The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-11-17
FOR THRIFTY FARMERS.
USEFUL INFORMATION ON
FARM TOPICS.
Building Up the Lands Small Things
to Be Attend ed to Now--Keep-
Ing Eggs m Dry Packing--
Artlchoke Culture-- Cur
rant Culture.
Building Up the Land.

Building Up the Land.
Much Of the prosperity OF old-time
farmers, and of new settlers on virgin
soil, was because SO large a part OF
their work was and is devoted to-
making the farm better. On wild
land something must always be done
at first before it can be made produc-
tive. Then. too, there are houses
and barns to be built, fruit trees to
be planted, wells to be dug and fences
put up. In all these ways the early
settler finds use for his labor, which
is paid for at good wages, while the
soil remains fertile. But when fertil-
ity diminishes these improvements no
longer pay. In all the older sections
OF the country. and in some places in
| the West, land can now be bought of
disgusted owners for little more than
the cost of the improvements, often
for less. There is naturally much
more caution in these days about i'm
proving farms. It comes from previ-
Gus mistakes in making improvements
that did not pay, and is not always a
wise caution. What is needed says
writer in Cultivator is closer dis
| elimination as to the character and
productiveness of improvements.
Some not only do not bring
money to the owners purse, but sub
ject him to an annual bill of expense.
In constructing a new house, for ex-:
ample, many aman has found too
late that not only did the house cost
more than it should, but the expense
OF furnishing it and the style of living
! that it pre-supposed were all equally
disproportioned to the farm income.
We do not say aught against fine
farm houses, but they should follow
rather than precede improvements on
the farm itself, to produce enough in
come TO justify such dwellings. -
HOW TO IMPROVE TIE FARM.
How shall the farmer heavily in
debt begin to improve his farm?% He
will not at once expend large sums OF
| borrowed money in putting up ex-
pensive buildings and fences. These
ne can probably better do without
than he can with many other
things that cost less money. He
may and should spend part Of what
ne can get in manure, and another
part in tile for draining, using his own
labor at tines when other work does
not press, to dig bitches and place the
tile. Hard as this work is, in no 9th
erW ay will a man form greater love for
his farm than understanding it. The
rule OF Nature always is that we love
what we have sacrificed most for.
Whatever may be thought of the
Henry George theory denying the title
to land bought with money, there.
onght to be no question as to the title
OF the farmer who has taken wet land
and reclaimed it by thorough under
drainage. And such a farmer not only
thus acquires love for the land ne
tllls, but it is also the best way to
make sure that he can keep it. Oh the
thousands of abandoned farms in the
older States, comparatively H. "
FEW HAVE BEEN WE'LL DRAINED.
The money expended on them was
put where it did much less for soil
productiveness. Judicious planting
OF fruit trees and properly caring for
Them until they come into bearing is
another safe way to improve land. It
IS not enough alone, for the fruit trees
must be we'll cared for and manured.
Unless this is done they will entail loss
rather than profit. When planting
trees, most farmers under estimate
the labor and manure thew will re.
quire; hence they plant too MANY.
feWer trees better cared for, and
more money invested in the best stock,
is the best condition for the farmer
heavily in debt. If he buys ever 50
small number of thoroughbred
animals at first, and cares for them
as he should, their increase will bring
him out OF debt quicker than he can
get out in any other way, and without
lmpoyerishing the soilby an exhaust
I've system OF cropping.
Small Things to Be Attended to
.., 49,. Now,
In the press of work on a farm
many little things 20 unnoticed, or are
seen at time when it is impossible
to attend to them. This is particular.
~ the case regarding barns, stables,
chicken houses, etc. If the farmer
will cast his eye around when in these
places, and make note OF the broken
hinges, the loose rattling windows, the
holes in the floor, constantly growing
larger from wear, the rickety perches,
the neglected manure heap, broken
posts, leaky roofs, and the thousand
and one other little things that will
give him annoyance in the near
future, he can set apart day or two
to attend to his mending. Secure ],
few boards, q hammer, saw, and
nails, and 60 to work with will saws
a writer in Indiana Farmer, and it
will surprise YOU if you have never
tried it, to find how much happier Won
will feel to know that your cattle and
horses are comfortable during
the cold. stormy weather. Do not
stop with repairs. There are Jew who
cannot improve on the oonveniencies
around ones premises. Have you a
sloppy, muddy walk to your barn
nd y L, VI 4 "a