Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1906-10-10
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vi FARM
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1t Is 10 De SUPPOSED IudI our ldTueE
friends have already attended or are
planning to attend some agricultural
fair. These eXpositions of farm stock
and products provide the farmer. with
the yearly comparison sheet by which
he can discover wherein his own
methods may be improved. The dis
play of fine stock and farm and garden
crops inspire new ~nd higher ideals
for the farmer. towards which con-
sciously or unconsciously he works
during the rest of the year. He re-
solves that seed selection and wise
fertilization shall give him a, bigger
and better stand of corn or grain next
year. His eyes feast themselves upon
the choice breeds of cattle, sheep and
hogs, and he hears some suggestions
about improved methods of breeding.
He awakens to the fact that his own
careless methods have resulted in de-
terioration of his own live stock, and
resolves that he will begin to grade
up, that he will get new blood into his
hogs and cattle, and that he will even
breed his really fine mare to as good
sire as he ecan find in place of the
scrub stallion he had used before and
from which he had obtained a colt of
inferior grade. And then there is the
| display of farm machinery which al
ways is fascinating and instructive.
There is always something new which
the enterprising manufacturers are
| putting out for the lessening and
cheapening of the work on the farm,
| I,N
| as to the latest and best farm machin-
cry, whether he is ready to invest in
! 1t or not. Many a suggestion is Sc
cured from the study of improved farm
! implements which may be adapted to
the old machine without any infringe
| ment of patent. Then there is the dis
play of domestic things which always
| interest the wife and give to her
| thoughts and plans in reference to the
work of the house and kitchen which
will prove helpful all through the
year The fair is a great educator,
| and of all the events of the year
| should be the last to be missed by the
farmer. If you haven't any extra fine
| corn Or grain or cattle, sheep or hogs
to exhibit, make it point to see what
others have to show. Make mental
comparisons with the products of your
| own farm and then resolve that there
is going to be something doing on your
place the coming year which will bring
you up closer into the ranks of the
progressive, upto-date farmer.
When it comes to framing laws for
he protection of game, the farmer
should have a voice in the matter, or
at least be consulted, for Oftentimes
what is desirable from a sportsmans
point of view is directly the contrary
for the farmers interests. Up in New
Hampshire this has been strikingly
demonstrated. 1t appears that the
deer In those sections are so numer-
GUS and SO fearless that they have be-
come nuisance. The animals invade
the farmers domain, eat their fill and
destroy much more than they eat The
pampered game is "fnicky" in appe-
tite. A deer will take dainty nip out
of head of cabbage, leaving the bulk
uneaten but valueless for the market.
Thus whole patch may be ruined.
Other vegetables and grain and fruit
are spoiled in the same ruthless man
ner, or trampled down by the preda-
tory beasts, and the total loss from
this cause is heavy. But the laws are
stringent, and when a farmer shoots
a deer, or even chases one away with
a dog, he is punished severely. This
does not appear equitable, and the
New Hampshire farmer regards him
self as entitled to relief. And as the
farmer is a power in the state the
probability is that the relief will be
forthcoming when the legislature
grasps the inwardnes of the situation.
Flowing is an art Who but the
educated type of farmer would look
at it in such light, but such it is. and
to turn good, even furrOw requires
years of practice. In some farming
communities the skill of the man be
hind the pillow is tested by competi
tive contests. In some counties In
Illinois. there are regularly organized
associations that hold blowing match
es every season, and wherever such
associations exist it is az noticeable
fact that there is a better grade o.
blowing done. Here is a suggestion
for your community. If it does not al
ready hold such blowing contests.
Automobiles on rural mail routes
promise a new mission of usefulness!
for these speedy horseless vehicles
Three out of five rural mail carrier!
at Waukomis, Okla. are using suci
method Of travel and are now able Il
make the rounds in about two hours
whereas it took something like eigh
hours when horse and wagon wer'
used.
Prof. Lyon. of the Nebraska expert