Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-11-03
knowledge Required in Farming.

knowledge Required in Farming.
There are many who look upon
farming as rather Il small business,
who think that its successful prose
cution required only little com
mon-sensc-iust enough to prompt
the hardy worker to seek shelter in
n rain storm, and Il very little
knowledge, just sufficient to count a
flock OF sheep, or read a political
newspaper. The opinion was once
more general than now, for the
world is growing wiser, yet at the
present time it is entertained by
many. 1t is an old and true saying,
that "hoLor and shame from no
condition rise" that honor is only
acquired by acting we'll our part in
| whatever situation we may be plac-
ed. A man of ability and knowl-
edge, who devotcs all his earnings
to his business, will make it honora-
BILE and profitable, no matter how
insignificant that business may at
first seem.
There is no business requiring
varied requirements, so much
knowledge, so much good Judgment
and commercial ability combined,
as is necessary for the thoroughly
accomplished farmer. He stands
first among the manufacturers of
the land, he makes the wheat and
corn, the beef and mutton and pork,
the wool and flax; and manufac-
lures from the earth, the air, the
water, nearly all that we eat and
wear; and this is not only done by
farmers as a class, but almost every
| one produces many if not all Of these
articles. -5@
The manufacturer usually con-
fines his labors to the product of an
article, but the farmer is by neces-
sity compelled to make many. If
he would make grain, he must also
make beef, or butter and cheese or
mutton and wool. Hence the neces-
sity Of extensive knowledge. 1t is
an easy matter for the manufacture
er to ascertain how much wool will
make yard Of cloth of a certain
description, and what will be it's
cost; but it is not SO easy for the
farmer to ascertain how much grass
or hay or grain will make pound
of wool. The manufacturers can
test new machine and ascertain
by a few simple trials whether it
will manufacture the desired article
cheaper or better than the old ones;
but to ascertain how pound of
beet can be made the cheapest,
what machine will convert hay into
rich cheese in the cheapest manner,
is matter requiring a good deal
more care and skill.
Among his varied requirements,
the farmer should possess knowl-
edge Of animal physiology, So rs to
be enabled to keep his stock in
health and administer proper RENE
dies in case of sickness. Vegetable
physiology, too, must not to be over
looked. Every day during the
growing season, the farmer per-
forms work for the growth of his
crops founded on the known laws
which govern vegetable life. En-
tomology is a science which the
farmer is compelled to study to
some extent, and often much more
perhaps than he desires, but the
more he does the better he is fitted
to wage successful war against
thousands of destructive foes.
In addition to this, the farmer
must be merchant, for he must
see as well as manufacture. He
must in some measure take advan-
take of the rise and fall in prices,
select the best time for selling and
the best market, or after all his toll
and anxiety he may find but poor
return.
When we contemplate this sub
iect, ut which we have merely glanc-
ed in all its bearing, we are led to
exclaim, who is competent to this
work? Heartily do we pity those
who think that farming furnishes
no scope for the exercise Of knowl-
edge or ability. II this opinion
were entertained only by those en-
gagged in other pursuits, it would be
OF 10 serious consequence; but we
judge that many farmers have them
selves imbibcd such unfounded and
unjust opinions in regard to their
calling, and where this is the case
there'is an end to all improvement
and all desire for Improvement. A
man must have a good opinion of
his calling, a proper appreciation OF
its Importance, and the means and
information necessary for its sue
cesstlll prosecution or he cannot
hope to succeed.-Cor. Ohio Earm-
CT.