Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-02-15
SPECIAL FARMING.
THE GENERAL FARMER MOST SURE OF
LIVING. STUDY THE CONDITIONS
OF OVER AND UNDER PRODUCTION.

Much has been said In regard to the
advantages OF special farming, and there
Is much foundation for the theory that
| II can be made more profitable than mix
ed farming. For instance, the dairy
farmer 10 New England, the corn farmer
or the wheat farmer Of the West, and the
cotton farmer Of the South, devotes his
entire attention to the production which
suits his fancy and is best adapted to his
circumstances. IL he Is student and
hustler he may become an expert, and Is
likely to meet with that success which Is
almost sure 10 be the reward OF honest
toll directed by high degree OF intelli-
gence. it Is to be regretted that all
farming operations are not conducted In
this way, and the different kinds OF farm
ing so proportioned that over-production
in one line and under-production In an
other would be practically unknown.
But such IL not the case. As rule
when one product Is high American
farmers rush into that particular phase
depress prices and often
BRING RUN
upon themselves and Others engaged In
the same line. -Four years ago butter
brought good price. After the Cor
man Wilson tariff bill was passed wool
dropped one-hslf; in many instances
sheep were almost given away. and
farmers bought cows and engaged In
butter making. During the past eighteen
months the butter market has been de-
pressed, partly from over-productiou
and partly from under-consumption by
reason OF "hard times" in manufacturing
enterprises. At the same time, because
Of the large increase in butter production,
cheese has been proportionally higher
than butter.
The recent change In the tariff has
caused an increase in the price OF wool,
and some farmers are paying high prices
for sheep, while those who kept sheep
when IL seemed lack Of good business
Judgment are nov resping the benefits
of higher prices for sheep and wool.
II SHEEP FARMING
can he restored To something like its
former proportions IL will be OF mutual
advantage 10 the sheep and dairy indus
tries. But In the change from sheep to
cows, or cows 10 sheep. and the change OF
any stock because of the low prices Of
the one and the high prices OF the other,
there Ia always loss on one side At
least. IL one has become a specialist or
an expert in any line Of farming or stock
raising, IL Is questionable policy TO
make radical change.
Thousands Of farmers In all parts Of
the country are not specialists and never
will be, and this class OF farmers espe-
cially In New England make better
prices and hsve best success in mixed or
diversified farming with such cattle,
sheep, horses, and swine as their cir
cumstsnces will permit. Diversified
farming In any section affords larger
degree of general prosperity during q
series OF years than does special farm
ing. This Is especially true OF the
south, portions OF the west, and OF the
Pscific Slope. This fact is most
roRCiBLY ILLUSTRATED
by the action of the cotton planters as
socistion which has just held conven-
ton. In view Of the overproduction and
consequent low price OF cotton, the ssso-
citation advised reduction OF at least
twenty per cent In the cotton planted
area and corresponding increase in the
grain area, thus making the Southern
farms more self-sustsining and the
Southern farmers more independent OF
other sections than In former years. No
one will dare TO say that this advice is
not In the line Of sound common sense.
IL followed IL will give greater degree
Of general prosperity 10 the Southern
farmer.
There are and always have been In
ducements for specialists In different
lines OF farming Ia New England. While
the creamery aud cheese factory have re-
lieved many farmers Of the necessity OF
expert knowledge and care in the msnu-
.scture OF dairy products there yet re-
msins wide field for specialists In
private dairy ing for private customers.
The poultry industry also has induce
ments for the specialist and almost every
line OF farming Is open 10 this class OF
farmers. But large class OF farmers
even IL they are specialists will k1d IL 10
their advantage not 10 confiue their
farming operations 10 any single product
of the farm, but To diversity their crops
aud raise such kinds OF stock IS are
adapted 10 their own conditions.--N. <.
Farmer.