The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-02-20
CHANGING CONDITIONS.
Make Haste SlOvvly-Study Conditions,
Markets and Your Own Tastes
Different Localities Require Differ
ent Methods.

ent Methods.
The farmers of the Northwest are wide
awake to the necessity of a change in their
system of farming. That many mistakes
will be made losses entailed, and disap-
pointments met is to be expected.
Webb Donnell, of Maine, writing to the
Practical Farmer makes some valuable sug
gestions regarding change from one sys
tenn of farming to another, that are well
worth the consideration of the Northwest
ern farmer. The practical experience of
the man who is familiar with a diversified
and intensive system of farming on high
priced land, should be of value to those
whose knowledge of farming extends only
to crop system on cheap but fertile
land He says:
l don't believe in breaking off on a sud
den the old ways of carrying on the work
of farming to which one may have been
accustomed from bOyhood, and striking out
with all ones energies into one line-into
speciality farming, though I do believe
thoroughly in specially farming. The lat
ter, however, is something that one has
to grow into gradually in order to secure
success. The purpose of this article is to
bring forward some branches of speciality
farming that have money in them at the
present time, that the reader may see
if there is not something more for him
in specializing his work than in spreading
his efforts over a dozen different branches
of farm work. But want to say right here
that 1 do not believe in any kind of spe
cialty farming that does not permit the
raising of flesh (beef and mutton), fowl
and all kinds of garden products that are
needed for the family table, 1t may be
a few dollars in ones pocket to buy all
beef, mutton, milk, eggs and garden pro-
ducts, including small fruits, while the
whole attention is given to a speciality
hnt
that where all these things are left to be
purchased, the farmer doesn't have half
these good and wholesome things upon his
table that he would have if they were pro-
duced at home and in abundance. Chicken
ought to be seen every week upon the
farmers table, but it certainly would not
II every bit of poultry had to be pur
chased at the market; and in the
matter of eggs, the consumption will fall
Off one-half If one has to buy every one
that is used, and pay 30 to 40 cents dozen
Tor them in winter. No, no. the farmer
ought to produce these table essentials
be he specialist or general tiller of the soil
But outside of these, 1 would have him con-
nne his attention to one or more branches
that in his location, and in his circum-
stances. are most profitable. Almost every
general farmer knows that some one or
two branches of his work pay better than
any other. 1t seems strange, then, that
he does not see the wisdom of gradually
working into these branches and aban-
doning the others that are less profitable
In my own location, the one great spe-
cialty is dairy farming, and the next most
prominent is, undoubtedly, orchard culture:
thousands upon thousands of barrels of
Baldwin apples (the one great apple in
this section, being shipped away to for
elsn ana domestic markets. In the case
oI carrying we have the Jersey in it's pur-
lty, and high grades of the same breed
these rich mixers being seen to the ex-
cluslon OF almost all other breeds, and
scrubs also, in whatever direction one may
travel.
Sweet corn is raised in large quantities
Tor the canning factories, and the stalks,
leaves, husks and small ears are cut into
sllo Tor the cows. Many farmers are get
ting about 500 per acre for their corn and
nave the silage in addition. 1 should not
want to say that the average production
OF dairy cows about my home is 300 pounds
each per year; but it is an easy matter to
get together a herd that will average this
amount of butter in year; and all the
dalrymen in my vicinity are getting %
cents a pound for their butter, the cost of
producing which certainly need not be
over 1214 cents a pound. There is, then,
the SKINNED milk, and the annual lot of
calves to go onto the credit side of the
account, with large amount of rich Dress
ing to keep up the fertility of the farm.
Just at present 1 see speciality, for our
Maine farmers at least that can be COM
pared for profit to the dairy and it's sweet
corn adjunct.
There is the growing of small fruits
where one has a market within reasonable
distance, and the raising of such small
fruits, like the black-cap-raspberries, etc.,
as the market is eager for in an evaporat-
ed state Then there is chance for the
fruit specialist to cater to a fancy trade
in putting up fresh berries in glass, and.
in particular the putting up of the finest
quality of apple. ounce, grape and other
kinds of jelly. Much fruit can be worked
up In this way that would otherwise be
unmarketable, and still keep the quality