Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-03-15
Farm Economy.

While farmers are the most economical
of all people in some respects they are
the most extrayagant in others. They
rarely part with money without good care
to get its equivalent in exchange, and are
seldom led into extravagant purchases
for personal or household use, but in the
matter OF laying out farm work in ad-
vance and in the purchase of seed, fertil-
izer and farming tools they seldom exer-
else that foresight that is invariably
practiced in other occupations, and
which contributes more to success than
is generally conceded. In some kinds
of business orders for goods are placed
a year in advance of delivery and even
now drummers are canvassing the deal
ers for orders for supplies for next win
ter'S trade.
This is the season of the year when
the farmer should make plans for the
seasons work and purchase everything
needed so far as possible To carry the
plans into effect. Among the first to be
arranged for is the labor needed, which
must in most instances be employed by
the year. In very few localities is it
possible to secure help by the day, as
was the case generation ago. The
seed, both garden and field, and the re-
pairs for all farm implements should be
attended TO now, for it is eXtravagant TO
leave these matters until the busy sea-
son is here. First of all, however, de-
eide which fields will be cultivated,
what crops will be grown and what dis
position will be made of the products of
the garden, field and stable as they be-
come ready for market. Arrangements
should also be made for such repairs up
on the farm buildings as become neces-
Sary.
During the past twenty years we have
made study of the conditions that
seems TO contribute most to successful
farming and the cause of failures in
farming. BY successful farming we
mean the support of family in COM
Portable manner and something laid
aside for future use. By failures in
farming we refer to those who neither
improve their farm, their home comforts
nor their bank account and always ap-
pear to be behind in everything. We
are firm in tue belief that these differ
ences are not caused by difference i'll To-
cation, in soil, or the hard work perform
ed, but by the system, or lack of system,
in the management of the farm, This
NAV be termed farm economy, and the
absence of it farm extravaganza.
Not many weeks ago We were passing
through good farming town and noted
two farms adjoining very similar natur-
ally. but very disSimiliar in their present
condition and appearance. We inquired
about their owners aud were informed
that they seemed To work equally hard,
but one was always prepared ahead Tor
everything and the other never planned
ahead for anything. One managed MS
farm with the foresight of business
man. and the other let the farm manage
him. Both had access To the same mar
ket and were equally intelligent upon
affairs in general, but one declared farm
inc To be paying business and the other
declared il was not. One was ecOnomi-
cal in the use of his time and the other
was extravagant with 1t.
The entire subject of farm economy
NAV be concentrated in the use which
the farmer makes of his time. Every
day in the year should be devoted to the
work that needs doing most ana every
preparation made To do it at that time.
There is always loss in neglecting to do
things at the proper time in any occupa-
tiou. but in none is the loss greater on
this account than in farming, and 1t can
only be done at the right time by having
things done that pave the way for 1t.
These matters will never be attended
10 by hired help, and must have the
farmers personal and constant atten-
ton.
The average farmer is making no mon
ey to-day, and the average person IN any
business is making no money. 1t Is the
person who gives his business better ana
more constant attention than the Others
that is making anything in any business
or profession. Success comes from the
careful and constant attention to small
matters rather than from a bold stroke
in apy one matter Farm economy is
the attention TO many details, and farm
extravaganza is the neglect OF many de
tails. The true basis of all operations
upon the farm consists OF doing the
right thing at the right time and IN the
right manner, which can be brought
about by carefully arranged and faith
fully executed system. The present is
good time to begin to formulate such
system adapted to the kind of farming
practiced and the existing conditions,
but which will have foT its basis upon
any farm and in any locality the economy
of time which in other words is farm
economy.-Mirror and Farmer.