Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-05-15
Farming Made Profitable.

Farmers may b. divided into two
every year, through all the changes OF
The seasons; and those who fail. or
partly succeed at best, when the sum-
mer is too wet. or too dry. or when the
season opens late. or \ cold summer fol-
lows, or the crops are seriously cut into
by early autumnal frosts- Insects come
in for large share of the plumber, 70 =
greater or less extent, nearly every year,
and on the whole the business of farm
ing becomes n very uncertain one at best
What is the reason of the great diff
ference between these two classes Of
farmersp
Ask the aforementioned class the fol-
lowing three questions. and observe bow
many will give a clear. decided affirma-
tive answer:
]. Are your fields all thoroughly tile
drained. three feet deep, and two rods
apsrt2
3 Have you secured help enoush-or
rather. have you occupied land small
enough-tO make a deep, mellow bed Of
finely pulverized soil before planting or
sowing any CROP
8. Have You provided sufficient help
TO keep all hOed crops in clean. mellow
6llage the season through. so that
weeds cannot get above grOundS
We are aware that difficulty lies in
your way-you desire If possible, with
scant help. 10 raise all you can this
year. and with the hope that the season
viii prove favorable, VIII 90 over and
cultivate as much ground as you can.
The plOwing viii necessarily be hurried
and superficial; the crop will at best be
only moderate for want of a deep bed
of mellow earth; and grass and weeds
viii have more swsy than on well pre-
pared ground under strong growing
crops. One of the first things there
fore. in planning for the season. is to
reduce the extent Of the land intended
for cultivation. sufficiently to make
clean and thorough work II draining
is needed. do it thoroughly. so far as
you can. and do not try to reduce
water-soaked land to fine tillage.
We can cite an example. The owne
II a small farm thought he had moi
land enough. and proposed to run in
debt for more Circumstances induced
him to change his plans. and TO sell of
& portion of his farm. and thus still
further reduce its extent He retained
the same hired help. however. and the
same force of teams. and could do all
the work IN 3 better manner. His
crops have so improved that he now
raises much more than before in guam
tity, and at better profit.
The farmer who has a thoroughly tile
drained farm. has entire control of it
the season through. He can begin
work as soon as tie frost is ont of the
ground He has plenty Of time TO sub
soil his land. and by repeated plowing
and narrowing TO reduce il 10 the CON
ditiop of garden His crops are put
in early, they get timely snd vigo-
rons start, outstrip the weeds if the
latter are permitted to grow at al, and
insects make less impression on them
II the summer is wet. the surplus water
IS held like \ sponge in the deep mel
low soil, or is carried of in the tile
drains II 4 severe drouth occurs. the
same deep soil holds enough moisture
for the growing crop. Timely and re-
peated cultivation keeps the weeds
under and promotes growth. With
such land and such management, the
owner is in n great measure independ-
ent of wet and dry seasons; he has
heavy crops every year. There are. OF
course. certain ad ,uncts which are care
Inlly attended to. rs for example the
saving and manufacture of manure. its
timely spreading and thorough inter-
mixture with the soil; a well digested
good labor-saving imple-
ments; and clean and comfortable
charters and regular feeding for all do
nestle animals The superficial farmer
may not be able at once 10 accomplish
: complete change for this better sys.
em. but he NAV begin without delay. |
and by constantly aiming At the highest
legree Of improvement soon be able !
o reach satisfactory results--COlHItry
Gentleman.