River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-12-04


ing labor and improving tillage. A
large portion Of the work Of the farm IS
now performed with one-sixth OF the
labor SECURED for the same work half
q centnry ago. Improvements have
been Iaade III the growth of crops as
we'll az In machinery. We remember
when The remark was common, that
the average crop of wheat per acre was
only twelve bushels, and was actually
diminishing. At the present time large
districts of country may be cited where
the average, year after year, exceeds
twentI bushels. Thorough underdrain-
ing, aid the use of clover, manure and
superehosphates, have at least doubled
the entire product of the soil in some of
the best farming districts. Again, the
infusion Of the hest blood into our herds
of cattle, sheep and swine, has pre-
duced great change.
We cannot suppose that the highest
point Of productiveness has already
been reached. There are still too many
defects in farm management. Labor
saving implements of tiilage could be
more generally used by clearing lands
of all distractions. Improvements in
seeds and in varieties of farm crops
would improve the quality of products
AS well as augment the quantity. Such
a variety of wheat, for example, as the
Clawsou, shows that more productive
sorts may be secured; with excellent
quality added, greater profits might be
obtained at no additional cost. Contin-
ued selection has given heavier crops of
corn. 1t is to be presumed tina! the
best yssiety of the potato has not yet
been raised. Machines tor separating
grains, supplying only the best seeds
for reproduction, promise large gains
at little or no additional expense. The
more general adoption of good rotations
of crops, with modern facilities Tor It'll.
lage, have already reduced the quantity
of those profit consumers, weeds, in the
best regions of the country; but here
there il still much room for improve
meat The general adoption of these
facilities, as NAV be easily understood,
farm products of the country.
1t is still {. disputed point with intelli-
gent cpltivators, whether high expendi-
ture in improving and enriching land is
warranted Icy a strictregard to economy
and profit. There is no question that
the degree Of improvement would vary
much with the judgment and skill OF
the manager. Extravagant OUTLAWS
might be indiscreetly applied, not to be
warranted ty their results; greater eff
feets might be produced by constant
or yearly turning of everything to the
best advantage, through the agency of
thorough understanding, blowing under
green crops, and manuring by animals
and purchased fertilizers. Nurserymen
have understood the necessity of plac-
ing their land in the best condition for
the successful production of young
trees, 6nd as a secondary result have
raised some remarkable farm crops
from the land thus prepared, after the
trees were removed, of which single
example may be cited. A few years
since. during season that the potato
CROP generally throughout the country
was;nearly failure, and prices ran
high, o twenty-acre piece OF ground be-
longing TO a large nursery, after the
first crop Of trees had been cleared
from it, was planted with this root. The
land had in previous years been under
drained and cultivated in the best man.
ner, but not highly MANFRED. The deep
and mellow bed of soil retained and
gave out the needed moisture, and the
potatoes averaged one hundred and
fifty bushels per acre, or about n fair
product for a moist season, They were
all sold at the nelghboriug city for rs
cents per bushel, or for 81, $50 for the
three thousand bushels. 1t will be per-
IA Ia hat M i'm
pnrtaIlt advantage to well prepared
lands is IN supplying good crops In
scarce seasons, when high prices are re-
allzed, and farmers who by gradual good
management have brought their farms
to this condition have not only made
the operation pay in augmented crops
as they have progressed year by year,
but possess an immense advantage in
the esd.
Some of our readers will have observ-
ed that in some years, when drouth has
reduced the potato crop, We have had
at the same time large profits from or
chard&, anu the consequent remark that
while N enc season hushel OF pota-
toes would buy tour bushels Of apples,
in thenext one bushel of apples would
buy four bushels of potatoes. 1t is we'll
known that manure and tillage greatly
tend 70 equalize the apple crop in diff
ferent seasons, and this treatment of
the orchard, in connection with good
and deep tiilage for roots, would in
great measure place both above the in
auence of drouth.
An examination of these and similar
facts would tend TO satisfy farmers that
they need not have wide domain in
order TO obtain the largest profits, but
they should aim to do everything in the
best mariner. Improved machinery,
clear iielcs, clean cultivation, improved
seeds, the best animals, and constant
aim OF advanced husbandry, promise
much for the country in future; and
agricultural papers and stated fairs will
be potent agents, as they have already
BEEN for carrying on this improvement.