The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-06-19
TOPICS FOR THE FARM.

TOPICS FOR THE FARM.
Over.pr0duetiOn. The Rural Nesc
Yorker says it is to be regretted that any
economists should intimate the belief
that there is, or threatens to be, over
production of the fruits of the farm
Already our agricultural interests have
too much and too many kinds of oppesi-
ton. The prevailing low prices of the
articles raised by the farmer are not to
be accounted for on this ground. Neither
is the widespread financial trouble to be
attributed to such cause.
1t is readily admitted that local or
general markets may easily be over
stocked with various kinds of manufac-
lures, and also with those articles of
consumption that are regarded as
luxuries; but these bear to the COM
muuity an entirely different relation
from that sustained by the usual pro-
ducts of agriculture. All kinds of
articles of commerce have shown a
corresponding decline in price. ffarmers
need much that they cannot buy, the
same is true of those engaged IN al
other occupations. The low prices of
farm products are not attributable to
the absence of demand for them, but
rather to the want of the money with
which to purchase them.
All over this vast land there are now,
and probably always will be, districts
which need far more meat and grain
than they have or can obtain. Taking
broader view, the worn and denuded
lands of the Old World are scourged
with terrible famines from time to time.
China, in few years, has lost millions
of her people from this cause. Syria
and India have been-and the latter
even now threatens to be again-the
scenes of horrible mortality and desola-
ton from the same calamity. Brazil
and Morocco have also been grievously
affected by famine during the past year.
For the following reasons we believe
that no section need to fear over-produe-
tion of the necessaries of life: The
means OF transportation are 80 rapidly.
multiplying that there are always near
or distant communities that may be
reached, that are in immediate and
urgent need of what the farmer raises.
These means of transportation are con-
stantly increasing. The growth of
population and the vast extension and
multiplication of non-productive call
ings will prevent any diminution of the
demand for the direct and indispensable
means of subsistence.
! I The nature of the products of the soil
4 is such that in many instances they can
be converted into other forms that may
prove more marketable. If there be
more corn than is needed, there may be
a scarcity of good beef, butter, mutton,
pork, etc., and these can readily be
raised from the CORP. Again, there is
such wonderful adaptation in our soil
and climate, that, at least in many parts
of our country, there is vast privilege
4 of choice as to what articles shall be
produced, This ought to protect the
Intelligent farmer from the disappoint
ment on an over-stocked market.
Millions of our people do not have a
pound of fresh fruit of any kind for 8
I great part of the year. Millions do moi
have a pound of butter for months
Millions scarcely know the taste of good
rich milk. Millions are living almost
entirely without meat. Millions are
to-day without single article produced
in the garden. Millions do not taste
mutton once year. Millions have te
live nearly or cutie without wheater
-four. Millions have not enough corn
bread. Does that look like over produc
tion?
/ Egg Culture.-About 1853 the Eng
lish and French statistics on egg cultur.
showed that seventy-seven, counting
twelve hens and one cock as thirteer
hens, was the average production. Aftel
several years of close observation sue
ceeded in obtaining seventy-eight, count
ing by the same rule, or eighty-four anc
half eggs per hen in year. Corn
wheat, rye, barley and oats should bt
soaked several hours in warm weather
and twelve in winter before feeding
Lime and coal ashes as well as pleQtK O.
fresh water, should always be withir
reach of the fowls.
To select eggs for setting see that they
are perfect in shape and of regulai
thickness in the she'll. For male birt
select the long, and for females tn,
short eggs. Place the point of the egg
upon the tongue, it will feel cold; the1
try the large end; if it feels warm, th,
air cell is perfect, and the egg is fresh.
Eggs to keep well should be turned
halfway round each day; this keeps th'
yolk in the center of the egg, and pre-
vents rattling and malformed chickens
S. P. RUsA.
have thirty-fve hens consisting o
Black Spanish and Buff Cochins, which
since January 1, 1879 to May "a, hav'
laid 1854 eggs, besides raising ten brood
of chickens, and l have sold enough
chickens to amount to $14 40. The foot
principally used is wheat screenings.
JOHN b. ALLEN.
Haddonfeld, N. j.,