The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-07-12

question Of storing the new wheat crop
or selling it at the very low prices Off
cred AS our readers know, we have
always advocated the marketing of all
farm crops as soon as they are ready,
holding that during the last few years
those who have followed this plan have
made the most money. Beyond this
general rule we have not cared to go,
as II is not given to any man to pre-
dict prices with any degree of certainty,
and the responsibility of advising is too
great to be assumed in usual cases.
Even now, with proposed price of so
cents a bushel. we shall not urge the
infraction Of the rule that products
should be marketed early. but do want
TO make some suggestions.
One point we regard as settled: Wheat
cannot be raised in any state east of
the Mississippi for so cents a bushel
without absolute loss to the farmer. 1t
is very true that occasional fields, yield
ing from thirty to forty bushels per
acre, may seem to afford a little profit,
but the rental Of such fertile soils should
be placed at a high figure. as they
would produce large crops of other farm
products, and such yields form an ex-
action. A little study of state averages
shows that profitable production of
wheat at 50 cents a bushel is an impos
sibility. 1t is a losing game to raise
wheat at this price.
If the present crop be sold at present
prices, and another be raised for the
harvest of 1894, the loss on this crop is
a fixture, and chances are taken of a
future loss In regard to prices in 1894
we cannot tell. But il does not appear
business-like TO sell an article below the
cost of production merely to get the
money to produce more of the same
article. If there is any reason for grow
ing another crop, there is reason for
holding this one. If wheat promises to
be profitable next year, then it will pay
TO store fifty-cent wheat. If there is
nothing to be gained, then is it not folly
to seed more land to wheat? Let each
one consider the question carefully.
But, says some one, this does not help
US any in deciding whether To store or To
sell this years crop. We think it would
do so if all farmers considered their bus
mess interests carefully. If there be
reason for sowing wheat this fall, then
why not store the present CROP and if
there be no promise for the future with
the present acreage, and farmers so think
and act, then Will shortened supply
help prices and make storing pay In
any event it appears idle and worse for
men TO sell an article al price that does
nor cover the cost of production, merely
10 get the money to enable them to raise
another crop. Make this crop pay, or
else quit In other words, let us be con-
sistent and business-like.
There another point to be considered.
The national administration during many
years sowed the seeds of a panic Can
If6Ix~ Is he eta
manship of our president can avert il.
The expectation of a panic is a prime
cause of the present depressed condition
OF the wheat market. Banks do not care
TO loan money to spectators. Such a
time is usually bad time to sell Some
farmers may be compelled to sell, and
necessity knows no law. OF such cases
we are not speaking. But we do press
home this one point: If next year prom
ises no Improvement, so that storing now
will only bring loss. then the seeding
OF land TO more wheat appears unbusi-
ness-like After using our Judgment in
this matter, let us be consistent.
Uses for Barbed Wire.
Those who do not like barbed wire
fences can offer many valid objections
70 them. but 1 find IL profitable to keep
few reels of wire for special use in
making temporary fence, or strengthen
ing an old one. 1t IS sometimes nearly
impossible TO keep colt from breaking
down a rail fence by rubbing and push
ing against il, or throwing riders Last
summer some two-year-olds kept pushing
down my fence no matter how solid and
high We made it. Within a few days
after fixing the fence rider would be
gotten off, then another and soon the
fence was low enough TO step over. There
were no jumpers among the colts. but
IheE thew fast learning IN
breachy
I strung one wire along the top of the
fence, putting a staple in each top rider
This ended all trouble. The rails could
not be moved out Of their places, as the
wire held them fast, and the barbs kept
the colts from pushing and rubbing
against the fence. There is no danger in
this arrangement. as stock will never
run into the wire.
I built q low fence around the field oi
clover in order 10 pasture some hogs
and II was necessary TO turn some colts
in for a few weeks. A barbed wire was
strung along the inside corners. fastened
TO the top of each corner, and the fence
which was about three and one-half fee
high. was never bothered. The wire was
too low to let them get into trouble by
getting under 1t. and they could not
push against the rails. / strung the
wire very tight so that each top rail was
held in place by the staple. This make:
a good and cheap temporary fence.
All permanent pastures should have Z
high and solid fence around them. ant
in a timbered country a staked-and
ridered rail fence Is the cheapest. The,
are not as solid as board fences. anC
horses that are inclined TO be breachy
usually find weak place in them il
time, but single wire, tightly strung
will make them turn any stock and will
make them last nearly twice as lon,
without resetting. OBSERVER.
The Care of Bees.
Sometimes new swarm of bees 70
some unaccountable reason will after ;
day or so desert the new hive. AS ;
remedy for this says a correspondent o
the Germantown Telegraph. IF you viii
take from some full swarm a card o
brood comb and put it in with the new
swarm you will not have any trouble o
bees leaving as above described. as bee
Will never desert brood. The ringing o
bells, blowing Of horns, banging tin pam
and throwing dirt and sand. amonJ
swarming bees is of no use. Sit dow
or stand and watch them, and when yol
see them begin TO settle go and ge
things ready to put them in their new
home -Four times out of five they viii
be where an ordinary ladder will reacl
them II in a place where they can b.
shaken into a bushel basket do il anC
then empty them In front Of their hive
which should be tilted 90 as to leave al
opening at the bottom for them to go in
10, and In the evening following put then
on their permanent stand. If you ar
little nervous about handling bees us.
temporary screen of some kind a