The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-08-28
NO. 20.
Wise Farming.


I. G. Steele, in recent address before
the Pescadero Grange, said:
We all know that the products Of the
farm are greatly reduced in quantity and
quality by the system, or rather want of
system, generally practiced here. We
have seen crops Of oats and barley that
yielded seventy and hundred bushels
to the acre all along the coast in this
country. How is it now? The quantity
is reduced one-half, and the quality is
like the the q uantity. minus. The time
was when the farmers In this section had
time for recreation and money to spend.
How is it now? How much Of the
present embarrassment of the farmers
shall We consider justly attributable to
the deterioration of the soil? It seems
to me as matter of self interest tnet to
mention patriotism) we are called upon
to not only maintain the fertility re-
manning in the soil but to restore its
original productive power. How can we
do it.
The compost heap, rightly made and
its material properly applied in the pro-
duetlon of farm crops, is q never falling
bank of savings for the farmer; and
every farmer can and should have q
place to prepare plant food, and there
deposit stable and yard manure, straw,
weeds, night-soil, ashes, SCOT, soap suds,
beef and pork brine, old boots and shoes,
old clothes, dead animals, bones pound
ed fine) hair, blood-in short all waste
matter at hand, and to these should be
added swamp muck or peat from time to
time, if they can be had without too
much expense. Dead leaves of trees
should also be added where they are to
had. The compost should be sheltered,
and sufficient water useo on it to aid de-
composition and prevent burning
Suppose we cultivate half the quantity
of land and devote the same amount of
labor and expense on it that we now do
on the whole and get the same amount
Of produce? We would gain the use of
the other half for pasturage or meadow.
securing greater diversity in our farming
and larger amount of plant food to
maintain the fertility of our land.
Next to manuring comes rotation in
crops. There are but few crops that
should ever be planted two years In sue
cession ON the same land, for the reason
that constant rotation will secure better
crops and IS less exhausting to the soil
Flax does nicely in this sectisn now, but
it will soon fail if continually planted on
the same land. In the rotation of crops
the grasses or some forage plants must
occupy prominent place. It is doubt
full whether permanent prosperity IN ag-
rIculture can be attained without the
cultivation of grass To carelessly allow
weeds to take the place of grass is per-
nicious practice. Weeds are of little
value for any purpose, and their increase
in this country, If continued, viii destroy
crops entirely. Grass can be made to
take the place of weeds, and is valuable
feed for STOCK, and good fertilizer when
turned under. Here in our coast cli-
mate We have perennial grasses that form
a good sod when allowed to do SO, and
some of the best foreign grasses thrive
when sown Mesquit, orchard grass and
New England rye grass I have tested.
eessfully here. obtained few roots of
Maltetioruna of Professor Hilgard last
spring, both of which are growing we'll,
and viii, think. be valuable acquisi.
sition to our forage plants. I believe we
can greatly improve our pastures, and
have permanent meadows of grass in.
stead of depending upon grain for hay
I intended to try red clover next year
Its great value as a fertilizer makes i
very desirable. The most natural feed
ior cattle, horses and sheep is grass, and
with its fertilizing qualities it is one o.
the most important farm crops. Sand
wich Island pumpkins is profitable
Drop to raise for cattle and hog feed, anc
leaves land in fine condition for grair
crop. Peas is also q good crop for feet
and to mellow land
The care of domestic animals anl
growing crops suitable for rotation, viii
odd times devoted to the collection o
material for the compost heap, would di
vide farm labor evenly through the yea
and relieve it of the heavy strain at har
vest. With this system generally prac
ticed land I believe we shall have h
adopt something like it whether we vii
it or not some timel, the labor problem
SO FAR as the farmers are concerned
would soon solve itself. The efficien
laborer would gain home, and the farr
would be relieved of the ruinous ex
DeDse of hi1h -r,riaad infarior haln