344 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



one in the hands of those who use it wisely. How singular 

 it is that so few people have it, or at least have it under the 

 control of will. Some people say no simply because they 

 are naturally ugly, and take that way to vent their spleen. 

 Such people have no more control of the word, however, 

 than do those who don't dare to use it for fear of offending 

 somebody. No man is a success, in so far as self-mastery 

 goes, who has not acquired the art of saying no at the right 

 time, in the right place, and in the right manner ; kindly 

 but firmly, no. The inability to do this has brought ruin 

 upon the household of many a well-meaning and in many 

 other respects successful farmer. What a harvest lightning- 

 rod men, book agents, insurance agents, confidence men and 

 sharpers of all grades have had throughout our rural districts. 

 The power of saying no is valuable not only to be used 

 against sharpers, but also against well-meaning calls for aid, 

 for whatever object, whenever one is in a position where he 

 cannot afford to give. It is no charity, neither is it religion, 

 to steal money from creditors to give either for charitable or 

 religious purposes. A farmer should also be so familiar with 

 his affairs that he may know just how much he can afford to 

 give. Few there are that cannot afford to give something. 

 Too many either give just what they are asked to give, or 

 else refuse altogether, thus wronging either themselves or 

 their creditors on the one hand, or losing the benefits to be 

 derived from the injunction that it is more blessed to give 

 than to receive on the other. 



Then, too, in the family itself, the art of saying no just 

 right is a fine art. Upon the farm the wife as well as the 

 husband should always know the condition of the finances. 

 This is of more vital importance than many suspect. In 

 regard to any matter which comes up that requires the 

 expenditure of money, if judgment does not say yes, if 

 there is the least doubt, a good rule is to say no. About 

 ten times out of ten this will be right. 



The Family Relation. 

 And God said, " It is not good for man to be alone." I 

 have saved, as the last essential to success upon the farm, 

 the family relation, — last but not least. Without the family 



