Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-05-17
From the American AgriculturaIis..::
HEAD WORK IN FARMING,

1t Is surprising how much muscular la
Dor Is wasted every year, which might
be saved or better directed. This is true
OF alt kinds Of business; and not the least
IN farming. For instance, how many
farmers toll on from year to year, with
scanty or imperfect Implements of hus-
bandry. The modern improvements,
which save much labor and do the work
cheaper and better, they will have moth
ing TO do with. Improved varieties of
seed they hold to be. almost without ex-
cep'lon humbug. Draining and subsoil
piowlng rank III the same catalogue
they are labor lost; but lnanuring cold,
wet lands, and blowing them late in the
summer few inches deep, and gather
erIng scanty crops-,his is not labor lost.
Rotation of crops and manuring lands
with reference to the grain or roots to
be grown on them, they consider some-
tang like book farlning-a very dangers
Gus thing.
we never could see why farmers should
no think for themselves, and be able 10
give satisfactory reason for every pro-
cess they undertake. We never could see
why they should not endeayor to improve
IN all farming operations, to learn the
very best way of doing everything, and
then do it SO. 1t is told of a certain back
woods farmer, who had not yet found time
TO clear the stumps from his fields, tha,
his boys complained bitterly of their
troubles In plowing and harrowing-tIs
old fashioned " drag" especially troubled
them by Its frequent overturnings while
plunglng among the stumrs, and needing
to be set right side up at every few rods.
Boys sand the enraged farmer one day,
" take that harrow over to the blacksmith
and tell HIM TO make all tire teeth twice
their present length, and sharp, at both
ends, and we'll see what that'll do. The
thing was done; the teeth now pointed
both ways, like those of revolving rake.
4" Gee up, Bill; now go along" But
father II has upset again, as bad as be-
fore: Never mind, boy, go right
ahead 1t will work we'll either side ur.
See, now, what comes from a liIie think
ing And sure enough, it did work, and
the field was narrowed In spite of the
stumps. We might have selected a more
dignIfied example of head d-work, but this
homely story will answer our purpose.
In the matter of rotation of crops, there
Is need of forethought aud management.
Some farmers neglect TO manure largely.
because of It's expensiveness they would
like to underdrain more extensively, and
to subsoil pow their lands, if these things
do not cost more time, labor and money
than they think they can spare But it
costs more to follow good system of ro-
tation of crops, than to carry on farm
without any such plan. Yet such a sys-
tenn may bring the farmer three-fold
greater and better crops. Nor in devising
such plan has he got to depend entire-
ly on his own experience and sagacity.-
Books and agricultural journals are at
hand, containing the results of other mems
experience, and all he has to do is to
adapt such information 10 the wants of his
own case. A very little headworL ef
this sort would pay well. 1t would pay
IN clean cultivation. 1t would pay in the
increased and prolonged fertility of the
land, and more bountiful crops.