Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-02-26
THE FARMER AND FARM LIFE.

THE PROSPEROUS FARMER.
"We know some farmers who are max
ing money right along every year, and
making their farms better right along,
too. Some are in one state, raising GER
tain kinds of crops; others in others,
making different crops. But in one re-
spect they are all alike; they 'fsrtilize
with brains, and moreover thev look
upon farming as business. They do
everything according TO method and sys-
tenn. They have plan that they are
working TO, and it is not for just on.
year, but for long time TO come. That
sort of farmer who has his heart in his
business, who likes to make things grow,
who has personal feeling for his stock,
who loves his home and thinks n farmer
has as good title TO nice home and
surroundings as other people, is the most
independent man on earth and ought to
be the happiest. We are beginning
new century, shake up your brains and
locate yourself; make up your mind
whether you are going TO be at the
front end or the tail end of the process
siOn."
We clip this from an exchange be-
cause it expresses so accurately the con-
dition that exists among farmers to-day.
1t is not difficult to find farmers In the
same neighbOrhoOd representing the two
extremes mentioned. In fact, we have
in mind farmers living side by side upon
farms that are exactly alike, so far as
soil fertility is concerned, one of which
is improving his farm every year and
adding few dollars to his bank account,
while the farm of the other Is deteriorat-
| ing every year and its owner growing
no richer. One is sure that farming can
| be made TO pay while the owner OF the
other farm is constantly preaching that
| farming is poor business and that
nothing can be made in 1t.
We do not contend that there is an OPP
portunity TO get rich upon an average
| farm. or that much money can be made
there when the comforts and conven-
fences are provided for the family, but
we have always maintained that when
the farmer used brains in his operations,
aud conducted his farm upon business
principles, there would be as favorable
opportunity TO live comfortably and
rear a family amid healthy surroundings
AS can be found in the world, and We
have no reason for changing our opinion
in regard TO this matter. Whether we
head or tail the procession depends en-
tirely upon the brain power We exercise
in the management of our farms. We
have had too much talk about the "down-
trodden" farmer and too little about the
farmer that makes a place for himself
through pluck, determination and good
business capacity. Whether one Is In
the factory, counting room or upon the
frm il is personal effort and ambition
that counts, and the more fully our
young farmers understand this, the bet
ter il will be for them.
LAST WORDS OF AN EX-GOVERNOR.
Ex-GOveruor Mount Uf Indiana died
suddenly the second day after leaving
the office of governor, and but few
hours before his death he made an ad-
dress TO the Indiana Wool Growers
Association in which he said:
IL have no particular thing to discuss
this afternoon, and hardly know what
will be Interesting for me TO say TO you,
but Just now aB greatly pleased with
the thought of laying aside public duties
and responsibilities and going back TO
look after the flOcks and herds once
more. have not, during my brief stay
away from the old farm, forgotten my
love for that vocation. On the con-
trary, | go back 10 that vocation with
increased interest and with the expecta-
tion of devoting the rest of my days To
that noble business, and | shall endeav-
or, as far as possible, always To help
along all lines that will in any way bene-
fit agriculture. | am satisfied, gentle
men, that no vocation in this country is
50 poorly managed and given so little
interest, even by those who spend their
entire lives on their farms.
There is no vocation of which | know
upon which so little time, attention and
earnest thought are given as TO that OF
agriculture. Upon its prosperity depends
the prosperity of the entire country. As
80 over my own State-and 1t has been
nv good fortune TO visit every county
in the state-I see the slovenly methods;
the weed grown meadows and fields;
nut the time has come when RADICAL
change is demanded The farm lands in
Indiana are rich and fertile, and we can
NOT now, as was once done, wear out
farm ana uONe Ou W auOlhOA ouS. hhNio
has been so much extravaganza ana
waste in this respect, SO much OF the
future prosperity of the country depends
upon the intellectual management OF the
farms that more thought must be given
TO this vocation by the men engaged
in it.
"Some people think that this is mar
row vocation, but it is the most difficult
problem now confronting the people OF
this country. What we want is scien-
tific study of it. It takes greater ability
because of the many sides of the ques-
tion. and the time has now come when
brains and means must be appropriated,
as there are now more questions TO oe
mastered than ever before. We have not
enough ambition and perseverance.
would have our farmers to-day more ln-
terested in their work. Mirror and
Farmer.