Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-10-03

agriculture IN En9ldHo'
Prof. w. J. Kennedy, now travelling
in Europe for the United States depart
ment of agriculture, writes to the Des
Moines Qa) Register-Leader: Eng
land is a most interesting country.
With it's picturesque roads, narrow and
hedge-bordered on either side, its
durable ivy-clad brick and stone build
ings, it is a sight to behold in the
early days of June. Having had an
abundance of moisture, vegetation in
all it's verdure causes the observer to
ask himself-could anything be more
beautiful? In this country, where
land cannot be purchased and rents
range from SO to $40 an acre, we see
agriculture diversified and intensified
to degree not thought of in America.
Farming by chance will not do. The
must be fed and clothed.
These men do not rent land for a
year, and then try another farm next
year. These contracts are for 5, 10
or 20 years. These contracts contain
stipulations regarding the methods of
farming to be practiced from time to
time. Soil robbing is not allowed.
Rotation of crops is compulsory Live
stock must be maintained. In this
way the fertile lands which meet you
on every hand have been made and
aintained. 1t is most wonderful
revelation to the person who has seen
soil robbing and grain farming prac-
ticed for years. What will the out
come be? The people have demon
strated that by the use of livestock and
judicious rotation of crops the fertility
of the soil may be maintained in such
will say of their forefathers, "They
were thoughtful men,
In this country he is large farmer
who cultivates 200 acres. The aver
age farm is less than 100 acres. The
crops grown are of diversified nature.
The different needs are taken care OF
IN this manner. In one instance it
may be the soil that is receiving con-
sideration. If so, some crop which
will be most helpful will be planted on
ground in question. Then too, the
needs of the animals are studied and
provided for at all times.
Two crops from the same piece OF
land is a very common practice. For
instance, after crop of winter wheat
has been harvested, the ground is pre-
pared for turnips, to be grown and
pastured off by flock of mutton sheep.
What could be more profitable on any
farm? The turnips furnish an abund-
ance of sheep feed, which, through the
medium of the golden hoof," is con-
verified into money, and the soil is left
in a good fertile condition for the
succeeding crop. These methods make
the paying of a SO or SIS rent appar-
emily no more difficult than paying a So
or 81 rent on the average Iowa farm
Utilizing Few Acres.
There are many people in farming
districts possessed of a few acres of
land in fairly good filth who do not
know how to utilize them to advantage.
Surrounded, as they are, by large
farms, they have an idea that there is
uOI lduu enough 10 make duyIu out
of it. While it is true that local con-
ditions have much to do with what this
small area can best be used for, in a
general way it is afe to say that if the
owner will do some intelligent study
ing he can find a way of making even
a few acres profitable. Of course,
much depends upon the man and his
resources. II one is naturally in
clined to fruit growing, knows some
thing about the business and is near
fairly good market he ought to make
the few acres bring him golden re-
turns. The same with poultry raising.
In other sections it might be the best
plan to turn the small area into
meadow, particularly if it was suit
ed to grass and labor was high and
hay brought good price. All things
must be considered in attempting to
make a small area profitable with
crops, but it can be done if one will
work out the problem with intelligence.