Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-05-24
What Farmers Need Most.

SOUND MINDS IN SOUND BODIES; A
THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF BUSINESS
AND CONSTANT sELF-IMPRovEMENT.
There is no branch of business more
important than husbandry. The pros
perity of the country depends upon the
prosperity of the farmer.
What a farmer needs most is sound
mind in sound body. This dual sound
ness in the man is the basis Of success.
1t implies vital energy, moral force,
wisdom and other qualities that make
up a noble man. If there is in any de-
gree lack of this soundness it should
be acquired. If it is physical unsound-
ness there is health for him in sunshine,
in pure air and the pure food required
by the body, with the requisite amount
of systematic exercise which may be
found largely in the work on the farm.
He cannot indulge his appetite in any
way detrimental to the body and mind.
The mental faculties will become vigor-
Gus by exercising them. The mental
qualities, good nature. gentleness, brav-
cry, generousneSS, honesty, truthfulness,
and on to the end of the list, may be i'm
proved unlimitedly, independent OF
mans circumstances. Farming is a
noble business and the farmer should be
a noble man.
The great secret of success in all
branches of business is knowing how.
Farming is no exception to the general
rule. The farmer needs thorough
knowledge of farming.
The educational standards of the farm
er are changing with the times. 1t is
important that he keep in step with
them. If he has not had the privilege
of attending an agricultural college he
can gain the needed knowledge through
scientific works adapted to his require
ments, through the agricultural reports
of the experiment stations, through
agricultural periodicals, agricultural
meetings. Everything necessary to his
advancement is at the hand of the ener-
getic farmer who would succeed.
If knowing how is the secret of success
the price of success is work, work with
zeal. Persistent, well directed effort
commands success. The successful
farmer is systematic. He has place
for everything and sees that everything
is in its place, and his work he performs
in its allotted time, thereby gaining
time. His farm, whether of large or
small area, is put into the best state of
cultivation. The farm products are
properly matured and secured in the best
shape, and those for the market COM
mand the highest price. The lukewarm
farmer will not succeed; he will sink
into negligence. Loose ends will be
apparent on all sides. Weeds will over
shadow the plants.
As the farm animals play a most i'm
portant part in farming, the farmer who
would succeed must make study OF
them. He must ascertain their require,
ments as to food, shelter, health and
comfort. He must exercise great and
kind care for them. How responsive
animals are to kind words uttered in
pleasant tone of voice, They should hear
no other. The OK or horse which has
been kindly treated will do his utmost
for his master when directed kindly.
Withal, kindness to animals is divine
Injunction, implied, il not direct. The
time will come, and may it hasten,
when, through invention or discovery,
motors will be at a cost within the easy
reach of all, making animals no longer
the abused beasts of burden they now
generally are. The motors will also IN
a high degree tighten the labor OF the
farmer.
The farmer and his wife have, or
should have, joint interest in the farm.
ING enterprise. With well ordered
household, the wife and husband
throughout the year, excepting SEED
time and harvest, can devote certain
time daily, if only fifteen minutes, with
profit and pleasure TO the study OF the
required sciences. The benefit derived
from these few SO employed minutes
would be incalculable, and the pursuing
of the different branches OF science
would afford recreation. The farmers
and families of locality might through
the winter season assemble weekly fol
Improvement, aud have a course OF
lectures given by competent persons on
the subjects in common pursuit.
Co-operative dairying is source OF
profit To the farmers having small dat
ries, as we'll as relief from considerable
work, and on the part of the wife relief
from much care, as well as labor. Other
work, as that of the laundry and COOK
ing. will in time be profitably arranged
on the cooperative plan, which will give
the wife more hours to devote to her
family, to mental culture, to moral and
religious duties, to society and to gener'
nj usefulness in the world.
ne q hA fhafinal taste
farmer of to-day is apparent IN the im,
provement made in his buildings ana
grounds. He should give more atten'
tention to the improvement OF their nv,
gieuic conditions. Hygiene is not well
understood by the people in general.
The state should yearly have school
i'm each town of at least weeks dura'
ton, for giving instruction in hygiene
including the cause of zymotic diseases
and their prevention, the sources o,
water impurities and the remedies.
The farmers home should be a happy
home, one of refinement, where the
amenities are in evidence and good na
ture abounds, one given 10 hospitality
and charity. This home should De
haven of conteutment for the farmer anc
his family. The religious duties should
not be neglected, and the moral forc'
should be augmented. The family Sc
reared is well fortified to support wha
NAV come to it in the way of reverses ol
orrow.
The farmer of to-day is living in
miraculous age-in an age of wonderful
discovery and invention, working to hi'
advantage; in an age in which distances
are annihilated, as it were, to bring In
telligence from the utmost parts of the
earth to his doors. He should seize the
great opportunities within his reach
and rise to the height that is possible to
him.
Standing firm on principle, the farmer
will be a power in the community, state
OF country, making his influence felt IN
righting wrongs and in advancing the
welfare of the people.-Cor. in Tribune
Farmer.
Various methods of protecting sheer