The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-03-09
PREPARE FOR SPRING.

Iowa State Register: 1t is close at
hand, and there never was spring when
it was more necessary for the farmer to
make every preparation for it. From
the notes of preparation in all depart
ments of industry. there is TO be pressing
demand for skilled as we'll as unskilled
labor. Those who hire good hands will
have to pay literally for their services,
while the crowds of mere drudges will
be demanding more than they are worth,
and more than farmer at the prospec-
tive price of produce can afford to pay
Labor is becoming too high. Not above
what it ought to be if we did not have to
depend on foreign markets for the pro-
duce of our farms. Grain, pork, beef,
ETC., have to be sold at a certain price,
or it cannot go forward to the European
market. Hence, no matter what it costs
to raise it, the Liverpool market regu-
lates the price. So it behooves farmers
to arrange the cost of production to suit
the price and demand. Corn at present
is high, and many farmers have empty
cribs to begin the spring work, with the
necessity of paying at least double for
corn to rise crop, for what they will
get for the crop when raised. And it is
important all these things should be
taken into account and preparations
made accordingly. Those who fortu-
nateiy had good crops of corn last year
are in happy condition, receiving more
for their crop than they probably will
again soon.
Do not, however, be rash and hasty in
changing the whole economy on the farm.
Study the question closely, and make
changes by degrees. Contract as few
debts as possible in changing from
grain to stock or dairy farm. Keep up
the present system. and, if desirable,
increase the stock by degrees, and be
careful that they are of the character
suited to the object intended. Do not
make wild speculations, nor rely on the
enormous profits or products of certain
stories or fancy stock raising, or the yield
of COWS which get into the newspapers
for purpose. Life is practical and real,
especially farm life, and the visionary
schemes Of some agricultural writer's are
delusive and dangerous. Move carefully
Call up your own past experience. Look
serutinizingly in the real profits and loss
OF your neighbors who think they are on
the highway to wealth.
Spring is approaching. The icy fetters
on the farm will soon yield to the warm
ing influence of the sun, and you will be
called to the field to encounter tue con-
fiict for another year, in which you will
have to rely mainly on your own right
arm. Is everything ready? Has the
necessary aid been engaged9 Many will
have to buy corn and oats to carry hogs,
horses and cattle to grass in May, and
especially horse feed to the end of July.
These articles are cash, and no matter
how good your credit, cash in most cases
will be demanded, or an extra price,
which would be called usury if it were
money. Make ready. Know what you
are going to do, and to where you can
look with confidence for what you want
and what you must have. With many
there will be tight times until harvest.
Good management can bridge this period
over if the arrangements are made in
time. Many will fail and suecumb to
the times. Yet the worthy, struggling
farmer should be aided by kind neigh
bors. And if appealed to in time and in
the right spirit, much suffering can be
avoided and many good men saved from
despair. By preparation in time aid
yourselves, and you will inspire your
neighbors as far as they possibly can to
lend help.