The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-08-10
AGRICULTURAL TOPICS.
INSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR
RURAL READERS.
Some Information OF Value to the Farmer
stocIs-Breeder, Bee-heeper, Housewife,
and Eitchen-AIaid.
TIE FARM.


Probably no occupation is carried on
with so little regard to business rules IS
that of farming. The farmer requires
more education, and a knowledge Of a
greater variety of subjects than any of
the so-called learned professions.
The man v no knows only how TO turn
e GOOD furrow, prepare the soil for the
seed. stop the growth Of weeds, and pro-
mote the growth of the plant, has not
mastered the ant of successful farming.
Nor has the man who knows only how
to raise fine horses, sleek cattle or fat
swine. or how to fertilize his fields to
the best advantage, raise the best corn
or potatoes, or the highest yield of oats
or barley.
The man who to-day really makes a
thorough success as a farmer must com
bine all these elements Of knowledge
end many more.
1t used to be said that any fool could
be farmer; but at the present day peo-
PIE begin to realize the fact that the
/ farmer needs the most education. The
time has gone by when the haphazard,
slipshod, go-as- you-please methods Of
farming can be made to pay.
Agriculture has come to be recognized
as science Millions of acres OF soil
In our States and Territories have been
opened mp to the pillow, and their surplus
products are forced upon the markets of
the world. The products Of the cheap
labor Of foreign countries ere also
cmptied into our midst to glut our
markets. The farmers upon the worn
soils of The older States, and especially
our own New England, must look closely
to the details Of their business or go to
| the wall.
What would be thought of the manu-
facturer who did not know to the frac-
ton Of a cent the cost Of the raw ma
terial and labor put into a yard Of cloth,
or the manufacturer of leather who did
not know the exact cost of the material
and labor required to make case Of
boots and shoes, or the manufacturer Of
oleOmargarine who knows what 1t costs
per pound and laughs in his sleeve at
the farmers gilt edged butter.
And vet how many farmers can tell
the cost of pound of butter or pork,
busLel of potatoes or corn, or a ton Of
hay? They sell their products for what
they can get offered, not knowing
whether they are making or losing.
The remedy is this: When farmers
come to realize that farming Is a bust
ness as much as manufacturing or bank.
ing or buying and selling goods, and by
careful keeping of accounts learn to
figure the cost of every article they pro-
duce, then a successful beginning will
have been made. Let them keep debt
and credit with every acre of corn or
potatoes or beans or grain.
Charge each acre with the interest on
| its value, the probable amount of fertil-
izing material used by the crop, the cost
| of labor in its care. Credit 1t with the
market value of the crop produced. The
difference between the two VIII repre-
sent the profit or loss.
| A like account should be kept with
the herd of cows. If any one Of the
number entails loss upon you, dispose
of her.
Keep a strict account with the orchard,
| if YOU have one. Debit itw!th the labor
employed in its care and in harvesting
of its fruit. Credit it with the value Of
its golden product and learn from the
balance on the right side OF the ledger
that it is one OF your best frienus. |
have said that the farmer needs to be
educated for his business. One branch
OF study l would particularly recon-
mend, = that is bookkeeping. | speak
from personal knowledge and expert
euce and know it pays. 1t is like the
compass to the mariner.
The farmers book is one of refer
ence to which he can at any time refer
for date OF article bought or sold, and
price given or received for the same.
The book will solve the great problem,
Where does our money go tO:' and
pcrchance lead to a more careful con
sideratiou and economy.
Having learned to calculate the cost
of the products of the farm the next
business Is to know how to sell them.
Make a study of the markets and learn
TOR yourselves the prices ofthose things
| you wish to sell. If You cannot fix your
own prices YOU can at least prevent be-
ing taken advantage Of by interruptions
| traders.
Do away with middlemen. Don't en-
ploy your local marketers and express
! men to sell your products, they Will re-
| turn you as little as they dare to.
There too many following III the foot
steps of old Hutch, the millionaire
of Chicago, who figured so largely in
| the recent wheat squeeze.
Do your own selling. II the price is
| below the cost Of producing. hold on to
the product till you can double your
| money