American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-01-22
Mixed Farming.

The more l see of mixed farming,
the more l become convinced of its
advantages over special systems of
culture, where either may be employed
to the best advantage. The one-crop
system has serious risks to run ON &C
count of the variations of the seasons
and the markets. This risk is generally
less where a speciality is continued for
long term of years, as with the culture
of hops or brocm-corn, the raising of
seeds, dairying or keeping sheep. In
deed, almost any branch of farming can
be made to pay well if time is allowed,
, and there is chance for making
manure on the farm. Mixed husbandry
has more advantages. Properly con-
Quoted. it not only pays better, but
pays from the start, rs it embraces the
various products grown, including the
special branches, all, or part of which,
may be employed, or some products
grown more largely, as circumstances
may govern, reaping thus what benefit
there is, which is sure to occur in at
least some of the products, usually with
proper attention in most of them, and
sometimes in all, according as they are
influenced by climate, moist or dry sea-
sons, and the nature of the soil. Some
sections or farms are more suited to
grazing, some to grain. some to particu-
lar grains. There are also localities
more favorable to fruit, or to some
other special product. These are ex-
ceptional, and require the products
adapted to them.
Mixed farming demands a general
soil soil and climate allowing of variety
of production-and most of our land is
of this character. Much of the success
depends upon management. 1t calls
into requisition a nice discrimination,
and an acquaintance with the methods
of farming as applied to soil and the
adaptation of the various crops, based
upon experience. The mixed system
favors the making of homemade
manure in stable and sod, the most inn
portant element in our farming; also
the growing of clover for hay and
green manuring, and all the means for
enriching the soil, including the rota-
tions of crops to balance fertility. 1t
further favors the cleaning and me-
chanical improvement of the land by
herd crops and the fallOw; distributes
the labor of the farm so rs to make it
more easy, with no intervals Of waste
time or periods of crowded work, the
latter sometimes seriously. interfered
with by the weather or other hindrance.
Besides, the variety of soil and stu
alton on many farms-and L might say,
as a rule, in our eastern section re-
quires different management, with crops
to correspond, some soils and locations
being better suited to corn. some to
wheat and some to the coarser grains;
now and then a field is better adapted
to grass. especially pasture. This neces-
states to some extent a break in rOta-
ton, which the land under the excep-
tional circumstances admits and de-
mands. Thus it is for the interest of
the farmer to keep his river soil, en-
rjched by overflow, in corn, experience
showing that the situation being warm,
as well as the soil rich, deep and well
drained, requires this grain, not neces-
sarily every year, but in the main.
There are some soils in which the water
line runs high, where permanent grass
can be maintained with more or less ad-
vantage. Where the situation pre-
cludes the material lowering of the
water line, it would be unwise to dis
turb good turf. There is also advant-
age in sowing the different kinds of
grain, to meet the changing aspects of
the season, some grains enduring bet
ter the dry weather. some the wet
weather, some also maturing earlier, as
is the case with barley, which can be
grown and matured in time to escape
the severe heat and drought of mid
SUMMERTIME enemies of this grain,
which requires GOODNESS and moisture.
Its hardness, allowing of early sowing,
favors these. But sometimes wet
spring prevents the early putting out of
the crop. Buckwheat then may follow;
and with such well-prepared soil as
barley demands, it stands a chance to
produce good crop; often more profit
able than the one intended, besides
leaving the ground in good condition.
Or, the land may be put instead to some
supplemental forage crop, like millet or
to corn. The devices are many, and it
is the business of the farmer, not only
to understand them, but to be prepared
to take advantage of the changes, en-
larging one or more products accord
ing to circumstances, and varying as
the case may require. The more dis
eliminating the farmer is, the more sue
cessful, having diversified instrument
to WELD, which he can direct to the
greatest advantage, getting the most
out of the land, only, however, when
also in possession of large and careful
practice and an enlightened acquaint-
ance with principles as established by
facts: and this covers a large field en-
bracing many branches of knowledge,
making farming at its best one of the
most comprehensive of employments,
its highest success reached in the great
est diversity where soil, climate and
market favor.-Cor. Country Gentleman.