Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-06-02
What Constitutes Good Farming.

Formerly It was thought that educa-
tlon was not necessary for q farmer
ability to swing an AK, hold plow,
handle hoe, and swing scythe being
all that was required in n good farmer.
This opinion has given way to n more
enlightened one. AT the present day il
is conceded that n well directed use of
brains is worth more to the farmer than
undirected physical labor Both COM
bined are still more effective where the
greatest profit is expected.
One of the many elements of success
in farming is in keeping posted up with
the times. This in q great measure may
be obtained by reading our best agri-
cultural journals, and he who is q close
student can learn much that he can use
to his own advantage, and at small cost.
The habitual carelessness which one
meets with among farmers, especially in
the matter of small things, Is to be dep
rccated. Many things are allowed to
go to waste for want of proper care.
The farming tools are left where last
used, exposed to the changes of weather,
and sooner or later become useless from
rust and decay. The natural wear is
quite an annual tax, even where proper
ly cared for. Some who are looked
upon as good practical farmers do not
give the needed attention to small
things, and ms consequence a loss is
sustained. This in part is owing to the
laXity in system and ord er which is so
essential in all kinds of business.
Many farmers are greatly in error in
| trying to work too great n quantity of
land. having more than they can prop
erly improve and cultivate. All lands
that do not yield sufficient to pay for la
Dor, interest and taxes, and are incapa-
BILE of improvement with the means of
the owner Except woodland enough to
supply the wants of the farm), should
be disposed of at some price or even
given away rather than be held Mt 4
yearly loss, which has to come out of
the profits of the farm. This loss is
greater in most cases than the increas-
ing value of the land. There are other
leaks that should be looked to; "a con-
stant dropping soon fills the cask. :"
Large crops are simply the result of APP
| plying manure, which every farmer
knows, but many of them fail to give it
that attention its importance demands.
Even where land is good, manure large
ly increases the crop. This can be OBJ
| tanned by different methods on the farm
without resorting to costly commercial
| fertilizers. All the waste of the house
hold should he put into q vat or heap,
and deoderized by the use of road dust.
which is cheap The manure from the
hen-house and privy should be COM
posted, the hog-pen should have watts
into which is put liberal supply of
muck (Which is found on most farms)
together with leaves and other refuse
matter to absorb the excess of liquid.
| This makes a most valuable manure for
all kinds of crops, especially corn. In
the COW stable, muck is valuable rs an
absorbent, and should be used without
stint.
Prof. Stewart says muck may be COM
posted thus: Forty bushels or one
wagon load of dry muck, five bushels
of unleached ashes, one hundred pounds
of bone flour, one hundred pounds OF
plaster, can be throwninto heap three
months before using, and fermentation
will take place. AS n fertilizer he says
this is worth double that of COW ma.
nure. 1t may also be composted as
above, leaving out the bone flour, and
substituting five bushels of unslaked
|
the vegetable matter liberate the salts,
expel the acids. fitting it for plant food.
One pint or more in hill gives Wig
orous start to corn or potatoes. A few
bushels of hen manure added increase
its value. as have known, for | have
witnessed its good effects. This extra
quantity of manure can be applied tc
some poor knolly and weedy pasture
the sod turned over, leveled and pul.
verized. and the land cultivated in koed
crops till well subdued, then seeded
down. The same ground which pro
duced little or nothing is now yielding
from five to ten dollars per acre, above
cost. This plan strictly carried out fol
few years converts the non-paying
land into profitable farm. Thissurplui
profit the owner can use at discretion
Gf out of debt) in making improvement:
or ornamenting and Identifying hi!
grounds, and rendering the home more
cheerful and attractive. Cor. Cou'sty2
Gentle man.