The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1902-05-09
Progressive Farming.

fiV-i''0ifi
Editor Hrdid.-I spent day re-
= Gently in the hospiiable home of Mr.
w. b. Gates, aud greatly enjoyed look
ing into his farming methods and gen
eral management Of the place. He il
one Of the farmers not afraid to spend
money and expend labor when his
good judgment dictates the prudence OF
IL. Thorough ditchlng he knows pays.
and "blnd ditchesn are the best of
bitches and for the very good reasons,
no surface is wasted and there is no
filling up or clearing out to follow. As
Is true Of up-tO-date farmers he has
good fences and gates that move well
on their hinges. He buys fertilizers
but makes and saves manure at home
the year round, knowing full well that
1t if his best friend as it is the best
friend Of the land. He grows all the
crops known to this section OF Virgin
Ia, and in proportion to the number Of
hands employed cultivates as large
acreage as any Of his neighbors. OF
course there is nothing wonderful in
this until what | am about to add is
known.
Some twelve months ago Mr.. Gates
began the dairy business in limited
way, and has already won substantial
victories in it. For the encouragement
Of Others beg to state that out Of the
first months effort in this regard he
realized profit Of S5i. He last month |
had but six cows to the pail, and sold |
sos Of milk. / ought not to use
the word milk for he is selling nothing
but cream, for which be has been re-
ceiving 50 to so cents a gallon. Just as
the milking is over the proceeds are
taken to the separator and i'm a few
minutes the cream is on the ice ready
for market. The process is a simple
one and interesting. Rapid nc
ton separates the lighter from the
heavier portion Of the milk, and does
SO perfectly. OF course scrupulous
pervades the dairy and
every portion Of 1t, for any neglect
means ruin to the business
The cream is shipped in thick zinc
vessels wrapped in jackets, and / am
old will keep for "a hours or more.
'lr Gates don't sell the milk as Mr..
sandy does but makes good and pro-
liable use Of 1t at home When | state
hat during the dinner Of the day be-
ore your correspondent was there they
just two gallons, your read
r. will understand that there is use
or all the surplus at home.
] found on this farm the jersey cows,
md beautiful specimens Of that vare-
y. The milk from such is not as
bundant as from the larger animals
nat is very much richer.
Mr.. Gates ships from Rice, and to
Petersburg and Lynchburg.
lis success SO far will no doubt en-
ourage him to enlarge his operations,
nd | trust will encourage others to
iake like venture, especially as in this
lse it doesn't interfere with the other
'ork Of the farm No careless or lazy
ian need undertake it, however, for ii
an exacting work and will not toler-
ie neglect or slovenly attention.
! found the slo here, well construct
!, and so arranged that the feeding is
)ne at minimum Of cost, thoughtful
IRE given to the growing Of grass, rye,
mes, &c, and the most comfortable
for the cows. Ii is hard !.
estimate the value Of such enter D
Use TO the community at large When
is known to the outside world that -
this section we can grow prOfitably |
her things than tobacco, there will u
few uncultivated fields left. The 9o
'o-blade Of grass theory is good, but A'
tier still ten cows TO two. Properly
ed and we have the best portion Of 6 I,S
DDS green earth. Let's learn so to OF
e IT, Ok THE Go Dr