The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-03-13
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
SDecialtfes for Farmers.

SpecialtieS for Farmers.
As farmers in the early settlement of the
country were not able to give their exclusive
attention TO farming, they of course seldom
or never devoted themselves to single
branch of husbandry. The scattered popula-
ton. the poverty of the settlers, the absence
of large towns and markets, the wild and I'M
subdued condition of the country, rendered it
necessary that every family should practice
absolute selfreliance and depend almost en-
tirely upon themselves for supply of their
wants. Thus the farmer of the last century
not only raised the ordinary crops fer man
and beast, but his own bread-fattened and
slaughtered his beef, pork and mutton, and
frequently manufactured the needed supply
of sugar and molasses; while in the winters
respite from the labor of the field he served
as lumberman, carpenter, shoemaker and
manufacturer of tools and agricultural imple-
ments-and from the crops of wool and fax
the busy housewife spun and wove and made
the garments of the family and the snowy
furnishings of bed and board. Even down to
the present generation, in some favored
localities the boast has been transmitted and
fulfilled that the physical necessities of the
family have all been supplied from tho prod
ucts of the farm, saving such articles as must
necessarily be imported from other countries.
The necessity for this diversified industry
has passed away with the entire change in
the farm surroundings. and yet the cul tiva-
tor of the soil is sometimes at loss to know
whether it is better for him TO cling to tie
practices of his father, or to concentrate his
skill and labor on a single department Of
agriculture. No general rule can be given
for universal adoption, and no man is wise
enough to decide for his neighbor; every
one must settle the question for himself and
must base his decision upon the quality of
his soil, its adaptation to particular crops, the
most convenient supply of fertilizers, the dis
lance from market, and the facilities for
transportation; as well as his own skill and
capacity for labor. We are not the advocates
of general, or special husbandry; under GER
tain conditions we recommend the one, and
with change of circumstances we prefer the
other. We however believe that it may be
well for every farmer outside of his general
round, to give particular attention to some
well chosen speciality. This may be selected
for pleasure, or profit, or both, as the most
pressing need may decide.
If in every neighborhood, each man would
select either some breed of animals, or field
crop, or variety of fruit, or garden product,
and give it his special care and attention; the
result would be that competition would be
excited, skill and energy would produce val
liable results, general demand would spring
up and reasonable profits would follow. From
such small beginnings, may proceed horti-
cultural and agricultural associations and ex-
hibitions-the fame and fortune of disting-
uished stock-breeders and fruit-growers and
even the increased valuation and prosperity
of a town.
1t is well known that farmers rely very
largely upon seed-stores or upon distant pro-
ducers, for their seeds, and frequently they
are subjected to much expense in procuring a
supply, or to positive loss on account of its
worthlessnes. A remedy for this evil may be
found, by farmers raising some particular
seed best adapted to their soil, and exchang-
ing for other varieties; or, when single per-
son devotes his whole farm to the growing Of
tue seeds for an entire district or town. Good
seed even for field crops, is usually scarce, and
often commands high price; and where the
first ripened crop is gathered for succession
fyears, it is worth almost double price-and
with this object in view, it would be very de-
sirable for every town to secure some men
who would make specially of growing seeds.
Seed corn and grain of first quality, are al
ways in demand; and would be more sought
for, if there was always supply-some far
mers in Tennessee, according to a recent
statement, are paying sixteen dollars bushel
for choice seed wheat. We think that many
farmers would do well for themselves and 9TH
ers, if they should devote portion of their
lands to the raising of seeds for near or
distant market.
Almost every farmer gives some attention
to poultry-raising- little, however, that
but little profit is derived from it. If good
variety was selected, thoroughly bred, and
well cared for, considerable profit could be
obtained from eggs and fowls for breeding
purposes, aside from the usual market sales.
When systematically conducted, like any
other branch of business, and not engaged
in merely for saving the waste of the farm.
the keeping of poultry will be found desir.
able speciality for any farmer.
Bookkeeping may be recommended to per
sons who are well informed by study or ex-
perience in this department, and determined
to persevere until they are successful-pro-
vided they are not debarred by unfavorsble
situations or surroundings. Every year brings
success in DECREASING and honey-making, te
numbers of men, and even women and chill.
dren; demonstrating very clearly that failure
generally results from ignorance or mex
perience.
Very few country towns are able to supply
the home demand for strawberries, with the
wild crop of the fields, and as it is beyond
the reach of care or cultivation, and liable te
be cut off by the frost or drouth, it is at best
an uncertain crop; not to be compared with
the garden strawberry, which is so reliable
duu always dCCCSSlUle. lue CuHuI6u Vi tue
family, from patch of land which the farm
er will hardly miss, can easily make sales
enough at home, to procure summers gro
ceries, while with the present style of pack,
ages, and our rapid transportation, the dis
tant markets are, as it were, brought to ones
own door.
Many farmers own waste swamps an,
meadows, lying along the margin of brooks
or rivers, which could little by little be trans
formed into cranberry gardens, that would
afford source of constant proft-while 9th
ers with orchards, or localities suitable fol
them, might engage in the manufacture Of
vinegar, and of pickles, and by excellence o
material command a market that would b
certain and remunerative.
Other promising specialties might be sug
gested, but we only allude to single add
tional one-the raising of pig-pork for famil
use. By selecting choice breeds and fatten
ing them upon suitable food, and CAREFUL
packing the pork, and if desired, preparn