Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-07-19
What Shall We Do to be Savedg

railroads and of the steamboats, which
ever bring new areas into communica-
ton with the markets, are affecting pri-
ces and supplies with suddenness that
IS dlsheartening to many an old-time
farmer who has adapted his meth
DDS and his crops to old-time circum-
stances. The telegraph regulates al
most instantaneously the prices of
staples at widely different points Of dis
tribution. The price of corn at Chica-
go, telegraphed to Boston or New York,
regulates the price that the farmer in
close vicinity is to receive. A shipment
Of early produce from Norfolk, or even
further south, fills the markets and sa-
tiates the tastes of the consumer, while
the crops of the vicinity are hardly in
bloom. There is widespread eompe-
tition the farmer has to meet than for
merly, and with increased sources of
supply there is decrease in the prices
offered. This is unfavorable to local
lied class, but benefcent to the COM
munity; for cheap food, the necessity of
life, must ever be considered advantage
GUS. 1t is an age of advance, because
every movement of the time seems to
favor increased comforts and increased
opportunities and lessened prices to the
community at large; but, we must say
it, like the car of Juggernaut, progress
brushes all who stand in her way; and
the farmer is often found among the
mass of struggling humanity which sac
rifces itself needlessly under its re-
morseless wheels.
VNharo &c huf onn bonn 1uo .o, coo Gov
the suburban farmer, and that is to meet
change with change, to educate himself
to keep abreast of the times, and by the
increased exercise Of his intelligence
make more of his land than has been
his previous habit, diminish the wastes,
and use the capital that he has. IF corn
is bringing but fifty cents in the market,
the farmer who raises corn must raise
it at small enough cost to allow of
profit at this price, through cultivation.o of
larger areas, the use of machinery, and
the purchase-judicious this must be-
of fertilizers. If corn costs dollar
bushel as raised on small areas by hand
labor, it is but folly to continue it's cul-
ture in such manner as does not re-
duce this cost, when the market price is
less. 1t an acre in wheat is more pro-
ductive of profit than the acre in grass,
it is unwise to continue the growing of
grass. If corn-stover will replace the
high-cost hay in feeding cattle through
the winter season, then it must be made
to do so, so as to admit of the hay being
sold. If strawberries are cheap, then
through the cultivation of selected
areas with irrigation must the crop be
increased.
How can this be done, and what con-
nection with the times? may be asked.
We reply that modern science has told
us certain truths that must be applied.
1t has shown us that fertilizer will re-
place farm manure. and so the farmer
has but to calculate the cost in order to
decide upon more intensive culture or
more extended fields, being certain of
the crop as from the use of manure. 1t
has told US of the qualities Of our land,
which reduce the waste of fertile ele-
ments, and thus enables us to apply fer
tilizer with reference to future needs.
1t has told us of the character Of certain
of our agricultural plants, so that by
forethought we can pillow deep for some
crops, and shallow for others as needed,
and thus save the expense which comes
from a routine system for all crops
alike. 1t has unlocked the principles Of
cultivation, so that crops can be increas-
ed by judioious application of the i'm
Elements which mechanical invention
has secured for us. 1t has unraveled
many of the principles of feeding and
breeding, so that by careful thought we
can econmlze material for food which
the unreHecting use for bedding, and
through selection can increase the value
in product of such food as is fed. 1t
has furnished new crops, which, like
Hungarian grass, fill out the failures of
the early season, and serve as an insur-
ance crop; or as fodder corn, which sup
plements the deficiencies of the pasture
in the droughts of summer and autumn;
or as fodder rye or oats, which supply
an early feed before the grasses have
become in vigorous growth.
Let farming methods keep in the line
of advance, and abreast of the times,
and relatively to the cost of production
will the profits remain the same; but
the profits may not come from the same
crops as formerly, and certainly will not
come from the same methods which for
merly swere adequate. The hoe must
cease to be the standby for the farmer
and must be replaced by the cultivator
and horseshoe in most instances. Hand
labor must give place to machine-labor
wherever advisable, Horse-lahor must
take the place of the man to as great an
extent as is admissible Large areas
must be gone over, and larger crops
must be harvested per acre than from
the single acre system. Idle land must
be brought into usefulness. In word,
the principles of the manufacturer must
find place on the farm sufficiently to
make of opportunities and reduce
wastes.-Scientifc Farmer.
SxvindlnIS