Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-03-01
FARM INCOME.

A Iarmef Virtues. II have uuc VI ttc
best farms in - county, but am not
''msking cent"
Such . statement as the above coming
from well TO do farmer located on a
good farm may we'll receive the studied
attention of every tiller Of the soil. No
doubt there are thousands Of farmers up
and down the state Of whom such q
statement at the present time would be
true. At first glance, and with narrow
view, such q condition would appear
seriously damaging TO the Industry OF
agriculture and might well serve TO de-
tract attention from the farm, and also
discourage those already engaged In the
business Of farming. Certainly every
one knows thst such condition AS not
To- be able TO 'make cent" Il embsrass-
ing In whstever business the individual
may be engaged.
But u broader view Of such condition
as IL represented will put the matter 10
It's true light where II msy not appear rs
specially damaging to those dependent
on the soil for an income. The country
has been passing through n season Of
depression. Every line Of industry and
every branch Of business have been sf-
f,cted by L. Labor has felt II and
capital has not been exempt from its
power. During It's reign the lsborer has
been able TO no more thsn get llving,
and capital, like this farmer, has not
been able to make n cent"
For the reason that people must eat
whether making cent or not, farming
has had an advantage during this time
not held by any other line OF business.
And, further, In SO far as the support of
n family Ia concerned, crops will grow
whether they cell or not. Since the
farmer therefore supplies the home
wants largely from his farm, the supply
from this source Is as flush 10 times OF
general depression Of business and
shortage OF money circulation rs 10
business boom. Hence, notwi,hsts nding
farmers have not found their business as
profitable during the hard times AS be
fore, vet We fully believe there Is no
other class among US on whom the grip
OF the depression We have been passing
through has rested so lightly as those
who are dependent on the soil for their
income. Here therefore Il Cause for
steady aud sure. Though there be brief
seasons when the farmer msy not be able
TO make n cent" 10 add to his bank NC
count, Vet the soil he possesses may al
ways be relied upon 10 at least bring its
annual sump.uous supply for home use.
When the mouey fails tn come in there
Is still something In store and In sight.
Then, again, the season In Msine and
New Eoslsnd the past year
has been an unususl one. Crops were
cut off, little WAS raised, which left farm
ers with nothing To sell. So btd sea-
son wss hardly before known and may
not occur sgsiu 10 half century. With
little or nothing grown OF course there
was nothing 10 bring su income. But
even In this condition for the time, farm
ers are "a well of "a other classes. The
merchant has hsd but little trade, the
business man OF business, and the msn-
ufscturer but little demand for his goods.
80, though the farmer has been unable
10 make any money during the year there
has been no direction in which he could
hsve bettered his condition by change.
Prices OF sll productions OF the farm
sre now reasonably good. The only
trouble with the farmer who cannot
''mske a cent" Is that his crops were cut
Of This has passed by and another
year will bring its bounty and set him
straight again. Hence forgetting the ex-
periences of the past year he has only to
set shout preparing for the next, and
while prices are good and demand sharp,
push his business with energy and be
prepared 10 take advantage OF the i'm
proved conditions within his reach.