New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-28
FARM AND GARDEN.
MORE PROFIT FROM SMALL FARMS. !
from The Vsekly Tribune. Amgust o..

The observing teacher, especially if foreigner
will be forcibly impressed with the fact that
Eastern farms too large for the capital employed
by their occupants. 1 speak OF farms and farmers
in general, and not Of those exceptional. Tho
amount of produce might be doubled II such farms
were reduced in size one-haf. and the same amount
of fertilizers labor and brains employed tho
whole. When farms were worth from %lO 10 $40
per acre. and rapidly increasing in value when the
soil was rich native fertility, and more largely
covered by timber when ordinary. or Inferior.
cultivation secured large yields, and the partial
failure of crops increased the prices correspond
ingly, then to possess large farms was commend
able. But the farmer OF to-day must remember
that this is a period Of transition and that wise
policy of the past may be disastrous for the present
Let us speak this subject frankly ahd &C
knowledge that Eastern farms are degenerating;
that there is not apparent the thrift and energy OF
earlier days; that farm buildings through lack Of
painting and repairs, indicate reduced incomes;
that farm mortgages bave increased in size and
number; that Eastern farmers are slow III adopting
needed reforms IN methods, ana That many,
through D want of appreciation OF journals devoted
to their interests do not realize the rapid changes
of the times the results of the development oil vast
fertile territories the shifting OF controlling pro-
ducng centres and the influences OF the steel rails
and the twisted cables that are bringing the nhaOl
tants of the whole world Into the relations oil next
door nelghbors.
Many have answered the question, " What shall
the poor Eastern farmer DO = by going West, yield
derest recollections hover. Don't follow such
ample. my friend There are many Western graves
in which are buried the wives and children Of
Eastern husbands and fathers and there are many
discouraged and sore hearted in the West who
would gladly return here bad they money enough TO
buy a railroad ticket. The West now invites tho
capitalIst-the poor man finds the desirable lVca-
tons occupied, and must ciawl into his " dugont,
ar a%a' Wishes o md 'rI' AZ chsap in Ne%
York Pennsylvania using the word cheap prop
erly) any where in the universe. lou can buy
land here for about hat il las cost TO clear away
the forests. stumps and rocks, fence, ditch, plant
orchards and put up buildings. AS much money
can be made here as elsewhere If the same economy
and industry enforced, and the requirements CT
the soil and the times properly considered.
Let us be ambitious to own farms proportionate
in extent to our captal-snall farms IN most
cases,-dnd to produce the largest yield from the
tewrst acres. In order TO make small farms moro
profitable 1T is not necessary for the man VINO has
grown gray at grain-growlng to devote himself 10
the dairy or to cranberres, or sugar-beets. If no
makes any change in crops it will be wise to do 80
in small way at first. At grain growing he can IN
most instances increase his income by gradually
deepening his soil by fall ploughlng by more ELL
cent drainage by clearing up the waste places, by
keeping improved stock OF all kinds, by more ire
quent and thorough cultivation, by largely ncreas-
ing the fertility of the SOIL by clubbing with nel2h'
bors for improved tarm implements, and by soll.nS
stock, permitting no part of the farm to he IN thaS
contemplate and Improbable condition known as
pasture. Land located within twelve niles ot a
city might often be more proiltably employed IN
producing radish, celery, caulln0Wer, melons,
squaSheS, cucumber DIOOmcOfn, CaODdsc, tO4Ad-
toes, SWeetcOTn, etc.
The erection of canning houses and evanOrators
will often cause q demand for similar produce az
more distant points. If the small farmer eau sue
coed with such crops they will bring IN money at
seasons when it is much needed, and wagon rum
ming frequently to market with small loads OF
various items, will bring ina surprising sum OF
money during the season. II the tanner mas Wet
land, that cannot be drained, he can MAKE II as
profitable any part OF the farm by planting tho
Osler willow. My nelghbor mas large heid mus
planted that would otherwise be worthless. ana
his income Is considerable Ii is better that inc
soil should be cultivated and put IN good condition
for the cuttings of the willow, and cultivated with
the horse at least season, but In my nelghbOrs
case this impossible. lie smpiy shafpeheu
stout branches and drove them into the earth, or
prepared nOles for them with bar. No cultivation
Is required after the willows become established.
Fruit-growing large and small. offers promising
inducements to the owners of small farms. but tho
profits Iherefrom are often grossly exaggerated.
There are sections of the country where small fruits
bring extravagant prices, but the planter IN such
favored spots could not nope for Their continuance
80 long as his neghbOrs free 10 compete with
! him. 1t is safe only to figure on moderate yle.ds
and low prices with occasional failures Then II the
result exceeds the expectations we may rejoice. |
near village. "Why does not TINS man raise
frnitsi If | We're in his place | could make twice
|
see H. that the man has no experience with fruits,
and that he must consume some time in learning
their habits: (2l thar it would cost HIM something
for plants and trees, and that he may not be able
to buy them CD that Very likely he requires the
produce from every acre for the maintenance oil DIS
family from month to month. and that II lie plants
fruits he might short OF money before they come
into bearing. The proper thing for person 80
situated would be to invest - or less IN straw
berry raspberry and blackberry plants. get expert
ence IN cultyatng them, and increase his plat
with plants of his own grow ing.
Young men adapt themselves to new occupations
more readily than those older, therefore it is well
to giv, one of the boys opportunity to begin
fruit-growing Set aside a field for that purpose.
and let him manage it. YOu will be surprised to
learn how quickly he catches IDEAS and the rapidty
with which he masters the situation. Fruit culture
conflicts with work at times. but IN TINS way
each could attend t. his own affairs frult-grow-
ing industriously and intelligenty pursued Is now
and ever will be profitable and delightful eceuPa-
ton. know of no means by which the SOIL can De
made to yield so proftaby, but 1t requires closer
observation and study, and more Thought anu at
tention than is ordinarily given To farming Fruit
growing for drying may be prohtaDly pursued IN
anv section where the soil is suitable. Blackcap
Iaspberres probably the most profitable OF the
small fruits for this purpose. the berries netting as
much profit when dried as when sold fresh. A dry
house suitable for TINS purpose can be uaue lot $40
by any ingenious person.
Nv friend began fruit growing on farm OF 100
acres, without experience. tie leased shares, for
grain-growng, all but ten acres. He purchased
200 strawberry, 1900 raspberry red aud black,
and 300 blackberry plants; 40 grape vines a few
currants and gooseberres 200 peach, 300 apple,
| 100 pear and 80 ounce trees, costing altogether
800. and embracing the eadng varieties. except
with the apples. which we're all Baldwlns, aud lle
pears which all dwarf DucheSse. The oOo
apples occupied six acres. Excepting grapes
quinces and pears all the above fruits were planted
| either in or between the rows of apple trees no
| layered grapes and raspberres. The Strawberries
| and some other species multiplied fast, thus tho
| second year he had a stock of plants OF ms own
| growing for further planting thus he EXTENDED
the enterprise gradually each season buying only
few improved varieties, and extending his peai'
peach and ounce plats.