The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-04-13

We doubt IL there ever was time |
when young farmer had 80 many OBJ |
stacles to contend with as at present. |
First, he is advised by real estate |
sharks to purchase too much land be-
cause it is cheap and is bound to double |
in value; consequently he starts off un-
der a heavy mortgage. Next he sees
handsome profits from certain crops
figured (and figures don't lie) in the
city papers. He has no trouble in
learning where to procure the seed,
but he is troubled at harvest in secur-
ing even one-half the value Of the
seed, saying nothing of the time and
labor. Finally he is told that sue
cessful farmer must be an extensive
one, and millionaire gentlemen
farmers" are pointed out as shining
examples. So he plunges in, buys
stocks, hires help and rides about as
gentleman should, but the consequences
need not be told. During these years
Of anxiety and failures, he is preyed
upon by machine and phosphate agents
until his lands bristle with implements
and fertilizing barrels. Apple-tree
agents, life insurance agents and agents
for everything from patented tooth
| pick to water from the spring of eter-
nal life, daze his brain by day and
harass his dreams by night Nov, we
firmly believe that young man can
run in debt for farm, even in these
times, and pay for it. But he must
recognize q few principles, viz: dis
count what he hears seventy-6ve per
cent, discount what he reads fifty per
cent and comprehend that success de-
ponds upon the simple word No. 1t is
not necessary to purchase 800 ma
chine to cultivate S5 crop.
1t is not necessary to take out $1O,-
600 life insurance to protect against
tuberculosis which may some day jump
the fence from his neighbours cows and
attack him. 1t is not necessary to buy
a $50 setter to point out the spot where
turks bacteria ready to spring into his
pail of milk.
Purchase farm we'll located-near a
church, school and on a comfortable
road. Roll up your sleeves, made of
good, stout gingham, clear above the
elbows, and tackle that land yourself.
Keep your brain active by good nights
rest, and your mind clear by good read
ing. When agents swarm, entice them
into the back pasture before allowing
them to light, and after their buzzing
quiets, seek advice Of your running
mate and heed it.
In purchasing live stock don't buy
scrubs. Get the thoroughbreds, but
don't buy COW simply because she is
a thoroughbred. A young man in this
town purchased thoroughbred Jersey
heifer at good price. He was ridicul-
ed by his neighbOrs for his folly; but
he kept pegging away, raising and care
fully breeding the heifer calves, until
recently, when his neighbors were SELL
ing their cows at $50, he disposed of
his herd at $50 per head. In the care
of stock be fussy. After being as fussy
as you can, be just trife more fussy.
1t will pay. Don't be forever expert
menting with new crops and new inven-
tions. Our experiment stations will
attend to these. Don't be continually
changing from one thing to another;
but emulate that wonderful trait of
character of General Grant, of whom
President Lincoln said during the war:
"When he (Grant) once gets his teeth
in, nothing can shake him off,"
Use your spare money in reducing
that mortgage. Attend church and ag-
ricultural and town meetings. Bring
up your children in the love Of God,
home, America and her free institu-
tions. Call US old fogy if you wish.
"Barkis is willing" G. P. TEACHER.