The midland journal., 1905-06-30
LEAKS ON THE FARM.

LEAKS ON THE FARM.
Assuming that the farmer is a man
of aolllty and industry living on
farm of 100 or 200 acres free from
DEBT, let us inquire into some OF
the losses that he sustains unneces-
sarily. We are considering an ordl-
nary farm; lne first leak we nnd Is
tue encumprance OF worthless
growths supported by soma parts Oh
the tarm Bushes, briars ahd logs
are found lot only in the pastures,
but also appropriating rich corners
OF the fields-a constant reminder OF
the curse recorded in Genesis:
..Thorns also and thisties it shall
bring forth unto thee" Toe Eeglect-
ed stump In the middle OF good held
is source OF danger TO machinery
and a narDor for the grounding. lie
combined fence without agents or ad-
mirers but with many owners is an
eyesore and leak. 1t may be seen
skirting field occupied by an Old rail-
fence, briars, bushes, etc., rich strip
OF ground entirely wasted. Another
source of loss to the lar,ner is keep
ing and feeding scrub stock, putting
feed and care into an animal that Will
only bring low price when finished,
but this leak is being stopped, for
improved horses, cattle, hogs and
sheep are increasing; still we can 10
better along this line. improvement
can also be made from year to year
in feeding rangementS-sheds tnat
will shelter man, stock and feed can
be built at small outlay, windbreaks
of boards, straw, ricks or cedar trees
can be provided that will save animal
heat. Another leak is want OF sys-
tenn and extent of plans in farm work.
Ask the average farmer to-day new
many acres he will devote to corn,
oats, or wheat next year, what rich
acre for potatoes, what field he Will
seed to clover, if he will SOW rye next
fall, thus insuring early pasture for
ewes and lambs the following spring
and a good place to feed a bunch OF
shoats; he will reply, Time enough
L,
of care in selecting pure seed. 1t is
still the custom OIL some farmers to
uunt through a pile of corn in the
crib for seed when the planter Is
ready to start, satisfied to risk a
weak or dead germ. The same man
sows his wheat as it came from the
machine when ne ought to have Sc
lected corn in the fail and to have
famed up his seed wheat. Lack OF
keeping correct accounts is general
failure among farmers. The business
man in any pursuit dare not proceed
in the inaccurate method followed by
too many farmers; it is just as nee
essary for the farmer to know how
he stands at the end of the year as
the merchant. A true inventory o.
property in hand at the beginning Oh
each year ledger showing the re-
sceipts and expenses OF each month
and a balance struck can be made
and kept by any farmer OF ordinary
intelligence. The negligence OF saw
ing and applying all the manure made
on the farm is leak widespread and
grievous. This subject is SO import
ant that we cannot discuss it In a
paragraph. Are we doing the best
we can in this matter? l fear not.
The question of how to manage our
forage crops so as to secure their
feeding values and return o refuse
to our fields in the best shape for
plant food is indeed an important
matter. The saving OF the leaks above
mentioned, little closer planning, at
tenuon to details will result in in
creased profits to most OF us.-Tha
Epitomist.