The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-11-20
Farm aroen-3AousehoI1.
Prof: Mile. ON system I'm Farninx.

"
late Calhoun Co. (Mich) Fair. friend
sends us copy, and We find, upon perusing
1t, that 1t is so replete with sound sense and
practical suggestions that We shall give our
readers the benefit of much of its matter from
time 70 time, as our space will admit Speak
"ihg OF farming generally, he Gays: sl'
lnoroughness IN all farm operations Is es-
ssentlal to the highest success, but this cannot
be readily attained where labor is dear, with
out the aid of machinery.
Does not, then. the great gain in the use Of
improved implements consist, in the main, in
saving of time that can be proftably ex-
pended, not only in the more thorough per-
Torrance of the work in hand, but in other
directions where an ample return may he
reasonably expected ..,...i...-.,4
If required to point out the great defect of
American husbandry, should unhesitatingly
reply, aoant Of s, stem. ai--i tii'-s
BY this mean the lack of attention to the
relations existing between the various depart.
ments Of farm economy. st ~ o,..,
Each operation on the farm and each de.
partment OF its management should be con.
Quoted with reference to its influence on every
10ther department and interest, in accordance
with definite plan extending through
series OF years. The aggregate % results should
be considered, rather than numerous special
interests that are entirely disconnected and
have nothing in common.
b The farm is manufactory-the soil a ma.
chine for converting mineral and decaying
organic substances into vegetable products
Unlike other machines, "a portion OF raw
material for the manufacture Of its peculiar
products constitutes part and parcel of the
machine itself, that cannot be diminished
without involving a positive loss of power
and efficiency. sl' ~ GEL. .s--lgfsa
Here as in the use of other machines it is
necessary to furnish an abundant supply of
the raw material or the manufactured article
cannot be produced. In other words, the
vegetable products of the farm are obtained
at the expense of the elements of the soil,
while the universally prevailing law Of COM
pensation requires an equivalent return to be
made to maintain its productiyeness.
If the hay and grain raised upon the farm
are all sold off portion Of the soil goes with
them, and the farm is by so much diminished
in value $3.50
To prevent this enormous waste, other ma
chinery In the shape OF live stock, is provided
to convert the vegetable products manu-
featured by the soil into animal products of
still greater value and at the same time to re-
turn to the soil, for future use, the waste ma
terials resulting from the process. 4
Each set OF machinery employed in this
farm factory is thus furnishing raw materials
to be worked up by the other, and a constant
circulation OF materials is produced.
Ii We accept the law OF modern philosophy
that motion is force, we cannot avoid the con.
clusion that the more rapid and active the
circulation of matter in the machinery of the
farm, the greater will be the results accom-
plished. so
\ correct system of farm management in.
wolves the adjustment OF this machinery so as
70 give The largest profit with the least posi-.
bic loss, 10 the farm, of the elements OF fertil.
itY and wealth '.lsu
In carrying into practice any consistent sys-
TEN, particular attention should be given to
the alienation or rotation Of crops, and
prominent place should be given in the rota-
ton 10 those crops which, when consumed on
the farm, are of greatest value in restoring
the elements OF fertility to the soil.
Moreover, by introducing variety of crops
in rotation, and making judicious selection
OF animals to consume the coarser and yalua-
bic vegetable products, the farmer, from the
variety of resources, Is more sure of obtain
ing remunerative returns for his labor in the
course of series of years, than when depend.
ing upon single staple, which by decline
in the market may subject him to serious loss.
been said, that one great object in planning
system OF farm economy should be TO econo-
mize and make available sufficient supply of
manures to maintain and if possible increase
the productiveness of the soil. This is. in
fact, the sheet anchor of good husbandry
That eloquent writer, II. C. Carey, has truly
said:
"Of all things needed for the purposes of
man, the one that least bears transportation
Is manure, and yet this is of all the most I'M
portant. Each crop draws from the earth Ger.
tain elements and if these are not replaced
that crop must soon cease to be produced. 1t
is indispensable that man be enabled to pay
the debt which he contracts toward mother
EARTH when taking from the soil the elements
OF those commodities required for his support.
1t is the condition upon which alone progress
can be made
Judgment, skill and intelligence are requi-
site in devising and carrying out system
adapted to the wants of each particular farm.
Although the general principles which should
guide in practice are well established and
easily understood, yet in their detailed appli.
cation in each locality much must be left to
the Judgment of the individual, who will
have wide margin left for varying particu-
lars, without conflicting with those landmarks
that cannot with impunity be violated r
The farmer, above all other men, from the
very nature of his calling, is brought most in
timately into contact with the workings of
nature. In his everyday life he is necessarily
striving with nature for the mastery, and aim
ing to give direction to the natural forces