12 REPORTS OP COMMITTEES. 



in value of the grass consequent upon its standing a few days 

 and in some cases weeks after the moment of its greatest 

 value arrives, would sometimes pay for a machine in one hay 

 season. 



The buildings are well arranged, with facilities for con- 

 veniently carrying on the ordinary operations, with a good 

 cellar under the barn for saving manure. Water was in 

 plentiful supply to the buildings and pastures during the 

 whole of the past very dry season. 



In conversation with Mr. Adams, we inquired of him if he 

 thought that he could have commenced life as a mechanic, 

 placing his small capital at interest, and been in equally good 

 circumstances as he is at the present time. He was decidedly 

 of the opinion that he could not have done it and brought 

 up and cared for his family equally well. He ran in debt 

 for his farm, and then, instead of devoting his whole energies 

 toward immediately paying it off, by skinning his farm, he 

 had the foresight to purchase manure, thus getting still far- 

 ther into debt, all the time believing that in the end he could 

 pay it all the easier. 



Here is where many an ambitious young farmer fails. 

 They make themselves slaves to the nightmare of a debt, 

 imagining that until it is paid they can do nothing for the 

 farm or themselves. A small debt to an intelligent and 

 energetic farmer is not worth the loss of a night's sleep, 

 while the opposite class, who ought to be frightened by it, 

 sleep on notwithstanding. Many people have no faith in 

 their own farming, as is evidenced by the fact of their not 

 investing any of their surplus earnings in the business. If 

 a farmer invests his money in corporative stocks that pay but 

 six per cent, dividends, it is simply a confession that that is 

 the best use he can make of it, or, in other words, he does not 

 understand sufficiently his own pursuit, or has not confidence 

 enough in it, to expect a return of six per cent, for his out- 

 lays. Such people, we think, should leave farming for some- 

 thing else that offers greater inducements to them. When a 



