780 PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. Pari III. 



tone of clergy, and lawyers ; the game, and the chances of disputes concerning it j the 

 morals of the serving class ; schools, places of worship, &c. It is evident, that in hardly 

 any one instance can all the circumstances above enumerated be favourably combined. 

 But the active and intelligent farmer will not be discouraged by the obstacles he may 

 have to surmount ; but will strenuously endeavour, by exertion, industry, and persever- 

 ance, to overcome the diflficulties he must unavoidably encounter. These are vague 

 generalities, and may be thought too commonplace for a work of this description ; but 

 the young farmer on the look-out for a farm may not be the worse for having his memory 

 refreshed by them. 



Chap. II. 



Considerations respecting Himself, which a Farmer ought to keep in view in selecting and 



hiring a Farm. 



4811. Whoever intends to embrace farming as a profession, will be less likely to meet 

 with disappointment, if he previously examines a little into his own disposition and 

 talents ; and weighs his expectations against ordinary results. Nor is it less essential 

 that he should estimate justly the extent to which his capital may be adequate, and keep 

 regular accounts. 



Sect. I. Personal Character and Expectations of a professional Farmer. 



4812. Every one loho proposes to farm with success, Professor Thaer observes, ought to 

 unite energy and activity, to reflection, to experience, and to all necessary knowledge. 

 It is true, he says, farming has long been considered as an occupation fit for a young 

 man incapable for any other, and such have sometimes succeeded ; but this has always 

 been chiefly owing to a fortunate concurrence of circumstances, which it is not now very 

 easy to meet with. 



4813. The practice of agriculture consists of an infinite number of particular operations, each of which 

 appears easy in itself, but is often for that very reason the more difficult to execute to the precise extent 

 required ; one operation so often interferes with another. To regulate them according to the given time 

 and strength, and in such a way that none is neglected, or causes the neglect of others, requires at once a 

 great deal of attention and act-vity, without inquietude ; of promptitude without precipitation j of general 

 views, and yet with an extreme attention to details. 



4814. To casualties and accidents no business is so much exposed as farming; and therefore, to enjoy an 

 ordinary degree of happiness. Professor Thaer considers it essential that the farmer possess a certain 

 tranquillity of mind. This, he says, may either be the result of a naturally phlegmatic habit of body, or of 

 elevated views in religion or philosophy. These will enable him to bear with every misfortune arising 

 from adverse seasons, or the death of live stock 5 and only permit him to regret accidents which result 

 from his own neglect. 



4815. The expectations of profit and happiness which a young farmer has formed ought to be well 

 weighed against the profits and happiness of farmers in general. However superior a farmer may con. 

 sider his own talents and abilities, he may rest assured there are a number as skilful and adroit as 

 himself, and just as likely to realise extraordinary advantages. Let none therefore engage in farming, 

 thinking to make more money than other farmers similarly circumstanced with himself. If from a happy 

 concurrence of circumstances he is more than usually successful, so much the better, and let him consider 

 it as partly owing- to good fortune as well as good farming ; but never let him set out on the supposition of 

 gaining extraordinary advantages with only ordinary means. 



4816. The profits of farming, are much exaggerated by people in general ; but it maybe asserted as an 

 unquestionable fact, that no capital affords less profit than that employed in farming, except that sunk in 

 landed property. This is the natural result both of the universality of the business and of its nature. 

 Farming is every where practised, and every one thinks he may easily become a farmer ; hence high rents, 

 which necessarily lessen the profits on capital. From the nature of farming, the capital employed is re- 

 turned seldom. A tradesman may lay out and return his capital several times a year ; but a farmer can 

 never, generally speaking, grow more than one crop per annum. Suppose he succeeds in raising the best 

 possible crops in his given circumstances, still his profits have an absolute limit : for if an ordinary crop be 

 as five, and the best that can be grown be as seven, all that the most fortunate concurrence of circum- 

 stances will give is not great, and is easily foreseen. It is hardly possible for a farmer, paying the market 

 price for his land, to make much more than a living for himself and family. Those few who have ex. 

 ceeded this, will be /ound to have had leases at low rents; indulgent landlords; to have profited by 

 accidental rises in the market, or depreciation of currency ; or to have become dealers in com and cattle ; 

 and rarely indeed to have realised any thing considerable by mere good culture of a farm at the market 

 price. Very different is the case of a tradesman, who, with the properties which we have mentioned as 

 requisite for a good farmer, seldom fails of realising an independency. 



4S17. Many persons, chagi-ined ivith a city life, or tireA of their profession, fancy they will find profit 

 and happiness by retiring to the country and commencing farming. Independently of the pecuniary 

 losses attending such a change, none is more certain of being attended with disappointment to the 

 generality of men. I'he activity required, and the privations that must be endured, are too painful to be 

 submitted to ; whilst the dull uniformity of a farmer's life to one accustomed to the bustle of cities, be- 

 comes intolerable to such as do not find resources in their fire-sides, their own minds, or, as Professor 

 Thaer observes, in the study of nature. 



4818. The most likely persons to engage in farming with success are the sons of farmers, 

 or such others as have been regularly brought up to the practice of every part of agri- 

 culture. They must also have an inclination for the profession, as well as a competent 

 understanding of its theory or principles. Books are to be found every where, from 

 which the science of the art is to be obtained ; and there are eminent farmers in the 

 improved districts who take apprentices as pupils. 



4819. In The Husbandry of Scotland, the case is mentioned of Walker, of Mellendcan, an eminent 



