The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-02-27

parts applied together viii accomplish
the result desired It is not the man
who works the hardest but vino works
the best that accomplishes the most IN
the end Il Is not always the best edn-
Gated who are the best farmers. Many
collegian and many graduate from
the agricultural college has failed as
farmer, winnie m the same pursuit many
another man who has been entirely
successful could scarcely write ms own
name. The methods of the one were
largely theoretic; those OF the other
practical and based on common sense.
This Is an age of progress There have
been many improvements IN farming
methods, but at the same time there are
certain old methods and practices which
have been discontinued merely because
they were old, not because they were
supplanfed by better-indeed nothing
rs good has been substituted ID their
stead There was a time when
farming paid and that was when
those old methods were IN use.
A good idea founded ON sound princi-
pies Is everlasting and a blending OF
some OF the old practices with new ones
OF value viii work great change for
good among many western farmers.
The improvements N agricultural ma
chinery have, Is every one knows,
wrought great and radical changes II
farming methods. So much can De done
by machinery that many farmers are
10th 70 do anything that cannot be &C
coInpIished by horse power or steam en-
gines There should be a return 10
some OF the old practices; but II VIII not
be necessary TO discard the reaper or
tnreshar for the sickle or fail All mod
ern machinery ought 10 be employed,
but II ought not 70 be wholly depended
UPON. There are other features IN agri-
culture OF much consequence. Most we
want OF the old time, however, Is lis IN
dustry and economy.
Diversity Of Crops Means Prosperity.
The farmers of the oIden time de-
pended very largely upon themselves for
almost everything; hence they were
forced by reason of circumstances. TO
diversity their industries and employ
menIs, and therefore they planted what
ever their lands would produce, and they
made use OF whatever they gathered
IF some crops were scant or failures,
others were not IF one dependence WAS
lacking when the time came 10 utilize Z
substitute was AT hand At all times
they lived within their incomes and
bought less than they sold II the faith
ers succeeded, why should not the sons
prosper: They can or else they nave
sadly dsgenerated, and that they VIII
not admit for an instant We have not
too many men farming. but there is too
much tendency III producing most that
which costs the least labor The world
has not TOO much 10 eat nor TOO many
wholesome kinds of food
How do Eastern farmers ON poorer
soil, with higher land values and dearer
products, compete with Western farm
ers with better and cheaper soil, and
cheaper grass and grains? They do II by
utilizing everything Those who VIII
not SO economic fail and come West
and fal again The farmers of Mime
sofa and tine Dakotas depend upon the
grain crop One reason for this Is prob
ably because that crop can be planted,
harvested and prepared for market by
machinery The result Is that II. the
grain crop fails the farmer fails. lie
| has but one resource The moral is
plain.
The want of system and the
| general waste which characterize tine
work OF many farmers would
bankrupt any railroad, factory or
business house as quickly and as readily
as II does the farmer The great pack
ing houses, which come Id for share
| of public condemnation. survive because
they utilize everything; nothing is lost
except the squeal of the pig. Down II
Maine where l was raised, and where
awhole township viii hardly produce as
much as z section OF land here, without
fertilization, vegetables are canned and
line the shelves OF the Western grocers.
and. I dsnbt not, help feed Western
farmers
Farm Homes Can Be Made Best Homes.
What a field of study and information
opens before the intelligent farmer; he il
hand 20 hand with nature. Sir John
Lubbock spent years II watching and
studying the habits o. ants and wrote al
interesting and instructive book about
them. The great Darwin gave year &c
| the study OF the common angle or fish
worm and ne SAYS II his book On the sub
ject that these little moving things that
boys think are only good for fish bait are
the most potent factor II making the
soil of England suitable for agriculture.
| Cur own Downing spent many useful
year among fruits and berries, as Audu-
bon did among the birds. A mere list
| Of those who have found profit and
pleasure IL fields and woods and proved
themselves public benefactOrs can be ex-
tended beyond the limits of an ordinary
paper. There Is many way 10 make
country home hfe SO attractive that the
boys and girls VIII prefer remaining on
| the farm 10 De drudges N CITY stores and
shops. No CITY table can De furnished
with tine sweet fresh butter, cream and
milk, good meats and vegetables that
the farm gives at first hands. Very few
farmers give their farms credit for fur
nishing home rent free and hundred
| other necessaries and often 1uxuries
which would have 10 be paid for N cash
/ m the cIry