Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-02-15
AGRICULTURAL.
SIZE OF FARMS.

We made some remarks few months
since, relative to the proper size of farms,
endeavoring to show that the greatest
profit is derived from farms of considera-
bic size, or where division of labor could
be adopted, 1t is our object at this time
to show that farmers generally, by Gull
tlvating too much land, actually lessen
their psofts by losing the advantages of
division of labor; while, if they should
cultivate a smaller quantity in a proper
manner, they would in reality arrive at
those advantages much more readily.
To make money by farming requires,
first, as great an amount of product from
crops as possible; secondly, that this be
produced by as little expense or labor as
possible; and thirdly, that as little capital
as possible be invested. To arrive at all
of these points together, it is necessary to
raise large crops, to effect a division of
labor, and use labor-saving implements
and machines, and 10 till no more land
than can be done to the best advantag
That this is to be effected by course diff
ferent from that generally pursued, only
requires an exhibition of facts to prove.
1t will perhaps be generally admitted
that much larger crops than are usually
raised, may be obtained by taking the
necessary pains. If the expense Of rails
ing the same quantity on small piece Of
ground is no greater than raising it on a
large piece, the farm would Of course be
the more profitable, for it would require
less capital in land but if it is in reality
found to be less expensive, then it becomes
doubly profitable. The question arises,
what are the relative expenses and profits
ofthe two methods, and if the practice of
raising large crops is fund to be most
profitable what is the amount of produce
which we may reasonably expect from a
given quantity of land. The best way to
determine these points is to look at what
has already been done, to examine the ex-
Periments which have been made in this
kind of farming.
Numerous trials have proved, that at
least one hundred bushels of corn may be
expected from an acre with proper cul-
ture; Earl Stimson's crop averaged this
quantity for ten successive years; and
much larger crops have often been obtain
ed. By the experiments of Gen. Barnum,
he is confidently of opinion, that by the
method he employed in cultivating the
potatoe, frem 800 to 1900 bushels to the
acre may be reasonably expected. Salts
factory evidence exists that five tons of
hay per acre have been obtained and no
less than three tons should be calculated
upon when proper system of farming is
adopted. Repeated experiments with ruta
baga have shown that with good culture
from 500 to 800 bushels may be obtained
with certainty; and from the statements
Of otkers, as well as from our own obser-
vations, we are convinced that from 1900
to 1900 bushels Of mangeI wurtzel may be
produced with equal certainty. Now, il
corn is worth seVenty-fve cents per BUSH
ell, potatoes twenty-five cents, bay eight
dollars ton, ruta baga tx elye and halt
cents bushel for feeding stock, and two
and half tons OF mangeI. wurzel worth
on an average one ton Of hay, as has been
found by experiment; then the product of
tacenty acres may beconsidered as follows
acres of corn, 500 bushels, 1915 90
8 acres Of hay, "a tons, I92 90
L acre Of potatoes, 1000 bush.,. $50 90
| 3 acres of ruta baga, LOO BUSH. 225 90
1 3 acres OF mangel wurtzel, 1000
bushels, 40 bushels to a ton,
100 tons, 800 90