The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-18

Philadelphia Record.
Farming does not mean simply stirring the
soil, sowing the seed and harvesting the crops,
but from the beginning of the year to its end
there should be a constant production in every
possible manSAr While the crops are growing
the future food is being prepared but as as
it is harvested it should be made still more serv-
iceable by being converted into some higher
priced product While an acre of land may pro-
duce fifty bushels of corn on its part, yet that
corn may nearly all find its way back to the soil
that produced it, only that portion being sold
that will repay the cost and labor Of converting
it into beef, mutton, pork, wool, milk. muscle or
whatever it may contribute. The farmer who
can SO manage as to secure the largest crops,
and return TO his soil the larger portion by dis
posing Of that which is more readily salable IN
some other shape, will gradually become wealthy,
though the actual receipts may be apparently
small
Farming is a continuous operation It is the
changing of products from one kind to another
according to the demand for each. In estimat-
ing the value of a bushel of corn produced on
the farm. and fed to stock, it must be regarded
as cheaper TO the farmer than to any other per-
son. since ne does not have to transport it to
market; and when charging ii to his animals as
food he should deduct from the market cost the
expense which he would otherwise incur for
bagging, handling, hauling and freight. The
true value of the corn is that which it produces.
The rule of charging interest for the corn as a
CROP and also on the beef or milk derived from
it. often causes the accounts to appear unfavor-
able. 1t is the first disposition of the crop that
regulates it's value If it disappears from the
farm in the carcass of the steer it stands in the
same position as if the steer grew upon the land
instead of the corn, the corn being only the COM
nepont part OF the steer in the shape of market
able beef If the crop be fed to the cow, and the
milk sold off the farm, the crop is simply sent
away in the milk cans in place OF bags, and, in
stead of being compelled to sell the entire crop
in order to realize certain sum- the change of
form by conversion into some other product
suits in the securing of an equal sum from only
a portion of the crop Hence the farmer should
aim to sell as little possible off the farm. That
is, he should endeavor to secure the largest sum
possible with the smallest amount of product
by converting all crops into those that are less
bulky and command the higher prices But the
farming business requires system It calls for
the of all kinds of suitable machinery and
stock. AS no manufacturer of cotton goods can
afford to weave his goods with hand looms,
neither can the farmer expect to make farming
profitable unless he takes advantage of all OPP
portunites open to him. II his crops are to be
fed on the farm and rendered servlceable in pro-
ducing something else through the agency of
stock, such stock must be perfectly adapted to
the purposes designed. The largest possible in
at the least cost and in the shortest period
OF time should be the rule. and upon this de-
ponds the turning point between profit and loss.