Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-10-05
VOICES OF THE PRESS.
Why Leave the Farm?
louisville Courier Journal.

(IIDu1SNllIe courier jcuIhdi-J
Gov. Hughes OF New York. i'll Il re-
cent number of Lcslie's Weekly. makes
an appeal for the farm as field of
cndcdvCr" for the young man, which
shoud BE- considered not because there
is anything of striking originality in it.
but because it is made by Il successful
man who is an intelligent observer.
Gov. Hughes reaches the conclusion
that the young man has pretty good
chance on the farm, and greater de-
gree of independence than ne may rca-
sonaDly hope to have in city
With the same amount of devotion
to labor and the same amount OF econ
omy, and specialized knowledge that
must be applied to the average Dusl-
ness to make it successful. the bust
ness of farming may be made to pay
d reasonable income and provide an ul-
innate competency. OF course, a young
man cannot begin life as Il landowner
i'll one of the older and more densc!y
populated states unless he is fortunate
enough to begin life with capital. but
the chances are greatly against his be
ing able successfully to enter business
for himself in Il city without consid
CURED to start as IL farmer. And the
farmer who begins as Il tenant and
buys his land after saving sufficient
money to make the first payment has
as good Il chance to enjoy the comforts
Of life. and few of the :uNuric%. as
has the average salaricd men in Il city.
To IL young man reared i'll the cnun-
Try Il salary of 800 month seems like
comparative riches. or at least SuS-
ceSts reasonable independence, but
what docs it mean in city: The
man from the country who has
been accustomed to three bountiful,
Wcll-cockcd meals and Il comfortable
room will find that to procure anything
approaching the same table fare and
equally comfortable lodgings i'll q city
of above 100000 population will cost at
least $40 Il week. His car fare and
laundry bills will account for s. week.
Upon the remaining 81 he must be
well-drcssed seven days in the week.
foot his incidental expenses. and pay
for such of the pleasures Of life as his
| tastes suggest If he tries his fortune
in one of the great American cities his
expenses for the bare necessities are
somewhat higher. If he is q gregariouS
animal. and most young men are, his
| Sociabc impulses are heavily taxed. To
save anything out of a salary of 500
| he must live in Il clearinghouse and
spend few of his evenings out. II ne
elects to get married he and his wife
are fo"edoomed to social obscurity
and frugal living.
There are. of course, many country
bred boys to whom country life is re-
puGnant. They may perhaps find
greater happiness in measuring dry
| goods or serving soda water than i'm
| farming. But the young man who
| wishes to succeed in life. t. become IA
| self-re,pecting and respected citizen of
| the community in which he elects T.
| reside. to get the means To support I,
| family. to enjoy fair measure of ind"-
| pendence and a fair share of leisure
| during his working years and to pro-
= vide with measurable certainty for
| resting upon the oars before he rcac hes
| fifty. should carefully consider hi.
| equipment. and the question of his
probable earning capacity before he
| decides to invest his youth and energy
and his capital. if he has capital. III a
CitN.