The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-05-08
Increasing the Resources of the Farm.

~>*h<@&S7 1880 s
1t is presumed that farmers as general
thing adopt plans which will ensure the best
results from the means they have at their
command. The first step toward successful |
farming is to have well matured Plans OF I
operation, and TO systsnize all farm work. |
Order should be observed. saving much !
time. No time is spent by a good farmer |
in hunting up what he wants to use, OF re-
pairing some machine or tool-everything |
having been done at the proper time. He
has his grain and early-cut hay safely stored
in the barn at the earliest possible time
1t does not pay TO have more land than you
have labor to bestow upon il. Land left
without care will not pay..its own expenses,
which must be paid out of the profits OF the
improved land; and the more yen have Of
unproductiye -land the less your balance
sheet will show. Instead of ploushing up
exhausted meadows, put on top-dressing
OF manure or fertilizers. which will soon
bring them up to a paying condition, thus
saving the expense OF breaking up, mannr-
ing and re-seeding. Rather plough. level
down, and clear of the surface stones some
nnreclaimed portion CT the farm, putting in
tina. kind of crop which will nearly or
quite pay the expense and hereafter sou
will have a field giving handsome profit,
equal to your best cultivated land, and cost
ing only 4 trille more perhaps than plough.
ingup your smooth meadow. But yon may
say you have more cleared up row than you
have manure to keep up poor pastures,
thout some kind OF fertilizers, Will grow
up again the same as beiate. answer that
you must make more manure. You have
the materials in some swamp or muck hole.
The swamp when cleared off makes an in
exhaustible meadow. auc the nluck both
contain is mine of wealth to draw on at
pleasure. To throw ont the muck TO drain
and dry does not require a great amount OF
labor in proportion to the quantity and value
thrown up. When dried by exposure to sun
and air, put it under cover, and with a
free use without stint as litter and absor-
bent in the stable, hogpen and hen-house,
you will he astonished at the additional
quantity OF manure you have made. Large
crops are always dependent on manure.
The muck can be used independently of sta
bic manure by composing it with a mixture
OF lime and ashes iii the latter il not to be
had, substitute potash in its steady and you
have a fertilizer nearly, il not equal. to sta.
Bile manure. II you have not the labor or
means at your command, borrow $50 or 800
hire some one to throw out the muck, and
prepare it for use. The increase in crops
will soon pay back principal and interest,
and you will be SO much ahead. in this there
is much more safety than in engaging in try
ing new crops, fiuctuating in value from year
year. Much OF oar woodland does not pay
because i: is unproductiye. Unless covered
with timber it is not only dead capital, but
an annual expense to the amount Of interest
and taxes. which comes out of the profits of
the farm. This is overlooked by many. II
you have not the means to clear up this
woodland, il would be better to sell off a
part, take the proceeds and clear the bal
ance, or even give it away, rather than keep
it at an annual expense of two dol lars per
acre, more or less. 1t does not pay to allow
the roadsides, the fence corners or pastures
to grow up with hriers, weeds, &c. A little
labor expended in moving them once or
twice at the proper time august is consid-
cred the BEST will extermnate them. Visit
ing the village as often as many do does not
pay. Time is money. Each trip consumes
the greater portion Of the day. Cut down
these visits, and devote the time to improve
ments on the farm, and in making it more
productive, and in short time the visible
change will be pleasing and profitable
Country Gentleman.