California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences, Volume 31, Number 4, 11 February 1869 — THE FARMER ON THE SAFE SIDE [ARTICLE]

THE FARMER ON THE SAFE SIDE

Tbe farmer is apt to think the professional man, or tbe merchant, lives an easy and luxurious life. In many iustances tbeir families may do so; but witb tbe eminent and successful man of law or science—tbe artisan or merchant bimsell—such a supposition is a grjai mistake. There is not under heaven's broad canopy a more laborious class of men than these. Labor of body and of mind are theirs, aud tbat incessant. See tbem early, late, in season and out of season—their whole energies devotod lo tbeir several callings wilbuolrest or intermission—and far too trequen tly to the premtture wasting of lile itself. It is uo wonder that such industry directed by good education, (and by this term education 1 mean the entire training of tbe boy to mauhood in its oxtended sense), and stimulated hy a laudable ambition, should lead to success. Yet witb all these appliances the labors of such men are often disastrous, and if not so, after a life of anxiety, their toils too Irtquently end wilh but the means of a slender support. Compared with these, the toils of the farmer are light. Physical labor he ondureß, it is true, and oitentimes severe labor, but his mind is easy. He enjoys souud reßt, and good health. He has much leisure; in many casis more than is for his good. He has abundant time to discuss politics, law, religion—everything, in fact; but on what relates to bis own profej&ion, I lament to say,, his mind seems less exercised than ou any other subject. Now lot the same early educalien be given to the young farmer of at, equally acute intellect, that is given to bim wbo chooses professional, mechanical or mercantile pursuits—educate each in his own line; let tbeni start fait; apply the same thoughts, investigations, energy uud toil, each in his particular sphere, and beyond all question, agriculture will, iv tbo aggregate, have the advantage—and lor ibis reuson, if for no other, there are but few contingencies connected witb agriculture' Its basis is "the firm set earth," stamped witb the Divine promise, that while it remains, seed time and harvest shall continue; while commerce and trade, mechanics and arts are liable to extraordinary and continued accident. Look at tbe devastation by Hood and fire—or ship and cargo upon ocean, lake, eea and river; conflagrations in towns and cities, and the thousand other casualties which almost daily occur, all of which are a dead weight upon labor and capital not agricultural, and, the risks of tbe husbandman arc scarce one to ten in the comparison. Kely upon it then, farmers, you are on the "ea/e tide," Continue in your noble calling and take your position among the sons of men, as tbe second creators of wealth.— Maitachutettt Ploughman.

Forty PocnoJTckkiys. —A Mr. Pierce.of East Windsor, Mass., told the .New York Farmers' Club recently, tbat turkeys weighing forty pounds are not uncommon in the eastern part of Massachusetts; and |jiat be saw one at tbe New England fair a few £ears ago, said to weigh sixty pounds. To this tbe Brandon Farmers and Mechanics' Club reply that they don't believe this kind of tqrkey exsists in that state, or in New England except upon paper. Tbe President of lhat Club last year offered $25 for a forty pound turkey. He received "lots" of letters about fancy poultry at fancy prices, but no one claimed tbe $25. The Secretary now offers, in behalf of tlfc club, $50 for a turkey cock weighing forty pouuds and two bens weighing twenty-five pounds each. We don't expect to bear that the money m taken at a very early date.

—A gentleman addressed his servant: "Jamos I have always placed the greatest confidence in you; now tell me James, how is it that my butchers bills are so large, and I always bave such bad dinners?" "Really sir, I don't know, for I am sure we never have any thing nice in the kitchen, that we don't send some of it op to the parlor;

A farmsr without "gumption," is like a rudderless ship ft lea. By "gumption," we mean practical tact, which is absolutely Indispensable as an important element of success.