15 



per cent, of what is needful for the same crop under 

 reverse conditions ; and the ravages oi the innumerable 

 insects, which prey on the crop, while man prays to have 

 them not, is partially overcome by high tillage ; another 

 forcible motive which should determine us to forsake this 

 niggardly method of coveting more acres than we can 

 manage intelligently, is, that the excessive valuation, and 

 high rates of taxation (to which the farmer is often- 

 times unjustly subjected), will devour a small crop. The 

 saying, that two things in this world are certain — death 

 and taxation — presents a gloomy outlook for the farmer 

 when he ponders upon the fact that the methods of levying 

 taxes discriminate between his acres and his neighbors' 

 interest-bearing bonds. 



Do not misconstrue remarks of this nature as equivalent 

 to a desire to deprecate taxation. On the contrary, I con- 

 sider that the farmer can reap benefits if the funds are 

 intelligently and Judicious/ // expended which may amply 

 repay him for his contribution of more than his share. I 

 say judiciously, but not extravagantly expended. It is 

 injudicious expenditures in town and city affairs which are 

 the indirect leaks and drains on the farmer's purse as 

 much as though the waste occurred in his barnyard as a 

 direct loss. 



The suburban resident or farmer must contribute to the 

 maintenance of many public departments which furnish 

 him no protection or advantages. He should therefore 

 manifest a deep interest in those affairs which more directly 

 pertain to his welfare, prominent among which is the 

 building and repairing of the public roads ; and their often- 

 times neglected condition causes much annoyance, discom- 



