Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-10-24

Especial contribution to the New Englau'
Farmer on Ths Chief Needs OF New Englan'
Agriculture, by Hon. o. s. Wood. Master Con
necticut State Grange. Ellington.
The great need of the New England
farmer is contentment, not of the mega
tive kind which means simply existing
but positive which leads to faith in hi
business and i'm himself. We are lOcat
ed here with markets at hand, in th'
midst of the refinements which meaI
education for ourselves and our children
having a social life as uplifting as any in
the country, and, in short, with all tht
means of enjoyment which lead to refine
ment and prosperity. Yet in the mids
of all this there is the feeling Of unrest
which believes some other place or bust
ness better than the farm and the life
upon it. How can the business OF
farm be conducted successfully under
such circumstances? 1t is no wonder
that the half-hearted labor is not profit
able and that the young leave home fol
some other place and business.
To be sure such feeling may be part
ly due to a natural desire for change
the advantage of which is apparent
while the bad features are hidden, but
more is due to the fact that the siren
uous life to-day finds the farmer unpre
pared for the unexpected demands upon
him necessary for success.
Western competition has weakened
prices, new methods of cultivation have
changed production and almost com.
pletely swept away all old methods OF
farming.
The past fifty years have brought
many radical changes, but none more
SO than in rural life. Then methods of
land were crude and profits
were many times at the expense OF
fertility. Then the newness had not
worn off and muscle was in demand to
subdue and fence the virgin soil. The
from the far west was un-
known and New England had some show
Of making prices.
To-day New England agriculture has
the whole world to compete with, the
fertility of the soil to restore and the
problems of crop-producing with
economy to master. What wonder then
that the first impulse is discomfort with
all it's attendant disadvantages? What
wonder that men who have grown old IN
farm life fail to welcome new methods
which alone will bring success? What
wonder that the young are led to de-
,pise the Improbable work of the farm?
What wonder that We find abandoned
farms as we'll as abandoned factories?
The great need to-day on the farm is
hat of accepting the new conditions,
with that contented mind which alone
,an come from faith in the glorious
future of New England agriculture,
out the problems before us Of
economic production, of wise disposals
Of our crops, and of gathering about US
all needed things TO make home pleasant.
The proper solution of these problems
requires: First, That we stop comparing
)ur lot with that of others but be con-
tented; second, That we use our best
thought in deciding what to grow and
how to grow it, with determined pur-
pose to do our best in whatever we un-
iertake. This means farming along
special lines, for believe the day is past
when diversified farming brings the
success. Would you undertake
1t should be with the in
tent of raising perfect fruit, such as will
itself in the best markets. 1t
means choice selection of trees, thorough
and an endless fight with
worms and blight. Does the dairy prove
most attractive? Then get stock You are
proud of, feed il to produce the greatest
results and take every opportunity to
test what is being done that you may be
sure of your profits.
Whatever branch of farming is under
taken the success will depend not only
ON iudicious labor, but also On an in
use of brains in planning.
This includes putting whatever is for
sale in an attractive form and with an
honest value. In this way alone will a
reputation be gained that makes selling
easy and profitable. -.
Ii is absolutely impossible to do all
this unless a mans whole soul is in his
business, unless he is doing his work
with love for it, unless he Is satisfied
with his calling. Under these circum-
stances not only will busines be success
iul, but as an outgrowth his home will
be- made attractive by things which con-
luce to his comfort. His surroundings
will advertise his business and even the
passing traveller will notice his pros
perity.
If New England was filled with such
homes, as 1 doubt not it will some time
be, there would be no abandoned farms,
no discouraged farmers and no occasion
70 discuss the needs Of New England
,priculture