Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1883-07-20

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Small Industries on Farms.
As little foxes spoil the vines" and
small expenses constantly incurred alb
sorb large incomes, SO minor industre,
carried on by farmers help pay ex-
ponses and eventually render them
wealthy The great majority Of West
ern farmers devote themselves TO rails
ing n few leading crops, such as corn
and wheat Those who are not en-
gagged in producing grain raise cattle
and sheep for the market. They take
great delight in doing things on an ex-
tensive scale. They are fond of increas-
ing the number of acres devoted to
cultivated crops. forage plants that
are to be harvested and pastured,
and adding TO their ilocks and
herds. They are averse, however, to
deyoting time to the production of lit
tie things. They keep but few fowls
and no bees. They raise no small
fruits, even for the supply Of their own
tables. Their gardens are small in pro-
portion as their farms are large Little
is raised in them but the more common
sorts of vegetables. No table delica-
cies are produced in the fields or gar
dens. As a consequence their living is
poor or their grocery bills are large.
Doing most of their marketing but once
in the year they are generally ont Of
money considerable portion of the
time, and obliged to git in debt for
running expenses. During the exist
ence of slavery in the South there was
a general neglect OF all the small IN
dustries by the large planters Many
Of them devoted their farms exclusively
to the production of one staple crop,
as cotton, rice, sugar-cane, or tobacco.
They sold everything they produced
and had occasion TO purchase almost
everything they needed for their own
use Having but one crop to market
they received money but once during
the year. The amount was rarely large
enough to last until another crop was
matured and sold. Being in debt was
the almost universal rule among the
large farmers.
Dakota has been settled thus far by
persons who are engaged almost eX-
clusiyely in the production Of spring
wheat As seasons have been fayora-
bic and prices high since the settlements
began, the farmers have been fairly
prosperous. 1t remains to be seen,
however, how they will prosper when
the soil becomes somewhat exhausted
of its native fertility and bad seasons
occur. In most portions Of Texas the
raising Of cattle and sheep constitutes
the leading business. With almost un-
limited range for stock the business is !
very profitable. When there are suf- |
iicient number of animals to deyour all |
the spontaneous productions OF the soil, |
diversified interests will doubtless be- |
come matter of necessity. IN fact,
variety of agricultural industries is
necessary to support large population
anywhere. Farmers in the West and |
South who think there is no money in
little things would do wel to visit
places where small industries constitute
the only sources Of gain on farms. In
the New England States the average
farmer does not produce gram sulileieht
10 ieed MS family ana lallen tlle STOCK
he raises for the market. Still a large
of the farmers are prosper
Gus. They get living and often lay
up money by producing lhlngs that the
farmers IN the west ana Sonth pay no
attention to. They buy lheir Hour ana
sometimes their pork, ana pay Tor them
by selling eggs. A hall acre IN straw
berries affords money enough 10 pay
he grocery bills. a few colonies OF
bees yield good revenue and call for a
very small outlay AS much money Is
from poultry rs the average
Western farmer receives from the bul'
ocks or hogs he sends 10 market. An
asparagus bed, a few hills Of pie-plant,
4 variety of small fruits, and garden
planted to choice vegetables, some OF
which are started in hot-bed, supply
he family with much Of the food re-
luired during the summer and fall.
The great prosperity that prevails in
he rural districts Of France is almost
,ntirelv due 10 the small industries that
ire carried on by farmers. Poultry
.eeping in. the aggregate is the source
# a LARGE revenue. Persons of very
mall means raise rabbits and pigeons
or the citv markets. The culture Of
mushrooms Is carried on m caves and
Il chllars and Easements of buildincs.
great variety Of vegetables is pro-
uced in the gardens. which are tended
With Great care. Much attention is civ
N 10 prodneinc honey and considerable
o the raising Of fish. There Is some
bins 10 turn off from the farm every
week. The amount Of money received
4 apv one time is NOT larpe. but a little ,
! received very often. Farmers who