The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-12-18

y
be proper hooks provided in different parts
of the barn where a lighted lantern may
be hung without any danger of its being
knocked down. There are a dozen other
copVcnicnces which all farmers think of
having some time and most Of them may
be had at the expense OF n little time and
less money. WHY not have them this win
ter when there is time 10 get them to-
Gcthcr?
and plate and through the center Of the
IRON circle and a bolt, shown at g.. provided
which Is kept in place when the tongue is
straight, When 1t is desired to turn in
either direction simply remove the bolt
and the tongue slides on the iron circle.
When the team is turned straight again
slip the bolt in place. This sliding tongue
Is a labor-saVer and will cost but little.
Buying Stock Food Cheap.
! Food for stock is high this winter and,
NATURALLY, there are many dealers who are
taking advantage OF the situation and
palming off mixtures which have little
value. Here is an opportunity for every
farmer to make good use OF his state ex-
pertinent station. II 1t is necessary to buy
stock food obtain samples, buying a bag
II necessary to get an honest sample,
and send u portion to the director of your
experiment station for examination. Tell
him In a letter that you must buy food,
cannot afford to be swindled, and ask his
opinion of the sample you submit He will
reply quickly and give you an honest and
correct opinion. He is likely, however, to
place the value of the food low for he will
cut out OF his calculations the manufac-
tufer'S profits and expenses, so If he re-
ports that the food Is worth $40 a given
weight you would be reasonably safe in
paying SIS for it, provided the contents
werc suitable for your stock. AS a rule
avoid buying mixed foods. Buy the grains
separately for there is less chance ct mix
ing in foreign substances, and they are
more easily detected than in the mixed
foods.
Scrub VS.. Pedigree Cows.
Breeders and others who are familiar
with pedigree cows are fond of talking
and writing about their pets. They urge
farmers TO get rid Of the scrub stock, buy
the pedigree stock and change their loss
In the dairy to profit. Unfortunately this
Is only half the story. We are quite, ready
to admit that the pedigree COW is superior
to the scrub COW, but why should any
farmer sink his money in pedigree COWS
until he learns thoroughly that such ami
mails would be little better than his scrubs
under the present plan of feeding? II
those who urge the pedigree COW would
take some trouble 10 educate the farmer
in proper ways of feeding there would be-
more pedigree COWS sold than now. 1t is
the man who has learned to feed properly
who most quickly sees the value Of the
we'll bred cow, A high bred animal is not
likely to do any better, if as well, on q
ration Of corn and corn stalks than the
scrub COW. The chances are nine out of
ten that failure to make the dairy pay is
due to improper feeding OF the cows. Cor
rect this fault and one will quickly SEQ
how much better the dairy would pay with
better COW back Of it.
A Thousand Hen Farm.
1t is safe to say that dozens of inquire.
come to the editor of this department.
monthly about the possibilities of making
4 living from the poultry industry. Most
the writers figure that If 100 hens Will
pay 500 a year profit, 1000 hens should
pay $1,000. a year profit. 1t does not follow
such is the case, for any one
who has handled a thousand hens realizes
thoroughly that 1t is a vastly different
proposition from handling a hundred hens.
From years of experience in the poultry
we have discovered that it Is
unsafe to venture beyond the number OF
mems one can care for himself: this num-
Der varies according to location and condi-
lion, but whatever the number may he
when one gets beyond it then comes the
Of hired labor, which cannot be
'elied upon, the necessity for more watch
sulness to avoid disease, the danger of an
epidemic If disease once gets In and a I
number of other things which increase ex-
oenses without a corresponding increase of
income. Stll, many men are so situated
hat they could nave a thousand hens and
lake them profitable, and If such men will /.
start with a few and learn the business as
hey so along they will find more profit
n a poultry farm with less hard labor
han in any other branch Of ordinary
they could pursue.
The Annual Weed Fight.
All farmers agree that the annual
,roWth of weeds Is the most disturbing
lement IN their work and many of them
so discouraged over the problem that
hey let tho scythe and the mower take
he place of eradication by cultivation.
ne statement has been made that the
thistle takes from the soil more
otash than would two crops of wheat
overing the same area. Other weeds rob
he soil in the same way or in other ways
ute as injurious. Nor Is that all: thew
upset the whole plan OF farm
lg, making 1T necessary at times to depart
rom the crop rotation that will do he
the greatest amount of good and put
| a crop that can be cultivated in order
~ thS oi VI lnS weeds. Inc weed
ght is an everlasting one, perhaps, but it
one which no farmer can afford to
oandon. His greatest success will come
making his cultivation Of hoed crops
borough whenever they occur in his crop
Do some studying on this point
lis winter and lay out a campaign
5ainst the weeds.
A Sliding Sled Tongue.
ANY farmer who has occasion to use a
ed, either on the snow or as a stone car
er, knows how hard 1t often is to move
when the horses must pull in a straight
ne. The sliding tongue shown in the IL
stration makes it possible to swing the
,rses SO that they may pull sideways in
Their direction. A notch is cut in the top
the tongue n over it is placed an iron
ate which is bolted ON at either end. The
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