The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-02-27
t,on. Tnose lessons Wen Hsl learned the growth
q -. n -


ton. Tnose lessons well learned the growth
Of the rrinciple e Inevitable. %
Cows may be feducheaply through the
winter on straw Aand 4oorly cured corn tod
der, but they will not produce much. Feed
literally and keep it In the line of produc-
ton. They will pay for their keeping and
leave margin 1bf profit, or you will be
out Of the cost Of their keep whatever that
may be.
No farmer should pdrchase fruit or veg
etables for consumption by his family that
he can raise at home." for in so doing he is
paying some other pian profit that he
could have saved, and often for the time
and expense of Delivery into the bargain
Have an eye on both the profit and loss
side of your work. Take an inventory at
the beginning of the year of your possess
sions. You may find that some of your
stock is not worth keeping and feeding; do
not waste any money on it. Look matters
squarely in the face.
1t is quite time for those of our farmers
wives who contemplate going into the
chicken business this year to begin to make
ready. Encourage the first hen who mani
tests disposition to sit just as soon as the
weather or the warmth of her winter
quarters will allow, for it is the early
broiler that catches the highest price.
Home talent is being utilized for public
meetings in grange work more than ever
before in the history of the order, which
is direct and conclusive evidence that the
grange is developing it's members for the
public life which many of them will be
called to occupy in the near future.
Now Is good time to prepare for any
emergency that may occur in the busy sea-
son. 1t is always economy to have the tools
and implements put in the best repair, and
an extra spade, hoe, rake and whiff1etree
for cases of emergency will often save vexa-
ton and loss.
The manure pile is the farmers main
source of supply. Think over that mo-
ment. Do you make the most of it? The
urine of most animals is as valuable as the
solid manure, and the hungry lands protest
against the waste Of vegetable and mineral
food of the best quality.
1t is a matter of wonder that with our
| unlimited fields and variable climate the
United States should import any agricul-
| tural products. And yet we send away an
| nually money enough to make all our farm
ers comfortable If kept at home. Meantime
we continue to grow wheat at 40 cents, and
out Of the proceeds pay interest on a mort
gage. Is there no room here for the exer-
| else of little common sense?
Having found a good man to ship butter
| to. ship all you make to him. Don't di-
| vide your shipments. If your butter is
| not just right, ask him to inform you what
! is wrong with it and how to improve on
| what other people are willing to pay good
| prices for regardless of your ideas, likes
| or dislikes.
The value of clover as an economical as
| we'll nutritive feed will soon be better
understood in the cities, a fact which has
| long been appreciated by observing farmers.
! With fair ration of clover, the small
! quantity Of oats consumed is almost re-
! markable, and yet the stock remains in
| first-class condition. Glover will soon be in
| urgent demand in the city markets where
| heretofore it has been sadly neglected.
Because one animal carries more flesh
| than another it does not follow that it has
! a stronger constitution; neither does flesh
! on an animals back add one whit to its
| digestive capacity. Yet theoretical feeding
! tells us to feed according to the weight Of an
animal There Is too much chaff in our
breeding and feeding literature, and it needs
thorough winndwin9 out.
Amateur potato growers are inclined to
| buy seed of many new varieties at a dollar
| or so a pound. Extensive growers, who are
| in the business foiY the money there is in it,
| do not bother much with novelties. They
/ wait until a potato has been tested a half
! dozen years and had its merit proven be-
| fore they care to risk planting it at all ex-
| tensively. They do not want to plant many
| varieties, two or three being enough These
| are usually old and trustworthy ones, an
| occasional new one of established merit in
some sections being given trial on a small
| plat,