99 
POOR FARMING AND BAD MANAGEMENT. 
Among a class so large as that which constitutes the farming interest 
of this country, including contributions from almost every foreign na- 
tionality, there must be much of poverty, ignorance, prejudice, and want 
of industry and skill; and our returns are necessarily replete with re- 
ports of this character. These evils constitute an obstacle in the way of 
true growth and progressive development as an agricultural nation 
which are not sufficiently realized. Their existence cannot be concealed, 
and it is proper that a glimpse of them should be obtained through the 
following extracts: 
Crawford, Ohio.—Farmers here need not be discouraged ; everything grown can be 
sold for cash, at good prices; but many farms are becoming worn out, because so many 
farmers are so slow in learning that they cannot take good crops from the soil continu-' 
ously without offering a return. Again, they cannot apparently be taught the value 
of draining, consequently much land is almost marsh, or too wet, which might be re- 
claimed by a little underdraining. Systematic rotation of crops they seem to know 
little of. 
Kalamazoo, Mich—Want of skill and intelligence as to the best method of farm- 
ing is an evil among a large class of farmers. There is a strange prejudice against any 
of the suggestions of science or of book farming. The ‘“stone-in-the-bag-to-mill” idea 
of the fathers is adhered to with great obstinacy from generation to generation. Too 
much land to carry on, and too little help and means to improve it properly, is another 
sore evil. Many a poor honest farmer is harassed and driven from year’s end to year’s 
end, and after toiling through summer’s heat and winter’s cold, with a burden of cares 
and anxieties almost insupportable, finds himself at last just able to keep the wolf 
from the door. The desire of farmers, each to own all the adjoining land to their farms, 
already too large, and the acquisition of. the same as fast as money can be obtained to 
purchase, has been, in my judgment, one of the many hindrances to thoroughness and 
success. There are also the evils of the poorer class of farmers being obliged to sell 
their produce as soon as it is harvested, whether the market is favorable or not, of com- 
binations of “operators” and ‘ middle-men ;” the monstrous monopolies of transporta- 
tion mediums; the ravages of insects ; the distemper that wasteth at noonday; the 
influences of climate; these and many others are mainly exterior, and can be overcome 
by careful, intelligent co-operation and patient investigation. 
Stark, Ind—Whatever discouragement exists among farmers arises from their own 
neglect and ignorance. The remedies I would suggest are a thorough agricultural edu- 
cation of boys designed for farmers and a thorough organization of the farmers them- 
selves for discussion of the different methods of culture and co-operation to secure 
better prices. 
Breckenridge, Ky.—It is evident to any thinking man that the causes of dis- 
couragement are the old-fogy notions of the first settlers from Virginia, which have been 
handed down from father and son until it has become the law of the land that any 
departure from them is a heresy not to be tolerated. 
Randolph, W. Va.—Remoteness from market and want of cheap modes of trans- 
portation, combined with lack of industry, energy, and enterprise, are the causes of 
discouragement. 
Howard, Md.—Our troubles arise from poor land, poor prices, terribly protracted 
droughts in successive years, poor roads, poor people, rich politicians, no enterprise, 
stagnation. We made some splendid beginnings of several agricultural associations, 
but at the last meeting, held in the rear part of a store, the president sat on a fish- 
barrel and received motions from the only two members present, one of whom was the 
writer, and he left. The remedy is in the farmer’s hands, but he does not see it, and the 
consequent burden is grinding him to powder, standing as he does between the upper 
millstone of anti-combination and the nether one of apathetic ignorance. phy 
Waukesha, Wis.—In relation to discouragements, I think none can be said to exist in 
Waukesha County, except such as result from stupid, ignorant, or shiftless farming. 
From 1840 to 1850, prices of farm products were low, markets quickly glutted, and as 
arule the work of the farm done by hand. The farmer’s life was then one of toil. 
From 1850 to 1860, some farm-machinery began to appear, and railroads for travel and 
transportation ; but pricesruled low ; wheat rusted, and frosts nipped the corn. From 
1860 to 1873, seasons with us favorable; no rust; no untimely frosts of consequence ; 
prices good, and sometimes high ; market demands quickly take all products from the 
farm; farm-machinery does the heaviest of farm work, with more perfection than ever 
before; railroad facilities for marketing farm products everywhere extended. Com- 
plaints that labor is scarce and high are heard on every hand, but improved farm-ma- 
chinery more than compensates that. Formerly, a strong man could possibly mow two 
