The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-24

as to the factory, and 1t is not impere.
nent for an editor to discuss such pr1n-
scipleS We believe that the Industrial
Commission is right II, saying that the
farmers cf this country have not kept
pace with those who. follow other pilr-
suits. Many farmers. In fact most OF.
them carry on their work in the same
manner as their fathers and grandfath-
ers and great-grandfathers carried I on
their farming operations. II any manu-
facture: should pursue the same coarse
he would soon some to grief.
In q certain Virginia town the tobacco
industry was once most prosperous ana
nearly every man who engaged in the
manufacture of tobacco made a for
tune. All that such men had to do was
to make the tobacco and put it on. the
market for sale. The supply was limited
and there was a brisk demand for every
pound Of tobacco manufactured in that
towE. The work was done in a crude way.
with little need for machinery, and so
long as the old conditions existed. the
manufacturers continued to mako money.
But by and by there was q change in con-
ditions, a change in the manner Of manu-
featuring, and a change in the metlscd OF
doing business. These old manufacturers,
however. were set in their ways and re-
fused TO change their methods to suft the
new conditions. They continued to mann
facture in the old way and tried 20 sell
their goods in the OLD way, But they went
from bad to worse. and with hardly an
exception they lost their grip on the trade
and became bankrupt. 1t is one. Of the
saddcst chapters in Virginia history. a
chapter which has never been written.
The world moves and every business
man who hopes to get along must move
of the age The good old rules will not
do for new times and that is a fact which
the farmers of this country must learn.
Successful farming implies 4 knowledge
of business Every farmer ought to un-
derstand something about the nature of
ought to know what sort of land is
adapted to this crop and that, and what
sor, of fertilizers should be used. This
implies, we say, some scientific knowl-
edge, but it is q knowledge with each and
every farmer may have if he Will take
the trouble to acquire it.
1t addition to this the farmer should
be man OF affairs a practical man of
business He should understand how to
utilize all the means at his command
and to turn into cash that which goes 10
waste. There was q time, for cXamDie,
when the cottonseed of the South was
either fed to stock or used for manure.
but finally some scientific and thrifty
man discovered that a first-class article
of oil could be made out of cottonseeG,
and now there is a brisk demand for this
product and it can always be converted
into cash. We believe that farmers could
turn into cash many more OF their waste
products if they would only learn how.
The farmer should also have some knowl-
edge Of finance. It is certainly better for
him to borrow money and buy his sup
plies for cash and pay cash for his labor
tiidiI ~ - ltt " 1iaOA tSesSS AIS
in advance with the storckeeper and then
draw his supplies from time to time from
the store at a ruinous rate of interest.
Finally, the farmer should keep himself
well informed as to trade conditions. He
should study the market reports care
fully and see how prices are moving, and
see what sort Of agricultural products
are in demand. just as the manufacturer
informs himself on such matters ana
manufactures goods to supply the exist
ing demand. Farming is a business and
it should be carried on according to bust
ness principles. If not, we do not see
how any farmer can hope to succeed