The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-05


this is the farmers busy season. and that
they have little time TO do more than read
their favorite papers while they are plow-
ing and planting. But not withstanding
the rush OF work, we confidently ex-
pect them to take half an hour in the even
ing or on wet days to answer the inqui-
ries of any brother farmers, or to make q
suggestion that will help others. This
page we offer as a medium for the enter
change OF thought among our farmer
readers. We want to be helpful, and to
this end are willingly devoting this pace.
We want the department thoroughly prac-
teal None but working farmers write
for the department, and it tries to present
those facts that will aid in getting better
crops and better prices.
As we have said. you are now busy.
Winter brings the greatest leisure and
time for comment and discussion. But
while we look forward TO the winter season
we trust many will continue to give US
the benefit OF their counsel as some have
already done. Join with us in our effort
to point the way 10 better methods vi pro-
duclng and marketing our crops. Add TO
the sociability of farm lie by joining our
family of farmers and their wives, cons
and daughters. who offer comments and
suggestions. Ii you do this in fair degree
this summer We hope to offer you feast
of good things next winter.
Pushing Ones Business.
We live in a very busy age. The lead
ers in the worlds business are very ener-
Retic men, pushing their interests and
full of expedients. The less enterprisng
are pushed to the wall, or else follow in
the rear. keeping company with g great
crowd who make no money and spend
none. and thus manage 10 make their ac-
counts balance. Good Judgment, ordinary
industry and practice of industry and
economy are not the sole factors of as
sured success in any line of work, as they
formerly were, however important a place
they may hold. America has become a
synonym of push and shrewd manage
ment. The successful man gets out OF the
rut. does his own thinking, drives his
work and believes in himself and in it.
These things are emlnentiy true in the
business world, but they are little less so
in the farming world. The thrifty men
on the farm are they who know the capa-
bilities of their soils, who know what
crops pay best, who have confidence in
their figures regardless of common prac-
tice In their community, and who have
the pluck TO cut loose from crops that DO
not pay. let others DO as they. There are
few ii anv farms that cannot be made to
grow some crop or come kind OF stock at
q slight profit to say the least THIS SEN
TINEL farmer knows from experience OBJ
servaiion and O study of agricultural
statistics that the business of farming is
hampered by the existence of some evils
that legislation can remedy. He is ever
ready to work for the correction of these
evils. This view is often presented in this
department But the other side. our own
failures and shortcomings need just as
patient consideration and correction
More money can be made by the majority
il the business is pushed with the energy
and study that successful business men
give 10 their work.
Indiana produces only 1871 bushels of
wheat per acre on an average. Some
farms arc growing twenty to thirty bushels
per acre. Necessarily some land is pro-
ducing less than the average. Is there
neighborhood in which THE SENTINEL is
read where fields are not sown in the fall
that any reader would say does not give
promise or The state average? Ohio's
average ia only one bushel greater. We
illustrate with the figures for wheat. but
those for corn or other grains tell q SINH
lar story. Ii is not fair to assume that
the most of this unre Tunerstive land is
not handled with that foresight and
shrewdness that is characteristic of the
successful business man of the world9 1t
has greater capabilities, doubtless. If it
DOES not pay cost of tillage-snd wheat
fields producing iess than the state average
do not--then should they either have
other tillage, or else lie in grass AMI gain
in fertility. 1t is true that much poor land
is sown in wheat to prepare for grass but
this in no wise accounts Tor half the
shortage in wheat yields. The average
| Yields OF all crops bear evidence that
many of us are not pushing our business.
1t is not only in wise choice Of crops
that successful farmers drive their BUSH
ness. This is like the choice of the
| merchant in such lines of goods as he
/ feels capable OF handling. The merchant
| or manufacturer that STAYS at the front
must be quick to avail himself of ali i'm
provements in his line, and especially
! must he stop all leaks and wastes. Ii is
/ this latter thought that strikes us with
| force as we begin the seasons work. I'm
less we can plan to do all our work at the
right time. much of it will not pay. and
the leaks begin. The most of US try to
| till too many acres. Teams and imple-
ments are insufficient for the work. Some
land is plowed a little wet and tillage is
wasted among the Gods half the summer.
Fields are not well prepared Tor the seed,
and the young plants have to fight for a
bare existence. Poor tools, men and