Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1879 — The Farmers of the Future. [ARTICLE]

The Farmers of the Future.

Who are to be the farmers of the future? Where are those who will occupy the old homesteads? Who. shall be the best farmer “in our neighborhood?” By far the largest portion of the future farmers are already on the homestead. The young men and boys living on their father’s farms are the candidates for the worthy position of “ best farmer.” Some one amongthemwill. outrank all others. Why r Because he was born so? No! not by any means. Simply because he will make himself the best. Young men who desire to stand well among their fellows, or who are ambitious to stand above them, have the encouraging fact to spur them on to attain such a position, and to bear always in ipind, that there are no farmer geniuses born to the position. The highest rank awaits anyone who will grasp the prise; and who shall succeed in acquiring it, depends solely upon the efforts made by each. Furtnei more, the actual position each will assume, will be proportionate to the energy and perseverance put forth. Now, these two words, energy and perseverance, need not scare anyone. They don’t mean overworking oneself and complete exhaustion. On the contrary, they prevent any such suicidal practice, or wasteful habit. One’s strength and powers must be held under LWatrol—husbanded, and a check administered now and then, or else “energy;” or otherwise “perseverance,” will not be able to hold out.' They exclude frantic and spasmodic exertions which do not promote advancement, but, on the contrary, very greatly retard it. ’ How shall these two qualities be apKlied to make successful farmers of the oys and young men? Well, if you have not begun the application already, start at 6nce. Lay the foundation now. And let that foundation be thought. Keep one word always in the front and on the right and left, above and below you, until your whole expression and personality shall indicate it. That word is— Whyt You are sent to plow

afield a certain way—think, “WhyP” You harrow it once. It is not enough. Yoa are sent the second, and even a third time over it. Think, “WhyP” You cultivate a crop first One way, then another—"WhyP” The cattle must lie regularly watered; your father says: “You attend to it.” Think while doing it T -“WhyP" The feed, must be changed. “WhyP” The plow must bo sharpened. “WnvP” In snort, white cultivating your father’s field, cultivate the field ot thought in your own mind. Do notask “WhyP” think “ Why P” Solve for your own self each problejn as it appears, and it may occur that you will bo able to answer “why” to many difllculies that confront and confuse older heads around you.. Fiyst, then, lay the foundation of your future success upon a deep and broad " WhyP’ Do not be mere machines to perform the routine only of the work assigned you.— M. Oakey, in Rural New Yorker.