The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-01
AGRICULTURAL ADVANTAGES OF INDIANA
Paper Read by Rev. g. W. Stabler Before the
Muncie Agricultural Society.

prospects OF these pursuits In the State OF In
diana, and any suggestion may make will have
greater force if call attention to the geography
and climate of the State both which greatly
favor the pursuits about which / shall speak
think it will be seen that in these respects,
among the States, that this is exceptionally To-
Gated. And the young gentlemen and ladies
who are thinking about permanent homes, and
would like to be about the center of the world,
might Go well to consider in their prospecting
the geography and climate of the Hoosier State.
This State is the pathway of the Nations
travel from east to west, there being 100 pass
enger trains arriving at the capital with Ave
railroad lines north and south, extending from
the pine and lake regions of northern Michigan
to the Ohio river, with the immense commerce
on the south, and continuing southwark to
the gulf and southwest to Texas. These.
north, and south, and east and west lines
place at very great advantage, inasmuch as
it gives ready access to the pine lumber and ice
of the North, and to the South for our tropical
fruits. The east and west roads make ready
transit for our immense products to the Eastern
markets. any of which can be reached in few
hours. Of course / am taking it for granted
ucts which will be in demand suppose our
products will far exceed home consumption,
which will be the case in many things. The
State is situated between two other powerful
States, with rapidly growing populations, char
acterzed by great thrift. Ohio on the east
Illinois on the west lakes and the fertile soil of
Michigan on the north and the great Ohio river
on the south. Its geographical relation to four
large cities is worth moments thought.
Cincinnati on the southeast, with population of
more than 255. 600; Toledo on the northeast with
over 90 600; Chicago on the northwest with 503,
000 and st. Louis on the southwest with more
than $50, 500 inhabitants. These four great en-
poriums of trade and wealth at the very doors
of our State will give an immense market, and
with their vastly increasing populations will
create permanent demand for the fruits of the
rich soil of Indiana. These cities will in very
few years double their population and our vari-
ETY. of soil will enable us to produce very extern
sively for those outside of our own limits. Then
our plans and efforts will have the favor of re
markable climate-our summer average 70o,
winter 30o. The two monthS-July and August
are almost tropical being especially favorable
for maturing fruits and Indian corn. The grass
crcp is uniformly assured by the seasonable
rains, and in view of this fact our
attention should be given to raising grass also,
In view of maintaining the land in normal con
dition. Grass, corn and fruits the products
which harmonic with our providential environ
and ! know of no State that averages quite as
we'll in regard to climate as does this for the
production of the staples have named. Having
referred to the laws of adaptation in the State,
and to its advantageous surroundings. | will
call attention to some of the cereals. Corn and
wheat receive large attention, but the contest
for favor shows that corn gains the day. The
corn crop is a better average on this soil than
wheat From financial point of view it is
much to be preferred to the wheat crop. As
sisted
farmers of Delaware county in cal
culating the respective value of these
crops, arrived at the following conclusion: An
average crop of wheat on twenty acres of ground
yielded in cash value, 1920. 1t cost in labor and
seed, $l37 The farmer therefore cleared 1888
The average corn crop on twenty acres brought in
cash value, 1922 The cost in labor and seed
$l4S; cash profits, STA, plus the profit of this
crop fed to the stock the farm, which we
cannot very we'll estimate
AS the name (Hooser) of our State indicates
there is a physical robustness and strength in
the animals With proper attention to raising,
keeping stock, feeding the corn crop to the ami
mails in the stock yard, and not to men in the
form of whisky this State is capable of produc-
ing some of the finest stock in the world and
nearly all classes of live stock do well here
With our environments it might be supposed we
would have everything frst-class. but it must be
remembered we have some laggards. The
farms, orchards and gardens are true index to
the owners or occupants. There are some who
think if a farm is under a high state of cuitiva-
ton the occupant has money Well presume
that is true, and it may be inquired. how did he
get it! There was time, doubtless, when he
did not have any money Why, he had only
brains and muscle, OF course; money may be
some assistance but it never can supply the lack
of study and management Take two farmers
occupying adjoining farms The first one looks
as If it had been turned out, accomplishing its
purpose The log cabin is about forty feet from
the road fence. Between it and the door of the
raIAv &c C1pp 1And hxy 1aVr
weeds, its only protection. Thus the front yard
was monopohzed by the plow and weeds In
coming to No. | noticed well arranged
barnyard on the east OF the family
residence; the barn on the north
side, racks for straw and hay in the yard-a few
yards more and am in front of neat residence
with walk tastefully arranged. Indeed gen
eral harmony prevails. Abundance of hay and
straw, cattle fat lambs skipping | enter the
house and find literature, pictures of fine cows
and specimens of fine art. ] go to the barn, it is
full. The implements put away when not in
use. Such views as the last ought to inspire
young with ambition for these ennobling
pursuits.
Over one hundred and ten million bushels of
corn were left ungathered last year in the
United States. This and many other facts indi
cate remissness in outstanding the fruits of
labor, which, AS Solomon says tends to poverty.
The loss in the depreciation of stock for want of
sufficient protection from the inclemency of the
seasons cannot be estimated. Let us have
more sheds and houses for protection aud
more cutting machines and corn crushers.
1t is estimated that is there from 80 to 100 per
cent. difference in feeding stock with corn and
grass and corn and fodder in favor of the
former. Another fact, stock we'll protected IN
the winter will prosper better in the summer
season than stock which shivers round in the
fence corners and on the frozen ground. What
is gained in summer should not be thrown away
in winter by exposure.
Success in some of the arts depends largely
upon the inspiration the object imparts to the
genius of the artist. In the arts here discussed,
it is more in the realm of thought. hard think
ing mental philosophy, and in all the investiga-
ton the student of these arts must bring
to his aid chemical science, and
for success rely upon solid thought, rather
than flashes of inspiration native genius-ge
MUS for hard work and analytical deductions is
not common to man. 1t is true much labor and
thought must be given to these pursuits. but the