Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-09-13
DIVERSIFIED FARMING

An address upon agricultural subjects would
scarcely be accepted orthodox without some refer
ence to diversified farming This subject has re-
ceived consideration at the handsof the abest think
ers and writers Of State Diversity of agricult
ural products is so highly desirable, aud SO indis
pensabie in most countries successful farming that
no lack OF thought and attention has been bestowed
upon the subject desire 70 meet the question fairly
and candidly, and it is not without due reflection
that say that greatly diversified agrcu ture is not
possible or practicable in our State The cereals
are indigenous to our soils and climate. The evil
dence OF this Is to be found in the existence Of yay
ing Fields OF wild oats in the primitive condition of
our SOIL lis true that variety Of crops NAV be
raised In detached portions Of the State that veg
tables and wheat, corn oats and other cereals NAV
be produced upon the fertile bottom lands, where
moisture sufficient may be obtained for their growth
aad maturity but divers fed farming is practicable
only by means OF natural artificial irrigation The
great body OF the plain lands Of California can be
cultivated proftably only in large holdings and
when sown to a few cereals such as wheat and bar
ley. This is the simple truth OF the situation II is
the stubborn fact that viii not give way before orr
desires, and will not yield its sway to the pleasant
pictures drawn by imaginative theorists The only
practical diversity TO farming in the great wheat
| growing areas of the San Joaquin and Sacramento
Taeys, except when irrigation resorted to- relates
to the growing Il stock.
The more prudent farmers have found it eeeroroi.
cal and profitable to save he straw grown in wheat
and barley fields for winter feeding of borses and
cattle venture the opinion here that the time OF
cheap beef in the United States is past The faciu
ties for transportation have made it practicable to
MT tha fnn $50 ID
even in California from which to supply the butch
ers stalls OF London and Paris with fresh meats
The shipment Of dressed meat is indeed more practi
cable than the shipment Of grain because the former
is worth more per pound than the latter Foreign
lands will hereafter afford market for our surplus
oeei The tables of Europe have become COM
petitors with our for the surplus our herds and
Hooks afford The vast wheat acreage OF California
produces straw enough which, If economically used,
would produce in the aggregate very large supply
Of cattle from this State. Each wheat grower will,
in my opinion, find il practicable to combine stock.
raising, in very large measure, with the standard
occupation Of wheat growing
In considering this question of diversified farming,
we should not overlook the fact that the most
profitable production Of soil and climate is that
which is most aided BIZ the natural forces The
| profits of any line Of agriculture are
ascertained only by the standard of the money
value Of its products. The question in It's
| latest and best analysis, is how much value
in dollars can be raised by devotipg certain Hum.
Der OF acres to given product. II by the growth
OF wheat upon the plain lands In California an acre
may be made tolyieid $40 In profit and that $40
will purchase mon corn than could be grown upon
the acre, the dcthtes Of true economy are unmis.
taksbly In favor o. sowing the acre iu1 nj
| purchasing the ccn with 60
yield