Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-03-19
Large ys. Sinai, Farms.

We often hear 1t stated that the small
farm 10 the most profitable. Is that true
The large farm presupposes certain
amount Of capital or ability, probably
both, on the part Of the owner. An
equally good team is needed for the same
class OF work on either farm, but the few
acres make their ownership an impossi-
bility, entailiug hardship on both the in
adequate team and its unfortunate owner.
The small farmer ie usually handi.
capped by q lack Of means to purchase
improved machinery and build the neces-
sary storage buildings; therefore, be
must either hire much work done, which
is expensive, or expend, in wearisome
hand labor, hours of effort, with the full
knowledge that small fraction of the
time, combined with proper machinery,
would produce far better result.
Many claim that associate ownership
is the cure for this evil, but 1t Is not.
rhe rain and sunshine falling impartially
upon the just and the unjust Of any
particular vicinity cause AS, BIS and C's
corn, if planted at the proper season, to
require the use OF the cultivator at the
same time. Who of the joint owners
will allow the weeds to materially reduce
the value of the product and increase the
expense of cultivation, that the other
may be benefited thereby? Yet this is
only necessary evil of all joint owner
ship, and must illustrate all such cases.
The owner of a large farm usually has
buildings to properly protect the many
implements required, and without which
his less fortunate neighbor is obliged to
see tho money already invested 60 to
waste through the action of sun, wind
and rain upon the unprotected wood or
steel. We all know that exposure de-
stroys tools faster than wear, and the
cost of replacing them is often greater in
few years than the expense of the
needed buildings, yet they require land
space, increase the cost of repairs, taxes,
etc, beyond the income of small farm,
and last, but not least, call for consid-
erable sum of ready money at the time of
building-a sum often impossible OF &C.
cumulation on the small farm, where,
owing to that very handicap, the expense
is proportionately greater.
farm. would say, "Add acres when
practicable, but always add fertility by
every possible means" A small farm
cultivated may be more valu-
able than a large one that Is neglected,
but there are few farmers who will spend
as much time on q quarter acre of any
given field crop as his neighbor does on
three acres of the same variety, and If he
did, would the profit be proportionate
to the time and labor? The most OF
people have certain standard of excel
lence, and when the result of their efforts
approaches that point they are content.
Furthermore, the small farmer cannot
afford to waste time and strength in
"gilt-edged farming" but must ever keep
the practical in view, however much he
may long for perfection. His friend
with more acres and larger income may
raise q certain field Of grain, potatoes or
celery at a loss, simply for pleasure or
experiment, but no such tempting luxury
is within the reach Of him whose every
penny is required for the stress of daily
life.
1t requires as much for the support of
a family on a small farm as on a large
one, and when it is needful to use milk,
butter, eggs, vegetables and fruit to
nearly the extent of possible production,
there is very little income. Yet the roof
will leak or the baby fall sick without
any regard for the condition of the
family purse.
The tendency of the future will be
toward larger acreage and more and
better machinery, and the small farmer
who has not made good will be driven to
seek place among the mills of some
manufacturing town.. E. Plant, Maine
Farmer.