The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-04-14
THE IMPORTANCE OF SYSTEM IN FARMING
OPERATIONS.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SYSTEM IN FARMING
OPERATIONS.
1t has been well said, that "Order is heav.
ems first laws" for it is apparent through all
the works of creation. Throughout natures
wide domain, every tree, or plant, or flower,
when unobstructed, exhibits the most perfect
order in its development. The combna-
tions also formed in natures laboratory, all
unite with mathematical exactness. The
crystal, whatever shape it assumes, is per.
feet, each angle is always alike, containing
the same number OF degrees. The air we
breathe is a compound, one element ofwhich
in separate state is fatal to animal life, and
yet, when unobstructed, it always combines
with the other in just such proportions as to
render the compound an indispensable rcqui.
site 10 our existence. The instinct Of the
various animals and insects, leads them to
observe the strictest system in all their la
bors. The wise man directs US to the ant
for wisdom, "who having no guide, ovorsoer,
or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer,
and gathereth her food in the harvest" The
bird builds her nest with all the skill OF all
experienced architect, and the honey bee,
constructs its cells by mathematical rules,
and in such form as to secure the greatest
amount of room in given space. Thus all
the works Of God are regulated by fixed and
settled lawa.
And the farmer, being conversant with
the works Of nature ought to be diligent
student OF her operations, and from them to
learn the Importance Of forcthought and sys'
: TEN in all his labor. Look ahead, says the
tar to his comrOde when nearing the shore,
! watch the breakers. So say we to the farm
t er. In all your business, look ahead. NJ
business can be successfully pursued with
, out syetem, and least Of all the management
Of a farm, and we'll regulated plan of op.
l erations is not the result Of random thought
Y but of reflection, based on knowledge deriv
f ed from experience, reading, or observation
THE man who works his farm at random, la
r bors but to little purpose. He may possess
knowledge, but unless that knowledge b.
systematically applied, it will be of but little
use. He may toll early and late, even tt
weariness, but disappointment will be thu
, result. Much that he intended to do will b.
1ofk md pf hnt
}, undertaken will be but half performed, an
i often out of its proper season. Such ma
i wastes his time, his energies, and his strength
. without accomplishing much that is of an
y. profit. What q spectacle do farms un
, farming operations often present where Ii
system is observed. Chaos appears to hav
D assumed control, and Hafed's chance worl
+ to be realized in miniature.
J.. System requires regular plan of business
3 properly digested by forethought, and such
=, plan saves time, and strength, and money
q and vast amount of vexatious care. LIE
d farmer, during the long evenings an
J, stormy days Of winter, plan his business fc
@ the coming season, and he will be prepare
at the return Of spring, to enter upon it wit
g vigor, and rational prospects OF success. Fl
has we'll calculated the relative strength {
h his forces, and will therefore undertake n
more business than can, in ordinary circunl
stances, be successfully accomplished.
i Business therefore invites rather than drive
him. Whatever is undertaken, is done i
such manner as to secure the best results
q Having place for every thing, and ever,
Q thing in its place, his time is not wasted i
. searching for his tools when needed, nor
o running to the blacksmith or the carpente
l. to get them mended, nor to his neighbor t
o borrow, where he is liable to disappointment
;. He settles in his mind beforehand what fielC
d to plant, and what to sow with the differer
o kinds of grain, when and where to apply h
Q manures, and other fertilizers. Hence h
labors are so directed that his ground is pr
e pared at the proper time, and in the be-
}. manner for the various crops, and when tt
:. time for their cultivation arrives, he is reaC
e to engage in it without furry or distraction
n and able to perform the work we'll. Ar
then his haryest-how different from that
a hi. neghbor, whose ground is but half Gu
: tvated and this at the wrong time. His al
!. herence to system also enables him to gatl
r. or and house his crops in proper order, ar
~ thus secure them from the wasting inhuene
" of storms and other destructive causes.
" System will also lead man to cultiva
crops in such rotation Bs to improve, rathC
n than exhaust the soil. Experiment and oil
20 servation will guide to such course, as
n best calculated to bring all the fertiizn
|. properties of the soil into such state Gs
a be available in producing crops, without e!
e hausting its fertility. In this way land ma
,r be cultivated from year to year and still r.
/. tain its productiveness. II it is proper
10 managed and fed, the effects will be as a
q parent as in the animal creation, but if it
10 overworked at random, without any retul
for the crops removed, like the half-starvt
and worn out beast, it fails, and refuses
.e yield its increase.
1t The Importance Of system is also appu
re ent in the management of stock. The pr
e dent farmer not only gathereth his own foc
ID in the harvest, but also that for his animal