The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-09
I'D, THE POOR FARMER.
He stin Manages 90 Live Comfortably.
Pay Ills BiIls and Own Automobiles.

Pay Ills Bills and Own Automobiles.
To THE EDITOR OF THE suN-Sir. The
Government and n sentimental public are
trying to Guido one another In expressions
OF fearful sympathy and pity for tho poor
farmer" whose hard and lonely life" ana
"meagrc compensations' demand immedi-
ate relief. Thus Uncle SANS favorite
wards receive each year larger and
larger share OF the public moneys. NOT
content with giving him land for little or
nothing. he Is taught how to farm at no
cost to himself by special agents whose
duty II Is to go to the territory assigned
them by tho Department Of Agriculture,
and there show any farmer who wishes IL
how to grow corn, soy beans. cotton or
potatoes, while he may also receive from
this benencent uncle informing letters
each day on subjects pertaining to his
especial calling by applying for the same
TO his Representative. Prizes are given
to his children for raising fine corn, toma-
toes, hogs, &c. through the state colleges.
and instructors are sent out, IL necessary.
to show these youngsters how to start corn
clubs pig clubs, tomato clubs. Even the
farmers wife Is not exempt, and receives
Instructions and instructors on every con-
ceivable subject from the proper methods
OF drying fruits to the most economical
and nutritious bill OF fare for the farmers
daily meals. while bulletins are sent her
on how to sleep at night. how to I'LL and
light the house lamp. how to grow flowers
IN pans. cans and old drain tiles. Senators
and Congressman are unhappy unless they
can Introduce n bill. or at least make
speech. on the immediate needs OF succor-
ing the "downtrodden and neglected tiller
OF the soil"
The successful farmer needs no help.
nor does he ask IL from any one. The
sooner the unsuccessful man In whatever
business Is allowed to realize his short
comings and so makes up his mind to
work for his more capable brethren, the
better on he and his family will be. The
legitimate help for the farmer should
come from the State agricultural colleges.
and Il IL the intended function Of the eX-
pertinent stations to respond to an occa-
sional appeal for advice from farmers.
but the farmers have also one OF the most
powerful agents back Of them ready to
meet any call. namely. the National
Grange. The legitimate work OF the Fed
era Department OF Agriculture should be
Investigation. research and the prosecu-
ton OF interstate lawbreakers. For here
IL field beyond the reach OF State in
sttutions. and also where the most valu-
able assistance may be rendered TO ag-
riculturc. The expenses OF the Agricul-
turA Department are increasing every
year. while irrigation and draining prof.
ects call for millions OF dollars. not 20
mention the ever growing number OF Gov
eminent employees or the constant de-
mand for funds to start experimental
farms for the breeding OF horses. cattle
! and SO on. All this and much more for
the poor. downtrodden and neglected
| farmer"
Let US make n flying visit 20 one or
/ two farmhouses that we may see for our
selves just how the farmers manage to
exist. Bear In mind that In the world OF
commerce about 20 per cent fail. whereas
| In the agricultural world the proportion
| IA not over 80 per cent, by failures" Is
/ meant absolute failures. where the farm
er Is sold out by the sheriff.
In western New York man owns tfty-
seven acres OF land He had common
| country school education when he took up
| his fathers rundown farm: he was faced
| with IA $4,000 mortgage. and possessed
/ only wagon. n carriage. one harness,
! three horses, one cow and "A few old tools
| and implements. lie went into debt $3.50.
/ gave his note for three cows and what
| was the result? To-day after eighteen
years of we'll planned work he owns one OF
| the best organized and most profitable
| farms in the county. his house IL attrac-
| tive, the grounds about II are well cared
/ for. his gardens are delight TO the eye.
and for the last eight or nine years his
net annual returns have been "a bit over
$500. or per cent. on an investment of
| $4,000. This man possessed not only
Industry but ability in applying II, and
| his case Is only one OF thousands.
Again In Ohio. where the corn grows tall
and the proud steer grows fat, there lives
! a family consisting of an active, wide
awake young man. with his father. mother
| and his wife. The men are in partnership
and farm $50 acres OF rich level land
devoted to corn. alfalfa. cattle and hogs.
Three men do all the work and the net
| result at the end OF each year IL between
$1,000 and 1900. and often more on an
| investment of about $4,000. corn. cattle.
hogs and ambition having proved an ex-
cellent combination in this case toward
showing up the fat Of the land.
Now to show the other side, where
proper ability Is lacking. A farm In New
England consists OF 100 acres and has
been In the owners possession many years
He and his family have managed to make
some kind OF "a living, but In addition 10
"A large mortgage his notes are held by
many In the neighboring village. Each
year he tries to pay on some OF his
obligations. but II the warning elements
prove too much for him he Is barely able
to pay his interest This man is ncom-
petent, lazy and shiftless. though honest
but would 1ave failed in any mercantile
business In six months.
such stories could be multiplied indef-
nitely. but a few examples suffice to show
that the factors essential To success in any
business are the same as those required
in farming operations. My contention Is
very forcibly brought out In IL letter just
published by the Information bureau oi
the Department OF Agriculture concerning
business methods and education as relat ed
to successful farming. The Department
has gathered figures from 273 farms oper-
ated BY owners and 2i7 farms operated
by tenants. cite the case OF the tenant
farmers. as they are In the majority the