The Farm as a Place of Business. 



By JoriN Jeannin, Jr. 



Much has been said of late about the abandoned farms of the 

 " Eastern States," and the depreciation of value of farm lands, 

 the foreclosure of farm mortgages, that one not acquainted with 

 the facts would naturally infer that farming, as a business, is 

 somewhat of a failure, and that to invest money in farms or 

 farm mortgages is risky. 



Why is it thus? We have the same sunshine, the soil is not all 

 impoverished, machinery enables the farmer to accomplish more 

 work in one day than his grandfather did in two. 



The markets are better to-day than 50 years ago. Fifty years 

 ago, shipping farm produce 100 miles was the privilege of but a 

 few. To-day, the farmer of New York State grows crops to 

 be disposed of in Europe (with the aid of cold storage and rapid 

 transit). 



The fruit growers of Florida ship strawberries 2,000 miles, 

 while the farmers of New England hold in cold storage pears 

 and apples for months, until their products command a better 

 price. 



The dairy farmers of central New York market their milk 

 300 miles to New York city, getting more money for the same 

 than if made into butter. With these and many other advan- 

 tages that science and engineering have brought to us, we still 

 hear the wail, " Farming don't pay." 



Let us farmers look at this subject in a more philosophical way 

 by asking ourselves these questions: Do we apply the same 

 business methods and integrity to our farming operations that 

 the successful merchant or manufacturer does to his business? 

 Have we kept in pace with the improvements and possibilities 

 that are so closely watched by all successful business men? 



Can we blame the younger generation for leaving the farm 

 for something that pays better? 



We must remember this is a progressive age, and if we do 

 not use progressive methods on the farm, the best element of our 

 boys will seek success elsewhere. 



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