Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1890-09-20
Good Farming and Small Farms.

The idea of unlimited acres, and
farm operations on a large scale, is
very attractive to some tillers of the
soil, particularly those who are
young. There are two sides to this
question, however, as to most others.
If one has large capital, he can, of
course, extend his business to any
limit that seems profitable, but for
the farmer whose only capital is the
small farm he owns,the wisest course
is to crowd that little farm to its ut
most limit of productiveness, before
he seeks to acquire more land, unless
it be an exceptional case where large
returns are certain.
Note some of the points of advan-
tage in working a small but rich
farm. The taxes are less than on
larger farm that is no more produc-
tive in total results. The expense of
working the smaller place will be
much less. The actual labor requir-
ed on the part of the farmer himself
will be less. He will be freed from
the constant worry and care that
accompany the cultivation of large
areas. Less hired help will be need
ed. There will be fewer fences to
keep in repair and less expense for
fertilizers when there is concentra-
ton Of these.
Now given the small place in 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 usual amount of
dressing applied, the farmer is at q
point when he can say, "Shall 1 put
in this crop and get the usual aver
age results, or shall l double the
yield by increased cultivation and
increased fertilization?"
Barring accidents that are outside
of mans control, the ordinary yield
can be doubled without doubling the
labor or the amount of dressing. A
certain amount of plant food is neces-
sary 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 fur
nishing 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 re-
quired to produce the plant itself
that pays. Better put all the fertil-
izer and all the cultivation on a small
Ter 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 profit if fed
to one. II is the extra feed beyond
that which is required to sustain life
which gives profit in growth, in
milk, in butter and in other animal
products. In fact, it is good farming
that pays, and as rule, good farm
ing is possible for the man with small
capital, only in cultivating limited
areas. A good formula for selfcom.
munion for the one who really is am
bilious to make agriculture success
is somewhat like the following: ~
am going to raise better calves, bet
ter lambs, better colts, better pigs and
poultry this year than l raised last
year. 1 am going to make two bush
els of field and garden crops grow
where only one has grown hereto.
FORE" The man who feels that way
is putting himself in position to de-
serve success-and secure it, too.
WERE DONNELL.