Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-08-08
GOOD FARMING AND SMALL
FARMS.


FARMS.
The idea of unlimited acres ana
farm operations on a large scale is
very attractive to some tillers otthe
soil, particularly those who are
young. There are two sides to this
question, however, as to most 9TH
ers. If Que has a large capital he |
can, of course, extend his business
to any limit that seems profitable,
but tor the farmer whose only capi-
tai is the small farm he owns, the
wiseSt course is to crown that little
farm TO it's utmost limit of produc'
tiveness, before he seeks to acquire
more land, unless it be an excep'
tional case where large returns are
certain.
Note some of the points of adj
vantage in work ing a small Out
rich farm. The taxes are less than
on a larger farm that is no more
productive in total results. The
expense of working the smaller
place Will be much less. The actu'
al labor required on the part OF the
farmer himself will be less. lie
will be freed from the constant
worry and care that accompany
the cultivation of large areas. Less
hired help will be needed. There
will be fewer fences to keep IN re-
pair and less expense tor fertilizers
when there is a concentration OF
these.
Now, given the small place Ii a
fair state OF productiveness, let us
see If better farming on the present
area cannot be made profitable.
When the soil has been properly
prepared for the crop, and the usu'
al amount of dressing applied, the
farmer Is at a point where he can
say, "Shall l put in this crop and
get the usual average results, or
shall 1 double the yield by lncreas-
ed cultivation and increased fertlh'
zationT
Daring accidents that are out
side of mans control, the ordinary
Weld can be doubled without
doubling the labor or the amount
of dressing. A certain amount OF
plant food is necessary to start
the crop and produce the stalk. If
the supply gives out at this point,
there will be small returns at
harvest time. 1t Is Just here that
so much failure occurs in farming.
The expense of preparing the soil
and furnishing a certain amount of
dressing is incurred and here the
planter stops, as also does his crop.
1t is the extra feed beyond that
which is required to produce the
plant itself that pays. Better put
all the fertilizer and all the cultlva-
ton on a smaller area. 1t is the
same IN other farm operations
The food that will do little more
than keep the life in two animals
will bring a big profit if fed to one.
1t Is the extra feed beyond that
which is required to sustain life
which gives a profit in growth, in
milk, in butter, and in other AMI
NAL products. In fact, it is good
farming that pays, and as a rule,
good farming is possible for the
man with small capital, only in
cultivating limited areas. a good
formula for selfcommunion for the
one who really is ambitious to
make'agriculture a success is some.
what like the following: IL am
going to raise better colts, better
pigs and poultry this year than l
raised last year. 1 am going to
make two bushels of field and
garden crops grow where only one
has grown heretofore" The man
who feels that way is putting him.
self in a position to deserve sue
cess-and secure It, tOo.-Webb
Donnell, In Country Gentleman.