Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-08-25
AqritMltnral department.
ECONOMICAL FARMING.


a farm. The man who thinks econo-
my stands for starvation of mind and
body, for mean, petty, selfish, mar
row way of living will ever be as far
from success in farming as he is from
the truth in the matter of economy.
The farmer has constantly before
him the best teacher of true econom-
zeal principles that there is in the
world, and that is Nature itself. All
her operations are carried on accord
ing to those principles in their best
and strictest sense. Nature is a wise
conservator of forces, and her ener-
gies are always spent when and where
they are needed, to the full extent
demanded, no more nor less. She
gives to every herb and plant its full.
complement of nutritious juices and
never makes the mistake of suppos-
ing that if she holds back a part this
year they will do just as well for it ir
the next. She is generous without
being prodigal she is free without
being foolish. She does act on the
principle that it is waste of time and
energy to make some things beauti-
full as well as lasting, and that every
thing is lost that is not spent in min
istering to the commonest everyday
uses. Among other lessons that may
be deduced from a study of the sci
ence of economy is, that it is poor
way to effect its ends in farming to
erect poor, unsightly, unsubstantial
buildings for any purposes.
1t may cost less money to build a
house in nake-shift fashion, with
thin, open walls, unseasoned doors
and windows, and refuse lumber for
the roof and floor timbers, but after
a few years. If the cost is counted up,
Of repairs, mending leaky roofs, and
putting in new materials, to say moth
ing of the DOCTORS bills brought
about by cold and dampness, it will
be found that economy missed its aim
in this instance, and that a good
house, well put together, strong and
durable, would have been a saving in
the end. There is, moreover, more
actual waste in household matters
where accommodations for storage
are poor and inadequate, than where
facilities and conveniences are pro-
vided for doing work quickly and
neatly, and properly caring for
things.
1t is much easier to practice econ
omy in all household matters where
the house itself is well built and con-
veniently arranged in its interior. The
same principle may be applied to
buildings for storing produce and
farm implements and for sheltering
stock. Success in farming depends
to very large degree not only in
producing abundant harvests and
raising fine stock, but in knowing
how to care for them after they come
into possession. The profits of {
summers work will soon leak an6
waste away in poor, rickety granarie:
and barns, and the finest stock soor
deteriorates in cold, dirty, crowded
stables.
' No farmer can afford to put thu
product of seasons labor unde
shelter that is not shelter, but where
it is constantly, exposed to dripping
from the roof, to destruction by mic
and rats, and wastefulness in all di
rections. 1t is the poorest econom.
to erect cheap, ill-arranged out-build
ings on farm.
The economical farmer will keel
well supplied with the best agricultur
al implements that his means will af
ford and that he can use to advan
tage. He will not make the mistak
of thinking that because these thing
cost more at first than old-fashione'
tools lie will save money by ploddin!
along in the old way. He will Sc
that machine that does the work O
ten men much easier than all togethe
could do it, will be saving in tn
end over tool that does not cost
fiftieth part as much but which re
quires ten times as much hard labor
He will keep his implements, whe
not in active use, under cover, an
!. make such necessary repairs as the
may require without delay. Goo
tools in bad order are continue
drain upon the farmers pocket.
Good, strong fences on dlvisio
lines and between pastures and grow
ing crops are true means of saving
A single inroad by the sheep an
cattle in field of growing coru {
wheat costs more, than a long sectio
of firm, well built fence. Econom
goes wrong when it dictates the bnilt
ing of fences out of material TIL
rots down or blows away the fir
season. @ - '2~
1t pays in the end to keep the be
breeds of stock and feed them we
and treat them kindly. 1t costs |
more to feed and shelter the best XIII
of cattle than it does an inditferen
mongrel breed Poor, broken-dov
diseased horses are more expense
s. than young, sound animals Th
require much more care and do not
their work half as well. The sar
truths will apply to sheep, hogs a
poultry If any of these are kept,
pays to keep the best.