The Dawson journal., 1883-05-31
Necessity of Raising Wheat.

A year ago we were doubtful as to wheth
er it was profitable to grow wheat in this
section or not. Like many others, we be-
lieved that the same land sowed in oats
and sold for money would enable the plan
ter 10 buy his -four at cheaper rate than
ne could possibly produce it. BY close
study OF this question, however. we have
had reason to change our views. While it
is true that wheat is more subject to rust
than oats, and while the latter is the much
surer crop, and, possibly, year after wear.
land sown in oats will yield larger divi-
dend III money, yet, we believe that it is to
she interest of every man who farms at all
to produce at least wheat enough TO make
all the flour necessary for his own family
consumption. w, think it fair estimate
- say that IN acre of land that will pro
duce 10 bushels of wheat would. if planted
IN oats produce 25 bushels. At 81 ner
Dushel the wheat would he worth $40
At 30 cts per bushel for oats the proceeds
would he $3.50 Here, then, apparently,
m monied valuation is difference of
$3.50 per acre in favor of planting oats
and buying the flour. But there are other
views to be taken of this question which
we think will afford sufficient reason WHY
every farmer shoald Use his own wheat
notwithstanding the fact that our figuring
would seem to indicate that oats is tn,
more profitable crop, and, therefore. SHOULD
be sonEn to the exclusion of wheat First
we remark, that those of our farmers who
produce their own wheat at home and
thus avoid the necessity of buying flour
are more prosperous than other farmers
Moreover, it is fact worthy of note. thai
no farmer who raises his own wheat is ever
known to buy corn. This latter thought
may appear a little illogical, not to say
RIDICULOUS, but we challenge proof to the
contrary. If there is single instance
known to any one of our readers of a far
mer who raises wheat and, yet, habitualIy
pays his corn we should like to be furnish
ed with the proof. Not only is this true
out 1t pretty generally follows that the
farmer who raises his own wheat is. also
apt TO raise his own meat. In fact it NAV
be taken forgranted, in,nine cases out often.
where farmer produces his own wheat at
nome he, also, produces everything e,se
necessary for home consumption. We
could give, were it necessary. the names of
number Of farmers in this county. who
make 1t a rule to sow, every wear. Mt least
wheat enough to supply their own family
demands, and in every single instance il
can be shown that these farmers al,vavs
nave an abundance of everything else
around them and plenty of spare cash 10
pay Tor all hxmies they may require. The
truth is, when a farmer gets TO the point
where he feels the necessity of raising
everything at home that he consumes he
Will also feel the necessity of raising wheat
as one of the essentials, and once Of this
point he begins to live as a farmer should
hSe-tree, independent and easy. Anothe,
view OF this question is that it fixes upon
The farmer the necessity of producing
everything at home that he consumes. AND
as ne can't do this without raising wheat he
soon learns to regard this as a necessity
also. 1t will not do, then, for the farmer
70 conclude that because the same LAND
planted in cotton corn, oats or something
else will produce greater monied consi.
aeratlon that he will not SOW any wheat
But buy his flour. If he would make a
sEecess as a farmer he must learn to nro.
ouce ut home everything he consumes,
and as he can't do this without raising
wheat it follows therefore that he should
SOW wheat also.