The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-01

The labor and intelligence of the farmer
have been poorly paid for a number Of
years. The condition of this has been
more grevious to bear in view of the fact
that it has occurred at time when the
wealth of the country whole has in
creased at an unusual rate. Capital, la
Dor and intelligence have brought great
rewards to their possessors IN almost ev-
cry branch OF business except farming.
and it is not surprising that a spirit of I'M
rest has taken hold of those engaged in
agriculture
1t is not proposed that we enter into any
investigation OF the causes that have pro-
duced these conditions. On this point
farmers differ, but whatever our views, all
are agreed in a sincere and earnest desire
for greater measure OF prosperity. The
future is scanned for evidences of q re-
turn to time OF fair prices and reasonable
profits The farmer is most unjustly called
a natural grumbler. The truth is that the
severe economies of the past years, and in
some cases the existence OF debt, would
not weigh upon their MINDS one moment
If there could be assurances of future re-
ward for their labor.
There are row hopeiu signs of some
change for the better. Tie change may
not be 80 very great nor permanent, and
IL il confined TO Ameri;a only, but the
present outlook is encouraging. In the
first place the limit OF production at low
prices has been neary reached, while
population increases fast. Some have
argued that the limit las been reached in
the production of grim In this country.
This Is not true, but ue limit at the aver
age price has been reached. The cream
OF western land has been turned into
wheat and corn, AMI the East has been
tilIing all the fields that paid expenses.
Plenty OF other land wet or thin, or other
wise undesirable, can be brought up to
high state Of cultivation when the price of
products IS a paying one. but until that
time they will lie inthe grass or be treated
virtually as waste land. Millions of acres
produce only half Tops because there is
DO ready money 70 their improvement.
ANY great INCREASE in production
must find its incentive in higher prices.
The increase in production incident to the
opening up OF vast bodies of land by new
railroads was greater than the increase of
population. The difference Is fast disap-
pearing. The surplus of farm products
has nearly ceased t. exist as a depressing
influence upon prizes. In all this there
Is some ground for rope in the future.
Then, too, the effects of the new interest
now being manifested by farmers in all
questions aBectingtheir welfare cannot do
otherwise than tend to improve the situa-
ton. Many governmental measures have
harmed the farmer, and their adoption
4. - IL. =.
eiently interested n his government to
watch the course OF events. Interested
parties could secure whatever they sought
without regard to the effects on the farm
or. as he made no protests. The present
addition will bring agriculture to the front
IN legislative halls, and herein Is some
hope for future. The prospect is not all
brightness, but The SENTINEL farmer does
DOT believe il is now the time TO dispose
Of our farms or 20 into other business.
Fairview Farm Fapers-No. ).
by David
I think l have learned how 10 fight
weeds better than formerly. The tenderest
time in the life of any plant is just before
it reaches the surface of the ground. It
then has very little root and Is unhard-
sned by the action of the air and sum-
II the seed from which it springs lies near
the ground, slight stirring up OF the soil,
when the sun is shining, will kill it. If
the soil is loose a slant-tooth harrow is the
bes. implement for the purpose. Most
spring crops can be narrowed without in
jury before the crops are up, and both
corn and potatoes can be prohtably har-
rOwed until they are several inches high.
These repeated workings not only stop
weed growing, but break the crust after
rains and let the air into the soil
While the slant-tooth harrows on the
market are very desirable, yet fully as
good implements can be made at little
cost by the farmer. Mine is homemade
and does good work. The timbers are by
3 inches, and teeth are made OF half-inch
round iron. If | were making one now,
I would use 60-penny wire nails for teeth,
driving them straight down and then
bending the points back to the desired
angle. Such harrow should be weighted
according to the firmness of the soil, but
u could not be used long after the plants
are up.
When first began narrowing potatoes
and corn after they were up, il seemed
that damage was being done, but exami-
nation showed that rarely a plant was in
erect, and the stirring of the soil makes
hem grow faster than before. Breeds
weeder. which has great sale, is nothing
but slant-tooth harrow with extra long
teeth, having some lateral motion, so that
the narrowing can be continued until
plants are foot or two high. / find little
use for this however, as cultivators do
better work after plants are few inches
high.
1t took me several wears to learn that
half the battle ia won if one watches to
see that no weed seeds are sown with
grain or grasses. Much cloverseed is foul
with plantain or other pests. No seed not
strictly pure should be sown. Fighting
weeds is q continual warfare on Fairview
farm, put they can be controlled by per-
severance and forethought. While one
could wish that the day would come when
no weeds would spring up, yet this is
nearly an impossibility. Eradication of
the worst and control of common varie-
ties are ali we can hope TO secure. IL they
cause us to stir the soil often in growing
crops they may be q blessing after all.
They are bad master, but not so bad a
servant.
Whsat.
The department Of agriculture reports
the average condition of wheat for May al
81 per cent, an Improvement of per
cent. since the April report was made