The leader., 1902-10-22
FARMER AND PLANTER.
SOMETHING OF IMPORTANCE.
Farming Recognized as the Most
HOnOrabIe Profession Known
Among Mem.

HOnOrabIe Profession known
Among Mem.
Farming differs in one important
particular from every other occupa-
ton. The merchant, the professional
man, the mechanic, the teacher, may
each and every one have homes which
the own in fee simple, but their bust
ness matters are transacted else
where. The farmers farm is also his
home, and his farming feature of
his domestic economy. For this rea-
son, when right ideas prevail, farm
ing is recognized as the most honor
able profession known to men, as was
declared by that noble Roman, Cato,
the censor. The farmer feeds the
world. Can it be called an unimport-
ant business that sustains humanity,
and without which man would perish
from the face of the earth? Even a
failure of crops for one year and in
one country. causes the death of hum
dreds of thousands of people. I'm
questionably every other occupation
could be abolished and the people still
live; but abolish the fruits of the
field, the results of the farmers la
Dor, and nine-tenths of the people
would perish in year. Agriculture
is not only the most necessary occu-
patton of men, but ought to be the
most highly estecmed-not merely by
farmers, but by those who live by
means of the farmers labor. Why is
it not so esteemed? There are many
farmers who fail to live up to their
privileges; who have no pride in their
avocation; who look with envy upon
the man who tolls not nor spins. but
dresses gaily and fares sumptuously
every day from the earnings of bet
ter men. AS Gov. Hoard of Wiscon-
sin once said: "a good many men
behind the pillow don't think any more
than the horse ahead of it," But there
are incompetents in every business.
The farmer who is worthy of his avo-
cation has as much to be proud of as
any man that lives, for it demands
the widest exercise of mind, is the
hCIN VI ali llIS SCIenCpS rs
closer to nature, and more intimately
associated with the creative power
than any other. 'SThe poor we have
always with u.s." and no doubt we
will always have poor farmers with
us. But are there not many briefless
lawyers, without practice, merchants
without cash balances, and mechan-
les and laborers who can not hold a
job? Competent farmers. like com
petent men in other callings, are pros
porous and contented. In the great
southwest, this is especially true. The
time was when rude and thoughtless
methods prevailed, because the spirit
of the times demanded nothing better.
Little thought was given to accumu-
lation, except by natural increment;
wants were simple and more easily
supplied and the rude tillage of the
day was ample. But times have
changed, wants have multiplied. prog
ress is more rapid, and more rapid
strides are required to keep up with
the procession. These necessities of
men made bettr mthods and wiser eff
forts necessary, and of late years
progress has been rapid. 1t is now
perfectly safe to say that there is no
more prosperous class in this coun-
try than the farmers of the southwest
and west. There are some discomfort
cd never-do-wells, but they are the
stragglers and camp-followers of the
great army of progressive farmers.
In all this great agricultural section
the real farmers. with homes of their
own, either in ecse or in posse, the
prosperous, independent and content
ed. Why should they not be? The
legitimate profits of farming are as
great as in any other business. with
far less of the elements of risk. I'm
provements in farming operations and
in breds of live stock have rapidly de-
veloped in recent years: Labor-saving
implements have enabled the farmer
to do more and better work in fewer
hours, leaving him ample time for
Self-improvement and needed recrea-
ton. Agricultural paeprs have great
ly multiplied, thus enabling farmers
to utilize the knowledge of all the
best farmers of the world. Books are
abundant and cheap that deal with all
the sciences related to agriculture.
For the farmer who has pride in his
work and ambition to succeed there
is really little excuse for ignorance
on any point relating to agriculture.
The farmers realize these advantages
and are using them with effect
Texas Farm and Ranch.