The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-11-07
ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURE

ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURE
Folly of Settling Facts Which Have Al
ready Been Settled by the Experience O
Others.
While every intelligent cultivator O
the soil is doubtless well aware of th,
fact that the same kinds Of plants anc
animals.do not thrive equally well in al
climates or under the same conditions
still there are comparatively few per
sons who pursue this subject further
than what is forced upon them through
dear-bought experience. 1t is quite true
that experience is often the most direct
medium through which a man can OBJ
tam the information or facts which he
may be seeking, but it can scarcely be
sad In this age that all must travel the
same road in order TO secure the same
amount of knowledge. Accumulated
individual experience may be con.
sldered as at least fair basis upon
which to establish principles that will
not mislead the inexperienced, even il
they do not enable the novice to secure
greater results. 1t is waste of time.
IL morning more. to repeat experiments
Just f0r the purpose of being able to say
that you have settled certain facts or
Iahacies by actual individual experience.
Ihere is still room enough for expert
ments without going over old ground.
and agricultural science has certainly
reached stage where some of the old
and mooted questions may be consid-
cred as decided, and it is worse than
FOLLY to spend more time In their in.
vestlgation. We have certainly de.
fermined the fact that there are climates
and soils especially adapted to the
growing OF wheat; and while the nat.
ural limits may, by artificial means. be
somewhat extended, il is question if
1t will pay the agriculturist to under
take to force nature in such matters
and try to raise crops that at best are
uncertain, and in majority of in
stances cost more than they are worth.
10 run cconter to natural con-
dIt:ons is, however. one of the fol.
lies OF a large number of agricultur-
lists in all civilized countries, and
perhaps nowhere are the numbers
greater than in the United States. for
here we have thousands of farmers and
fruit growers who seem to be perfectly
oblivious to all principles of adaptation
as well as to ignore the experience of
all who have gone over the same field
before them. If hundred or even a
thousand men have utterly failed to
make any special branch of agriculture
success in q locality. they will not be
satisfied until they have tried it them
selves. They will try to raise wheat on
soil only adapted to rye. and perhaps
winter wheat upon land where it is
almost certain to be thrown out by
frosts in winter and killed. and do not
once imagine that the results were due
to their own ignorance or persistent
stupidity. Now. it is well known that
we have vast regions of country where
both the soil and climate are especially
adapted to the growing of wheat and
oats, others for corn, rye, potatoes, and
various farm crops; and while the
farmer may by artificial means achieve
partial success where natural conditions
are against him. we should at least hes.
itate to advise Others to attempt to do
the same as a matter of business.
There are natural dairy regions
where all things seem to combine in
conditions especially favorable
for the production of milk, butter, and
cheese. The pasture and meadow
grasses may grow fully as luxuriantly
in other localities, and still dairy hus-
bandry can not be made a success, the
reasons for the failure being due to
other causes than food. Low, moist
soils in warm climates NAV produce
more succulent food than high and dry
land, and yet that from the former NAV
be deficient in nutritive properties. Low
lands also produce more food when used
for pasture than high grounds, but they
are never as healthy for cattle, and
fevers, foot-rot. and similar diseases are
usually developed on moist soils. What
are called malarial regions are really as
unhealthy for domesticated as for hu-
man beings, and should always be
avoided by stockmen if they expect
permanent and continued success in
their business.
Large, heavy breeds of cattle. like the
are not adapted to hilly
regions. where they will have to climb
ior their food; neither are they suited to
he thin pastures of the Western plains,
where they must travel a long distance
% obtain sufficient food and water. The
breeds that are light of foot are best for |
Iuch regions. and the same is true of |
horses, sheep. and other stock. The
took raiser should keep these things in |
mind when looking for q stock farm,
Ind, further, not expect to find any one !
breed equally valuable for all purposes.
The long-sought general purpose
reed" has not as vet appeared, and |
Until one is developed it win be safe to |
elect the very best of those already |
!nown that are especially adapted to |
ertain purposes and the conditions
lnder which they are to be reared
v. Y san.