84 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



standard of morals in the community), it is not within the 

 range of the farmer's opportunities. 



It follows, then, that if the assertion that farming is "played 

 out" means that farming is not a promising road to wealth, 

 it is undeniably true. But if it means that Plymouth County 

 farmers fail to secure a comfortable subsistence, fail to ed- 

 ucate their children, fail oftener than other men to pay their 

 honest debts, fail, as a class, to discharge creditably their 

 obligations to society, or even fail, in any unusual degree to 

 secure the respect of the community, the allegation is untrue 

 and discreditable to the judgment or the candor of those who 

 make it. 



But the fact that farmers seldom confine themselves wholly 

 to the legitimate operations of the farm, but resort more or 

 less extensively to other avocations, is urged as conclusive 

 evidence that farming is not a living business. The fact itself 

 must be admitted ; but the conclusion does not follow neces- 

 sarily. In our climate but few if any of the most important 

 labors on the farm can be advantageously performed between 

 November and April. It is certainly creditable to farmers, 

 as a class, that they have the disposition and the ability, in 

 the interim, to direct their energies to the successful prosecu- 

 tion of other business, at least to such an extent as to relieve 

 themselves of the imputation of idleness, and to add some- 

 thing, if necessary, to an otherwise slender income. But 

 whatever may be the reason, it is no uncommon thing in 

 Plymouth County to find men who are good fVirmers, and, at 

 the same time, good mechanics, acceptable preachers, success- 

 ful manufacturers, or of reputable standing in other callings 

 or professions. And it is no inconsiderable item on the credit 

 »ide of the farmer's account with life, that this alternation or 

 combination of employments enables him to escape the weari- 

 some monotony incident to some other avocations, which, for 

 months and j'ears, perhaps for life, confine those who adopt 

 them to the self-same bench or desk, compel them to repeat 

 continually the self-same processes, to exercise the self-same 

 muscles, or the self-same class of mental faculties, where any 

 mental effort may be required beyond the training supplied by 

 mere habit. It will be easily conceded that, except for the 

 impossibility of acquiring wealth, many a harassed employer, 



