Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-11-06
Minor Industrie. Of the Farm.

Many farmers object to work that is
outside of their regular line of business.
10 devoting themselves to any of the
main branches of agriculture they feel
that they might suffer in that if they
should attempt anything else in con-
nection. There are many things that
may be done upon the farm to add
something 70 the general income, which
will not require much outlay Of capital.
and which will literally repay the labor
expended. Often labor can be employed
which would not be required elsewhere;
and. even could it he utilized in some
other way, il will pay better here. il it
does not result in the positive neglect of
some growing crop. Many villager
or cottage tenant could teach the average
farmer lesson in this respect A labor
ing man with only little bit of land
about his home will keep small flock
of poultry, good COW, a couple of pigs,
a few stands of bees. and with his gar
den and little fruit-the trees occupy
ing space that otherwise would not BIZ
used-provides for his daily expenses
almost without encroaching upon his
wages. If any of these things should
be attempted upon the farm, let especial
pains be devoted to making them pay.
Do not undertake them and leave the
result to chance.
Poultry is kept upon every farm, bur
too often it is left to itself. No system
or method is pursued. The flock is large
or small as chance determines. 1t is
housed in the barn or the pig-pen. In
summer the hens range far and near,
making and hiding their nests wherever
they may. In the winter they have
access to the corncrib, aud become so
gorged with that single item of food
that they do not lay. The poultry flock,
where poultry keeping is not pursued a
a regular business but only as an adjunct
to the farm, should be restricted in mum
bers. Not more than forty or fifty can
usually be handled to advantage. These
should be comfortably and cleanly
housed, given good variety of whole
some food, and looked after every day.
A couple Of good cows kept solely
for their butter product, will pay we'll
1t will be wise to have these fresh in
the autumn, then by good feeding have
them producing most when prices are
best A warm stable. warm, liberal
bedding. warm food and water during
cold weather, conduce much to profit in
this line. And it will pay only to have
the best cows. Then do not be satisfied
until you are able to make the very hest
butter that is to be found in your home
market. 1t will never be difficult to
dispose of such, and at a good price.
A dozen stands of bees on a clean
grass plat in the orchard, or better still.
each stand protected by thrifty grape
vine. which demanding no more space
will add ifa prnIrlpt n thaf nf thu haA
are both an ornamental and profitable
adjunct to the farm. The care of bees
Is pleasant occupation, and il put
under the charge of an intelligent youth
they would do much to interest him in
the study of insects and of all out-of-
door life.
Too much can not be said about the
value of the farm garden. As this will
usually be so laid out that the work may
he mainly done with a horse eultivator.
there Is no reason why its space should
not be ample enough TO grow little
more of everything than needed for
family use This surplus can be easily
gathered and taken to the village store.
where it will be gladly received in
exchange for groceries and other things
which would otherwise require an out
ldE VI Cd~u N uoIeu Trees OF yoOG
fruit, Of almost any sort will give, one
year with another, return that will
put to shame the profit from any pos
-ibie acre of grain. while occupying
much less land and demanding much
less labor.
It is objected that the farmer who
ss.atters" too much does not accomplish
anything. That NAV often be true But
on the other hand the farmer who de-
votes himself to a single crop often find-
hat wholly consumed by his incidental
current expenses: and Il failure of that
one crop means loss OF his entire year,
work; while il his current expenses have
been met by these smaller items he does
not find himself ut the end of the wear
face TO face with the long list of bills
which nigh. otherwise be the case In
thicklv settled portions Of the country.
farming must become more and more
the work If the specialist who grows
some one valuabie crop, or it must be
relieved by the adjunct OF these minor
industries, which will aid so much 10
bearing the burden Of eur ent expenses
-americaa agriculture