The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-02-04
Value Of New Agricultural Products.

The old saying that new broom
sweeps clean applies with peculiar force
to the subject of agricultural products.
The question whether new grain, fruit,
or breed of animals is superior to an old
one of the same class is seldom taken
into account or discussed; and it is well
that it is not; for apathy would then
take the place of that enthusiasm which
a novelty calls forth, and which is the
foundation of great success in almost
any calling. We do not wish to be un-
derstood as asserting that our farmers
have no fixed purpose of their own, or
that they are weathercOcks, snutfing
every breeze for something new; but we
have not failed to notice the many new
brooms which sweep clean for few
years, and then 60 TO the shop for repairs
or q new name.
OF course there is no denying the fact
of progress in agriculture, and that new
plants have been and are constantly in
troduced, some of which are improve
ments upon the old; but the advance is
less rapid than many persons would
feel inclined to believe without . care
full investigation of the subject.
But we would not cast a straw
in the way of the introduction
or dissemination of any pretended
or actually new farm product, if
only on account of the beneficial
results which usually follow a belief
in the superiority of new thing over
an old one. Improved systems of cul-
ture of certain kinds of plants have, in
a majority of instances, originated with
those who were experimenting with
novelties. Who would have ever sup
posed that hundred or more pounds of
potatoes could be raised from one, had
not new and high priced sorts been intro
duced as an incentive for experimenting
in this direction? Enormous crops of
the Early Rose potato were produced at
the start, and, while every tuber was in
demand Tor seed, to-day the average
weld of this variety will not exceed that
of the old Neshannock or Pink-Eye, so
popular forty years ago. STILL our
potato growers have been greatly bcne-
flied by the introduction of the new
sorts, because they are really valuable
acquisitions, and, in addition, cultivators
have learned much in regard to the best
method of propagation, both from seed
and tubers.
The same or similar results follow the
introduction of new kinds of grain, for
q man who pays ten dollars per bushel
for q new variety of wheat is very
likely to give it corresponding care,
and it would be very strange in.
deed if no improvement over old
sorts did not result therefrom.
This painstaking with new kinds
tends to more and better care of the old,
and this is one of the good results which
follow their Introduction and dissemlna
ton. One of our correspondents gave us
this week the results of his first years
experience with flock of five hundred
sheep, and the balance sheet shows al
most q doubling of capital within the
time. Some may attribute these favor
able results more to good luck than man
agement; but the new broom with our
correspondent has been well cared Tor,
and good work done with it. We have
not the least reason to suspect that the
same thing may not be done again, and re-
peated any number of times, if there is NO
relaxing Of vigilance or withdrawal Of
proper care.
In fact, success in any branch of farm
ing depends more upon persistent effort
combined with good judgment, or sound
common sense, than upon climate, SOIL,
or other circumstances. No matter
where some men are located, they are
bound to succeed, and everything they
touch, whether new or old, yields .
profit. Such farmers do not require the
stimulus of novelty, while there are 9TH
ers who do, and require to have it often
repeated, or their lova of farming wanes
with each succeeding season.-N. \.
Sun.