The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-01-08
SKILLED FARM LABOR.
An Important Fact Which Has Long Bee
. OvarIonLoH

An Important Fact Which Has Long Been
G Overlooked. r,.. -t.
Is skilled labor necessary on the farm.
and should our workmen be trained as
are those employed in the Workshop
Well, let us see. Farming is an occu-
pation-a trade. 1t is more, for it
combines Ct number of occupations.
The ordinary farmer contents himself
witha knowledge of handling the plow,
with seeding, harvesting, feeding,
stock, dairying and such other matters
as pertain to the ordinary routine. But
does every farmer know when, how
deep, end the best implement with
which to plow? Has he proper
knowledge of the exact amount of seed
to use, the most suitable varieties of
plants for his purpose, and the best
methods essential for harvesting, stor-
ing and marketing his cropsP Can he
estimate the nutritive value of his feed
ing materials, and so regulate them as
to derive Che largest product at the
least expensep Can he place his milk,
butter and cheese on the market in q
manner to secure the best prices and
its CT npetition with the merits and
characteristics of all classes of stock,
and does he use only such as are suit
able for his purpose? We do not think
all farmers have yet reached that de-
gree of perfection in their occupations
as to be able to reply aflirmatively.
The farm is a. factory, and, of all
places, skilled labor is most required
upon it. Although the sowing of
field of wheat is apparently simple
matter, yet the first preparation for a
wheat crop, that of rendering the seed
bed in a fine condition, is often neg
lected, while many are not familiar
with the fact that,the use of the roller
in seeding lessenslthe labor of harvest
ing. How many farmers really know
the value of the manure they use? To
them manure is the same at all times,
yet it is as variable in its composition
IS is the food from which it is pro-
duced. And although the same fer
tilizers are applied alike to all crops,
the broad fact remains that different
plants, as well as animals, require diff
forent foods. The skilled farmer should
know his trade. There is as much art
in his calling as in that of the black
smith or carpenter. He should know
all about the breeds of stock, and the
kinds of food most suitable for
them He may take no notice of
the composition of food, the amounts
of proteine, fat, sugar, starch, ETC.,
stored in certain kinds, but until he
does he can not use them intelligently.
His knowledge of the many parts of
the farm machinery and implements
may not equal that of the machinist,
yet he must learn all about them. He
may feed young and old stock alike,
grow corn after wheat, and renovate
with clover and grasses, yet his
methods may not be economical.
We could extend this article on the
subject, but brevity compels us to say
that there is ample room on the farm
for learning a trade, or a number of
trades, if farming is to be conducted
as it should be, and there is no necessi- 1
ty for boy leaving home to acquire
some other occupation as long as he
knows only the primitive methods of
farming. True farming is yet to be
studied, and the field for progress is
wide and extended. Farm, Field and
St0cEnl07s. fa .-9 $50 E