The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-02-27
Winter work for FARMERS.

western states and territories that
many farmers, discouraged at the low
price offered tor grain, ere turning
their attention to mining. Some are
simply ''prospecting," while others
have obtained situations to work in
coal, iron, and copper mines. 1t does
not appear that any considerable num-
Der of these propose to give up perma-
nently the business in which they have
boon engaged. They are for the most
part seeking profitable employment for
the winter, with the expectation of re-
turning to their farms in time to COM
mence work as soon as the frost leaves
the ground. 1t seems somewhat
strange that a movement of this kind
had not been undertaken before. In
many parts Of the country farmers
have long been in the habit of engag-
ing in some remunerative employment
during the months that they cannot
work the soil, In the New England
states, New York and Michigan, they
have found employment In numbering.
In many cases they have taken their
teams into the woods, and have earned
sufficient money to pay their bills dur
ing the entire year. Some who lived
near the shore have engaged in fish
ing. The demand for oysters, Holsters,
and CLAIMS during the winter is always
large, and the business of collecting
them is proatable. In some of the
tobacco-raising regions farmers who
are engaged in the production of this
crop have found profitable employ
ment during the winter in stripping
off the leaves, casing and picking
them. Sometimes entire families en-
gagged in making cigars. In France
beet-sugar factories and wine-making
establishments during inc colder
moths of the year. In Switzerland
and Austria the farmers are employed
in different kinds of domestic manu-
features. MANY Of our toys are made
in the houses of farmers who live In
various countries in southern Europe.
In most parts of England. Holland
and Belgium the climate during the
winter is so mild that farmers a find
profitable employment on the place
they occupy. Much of the blowing,
fencing, and ditching is done during
Lie WlubCL SOhoVu'
On most farms located on the
prairies there is little work that a
be peforr1ed during the winter. If
the ground is not covered with snow,
it is frozen /. can not be worked
with a view Of preparing IL for a crop.
II is difficult to dig wells and almost
impossible to dig holes for posts or to
open drains; There is no wood to be
cut and hauled. There is no material
for fence rails. Farmers who raise
large Quantities of corn are not gener-
ally able to husk it all before freezing
weather commences. On farms chiefly
devoted to the production OF the small
grains there is scarcely anything to
do during the winter season. The
hand fail is no longer employed for
beating out grain. Generally all the
thrashing is done within a month of
The time the crop is harvested. Some
n is OF course required on every
farm to feed and take care of the
stock. But this much does not give
employment to one-fourth of the men
employed on farms during the period
OF putting in cultivating, and harvest
ing crops. As q rule, men living on
farms, In the prairie region of the west
are without remunerative employ
ment from October till April. That
farmers manage to support themselves
when they are idle, or at least without
a paying employment, during nearly
haif the year, is a matter OF common
observation. Persons engaged in other
occupations could not manage ssto
make both ends meet if they had no
business during half the year. Pro-
fessional men are In their offices, mer-
chants in their stores, and mechanics
in their shops six days a week during
the entire year. Lake sailors, whose
homes r in this city, often spend the
winter working In Strengthening estab-
lishmepts or in packing-houses. Many
cut and pack ice during
the winter. Most persons, except
farmers, whose ordinary occupation
interfered with by the cold of winter
engage in another kind OF business
till the weather permits them to re-
sumo their usual calling. There is no
good eason why farmers should be
exceptions to the general rule in this
respect.
That many western farmers have
prospered not withstanding the fact
they have earned little or no thing
about half the year Is due to
the fact that the soii they have Guilt
waited was very productive. While
the prices for farm products were high
they were able TO meet their expenses,
- -. lie 4
some money. With the recentdecline
the prices OF everything produced
On farms and Dttle reduction in the
prices OF articles farmers have to buy,
prosperity may not be as
sured unless some ofthe men employed
On farms can find profitable employ