The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-01-23
Remedy for Low Prices.

it is very evident that it is only by
growing larger crops than we do now
that agriculture can be made profita-
BILE. The common idea that larger
products than are now grown cannot
find a market is unfounded. 1t is an
astonishing fact that consumption
seems to be practically unlimited when
the prices of products are low enough.
This fact is well illustrated just now in
the vast amount of pork, bacon and
lard that are disposed of, and also by
the wonderfully enlarged consumption
of corn in Europe at the present low
prices. The effect of the enormous in
crease of our foreign business that has
been stimulated by low prices for the
past two or three years is shown by the
condition of our export trade; the bal
ance of exports over imports for the
ten months of the present year, ending
Nov. l, being no less than 1910, 900, 900.
1t is to this more than to anything else
that the present healthful prospect of
business for the coming year is due. If,
then, our foreign markets are practical
ly unlimited, when we can supply them
at certain prices, and we can compete,
under these conditions, with all other
Nations, it is certainly to our advantage
to regulate our business accordingly,
and to produce as much as we can, as
cheaply as we can. To do this we
must increase the products of each
acre; not SO much to enlarge the area
under cultivation, but to make the
present area produce twice or three
l,nc H.
To do this is difficult, but it is not
impossible. The present average of
our farm crops is very low, and only
about one-third of what is possible.
The average management of farm bust
ness as regards stock, economy of feed
ing, making and using manure, the
employment of artificial feeding sub
stances and especially in the use of ar
tificial fertilizers, is rarely as effective
as it might be. There are some varie-
ties of stock that are the most profita-
BILE under certain circumstances only,
and we have as yet only partially
learned how to adapt varieties to cir
cnmstanceS. 1t is rare that the right
stock is found in the right place pre-
cisely; and to prove that this is true, it
is necessary only to refer to the in
stance of dairying, in which scarcely
two persons are agreed as to which
class of COWS is the best for this bust
ness; and there must be one that is
best, as a matter of course. This is a
matter upon which, unfortunately, no
precise information can be given; but,
nevertheless, it is certain that to know
more about it is of great Importance.
So with feeding our stock we are at
disagreements. There are advocates
of this or that method of feeding,
and, strangely enough, when, after
some years of discussing this question,
we had settled down q the practice
of cutting and grinding feed as meas
ure of economy, there now comes Gan
undoubted authority''-from "foreign
parts" too, to give eclat to his new
notions-who declares that long hay
and straw and unground grain only
should be fed, and that it is waste to
feed cut fodder and grind the grain.
And some farmers, who are apt to be
led astray by strange doctrines, will
lose fodder and grain and money by
changing their plans to suit these
notions. With regard to the making
and use of manure, we probably lose
more, or miss making profit more, than
by any other of our mistakes. We are
too apt to regard bulk more than
quality, and have not yet learned suffi-
GENTLY we'll that by feeding high we
can get back the cost of the food in the
manure heap in the shape of its in
creased effective value. This question
is so closely connected with the use of
artificial feeding substances, that the
two together are we'll worth consider
ing and discussing during the leisure
moments of the winter season. just
now it is hardly necessary to do more
than advert to the rare employment of
linseed or cotton-seed-oil cakes, of mill
stuffs, or root crops, for feeding stock
additional to the ordinary useful ami
mails of the farm.
With regard to the aforementioned
item, viz, the use of artificial fertil-
izers, we are behind all other pro-
gressive Nations. Chemical manures,
the waste products of manufactures,
and natural fertilizers, as guano, potash
salts and nitrates, are as yet only very
little understood, and still less used.
The majority of farmers are SO little
acquainted with them as to confuse
them together under the general term
phosphate" The differences between
ammonia and phosphoric acid and be-
tween the different kinds of fertilizers
used for different purposes, are gener-
ally unknown, and, therefore, there is
dread of having anything to do with
them. Consequently. when any of
them are used, there is great danger of
missing any useful result, because Of
the improper or Ineffective way in
which they are used. We mention
these points, and simply present this
subject ut this time, that our readers
may make it a matter of serious con-
sideratiOn before another season re-
turns, when opportunities will occur
for decided action. For the successful
prosecution of agriculture, its various
operations must be thoroughly under
stood. 1t is not enough that a man
should pillow and SOW that he may reap;
to this end he must be versed in all the
intricate problems which arise out OF
the practices of all his labors, so that
everything may be done in the best
manner, and made to produce the best
results, by choosing those methods of
practice which will combine all that he
has learned by his own experience. and
all that he can learn of the experience
of others m Y. Times.
Truth and Soberness.
What is the best family medicine in the
world to regulate the bowels, purify the blood,
remove costiveness and b;li0usnes.. aid diges
ton and stimulate the whole system!
Truth and eoherneaa cQMpelS US to answer,