The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-10
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THE SIX REQUISITES.
How to Make Farming Profitable Und
Adverse CircunstaucoS.

How to Make Farming Profitable Under
Adverse circumstances.
Taking for granted. therefore, that
profitable, money-making farming con-
tists in securing good crops. the ques-
ton occurs, what are the means to be
resorted TO for attaining this end9 The
following will be admitted to be the
main requisites:
1. Undertaking.
2. Manuring
3. Mixed husbandry.
f. Rotation of crops.
5. Implements and machinery.
6. Sufficient and good bu ldings.
l. UNDERSTANDING is required on most
lands in the country-at-large. to secure
them from flooding in spring. and from
drouth in summer. and to give the own
err control OF his fields at all times. par
ticu arly during the wet season offspring,
thus often gaining two or three weeks
in time. and making the turning point
between success and failure-between
fine. mellow condition of the land on
one hand, and clods, mud, and weedy
crops on the o;her Some land is nat
urally drained, and does not require
the regular laying of tile. but this is
exceptional Some whole States re-
quire tile-draining.
2. Manuring-This includes turning
under green crops and the economical
saving OF every enriching product from
the farm. 1t takes in commercial fer
tilizers only when actual trial has
shown that the increased product they
give exceeds their cost To obtain q
good supply of barn manure requires
3. Mixed acknowledgements ami
mails furnish manure, and manure in
creases their feed in the crops which
are grown, and thus mutual increase
Is made between animals and crops to
an indefinite extent
4. Rotation of crops-This subject is
30 we'll understood as to need little
comment 1t answers an excellent pur-
pose for eradicating perennial weeds,
and excluding both perennial and an
nual weeds. 1t furnishes varying sup
plies of plant food and of fertilizers;
and like a hungry guest at feast pre-
fers half a dozen dishes to a single
article of food for his entire meal.
5. Implements and Machines-A Sc.
lection of simple, durable and efficient
tools and machinery, is all-essential to
preparing and pulverizing the soil for
the reception of crops; for their best
cultivation; and for securing and har-
vesLing, and reducing them to the con-
dition of food. The young farmer will
begin by procuring the simple and
effective ones. and those which long
use have proved valuable; and then Sc
lect with more caution the newer, more
complexed and more expensive ones.
Flows and harrows are absolutely nee
essary for putting the soil in the best
condition for the reception of the seed;
and mowers and reapers for securing
the crops, although some of these ma
chimes are rather expensive.
6. Farm Buildings-For securing and
housing crops, protecting animals and
storing implements and machines, are
a most important requisite, and no well
conducted farm can be without them.
There is no doubt that if farmers
generally could more thoroughly OBJ
serve the various requirements above
enumerated, and could bring their
lands to condition more nearly re.
sembling that of market gardens, omit
ting the more costly provisions. they
would find greater amount of profit,
as their expenses would constitute
smaller amount in comparison to the
returns. Country Gentleman.