Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-09-16
TIE FARM AND HOME.
MORE EXTENSIVE cuLTIVA-
TON OF SMALL FRUITS.
A Bit Of Personal Expsrienes-Prlze VIM
ners Va. Common Cows-Less 20 start
Danger FROM Impure Iee-Farm Notes
and Home Hints
Culture Of small Fruits.


Culture of Small traits.
The neglect OF small fruit culture
on the farm has long been a subject
OF remark to those residing in the
larger towns and villages, who have
themselves become interested in this
I delightful work. Much surprise Is
manifested by those who have raised
fruit in Q small way. that the farmer,
who is favored with all the condi-
tions desirable for producing an
abundance of these delicious fruits.
should not only deprive himself Of
sufficient supply, but also neglect
such 8 certain source OF income, IN
supplying others with fruit
Having myself been a lifelong
farmer. feel quite able 10 explain
why such a state Of things exists
among the farmers as a class First,
large proportion OF our farmers are
striving to manage their affairs so
that they may be able not only 10
clear on the farm mortgage, hut
their time is mainly devoted 70 soly-
ing the problem how 70 make both
ends meet at the close Of each re-
curing year.
Thus il is that we often hear the
/ following expressions in excuse for
net engaging in the culture Of small
fruits: There is no money in it
1T is cheaper 10 buy. IL have no
time 10 potter with such work IL
have no taste for il. Fruit grow
/ ing is entirely out OF M line OF
work. While al such farmers have
my sincere sympathy, yet | have no
words Of commendation or apology
TO offer. These objections may all be
easily overcome, As is illustrated By
the following bit OF my own personal
experience.
For many years the meagre supply
OF berries for family use were pro-
cured from the roadside and fence
( corners OF adjoining fields on my
farm, with occasional small lots pur-
chased at the corner grocery. or OF
the berry picker who occasionally
passed the house. My family found
many Of these stale and insipid. but
concluded that we had about all the
berries we cared for, says the Ameri.
can Cultiyator. Again. the children
so enjoyed the work Of picking them
What mattered it il Others had been
before them in the fields, leaving
only a few half-ripe and imperfect
berries TO compensate for the long
tramp ana tiresome work OF picking
so the time passed on. until at
last | was persuaded, By the i'm
portunities Of the female portion OF
ny household, to make the attempt to
cultivate berries on the farm. Ac-
cordingly loo raspberry plants. Of
the Gregg variety, were ordered
from we'll known uurseryman. In
due time the plants arrived. and were
planted in a rich. wcll-drained soil
Although they made an excellent
+ growth during the season. and looked
very promising, yet il was hard to
realize that fruit in abundance was
awaiting US for the little effort al
ready expended
I The following spring the canes
were cut back to the height Of two
and half or three feet Frequent
cultivating and an absence Of weeds
+ resulted in vigorous and healthy
growth Of plants. Soon there was
evidence OF fruit in full abundance,
and, ere long, the bushes where laden
with large, luscious, iet-black rasp-
berries. and at last our table was
furnished with an unlimited supply
of fresh-picked berries. OF easy ac-
cess, and sufficient for the require
ments OF all
Eventually our plantation was in
creased in size, other varieties being
added, including strawberries OF the
fayorite sorts. Aside from furnish
ing a large home demand, the sur
/ Elus was disposed OF by the children
TO the neighboring farmers and
townspeople, enabling them to gain
valuable lessons in business, and also
an extended knowledge Of the differ
ent phases Of human nature exhib-
tied in their dealings with others.
As a reward for well-doiug, the en-
tire proceeds Of the berry patch
was allowed to remain in the hands
OF the children, to be used for their
especial benefit. Under the most ad-
verse circumstances may We not in
fer that the farmer is inexcusable
for depriving himself and family Of
these luscious small fruits, when so
little time and effort are required for
their production? a fixed purpose.
energy and perseverance are the sim
pie factors required to bring about
these happy results.
Prizs Winners VI. Common Cows.
A great many are asking why a
common COW that gives mess OF
milk equal to prize winner is not
as valuable for the dairy; and there
are some reasons to show why she is
and others to show that she is not
individually, says John Gould, this
common COW may be most valuable
one for a dairy hut with hnr ltfn aYds