Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-18
Improving Worn Out Farms

Any method of improving exhausted
soil has claim upon the student OF
agriculture. as the fertility of the sol
y, the most important consideration il
he business of farming. Farmers are
apt to neglect to supply the elements
Of fertilization taken from the soil hy
he growing crops and for that reason
sc see upon every hand farms that
reduce but a small per cent OF what
ras grown upon the same land half a
entury ago. In many instances there
laS been more interest in increasing
he area Of the farm by purchased
ana than in increasing the fertility Of
ne soil by purchased fertilizers. and
: result we see what are generally
eferred To as 'worn-out farms. How
hcse farms can he brought up to a
ondition where they will produce
laXimum crops is an important ques-
ion when we take into consideration
hat fact that it must, in most in
tanccs. De done from the resources of
ne farm. The farmer has no capital
rat can he spared for this purpose.
nd must depend upon the result of
is farming operations to accomplish
The American Cultivator discusses
his subject as follows:
Fortunately it Is within the power
t any farmer willing to work to begin
lakinS his land more productive. even
he cannot get money to purchase
1anures or improved stock with which
o make them. If there is an intelli-
ent comprehension Of what the farm
eeds, small amount Of money, With
hat labor the farmer can himself do
i'll make a great change We know a
cotchman many years ago. who. like
cost Scotch farmers. was a thorough
nd intelligent cultivator Some parts
the farm he had lately bought were
ret. With his own hands he dug a
itch. blowing out as much as possible
Q as to lessen the work. After the
itch was dug he gathered stones and
arefully laid them so as to leave a
God water course at the bottom. He
,ad not the money to buy tile which
ere then scarcer and dearer: than
loW. But his stone drain kept this
and dry for 20 years, while we knew
hc farm. and it is doubtless doing
GOD service yet
But the best way to improve a poor
ann is to intelligently use brains with
tbor. Seeding with clover as often "a
ossble, and using all the homemade
manure to make this clover grow will
ring land into condition for profitable
reduction quicker than can he done
II any other way. If the land is sandy
Sc all The ashes possible and if these
ttnnot lie had in sufficient quantities
'uy potash sales. More potash is what
andy soils need to make clover grow |
Nfter sandy land can be made to grow
Ven one crop of clover, there will
nth good management, be no difficulty
hereafter in getting either a clover or
'fass seeding.
Afte" all is said and suggested good. |
ound judgment will be required and |
lso some practical experience in farm |
nG. Many of the wealthy beginners |
4 farm Improvement use their money |
Il ways that do not and cannot return |
he money they expend. 1t is not. of |
curse safe or wise to follow their ex-
mples BY keeping eyes an ears open |
nd noting what the successful money
laking farmers are doing, and so ia!
S possible initiating them, more sue
ess Will be attained than in any other
ay. Mirror and Farmer.