The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-09-06
a YOUNG FARMER.

l. I'll asked TO WrlC6 SOu16IuluS CudC 1GoOAA
to the young farmer. I wish 1 knew just how to
do that; how I could say something that would
inspire the young farmer and fill him with en-
thusiasm for his work. 1t seems to me this must
be a growth. Love for farm life comes naturally
to some of us; with others it has to be directed.
But T am sure with all that, when the farm is
taken in a serious way and studied and coaxed
and confded in, it will respond and become ID
good compaion for every boy.
l.. To the young farmer then, I would suggest
first, interest in the farm, and the application of
every aid that education and business principles
bring. You can get this by books, agricultural
papers, schools and the short courses in our agri-
cultural colleges.
So strongly am l convinced of this, I would go
ON record as advising every young farmer to take
at least the winter course in our agricultural col
lege. You will never know until you have attend
ed such a course the good it will mean to you, and
the help it will bring to your work. Nor can "a
young man say that he can not do it because of
age, lack of money or previous training. The
winter courses are always open to all, and the
small sum of thirty dollars for all expenses is
within the means of every farmer, young or old.
That beginning cost for [ believe the young
farmer and old one also will say they began farm
ing when a real nowledge of their work is OBJ
tained) will be many times covered the first year
of real agricultural endeavor.
2. I would own a farm; you may now be a
renter; but own a farm. Land is not expensive.
You can buy at least twenty-five acres, and /
think that enough to start with. If you farm
twenty-five acres intensively and intelligently it
will profit you better than one hundred or two
hundred indifferently handled. Try it, my young
friend. Own the land and know what you are
doing. Aim to raise good crops and to make the
land still better.
3. I would pillow deep. I would not have a one
horse pillow on that little farm. I would send the
pillow deep down in the soil as ra"idly as l could
and call for that rich plant food lying down
below the four or five inches of top soil we have
been playing with for so many years. I would
plow deep and well, and harrow so as to fine and
mellow the soil, and by so doing I am sure nature
would respond and you would be glad of the re-
suits.
4. I would SOW leguminous crops on every acre
each year. IF in corn, let peas or clover go with
the last cultivation. If cotton, the same. The
nitrogen will be brought from the air and add to
the fat of the land.
5. I would rotate my crops. [ would do this so
as to raise hay and corn, for I should not want to
buy feed for the stock on the farm. This plan
means quicker and better ways of improving the
soil, for it places cowpeas and clover in the system
of good farming.
G.. I would want to grow live stock. 1t may be
hens or COWS or mules or pigs or sheep, or some
of them-just to suit you. I would raise live
stock for the money it brings to the farm; for
the improvement that comes to the soil; and for
the fun it brings to me.
Start in now, young farmer, if you really in
tend to be a farmer and to get good out of the
farm; take up some line of live stocks. Person,
/ LIZ 7 Ike COWS and hoes and n11r State needs