
qUent favorable accident, they are de-
pendent for any real progress.
Some likewise study too much, and
too often problems that do not touch
their destiny by a thousand leagues.
They have much concern for the mis-
takes of Moses, but are insensible or in
different to their own; they are strong
on national finance, but impotent in
presence of the hateful person who
loaned them money and regretfully
holds their individual promises to pay.
q am persuaded a most expensive
mistake large share make is in not
beginning with some fixed purpose, and
adhering to 1t through the years, re-
gardless of such fluctuations as come
in every line of enterprise. Instead of
making a speciality of some one or two
branches and striving in them for that
excellence in quality and real character
which, no less than reputation, come
only with years, they wabble too much.
They make so many changes in their
plans that none are worked to finish
and all their savings end a best within
the limits of mediocrity. I do not mean
by this that as a rule the farmer should
cOnfine himself to one or two special
ties and ignore all else, nor yet do
believe he should dabble with a little
of everything only in the end to have
a little of nothing.
"In a general way would say his
own farm should furnish most of the
farm, garden and orchard products his
family and help consume; he should
raise them at home rather. than buy
them This means practically a living
regardless of whether silver is main
tanned at 16 to ratio or demonetized.
Aside from this I think the plainest,
easiest road to any conspicuous success
lies through having a speciality ana
bending every energy to It's best and
broadcast development. This speciality
may be some breed of live stock, Var1-
ETY. of grain or fruit, or other product.
He should make it the best possible
Occurring the we'll worth the work of a
lifetime) let the world know he is do
ing it. and thereby command the best
prices, ever mindful that the world
pays the best prices for the best things
much less grudgingly than 1t pays poor
prices for poor things.
Undoubtedly the opportunities for
the right sort of young man in agr1-
culture as a permanent vocation were
never more attractive than now, in spite
of 'overprOduction,' composition, rob
her freight tariffs combines Wall
street, the octopus and other stock,
affrightments. each in its way quite
dreadful to contemplate, but seldom
deadly at short range. The area OF pro-
ductiOn henceforth can widen only SLOW
ly. while population here and else
where will go on increasing in charging
ratio; their appetites will abide with
them and their tastes, more hlghIy
cultivated will demand products OF. a
higher grade The people, too, VIII De
fully competent to regulate their com
mercial and political affairs.
There are no profitable nor perma-
nent openings in agriculture for the
young man seeking an easy berth, a
soft snap and a restful place to daily
with the cigarette;s aiming to labor by
proxy. to be a stOrebOx statesman OF TO
live by his wits. Reason; Lack of cap
ital would force him into early bank
ruptcy."