The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1892-05-11
HOUSEHOLD AND FARM.
A Short Farm Catechism.

| or agricultural eftOrtI
To obtain the largest possible
crop from a given area with the least
deterioration of the fertility of the
soil.
2. How may this be accomplish
ed?
By cultivating no more land than
can be we'll fertilized and thorough
ly cared for.
3. What is the chief mistake of
American farmers as a class?
Attempting to crop larger areas
than can be properly MANFRED.
4. What advantage is there in re-
stricting the area planted?
l. There is a saving of labor. 2.
There is improvement in the quail
ty of the crop, in consequence of
more thorough cultivation. 3. The
land is left in better condition after
the crop is removed. 4. By these
means there is considerable gain
in the ia mer's profits.
). What is the great lack in
American farm methods?
he failure to keep clear and ex-
act accounts.
6. What sort of accounts should
be kept2
They should be as simple as pos
sible, so as not to require the SER
vices of an expert book-keeper, yet
sufficiently detailed to show, when
balanced, the gain or loss on each
crop raised or animal kept.
7. What crops should a farmer
raise?
Those which he finds, by careful
experiment, to be best suited to his
soil and locality.
s. Should farming be general or
specialized?
For some farmers and some To-
calities general farming is more adj
visable; but specialized farming is,
as rule, more profitable when con-
Quoted by an expert.
9. What then should the farmers
aim be2
To become thoroughly familiar
with some particular branch of ag-
ricultural industry, so that he may
produce the best in that line. and
thus command a sure market for
his product.
10. Should the farmer ignore shook
learning" in carrying on his farm?
By no means. No man can learn
by personal experience all that it is
desirable 10 know of farm methods,
and books by competent authors
of which there are many-supply
the knowledge he needs to keep him
abreast of the progress of agricultu-
raj science and practice.
II. How may farmers sons be in
duced to remain on the farm?
l. By treating them as sons, not
slaves. 2. By taking them as early
as possible into partnership and
thus awakening the sense of owner
ship and responsibility, 3. By af-
fording them every possible facility
to become intelligent, thorough-go-
ing, scientific agriculturists. 4. By
making the farm home attractive.
II. What are the prime duties of
the American farmer as a citizen?
To be q God-fearing Christian
man, to be the best farmer in the
world, and an honest, helpful, fear
less member of the community.
st. Adams, VT, has a creamery
which receives milk from seven
hundred COWS and turns out tons of
butter weekly. The quality is so
good that the managers cannot sup
ply the demand for it at high
prices The number of women
whose lives are frightened by hav-
ing such an establishment near
them must also be large But in
spite of such examples of success
there are still great agricultural
districts whore the farmers hardly
know what a creamery is.
The ground in your orchard
should be stirred. IF trees are
young, the land may be plowed
deeply, except near the trees. If
they have reached the bearing age,
the blowing must be more shallow,
lest the roots be disturbed or
broken. This as to peach or apples.
Whatever pruning of bearing
trees is done ought to be finished
while buds are dormant This pro-
notes vigorous growth, while the
fruit bearing will prevent it from
becoming too vigorous But young
trees, slow i'm coming into bearing,
may sometimes be advantageously
pruned after their leayes have start
ed 1T checks growth of wood, and
If very severe may essen vitality
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