Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-01-22
Ar. We Making Farming ProAt.bIea

Cultivating the most leading crops.
selling or feeding them to the various
kinds of farm stock, are the branches
most commonly practiced by the
farmer. Now the question should be
with us, Are we in these making it
profitable3 We may cultivate many
acres and raise large crops, we may
raise, feed and sell much stock, and
yet not be making it profitable. tits
too much the idea that il we are
growing large crops OF several kinds
aud have heap OF the different kinds
of farm animals that we are doing a
big business at farming, without cast
ing one thought into the loss and
profits, and ofttimes we are surprised
to find these farmers in a few years d
perfect bankrupt. To raise large
crops the expense OF producing them
may be greater than the value of the
product, or the profit OF one crop may
be consumed in defraying the ex-
penses of another, the draught on the
soil may be in excess Of the supply OF
fertility, it may be improperly sold or
cared for; it may be injudiciously fed,
thus making farming Improbable.
1t is expected that the professional
man is. or should be, well educated
and we'll schooled in his business, or
else he cannot succeed. That the
merchant deals in the best brand OF
goods, that be must keep an accurate
account OF all expenses. loss or gain.
that he may see if he is making his
business profitable. BY this he can
see on what he makes the most proht.
These qualifications seem indispen-
sable TO the merchant, and all PROBES
sional men. 1t is equally as much so
with the farmer. His is not a bust
ness to be carried on successfully by
the unlea:n ed or INDECENT any more
than any other occupation OF life.
The farmer should not only be indus
trious but should be studious; his
mind must be in his business. He
should keep ali accurate account OF
all his business. the expense. loss and
gain, what crops are most profitable
for him to raise, the most profitable
disposition to make Of them, the best
and most profitable stock to raise and
how best to dispose OF them. Farm
ers are too careless in regard to keep
ing an account of their busin ess, con-
sequently they often raise crops that
are not profitable and raise stock at
an expense. Farmers are too negl-
gent in keeping posted in the markets
and thus often through ignorance OF
their market raise Improbable crops
and stock. From my observation
there are few crops that are protita-
BILE to raise and sell off the farm. l
notice from my experience in growing
vegetables that many farmers grow
and sell vegetables at less than the
cost to grow them. 1t put a little
money in their pockets at the time,
but they were no better off than II
they had not raised them. Unless the
farmer keeps an account OF the ex-
pense in growing a crop he will over
look this and sell blindly.
Many farmers if they would for one
year keep a close account OF the ex-
pense of each crop they We're growing,
would be surprised to find that much
of the profit OF one crop was cohsum-
ed in paying the expense OF another.
although they may make considera-
bic profit OH their entire farm. Wheat
sown on clover sod believe can be
sold off TO u profit, but do not think
it profitable TO sell clover. BY know
ing the feeding value OF a crop and
the value of the manure produced by
it, q farmer can often make calcu-
lation as to what crop can be sold OIL
at a profit or to sell one crop and buy
another.
In order to know whether we are
making farming profitable, we should
know what it costs to raise every
bushel OF corn and oats, every pound
Of grass and clover, in fact, every
thing we raise The farmer should
know how many pounds OF feed 1t
takes to feed his stock and to fatten
his stock for market. If he knows
what it costs him to raise every bush
el OF feed and then knows how much
he has fed, and knowing how much
his stock is worth before he com
mpnces feeding or to fatten, and
knows the value Of the manure pro-
duced 10y his stock and what he has
received, he can tell whether farming
is profitable to him.
The Cause Of Pink Eye.