Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-08-23
Specialtfes in Farming.

III ldliu VpCAo'AO"o 40 '-S
of too many of our farmers. A
variety of crops are commonly
grown. yet in no one of them does
the average farmer expect or even
dare to hope for greater excellence
than attends the efforts OF his
neighbors. Mixed farming is un-
doubtedly best adapted to a ma>
iority Of farmers, because with a
number of crops one or more will
probably prove a success. There
is such a thing, however, as
knowledge of the habits and re-
ouircments of certain crops, so
thorough in its character as to In
sure success, whatever the season
or other surrounding conditions. 1t
is only in the case Of such crops as
are thoroughly understood that
remunerative results may be eX>
pected. and it is impossible for even
the most intelligent and skilltul
farmers to devote thorough study
and investigation to every variety
of farm crop. Specialties are there
fore necessary in the farm economy
Any individual may learn one
thing thoroughly, but the wisest
cannot know everything. The
hulk OF the farm labor and the de-
voiion to crops may be conducted
in the usual manner, with such
improvements as are incidentally
acquired; hut III progressive agii'
culture there should always be one
field or part OF a field devoted to
speciality. which Should command
the closest study and most careful
observation of tie farmer. The
advantages OF such a policy are not
limited by the mere pecunlary
gains, though such is undoubtedly
the best method Of securing prohta
bic returns. When a tanner has
learned more about any special
crop than a majority OF neighbour
ing tanners know them he is quite
sure of a profit. In all the occupa
tions the majority OF men earn lii
tie more than a bare living, food,
clothing and shelter. Whoever
would have more than these nee
essaries of lie must earn it by
greater skill than the average Of ms
associates. The competition IN the
g. &C., -. ,rssily grown crops is so great
'6's' = is no wonder good farmers
are A,scouFaged and young men
resolve 10 &evote their energies TO
some other business. a few years
ago. when Congress by retroac
tive law legislatcd 5000 back pay
into the pocket OF each member, a
calculation was made by Western
paper OF how much labor this sum
represented in oats at the selling
rate Of the time, say about eigh>
teen cents per bushel. Without
doubt easier modes Of getting a liv~
ing and faster ways OF making
money than grown g oats at low
prices have driven thousands OF
Young men from the fam. Ike
iact, however, that such meagre
results Iced no; always be the re
suit OF the farmers labor TOO Often
escapes attention. There are many
moe profitable crops than hose
usually giOwn by farmers, and II
is within the power OF any farmer,
young or old, 10 learn the secrets
fer their successful production.
Young men at home Oh tie farm
are always glad 10 90 INTO
Lew things, and to a reasonable
extent this should be encouraged.
In thousands OF cases it will save
to fam lite tie active, enie'pllslng
young man, who, ii kept III the I'M
varying found OF routine drudgery'
would drift into other and perhaps
o the youthful mind more congenlaI
PURSUITS.
1t is not the labor alone TO which
tanners, young or old, oject. 1t
IS the almost inevitable tact that IN
most farm crops such labor is not
adequately rewarded. No crop de-
mands moe latol; and that Of the
slow, tedious, back achn 9 Lind,
tLan onions Yet in mole than one
instant yourg men have been per-
suaded 10 remain on the old LONE
stead by the alluling promise Of
having a piece Of suitable land set
apart Tor their use as an onion patch
In one such case, Row in mind. tie
acre cultivated by tie lad re't'd
moe Profit han tie one Lm ded>
acle farm Of MS faricr. Tie ~, Xi
year the father allow ed The son to
rent the farw, and the youth is now
one OF the most intelligent and en-
telpiisiDg iarnels i'll his section.
The cultivation Ct srecialties in
flaming tends TO broaden tie mind
ard make tie farmer more obser
v.nt and mole intelligent. There
ale seuets in farming or gard
ening which may not lie learned by
Il e persistent cultivator, and any
ole who wishes 10 gain all the
klo~ ledge that is TO he )eQuutd
conc rniDg any crop can secure such
III orination nom sue essiuI cul'Iya-
ter, or txl,l'ei ctd authorities, hoe
OF cbarae. 1t would be an excel
.ent pc 10y for farmers 10 visit such