Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-01-13
STOCK RAISING &.
7 THE BEST.

matters than that contained in the above
proverb. And yet there is no other calling
in life where this truth is more disregarded
than among agficulturists. The difference
between success and failure in farming is
third or fourth-rate productions. But while
this is true, | think it will be found that
really good farmers-tlose who raise the
best and make it the most profitable, are
very largely in the minority in our country.
A poor article is often raised when a good
one could be just as easily and as cheaply
produced.
AS a general rule it costs as much to raise
n scret,5 steer or a stunted hog, as to raise a
1irst-class grade Shortlorn or a fine Chester
White or Berkshire. The cost in seed, soil
and labor is as great to produce eight or ten
bushels of whoat, or twenty of corn to the
acre, as it is to raise double or treble that
amount,
There are two causes of failure in these
matters on the part of farmers. The first of
which is a failure to have the best kinds,
and the second is a failure to keep it UP to
the standard of No. /, in purity and condi-
ton. Perhaps, not one in q thousand goes
into his wheat field and selects the finest,
largest and best developed spots, and har-
vests, thrcshes and saves separately such Sc
lect grain for seed. The usual, in fact al
most universal, custom is to go to the bin at
sowing time and take it out just as it comes
to hand. The same custom prevails to a
great extent in the selection of seed corn;
only occasionally a man goes into his field
and selects the best ears from the best por-
lions Of the field. In the selection of fruit
trees, the same lack of judgment is general
ly apparent, those kinds being selected that
are both tender and unproductive, while
those kinds that would prove profitable are
neglected.
In view Of these facts it is not strange that
our productions degenerate until it becomes
an absolute necessity to have a change Of
seed. So common is 1t for our cereals to
arun out" that the idea is quite popular
that it is necessary to procure seed from a
distance every few years to keep up the
quality of our grain productions. And there
is no denying the fact that experience seems
to confirm this notion, as such changes of
seed are generally followed by an improve
ment in the crop; but / suspect that such
Improvement is due to the fact that when a
man goes to procure seed for such Il change,
he usually applies to some one who has Civ
en- his attention to the improvement of grain
so the new seed is really an improved
kind. "A case of this kind that attracted
considerable attention at the time, occurred
about forty years ago. A man raised and
sold what he called barrel wheat" 1t re-
sembled the wheat in usual cultivation in
that part Of the country, but was far better
and more productive. His neighbors pllr-
chased ut high prices all his surplus, but III
their hands it soon run down to the level of
the common wheat Of the country. After
several years, however his secret was dis
covered. He was caught threshing seed
wheat, and his method explained the whole
matter. He would seize a sheat' by the butt
and strike the heads over the edge of a bar
rel SO us to catch the upper half Of the heads
in the barrel. This was his 9 barrel wheat.
It was cleaned with %scrupulous care, thus
giving him a superior seed wheat. But it
was just what any man can do who will
take the trouble, and thus run his Wheat up
instead Of down.
Another important consideration in this
connection is to have the soil in the best
condition, both rs regards its chemical con-
s~tituents and its mechanical condition. Ev-
cry ~plowboy knowsthat it is easier to cult
yate a field that is rich in The elements of
M Y...4 H~Al ,-l Ala z. - ~ - ox,1