Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-04-08

can be produced in the Western States.
| \ correspondent OF the Western Farmer
writing upon this subject figures loss
OF $3.50 per acre and sold at 75 cts. per
bushel, the market price Dec. goth. TAX
ing this statement as basis-and 10
bushels is large average yield-a BUSH
e, will cost SIC From other and reli-
able information. learn that wheat can
not be profitably raised in Iowa for less
than 81 90 per bushel. Hence | conclude
that a bushel of good wheat is worth Tor
grinding here from 81 90 to $3.50. Can
we afford To raise it for that instead OF
other grain? That we must raise some
kind of grain is an admitted fact. At
present prices one bushel Of wheat is
equal in value to 2-3 bushels of barley
or 3 bushels OF oats. Which we can raise
the cheapest and with the least exhaust
ion Of the soil. is a question worthy OF
our careful consideration. For laying
down to grass. wheat is far superior 10
any other crop.
There are other questions connected
with this subject, the solution of which is
not far distant, AMI which must event
ually affect the price of breadstutfS. Can
the Western States continue To raise the
present average number Of bushels per
acre VIII not their present system of
agriculture sooner or later exhaust the
soil however ich and well adapted it may
bc To wheat culture That such result
must follow i evident 20 any one acquain.
ted with the first principles of agricul-
tural chemistry Indeed, it is contrary
To the unalterablc laws Of Nature. and is
therefore impossible. TO return to the
soil in some shape exactly those elements
which the crop takes from it, is the gold
IN rule of agriculture and unless the
husbandman does this, his soil, 10y con
tinucd cultivation. must sooner or later
be exhausted, and fail to produce re-
munerative crop. The time will come
when the Western farmer will be obliged
To fcr,iize every acre OF ground he Guilt I
Yates. and, other things being equal. the
COS, of crop will be increased in proper.
ton TO the cost ct his fertilizers. If then
A. has already been shown, wheat raising
in the West is Improbable at present .
prices, under their exhaustive system of,
cultivation. il mus, be still more 50 after
The soil i run out. The grain growers of
the West are already beginning TO see the
tendency OF their ruinous system, and TO
comprehend these facts in their full
jorre
\ corre ,ponden, Of the PrUirir Farm
81, writing from Wisconsin says How
ever unwilling our farmers be 70 admit it
there can be no question that our soil i
becoming exhausted Of lis wheat grow
ns elements. Les, acre, to wheat more
stock and more of mixed husbandry
Sjll save the West"
The above i bat one OF many opinions
aul reports that from time to time have
appeared in different papers Il is the
general feeling nj the West that has caus-
al the late advance in Chicago The
pyescu, unsatisfactory condition Of the
market will undoubtedly have 4 very un-
favorable effect upon the wheat produc-
ton Let u, then be wise in the future
Whoever raises his own flour this year
will be fortunate With the present pros
poets and prices Of wheat and potatoes |
can see no better way for a farmer in
Maine to get hi own bread than to raise
il ON hi farm.
There are many other important ques
lions connected with the cultivation Of
wheat, tina, might be vrotitaJly discussed
which drlerto some future time.
L,rut. f,b. 18th, 1870.