Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-12

we mlgnC assign great many rea-
sons for the neglect of our farmers to
give more time and attention to Dairy
products; but the principal one would
be: that every farmer devotes his en-
ergies and capital to one object-wheat
raising. other branch Of farm
ing being neglected. If, instead of
having their whole capital invested in
wheat, and relying upon one branch of
farming, they would devote some of
the money expended in opening up
large tracts of land, to the purchase of
stock, they would benefit themselves
immensely. IT'S true that our land is
peculiarly adapted to wheat raising, but
is it not also adapted to stock raising,
and is the latter not as profitable as
the former9 We certainly think it is.
The increase of the stock, and the pro-
ducts Of the dairy, yield a large profit
on the capital invested, as there is an
abundance Of hay, plenty of water,
and good market. If the wheat
crop fails, almost every farmer is next
to destitute, as his all is invested, and he
relies upon but one source from which
to obtain his living. Yet it does not
seem as if experience was Of any value !;
every one seems to rely upon another
year, and expects to retrieve his losses
another season. If the crop is poor
one, prices are usually good; if large
crop is harvested, it is generally the
reyerse-prices are lower; but when
there is short crop and good prices,
every one puts in every acre he can,
expecting prices to continue. 1t is
here that the mistake is made, for the
laws of supply and demand govern in
this as we'll as other cases, and it is
usually the case that as much is real
lied from short crop and high prices,
as from large crop and low prices.
1t sometimes occurs that war, failure
of crops in certain localities, or other
causes, will raise the value of wheat,
but unless there is some such cause, the
prices are usually governed by reasons
previously stated. As the failure OF
the wheat crop in this section is always
disastrous, it is but a matter Of self
protection to diversity the crops; give
more attention to your stock and dairy,
have more oats, corn and barley, more
vegetables, and less wheat; although
wheat will be the principal product
yet do not raise it exclusively, devote
more time to your dairy, it is one o.
the most profitable branches of farming
there is no great outlay required, il
will not interfere with your crops, yot
can proftably devote part of your timt
to this, and the other part of your farm
work will not suffer. Is it not rathe,
humiliating for us to have to acknowl
edge that in this whole county ther'
are but very few farmers who cal
make a good marketable article of bat
ter! How is it to-day in this village
Not pound of butter in town! Thinl
of that, farmers! Why! some one vii
say, what becomes of all this butter W
see the farmers bringing Ing Wher
does it all go! What becomes of a
we see in our stores! To answer tn
questions in their regular order, W
will say: that what the farmers ar
bringing in and selling as butter, is bu
an inferior quality of either axle or soa
grease, and it is not fit for any thin
else, nor is it worth making or selling
| It goes to the eastern markets and
sold to soap and candle manufacturer,
the better portion of it In some instance
being worked up. washed, sweetened
colored, and sold to the poorer classe.