Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-11-03

| of different kinds Of stock discussed
and from their illustrations eAa form 8
tolerable idea of it, but could he see il
as it is, and hear its history from those
who have no special interest in lauding
| its virtues he would be benefited far
more. 1t is too often the case that wri-
tiers, who commend certain kinds OF
stock 80 highly, are pecuniarily iuteres-
ted to such an extent that their judge
ment is warped too much to give a relia-
ble q count of its superior value, or to
set forth its good and bad qualities, in
az impartial manner. Very often edi-
tors themselves, "blow" an extra grade
of stock, having nothing to judge from,
only q well executed cut, and the owners
word and description ofit. Money makes
an editor 'sblow" like q blubber, and
none know il better than the stock ira
ders.
Our agricultural papers contain many
good hints about crops. the manner of
preparing the ground. planting and har-
vesting; yet they do not suit all sections
of the country. We often hear farmers
condemnIng book farming" because
they followed the directions given in
in 1.-The paper" and their crop was.a
perfect failure. Whose fault was it, that
they failed? Manifestly their own, be-
cause they didn't recognize difference
in the soil. There are many farmers who
treat sandy and, clay soils alike. We
have such variety of soil in this coun-
ty that no definite rules can be given
for treating it. An intelligent farmer
will soon discover what kind of treat
ment certain fields require and by acting
accordingly will raise good crops, while
his neighbor who thinks ground is
ground the world over, will be eternally
complaining of poor crops.
Nine tenths of these who pretend to
make a living by farming are of the
latter class. Many may think this esti-
mate to high, but if they will 60 and
see what We have seen, we know they
will agree with US, and perhaps put it
higher. tyta
How are these evils to be remedied?
1t is easy enough. Let the farmers in
this county organize Farmers Club.
Then let every one attend its meetings.
doing all they can to make it pay. If
any one has good stock let him him say
so, give its good qualities, and let it show
for itself. Full information can be OBJ
tanned in regard to it, and none need be
crop let him bring samples, and give an
account of it, the quality of the land,
the kind of fertilizers used, and the time
and manner of planting and tending.
If any one has had a crop TO fail, let him
also bring sample of the grain, and
also, of the soil, giving full details Of
planting, tending and harvesting. Some
one will be able from these data to show
where the trouble is. By thus doing,
repeated failures will be avoided. Sam
Piles of fruit can be exhibited, and those
who contemplate an improvement in
this line, can select the kinds which
suit them, and not have to depend upon
the nursery agents that perambulate the
country swindling every one that fall
into their clutches. 1-
Belmont County is slamefully behind
in regard to good stock of all kinds, yet
her facilities for raising it are almost
in the State. Why is this ?
Not because we don't want good stock,
but because many of us don't know
what it is, never saw any, and if we
did we don't know where to go to get
it, nor how to take care of it after we
nave got it. These seem like rather
bold assertions, but the facts will bear
Us out in making them. 1t is fact that
,he stock of cattle in this coanty is a
disgrace to it, little. runty, ill-thriven
'hings that take great deal more feed,
and are worth one fourth less than good
ones when ready for market.
Let the farmers Club be organized at
once, and these matters looked into,
for certainly they demand immediate
attention. The evil is growing and the
longer it is put off the harder it will be
to root out. Other counties have Clubs
and they could not be induced to give
them up, because their stock has imprOv-
ed they farm better, and are doing better
in every respect. We cannot expect our
Farms to be very great
successes until the farmers take greater
interest in agriculture, and stock culture
than they do now. Many of those who
have seen good stock are ashamed to
take theirs to the Fair.
Come out now, we who favor Club
and ye who oppose it, and let US see
which side is the strongest in this Coun-
ty. ''
f's JASPER.
VEN s ITEMS.