FARMING COMPARED 783 



from house to house to ply his trade. In the same manner the hides of the 

 farm animals were tanned and made into gloves, boots and shoes for 

 members of the family by the shoemaker who went from farm to farm for 

 this purpose. 



• Conditions, however, have now greatly changed. Land values have 

 risen, farming is capitalized and much more specialized than formerly. 

 The standard of living has also risen, so that farmers sell and buy much 

 more extensively than formerly. 



The business ability required of the farmer is not so much that of 

 the merchant or trader as it is that of the organizer who can organize the 

 enterprises of the farm in such a way as to make production profitable. 

 It is true that there is a constantly increasing need for the buying and 

 selling ability of farmers also. 



Personal Traits of the Farmer. — Success is most easily acquired in 

 the line of work one loves best; and the first problem is to get into that 

 character of work as soon as possible. Men cannot always advantageously 

 estimate their own abilities, but so far as possible, one should engage 

 in the occupation which he likes and for which he is best fitted by 

 nature, experience and training. It is important for the young man to 

 reach his decision as early as possible and then acquire the knowledge and 

 experience as rapidly as possible. While men are sometimes quite suc- 

 cessful with no particular qualifications except strength and industry, 

 this is no argument that they would not have succeeded even better with 

 knowledge and the application of science in their occupation. A good 

 executive may have fair success without doing manual work, but in farm- 

 ing the highest success is usually attained by those -who combine executive 

 ability with labor. Scientific knowledge, experience, business ability, 

 manual and mechanical skill, and hard work make a combination that is 

 successful. 



Farm Experience. — Experience is one of the essentials to success in 

 farming. City industries are specialized. Farming calls for experience 

 with the weather, diseases of plants and animals, insect pests, the feeding 

 of plants and animals, breeding, machinery, business affairs and numerous 

 other things that it takes time to learn. For one not reared on a farm, 

 experience is best acquired by seeking employment under the direction of 

 a successful farmer. If engaged in farming in a new locality, one should 

 follow the practice of the most successful neighbors. When he can dupli- 

 cate the results of his best neighbors, it will then be time enough to under- 

 take changes that will make for improvement. 



The Farm Hand. — Most of the farm hands in the United States are 

 young men, a large percentage of whom later expect to become farmers. 

 The farm hand receiving $25 a month with board, room and washing, 

 will generally be able to save more than he would if employed in the city 

 at $50 per month. Not only are his living expenses greatly reduced, but 

 the temptation and opportunity to spend for pleasure is also reduced. 



