The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-01-28
FARM TALKS.


meetings of the county and loca
agricultural societies The results O.
the Fall shows are examined, book.
balanced, and the societies reorganizet
and plans made for another year. i
Is useless to deny the fact that many
societies of this class make very poor
showing at the end of the year. They
are staggering under debts and
struggling for ex stence. Some are al
most smothered with slife members. -
On tbs point / will enlarge at another
time. Is not this good time fol-
members to be active whether mem.
bers for the year only or for fe, to
really deliberate on the subject and
then do what is possible towards setting
things right? 1t is not suitable time
to raise the question whether, on the
whole. it pays to make balloon
ascensions. bicycle races, "Wild West
performances, side shows and games OF
chance the prominent features of the
animal show, or so large a share of
time and money devoted to trials of
speed"P The only plea have ever
heard as an excuse for such perversion
OF the true purpose of the ayr cultural
show was that ATTRACTIONS" are
necessary to bring out the crowds;
ard these. with the sale of abominable
privileges. secure the money which
the society must have or die. In most
cases, l say, better let it die! But
don't believe it is necessary to resort to
such questionable methods to sustain,
well, at least one good, clean agri-
cultural show in almost every county.
Crowds may be brought out there
by, but If so, they are pretty sure to be
of the wrong kind. 1t is notable
fact, and one much to be regretted,
that in many cases we no longer see at
the county show, as in years past such
numbers of farmers with their wives
and children. and the best people of
the villages, whole families together.
Neither do we see such mum bers of
domestic animals, farm products and
spec mems of household industry and
mechan cal skill as of old. There are
encouraging exceptions, it is true. but
they are not numerous enough. When
these bright examples are looked into
it will generally be found that the
societies are fortunate in having farm
srs who are truly active members in
the majority, and controlling the policy
and management.
WINTER CARE OF TOOLS.
Did anyone ever see farm with too
much shed roomP Vehicles, tools and
accumulate on every farm
homestead, and storage-room has TO be
increased, or else some
thing must be left out in the weather.
Shed-room is too valuable to be filled
up with trash, and this is good time
to do little sorting. If an implement
is worth keeping at all. it is worthy of
shelter; if not worth a place under
cover, it should be divided between the
wood-pile and the box or heap of old
IRON.
AS Winter approaches it is true econ
omy to overhaul the farm machinery,
clean it up and see that all is properly
housed. Running wagon, a mower
Or a harrow out into the sun, on some
fine morning in November or Decem-
Der, let a dry cleaning be first in order.
This can be done very well with tho
stump of an old broom, although
here will be corners and cracks from
which the mud or dust must be scraped
" til a sharp stick or old case-knife.
This done, it will often appear that a
thorough washing will better clean
both wood and metal; if so. wash by
Ill means, and give time to fully dry.
Every implement thus prepared by
cleaning should be well coated with oil
before final storage for the Winter
When oiled the parts should be quite
Try, and a sunny day is preferable.
The cheapest and most satisfactory oil
or this purpose is heavy. crude pc
roleum. With pot of tn s o j and an
I'D paint brush, coat every portion of
both wood and metal. All rust is ar
'ested, and the oil is almost equal to
'oat of paint for the woodwork of
arm tools. In this and numerous
'ther ways find crude petroleum very
Useful on the farm. and always like to
lave it on hand. Bought by the bar
ell. it can be got for seven to ten cents
! gallon, freight included. plus the
,arrel. which can be used, when
IMPLY, in so many ways that it is we'll
worth what it costs.
GUESS WORK ON THE FARM.
In these days of sharp competition.
harrow margins of profit, close calcu-
alton and the application of mathe-
natical accuracy to the conduct of al
most all human occupation, it is aston
ng that the business of farming is still
'ften carried ON in such loose way.
n many cases it is very largely guess
work.
Every merchant and manufacturer
,nows that to escape bankruptcy he
must clearly observe business princi-
lies, and must at least keep accounts.
nipple perhaps. but complete and &C
urate. On the contrary, a good many
armers don't even keep a cash &C
cunt; they know how much money
here is in the wallet, but beyond this
heir financial affairs are very misty.
nd the income and outgo judged only
y guessing, more or less shrewd. Yet
arming is business; indeed, it is the
BUSINESS of the country, upon the gen.
raj success of which all others depend.
The farmer is a manufacturer, and q |
nerchant, and much more. and of all |
ersons he is the one who should con-
uct his affairs on the strictest business