St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-04-16
|FARMERAND PLANTER.
FARMING.

pleasant pursuits in which man ca
engage. While it is not one of tn
most profitable, yet, when judiciousl
conducted, it is the sure source of
profit sufficient to maintain q man an
his family ia comparative luxury.
| Agriculture is truly said to be tn
mother of all the arts. The importanc
and necessity of agriculture is realize
when we reflect that almost every
thing essential to mans physical we
fare comes either directly or indirectl
from the soil Of the earth. The brea
he eats and the clothes he wears ar
produced from the soil of the ground
the former directly, and the latte
indirectly. For these reasons, agricul
ture is the most important industr
that can engage the attention of man
kind. 1t is the surest foundation Q
the prosperity of nation, and re
wards with happiness those who pur
sic it.
Wealth is not generally acquired b,
farming, but it has other advantage
which compensate for this deficiency
For those of the industrial world VIII,
wish to acquire wealth, manufacture,
is the most certain road to that resul
for them to pursue. More and large
fortunes are made from manufacturing
than from anything else. 1t woult
seem that the one who first produces al
article or commodity should deriv.
more profit from his labor upon it thar
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-
ton 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
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-
MES. The principle of incorporation
has been found, in the industrial
and commercial world, to be re-
advantageous. 1t les
sens the expense of production
and increaces its profits. 1t is by the
corporate principle of limited liability
that great commercial undertakings
can be safely and proitaably con-
Quoted. But farming is business to
which incorporation does not apply,
and it is therefore deprived Of the adj
vantages of combination and co-opera-
ton.
Farming is probably less profitable
At the present day than it ever was,
and the prices of agricultural products
are scarcely above the cost of produc-
ton, 1t is not proposed to discuss here
The causes of this condition; but it is
true that the excessive
production and the invention of labor
saving machinery have contributed to
over prices.
But we now turn to consider our
subject in another light-as a source
# contentment and happiness. and not
me of profit. It is probably in this re-
respect that farming excels all other
for it may be truly said
o be the most conducive to happiness.
happiness probably depends more up
N the temperament of the individual
han upon his surroundings and condi-
ion; but if it were practicable to as
ertain it would no doubt be shown
hat, as a general rule, the agricultur-
class are the happiest. What is
here to mar the happiness of
he farmer who owns large
nd fertile farm, a comfortable
ONE, and who is free from
ebt. and who is blessed with
God health, a loving wife and happy
hildren, and whose ambition is only |
, live uprightly, honorably and peace
bly, in the sight of God and Of men?
The farmer is free from the crime
rife, turmoil and contamination Of |
rban life. lie enjoys, in rural sim
Lefty, the beauties Of nature. and the
'esh country air which gives him
ealth and strength. Truly his is a
-holesome existence and all the infiu-
noes are elevating and purifying. A
rong argument in favor of the superb
-ity OF rural over urban life is found
| the historical fact that most Of the
reat men have been born and reared
! the country.
There is no business in which sense
Id good judgment are more necessary,
I'd the application of which are surer
be rewarded than in farming. OF
'urse, any man of ordinary sense can
rm, but to farm profitably requires
ore than ordinary intelligence. The
rmer has to study the markets, and
versify his crops in order that he may
cure the largest profits.
There is something peculiarly eniova-
e in taking piece Of land which has
tile or no fertility and by the proper
G OF fertilizer from the stables make
e same land fertile and green, and
is can be done with little trouble and .
st.
1t is not by the raising and market
9 of crops alone that farming is made
ost pleasant and profitable. The
dicious farmer will have his fine and
autiAll horses and mules and cattle.
e yearly increase from which will {
I'D him handsome profit; he will '
We also his green pastures grazed bv
ndreds of sheep. the wool from which !
another source of profit; and he will
We swine in order that he may sell j
rk and lard; he will have his orchard. s
lose trees are laden with luscious l
lit, and he will have his garden to j
-nish his table with all the vegetable {
Iicacies. Then he can envey no man
ything.-C. Hobhonsc Patteson. in i
nkhern Cultivator. 7
LARD VS. RAGnN