GENERAL FARM MANAGEMENT. 
325 
Promptness. —Every farmer should he a prompt man, prompt 
in the discharge of his business, and particularly prompt in 
meeting his pecuniary engagements. Yet merchants, editors, 
and business men generally, complain loudly of farmers in this 
respect, and I am afraid, with some justice. It is plain that 
they stand in their own light, in this matter; they certainly di¬ 
minish their credit, besides embarrassing the business of the 
country by dilatory conduct in this respect, while their gain in 
holding on to their grain is always doubtful. But their lack of 
good faith appears to result, not so much from dishonesty, as 
from the want of good business habits; their creditors fare no 
worse than do their fields and animals at home. It is probable 
that the majority of farmers do not practice book-keeping to 
much extent, hence their imperfect knowledge of their expenses 
and their liabilities, of their gains and their losses. Did the 
farmers establish for themselves a firm reputation for integrity 
and punctuality, it would be much to their advantage, as they 
would find no difficulty, in case of need, in obtaining temporary 
loans, or accommodation at the banks. 
Delight in Farming. —No man can prosecute any busi¬ 
ness to much advantage unless he likes it, even if he has a nat¬ 
ural capacity for it, for his not delighting in it, will prevent the 
development of that capacity. Between a farmer who loves 
his business, and one that does not, there must be a striking 
difference, visible chiefly in their operations, and in the results 
that attend them. 
But let us, in imagination, picture the perfect farmer, the 
man who loves his occupation, and is conversant with all its 
parts. He is upright in his transactions, and enterprising in 
his operations. His undertakings so generally succeed, that 
he becomes the object of envy, or of admiration, and men be¬ 
gin to call him lucky. He is not excessively elated by success 
nor inordinately depressed by misfortune. Poor crops and low 
markets affect him not, for they are elements, which from his 
intimate acquaintance with his business, and with the nature of 
