Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-08-13
Prepare for Good Farming.


In the older settled portions of the
West we are in the transition state in re-
gard to farming. We are no longer pio-
neers, dwelling on the borders OF civil
cation, living on isolated farms surround
ed by unfenced prairies. The land about
our farms no more belongs to spectators
who hold 1t for a rise, nor does II form a
part of the great national domain, open
to entry. We no longer pasture our
stock or cut hay on land Of which no one
knows the rightful owner. We are no
longer a semi-pastoral people, herding
stock on uninclosed land, but raising
crops on soil of which we are the owners
in fee simple. We have outlived the or
der of things common TO new country,
inhabited by squatter-sovereigns," and
are entering the era of settled life known
liz the older portions OF the country. This
new order of things calls for a change in
calculations, in management, and in
farm economy.
Many who read this article obtained
their farms at the Government price of
land, $1.25 per acre. For years they
used for grazing and hay-cutting an
amount of land equal to that. which they
bought rent free. In some instances
they obtained their fuel on the land of
spectators In old times to cut wood or
fencing on the land of speculator was
not regarded as crime, but as a just
and merited punishment for the crime of
holding land to increase in value by the
industry of actual settlers. This land,
so cheaply bought, has increased in value,
some twenty, some fifty, some an hun
dred fold. The owners of these lands
have received, at least, q fair remunera-
ton for their industry. They have also
become well-to-do in the world, if not
wealthy. Hardly any class of men have
received so large an increase from SO
small an investment of capital. No
stocks during a run of years have paid
as well as the money invested in prairie
lands.
But that which has happened in the
past is not likely to take place in the
future. Except in rare localities, land
has not risen in value since the warm
some sections it has decreased. For
legitimate farming purposes it may be
said to have reached its maximum value.
At least, it will not rise in value because
the property round it, unfenced and I'M
improved, is rising. Farmers will not
continue to grow rich from what is so
often called the natural rise in property.
TO make money in this easy way they
must sell out the farms they now own,
90 west, and commence life anew In
many entire sections land is showing I'M
marks of decreased fertility.
Instead of producing several crops of
wheat in succession without manure, it
has not produced one paying crop even
with the aid of manure.
With lands no longer rising in value;
with no outside land to use for pasturage
OF hay-cutting; with an additional crop
of weeds each year to keep in subjection
with decreasing fertility and rapidly-in
creasing taxation, how is the farmer to
better his condition in the future? In no
other way than by doing better farming
in the future than in the past. He must
make every acre of taxable land pay. 1t
must pay the taxes imposed upon it, and
pay interest on the investment. Other
wise the ownership of the land involves
a loss. To do this, boys and marshes
must be drained, and all hitherto unpro
ductive lands must be made to produce
at least a crop of grass. Even the old
natural grasses must give place to better
varieties, both in the pasture and in the
while attention must be given
each year to sowing seeds on the land,
and to giving top-dressing of barnyard
plaster and ashes.
Again, barren fruit trees must not
cumber the ground, but be digged about
and made to produce crops, or rooted out
that new ones may take their places An
account must be taken with the horses,
cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry, and if
any of them do not pay their keep, taxes
and revenue besides let them be sacYi.
feed to those that will. The keeping up
of the present fertility of the soil must
be matter for attention, and an attempt
should be made to render the soil more
fertile, year by year. To do this the
subject of making, storing, handling and
applying manure must be studied in the
scientific and practical relations. In
short, farmers must become better in
formed, not only concerning the general
of their farms, but in re-
gard to domestic economy and the laws
of trade.-Pr03rse Fimmer.