104 WISCONSIN AGEICULTUEE. 



wliat may we expect, when the value of the prize to be won is 

 still greater? We repeat, that speculation inevitably begets 

 idleness and deception. 



Probably there is no business or pursuit, that depends more 

 upon stability and permanence, for absolute and high success, 

 than farming. Even in this Western country, upon the clean 

 open prairie, it is the labor of years to make up a good farm, 

 and to bring it to that ripe maturity that will enable it to pay 

 back in fall, and from year to year, for the labor bestowed. 



The farmer who raises crops upon new shallow plowed, and 

 half tilled fields, only gets half paid ordinarily, for his labor and 

 outlay ; and even this scanty product, is often very much dimin- 

 ished by the intrusion of unruly animals, for want of adequate 

 fence. And then, again, this scanty product is too often further 

 taxed and tolled, before it finally gets to market, for want of 

 good convenience for threshing and sheltering. Put then, all 

 these considerations together, that are the inseparable compan- 

 ions of all temporary beginnings upon new farms, and they de- 

 monstrate conclusively, that all such new beginnings must be 

 made at great loss, compared with the same amount and outlay 

 of labor upon a farm, when everything is complete, perfect and 

 ready for each operation ; from the opening of spring, to the 

 close of autumn — from the commencement of winter, to the 

 again recurring spring. 



The farmer whose manure has been all drawn out and prop- 

 erly disposed of; whose lands have been all well and deeply 

 plowed in autumn, ready for the spring ; whose tools and imple- 

 ments, have all been properly looked over and repaired in the 

 winter work-shop, ready for the opening campaign ; whose wood 

 pile has been cut and carefully stowed beneath the shed for 

 summer use ; whose seed of every kind, is all in its respective 

 places, dean and in perfect order for use; whose teams have 

 been well wintered, and are hale and hearty for the spring labor. 

 How different is he situated to take hold of his farming, on the 

 opening of our short springs ? how different his prospects and 

 chances of getting good paying crops, of good praiseworthy qual- 

 ity, compared with the man just starting upon a new farm, with 



