The Western news., 1904-03-30


to have line fences. Another way is
to observe the Golden Rule. If you
cannot or will not observe the latter
you want to make the line fence extra
B0cd. .---
AS the patrons of the rural route are
becoming better acquainted with the
work and difficulties confronting the
rural carriers they will not bcgrudgc
them the increase in pay which seems
to be within their reach.
If you plan to send away for seed
corn insist OH having it shipped in the
ear. The scotsman may offer some
plausible excuse for not doing so. but
If you refuse it in any other shape he
Will come to time. If it is shipped in
the ear and you find it unsatisfactory
you can send it back.
We see no reason why the farm in
Stttute should be limited to the winter
months. Bad weather and the many
chores which have to be done in the
winter prevent more farmers from at
tending the meetings in winter than
would the work on the farm if the
meetings were held later in the season.
The average horse gets ten whacks
with the whip on his back to crafty
the anger or the whim of his driver
for every lash given where it is de-
served and needed. OF all the cruel
blows given Il horse for which there is
absolutely no Justification those given
when he stumbles are the most unjus-
tifiable.
AS between the man who has fiat
farm, from Which the water cannot
run off, and the one with Il hilly farm,
from which the water escapes in too
much of hurry, taking seed and fer
tlity with it, there is not much to
choose. The man with the gently roll
Ing farm is the one who can laugh at
wet seasons.
1t is gratifying to know that the bar
barous plan Of compelling stock on the
western ranges to shift for themselves
In the winter, no matter how inclem-
ent the weather may be, is largely be-
Ing abandoned by range cattlemen.
Provision is now largely made both for
shelter and food for the stock during
the worst storms of winter This meth
cd is not only more humane, but far
more profitable, to the owner.
The question Of securing suitable
seed oats is of more than ordinary i'm
portance this spring owing to the light
weight of the majority raised last sea-
son. 1t will pay we'll to put oats in
tended for seed through tanning
mill under heavy blast of air and
blow out about three-fourths of them.
Twenty-Five pound oats are not fit for
seed. Send north for seed If you can
not get what you want in your own
locality.
The monthly wage Of farm hands is
likely to be lower this season through
out the west than last year. Contracts
are being made at from $1S to 500 per
month for eight months work as
against $21 to $2G last year. Every ef-
fort Is being made by farmers to dis
pense as much as possible with hired
help by changes in farm methods.
There will also be lessened demand
by railways for men to engage in con-
struction work.
Communities which milk many cows
are invariably prosperous commune
lies. 1t Is not that the profits associ-
ated with dairying are very large, for
they are not, but they are always uni
form and reliable. Added to this is the
TACT that dairy farms always grow
richer year by year instead of poorer. ,
The dairy sections of the western
states can be easily identified by the !
greater air Of thrift and prosperity
Ind by the better houses and barns
which may be found connected with
hem, affOrding marked contrast to
he purely grain raising sections.
A friend, the owner Of q rather wet
md fat farm, writes asking whether
t will pay to tile drain it when no per
nanent outlet can as yet be secured
or the water. 1t will be practically
hroWing money away to tile drain
and under these conditions, for an
'utlet for the water is absolutely in
1spensable. AS he wishes to cultivate
his land. we would suggest that he
'Gopt the plan followed by hundreds
Il farmers located on the level flats in
he vicinity Of Chicago, plow the land
nto ridges twenty to twenty-four feet,
vide. This makes an uneven field to
york, and the crop In the dead fur
ows will usually be poor enough, but
will vastly improve the chances of
IL the crop on the ridged portions.
his is only recommended, however,
yhere tile drainage Is impossible.