Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-10-27


70 gre.5 extent ut least, attributable to
the habitual practice of methods that
were for time found desirable, but
which IN the older parts of the country,
under the changed conditions as to
markets, and the decrease in the natural
fertility of the soil, can no longer be de-
Tended. AS the conditions favorable to
the practice OF a more intensive and
complete system of farming have been
developed, the tendency is to follow the
Old routine methods that had given the
best results during the early settlement
OF the country, without reference to the
modified surroundings that render a
change OF practice desirable.
At the present time there can be no
doubt that a better system of farming
may be adopted, with advantage, in the
older States that have passed the pio-
neer stage of development. The profits
OF the average farm may be materially
increased by the practice of a complete
system OF management, that provides
for the full and symmetrical develop
ment OF every interest of the farm, in
connection, of course, with more
thorough cultivation of the soil, and
greater attention to the preservation and
use of manure.
System in farming, in the sense in
which the term is used here, is not to be
confounded with neatness and order in
carrying on the various operations of
the farm. Instances may be found in
almost every neighborhood, in which
the buildings and adjacent premises are
models of neatness, and the necessary,
work is performed in an efficient man
ner, while an examination of the routine
practiced would show that nothing like
complete system had been adopted,
embracing every interest and detail
that contributed to the aggregate of re-
suits. Even under the pioneer practice
that we have characterized by its want
of system, it would not be difficult to
find many farms where neatness and or
der prevail in the management. But
something beyond this is needed in the
advanced position the farmer should
occupy with better markets and land
increased in money value, if not in
productiveness.
The farm, under these changed con-
ditions, may be compared to a manu-
factory, in which there are many differ
ent departments and processes, each of
which is essential to the success of the
whole. In complete system of farm
ing these various interests should be so
adjusted and harmonized that each
would contribute its due proportion to
the general result, and no single de-
partment should be developed to an ex-
tent that interfered materially with the
success of any other. It would, of
course, be impossible to arrange the de-
tails of a system adapted to every local
ity, from the fact that peculiarities of
soil and climate, to say nothing in re-
gard to markets and the ability of the
farmer himself in particular modes Of
management, would require modifica-
tions of plans in many essential details.
The principles of farm economy are,
however, well established and of general
application, and they must be recog-
nized in all cases to secure the highest
success in any department of farm man.
agement.
As the labor problem is one of the
most difficult that the farmer has to
deal with, the plans of the farm should
be arranged with reference to it, SO that
the greatest economy, consistent with
efficiency, can be practiced. The order
of the crops in rotation, and the system
of feeding and care of the live stock,
will determine, to a great extent, the
Importance of distribution of labor.
This is one of the great advantages of a
mixed husbandry, that can not be so
readily practiced in an exclusive sys-
tenn of special culture. 1t would be de-
sirable, under favorable conditions, to
arrange the details of management, so
that work could be profitably provided
for fixed and uniform force through
out the year. BY this means it would
be possible to avoid paying high prices
for extra labor during the season of
harvest, and it would at the same time
be for the interest of the farm laborer,
who could thus obtain steady employ
ment,
Under we'll planned system, it would
not be necessary to make any marked
increase of working force on the average
farm at any season of the year, if full
advantage is taken of the improved farm
machinery that can now be readily OBJ
tanned for variety of purposes. In the
cases where it is not possible to secure
an exact uniformity in the distribution of
labor, it will be best to make as close
an approximation to it as posi-
BILE. Farm buildings are too often
planned and constructed without
any reference to the particular
wants of the farm. If it was possible
to obtain correct statement of the ag-
gregate annual loss, in the United States,
arising from defects in the arrangement
and construction of farm buildings, the
result would undoubtedly surprise those
who have not given the subject particu-
lar attention. Buildings that were made
for temporary purpose are found to be
insufficient, and expensive alterations
and additions are made without secur-
ing what is needed for the storage of
crops and the accommodations Of the
live stock, while the internal arrange
ments involve continual waste of labor.
In many instances much ingenuity is
apparently expended in devising plan
that gives the greatest number of in
convenient arrangements.
Mistakes are often made in copying
the plans of buildings that are well
adapted to the wants of particular
farm. without taking into consideration