The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-05-22
FARM PRODUCTS.


Degeneration has long been word
in common use among certain class
of agriculturists and horticuiturists in
search of an excuse for neglect and
II certain farm crops
fail in any locality where they once
succeeded, it is attributed to degenera-
ton of the varieties, the idea being that
they have become old and run out"
As it is usually termed, but just why
this is their fate few seem 10 know or
care to discover. This degeneration
theory Is undoubtedly very convenient
one, although it will scarcely bear
close investigation, especially by those
who believe in progress and show their
faith in their works. There are farm
ers who tell US that certain kinds,
breeds, or strains of blood among ami
mails do not succeed as well as they
once did. and who will point to their
own herds or flocks to justify the asSer-
ton. They will also tell us that they
feed as highly and take as good care of
their stock as they We're wont to do
years ago, but for some reason the
health and vigor of the animals are
gradually declining. and they are of the
opinion that there is really great deal
in the theory of natural degeneration in
al created things on this planet.
But if we inquire into management it
is quite likely that good reasons for this
degeneration will be readily discovered.
Perhaps the farmer has been keeping
few ordinary native cattle, and although
his pastures and meadows yield as good
grass and hay as ever, the butcher
comes around every spring looking for
fat calves, and the farmer has few to
sell. The best. of course, always COM
mand the highest price, and these are
sure to be selected first, and if any are
left over they are the poorest and least
valuable for raising or other purposes:
but they are kept, and little extra feed
may be given to push them forward,
with the hope of making n passably
good animal out of naturally poor one.
L this system of selection is kept up
for few years, as it often is, degen-
Grated herd is the inevitable result
Really first class cows are always in de-
lars is usually a great temptation to q
farmer who is in need of a little ready
money. The very best COW is, there
fore, often sold when she ought TO have
been retained for breeding purposes, in
order to advance the standard Of the
herd.
Sheep husbandry has no doubt degen-
Grated on many farms in the older
States through just such mismanage-
ment The largest and latest early
lambs are always picked out by drovers
and the scrubs left on the hands of the
farmer, to be sold later in the season to
tine local butcher, or be reserved to keep
up the average number of animals 1t
is no wonder that the average weight
of spring lambs or yearlings decreases
in few years under such system. By
proper selection not only can the weight
of the animals be increased in few
years, but also the fineness and length
of the wool. In fact, progress in sheep
husbandry is due in 4 great part to
selection. but good feed and proper care
have probably not been neglected.
In many instances farmers have de-
voted nearly all their land to raising
grains and other crops that were dis
posed of IN bulk. leaving little or moth
ing to be returned to the soil. The
grain, straw and hay all went to mar
ket, with little or no thought of the re-
suit of this practice of continually tak-
ing from the soil and returning no
equivalent in any form. Finally q
change of system became imperative,
and then a change of ownership more
likely followed than any attempt.to re-
store wasted fertility. At first light
crops are attributed to decenerated va
rieties; but after few changes in seed,
with little or no better success, the
farmer is willing to admit that there is
something the matter with his land or
climate. In fact, there is usually an
excuse ready to explain why the crop
failed, without giving the only correct
reason. We have noticed, however,
that when certain race or breed of
animals has degeneratcd on one farm,
they may be found as good as ever. or
even improved, on another. and often
in the immediate neighborhood, but
under different management. The
same is true with most kinds of farm
crops, and there does not seem to be
any degeneration of old varieties when
cultivated on new rich soils, or on old
ones either, provided proper attention
is paid to supplying the elements they
require to secure full development.
Some of the oldest varieties of grain
known are still cultivated as success
fully as they were centuries ago. In
every instance where they have been
worth keeping they are still in exist
ence, and it would be very difficult to
discover in them any signs of degenera-
ton. New and improved breeds of ani-
mails or varieties of plants often crowd
out or take the place of old ones, but
this is not to be regarded as sign of
degeneration in the latter. or that they
would have become obsolete had no
superior ones appeared to displace
them The old Dur-o corn or sorghum,
cultivated by the Egyptians, no one
knows how many thousands of years
ago, is still as healthy and prolific as
ever. and, while new and improved va
riet.es have appeared, the Oldest elbows
no signs of running out. The same is
true of the Oldest varieties of wheat
oats, buekwheax rye, barley and Indian
cern.-N y Sun.