Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-10-01
Among the Farmers.

Although the summer season is a
busy time for the farmer and there is
usually enough to do. yet there will
occasionally be days when work is not
pressing and he can, if SO inclined, get
away from home for brief outing and
sight seeing. And 1t will do him good
to get out among his neighbors and
towns people, or farther away If op-
ipcstsaity mss Offer for the special
purpose Of seeing what is being done
by Others in the lines OF his own busi-
ness.
There is not as much of this visiting
among the farmers as there ought to
be. The farmer who always remains
at home and lives, as it were, within
himself, will in a measure, loose his
connection with the great moving
world outside and will hardly know
where he belongs.
do not believe in farmer spending
too much time on the road, as that will
seldom advance his interests at home,
which should be paramount in all
things, but with work kept well in hand
1t will do them good to look around and
find how others are prospecting. Other
wise how shall he be able to measure
his own success or see wherein he
could better himsslf? If he is a good
thrifty farmer he will find instances
enough wherein others might, in his
opinion, do better for themselves and
the common occupation in which
they are engaged, and possibly there
occasionally will be others from whom
he can derive instruction and help.
II farmer excells in any one par
ticular branch of agriculture, there may
be others like minded, and in such
cases comparison of methods and re.
suits may prove of much value to them
all. No one can understand everything
best, and no one can accomplish every
thing in the best manner, but with the
united and hearty cooperation of two,
better results may sometimes be OBJ.
tanned for both Of them. Hence this
practice of going among the farmers,
observing what they are doing and how
they are doing it, will often prove an
inspiration for better work at home.
When on the road farmer should be
keen observer of all about HIM. How
much can be learned in this way, even
while passing through the country on
the cars, although this is not the best
view point for the purpose. How often
is it possible to get pretty good idea
of the character and condition TO the
farmers along the way by passing
glance. The buildings, the fences, the
condition of the fields, and crops, the
herds of cattle and llocks of sheep or
other kind of stock, rs we'll as MANY
other things, catch the quick eye of the
observing traveller, and at once he de-
cided in his own mind, and pretty cor
rectly, too, about the character and
standing, sgriculturally, OF these tillsrs
OF the soil.
Ii our farmer is a dsiryman. then he
should Keep sharp lookout for Others.
and the best ones, of like occupation.
There may be some idea or suggestion
caught up in this way that will prove
of much value in his own work.
If there is a creamery or cheese. fac
tory on the route, take 1t in, compare
results with the same work on the farm.
and SO determine wherein either excels
the other in practical results.
Should there be fine herd of COWS
on the way, of whatever breed, psy 1t
due respect, as there will very likely be
some point worthy of attention. AL
nice field of any farm crop. we'll kept
orchard garden, are pleasant to look
upon and may have lesson of value to
the observer. DO not pass the farmers
family by without pleasant greeting
and word Of cheer and helpfullness,
In this way these days of outing NAV
be made very pleasant and profitable to
the farmer and those with whom he