The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-01-25
THE LESSONS OF THE PAST
YEAR.
From the Western Rural

From the Western Rural.
The year that has just closed has
brought calamity to many household bv
means Of the destructive fires which have
involved thousands in a common ruin, bur
it also has brought wealth and prosperity
to the greater part If the community.
so that ont of their abundance they can
se afford to relieve the wants of their less
Is fortunate neighbors.
10 It is said that experience is an austere
teacher. but its lessons are not soon for
gotten" a gteat deal of benefit may be
obtained from the lessons of 1871 that
may be useful in 1879. 1t is now seen
that wealth may take to itself wings and
hy away "as an eagle toward heaven" Ii
is seen that the most substantial building
cannot stand against sea Of fire, dashed
into fury bya hurricane.
Il has been proved by the great fire in
Chicago that very few buildings are really
fire proof, for the most substantial may
be consumed if they contain comhustible
goods or furniture. 1t is now known that
it is not safe for merchant to have
very large amount Of his property invested
in one building, or block of buildings,
liable to be destroyed by ire,and insured
in companies whose risks largely exceed
their capital. In erecting new buildings
the greatest prrcaution should ne used TO
prevent the chimnes from coming in con
tao with wood, for from this canse mum
erous fires have had their origin.
The protracted drouth of the past year
has been the cause Of immense losses to
farmers. Who can calculate the damag'
that has been done TO crops and live stock
by the want Of rain for several months :?
rf,Nl., e, Ca 10 L., II u
parched and dry as the Desert Of ArtbIt,
and live stock OF all kinds suffered for
food and water. There is too little
provision made for such emergencies
The American farmer will be compelled
to adopt the system ofimproved agricul
ture procticei in Europc,and grow green
crops for his stock. The results OF de
pending entirely IN pasture are seen at
the present time when the markets are
crowdedS with lean stock which ar,
disprspd5of at Il loss to their owners, not
only of the difference in the price be
tween inferior and prime beef and
mutton. but also in the weight Of the
animals
The new year should see renewed ore
cautions against tie eff IT'S of drouh on
crops and 1--we stick. In tropical countries
grass land which has been lhnruughiy
drained retains Ita verdure in Summer
while that which has not been drained
becomes parched by the sun and worth
less for stock Thorough drainage should
be much more extensively pra ctsed thar,
1t is AT present. Rolling Whit wheat
ard cher tilI"ge crops in Spring, pm
verizcs and cnmpre>ses the soil ard
enables it to retain moisture and favor
the growth OF he plants, even in very
h"t weather. -# ~ t.a ,saa 80
Every farmer should adopt mixed
hu>impdry, and II reguia: rotation of
or ups, as by this means alone will the evil
effects OF drnuth be con Hturacttd, and The
soil kept In heart fer the production Of
al kinds of crops Let the parchrd
pastures and stunted tiIlagc crops Civ,
place To the productive cereals of clean,
rich land A considerable part of the
i benefit derived from rotation Of crops is
caused 10y the clean tillage necessary in
craving green crops, and also from the
large q!antIty o? excellent manure pro
duced ny an mails ted on roots and other
succnleilt food The sugar beet has many
excellent qualities which should recon-
mend 1t for universal cutivat Ont j.
the very best mi k producing food for
COWS il furnishes materials tnr establish
ing he manufacture OF sugar and keep
ing the immense sums at home, which are
now sent out OF he country for the for
elgn product.