Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1880 — Docs Farming Pay? [ARTICLE]

Docs Farming Pay?

That is a question that occasionally stares us in the face in the best agricultural journals, not as emanating from the editors, but from some doubting ones who obtain access to their columns. “Does farming pay?” {Why, indeed, if farming does not pay, what does? Wliat will? Agriculture lies at the base of all Natiomu prosperity, and when it does not flourish, or is without vitality, or will not bring more than it costs, there can be no wealth, power or growth. It therefore does pay, and must pay. . Perhaps there are individual farmers who carry on their business in a slovenly, slip-shod way that returns no profits and causes the pursuit to appear like the road to ruin. Farming is like every other profession—it must be conducted with economy, energy and skill. The farmer who plies his work so that he only secures a deficient crop—half a crop or no crop—will fail in the occupation, and discover eventually that nis manner of farming does not pay. Bnt the farmer who is industrious, systematic and thorough—who loves his caliiug—who takes advantage of all his opportunities, will find that fanning realizes profits in numerous ways. There are solid returns to place on the credit side of his ledger—a surplus to go to his account in the bank, or to be loaned out on interest to his neighbors, or, what is better, to be expended in necessary or wise improvements. These answer the question at the head of this article, and solvo all that there is problematical in the matter. But what is the farmer to do who finds that he cannot make his two ends meet after struggling along in the vain effort to cause his methods to pay? He can give up his farm and hire himself out as a laborer, or he may hie to the town and set up a grocery, only if farming did not pay I can hardly see who would have the means to buy groceries. But if farming did not pay when followed by such a person, it is doubtful whether any other business would. The farmer should work with his own hands, and every one around him should cheerfully follow his example. If he is raising a family of boys, he grows rich as their number and muscular power increase. Even girls are not to be considered as burdens. There is much that they can do to bring in the dimes and dollars, and to make farming pay. The main point to be kept in view at all times by the head of the family is to be sure that his income exceeds his outf;oes. Then it will be ascertained that arming pays ns well as any other un dertaking.— Cor. Country Gentleman.