Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-08-06

System on the Farm.

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The farm is not only q place Of bust
ness, where the strictest accounts should
be kept, but il is also factory 10 which
q large number Of articles are produced
from crude materials. II may be added
that many farmers and eIperimeDsers
have invented Tor, rather, created) new
breeds Of animals and plants, which,
though not protected by patents, have
conferred inestimAble benefit OF man.
kind and largely increased the wealth Of
the world Scientists and epterprising
farmers have revolutionlzed agriculture
within the past fifty years, but the farm
ers as class have been slow 70 adapt
themselves 70 the changed conditions.
Where improved implements have forced
the farmer TO meet competition there bat
been shown 9 reluctance in accepting
better breeds and higher systems Of cul-
tiyation. Many Of those experiments
have been important in adding 10 the
ability Of the farmer 70 produce more
have been ridiculed until necessity com
PEELED the acceptance Of newer theories
that we're fully demonstrated and even
at the present day farmers may be found
who are ready TO c0pdem those who
have been instrumental 10 improving
the condition Of farmers and opening
the avesue TO farming where before it
was difficult TO progress.
ADyAETAGEs From TIE PAST.
The work Of improvement has been
more difficult with the progressive ag-
riculturists than with the less enter
prising class. It required half cen
tury 70 create the Berkshire hog aud the
several breeds Of cattle are the results
Of Dsuy years Of careful selection.
Those who began the work did not live
10 witness the best results, but every
farmer Of to-day can begin where they
left oG-With the breeds at high de-
gree of perfection-aDd thus derive the
beUeft Of years Of work at a small cost
What every farmer should do is TO ain
TO improve that which be has. There
is ample room for every one " attempt
TO bring into existence breed possess
ing certain qualities not to be found in
any other, or TO produce new varieties
Of fruits aud vegetables. Ia such field
the work becomes pleasure and the
benefit 10 spread broadcast. The man
sgenent Of farm is also matter which
presents difficult problem, for with the
improved appliances Of farming, knowl-
edge is becoming more potent than
muscle. The farmer who will depend
upon skill. using every means open for
improvement, will be the one who will
succeed, as bis real competitors are other
farmers who are not yet willing 70 sd-
vance 10 their methods Of management.
SYSTEMATIC FARMING.
The merchant who is 10 business or
the manufacturer will not be content il
bis books do not balance 10 mauner to
account for every dollar received or ex-
pended. and there is more necessity for
keeping strict account Of business on the
farm than 10 any other industry, as thu
farmer engages 10 great many enter
prises He grows his crops without
knowing the exact cost and be uses
these crops as raw material for produc-
ing meat, milk, butter, cheese and ma
nue.. converting the refubs into other
raw materials next year. All Of these
processes are more or less expensive,
hut the farmer does not inform himself
in regard TO bis best sources Of profit or
how 10 avoid loss. There is also neg
ligcnce on the part Of some 10 not adopt
ing the most approved methods Of con-
veriing their crops into profits. They
increase expenses by using Improbable
stock, and adhere TO certain crops that
do not pay in preference TO branching
out for a large variety and Of the latest
kinds The farmer should consider
himself business man, ready TO take
advantage Of the best methods and able
to select the markets 10 which be can
secure the highest prices. The mer-
chant is competitor with others, and
Often buys and sells close, and 30 must
the farmer but the merchant can at
times quickly learn the condition Of bis
business from his accounts, which ex-
ample the farmer must follow, as sue
cess on the farm at the present day de.
ponds on knowledge and system.