Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-06-23
Farm Economy.

"IT is not what a man makes, but what
he saves, that makes him rich" There
are few men of ordinary industry, who do
not, In the course of q life of fifty years.
produce fortune but by dint of waste
of shiftessness, of want of economy in
the management of his farm operations It
all slips through his fingers, and he Is as
poor at the end, as at the beginning of his
life.
Seeing this fact, we have thought II we'll
to call attention to some of the leaks
through which escape much of the hard
earnings of farmers. And to begin with,
we know OF none more apparent than the
want of proper care of farm stock. In
this particular our Southern farmer is es-
pecially remiss. Our winters being com
paratively mild and short, cattle not un-
frequently get through without any care
or feed whatever, and the possibility of
their doing 80, makes the farmer careless
of them.
But, if the winter is little cooler than
usual-if the rains are more constant
than usual If the cold fingers in spring
little longer than usual-the poor unshel-
tered and unfed animals find it too much
for them, and the profits of the herd at
least, die. The annual loss of COW, for
the want of shelter and few timely feeds
OF hay and turnips or potatoes, will not
unfrequently place the balance on the
wrong side of the farmers account II is
the general practice throughout the coun-
try, to allow the superanuated cows and
oxen to die of starvation and exposure
during the winter, instead of fattening
them for the shambles. This is the very
reverse of good economy. The profits of
keeping cattle will be in proportion to the
care and attention they receive.
Another source of loss to the farmer Is
in the neglect of his tools and implements
If he would do good, profitable work, he
must have good, and appropriate tools.
These will cost money, and if they are left
in the weather, they soon go to ruin, and
the profits that should have resulted from
their employment, must go to supply their
places with new ones. Good farm eCono-
my requires that a tool house should be
provided, and that the implements, when
not in use, should be sheltered there,
where they are not only protected from
the weather, but where they may be found
when wanted, without delay or waste of
time.
Good economy demands good teams,
and these must be well cared for. These
teams should be raised on the farm, as a
general rule, for the reason that they can
be raised at less cost than they can be
purchased. To give teams proper care
there must be good pastures provided,
upon which they can Craze when not at
work. They will thus thrive better, and
great saving of corn and fodder will be
had.
Good lasting enclosures should surround
the farm and secure the crops from the de-
gredations of stock. Good, substantial
gates, with secure fastenings should mark
every point where the enclosure must be
frequently crossed.
There are few of the more prominent
features of farm economy, that should at
tract the attention Of every husbandman
There are details of economy, less prom
inent, but equally important to the success
of farm life, which are mastered only by
careful study and assiduous attention
on the part of farmers. These involve
the judicious fertilization of the soil; the
proper rotation of crops the selection of
profitable breeds of farm stock, and their
healthy propagation the due proportion
of market and feed crops; the selection
and improvement of seeds, etc, some of
which we will have something to say here
after.-RurdL Southland.