Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-12-18
One COrnfleld.

II you had visited Odebolt, Iowa, las
month, you might have seen what j
is worth going across the continent t.
see. Fifteen thousand acres of land al
covered with corn and such corn as only
Iowa can produce! This, the larges
cornfield in the world, was planted las
spring with best tested seed obtainablt
and is expected to produce an average
of thirty-tive bushels an acre. Here In
one bunch is raised more than half 8
million of the 100000, 900 bushels of corr
W hich Iowa this season contributes t.
the wealth of the Union. All farmers
may study with advantage the methods
pursued on this vast estate, as they
prove that farming can be managed al
systematically aud under as strict disci-
plne as a manufacturing plant or any
other business. The routine is regu-
larity itself and nothing slipshod, nc
carelessness, no waste, no disorder goes
on or about this mammoth held oil
maize. Every year more than hundred
men are employed all the year through,
with an extra hundred or two for the
harvest. More than two hundred start.
ed the harvesting in the early part OF
last month and thirty-seven double stalk
cutters were employed binding the corn
| in the field. Over two hundred mules
are used to do the heavy draft work and
that many are kept there constantly.
In summer the regular force tend the
corn and in winter they husk and feed it
to the hundreds of cattle and other
stock gathered there to eat it, this being
considered the most profitable method
of marketing the product of the big
ranch. The corn is all husked from the
shock and the stalks shredded for cattle
feed.
With the exception of large number
of feeders which are purchased every
fall, no cattle are raised on this vast
farm except enough cows to keep the
help supplied with milk. Usually 5000
sheep are brought in to be fed and this
num- Der will be fattened for the markets
during the present winter. At the high
prices prevailing, large sum will be
realized from the roasts, chops and
other tidbits from these fat wethers and
the lambs, to say nothing of the wool
clip. Still more interesting than the
vastness of the crop and the model
management are the hygienic, ornament
al and educational features of this farm.
Not only is it the largest but it is the
most ideal in all respects in the whole
world. All the houses of the employees
are located in one place near the center
of the farm, making small town, and
obviatiug all the disadvantages arising
from isolation and lack of accommoda-
tions which marred the old system of
scattered tenant residences. A school
house, up to date in every respect, is
erected there for the children of the
workers. The proprietor being an en-
thusiast for good roads, has built hand
some driveways all through the place.
In fact nearly every convenience of cities
is accessible to the denizens of this rural
domain, which by wise and liberal man
agemeut is made delightful place for
residence.
With telephones, rural delivery, fine
roads for driving and trolleys near by,
this extensive cornfield would seem to
be a mighty nice place to live at, aside
from the commercial features which
make it so notable and instructive to all
persons engaged in agriculture. There
is main office and headquarters where
the manager of the farm has his desk.
The proprietor spends large part OF his
time here in summer. The farm is
divided into many sections, each part
being under the direction of a sub-fore-
man and worked by his force OF men.
By telephone all parts of the farm are
readily reached at all times during work
ing hours and every detail is so system
atized as to proceed like clock work.
We would seem to have in all this the
typical farm of the future, an example OF
how all agriculture will be managed dur
ing during the coming century. Moth
ing but intelligence, scientific education
and systematic business management
are needed to make farming the most
pleasant and one of the most profitable
of all callings. That is the goal at which
all students of agriculture are aiming;
that is what our experiment stations are
for; that's what the great department at
Washington, with its well organized
bureaus, its skilled workers and its
varied work in many wide fields, was
established for and is being 80 literally
supported by the American people. BY
the middle of the century or sooner, it
is hoped, such farms as that at Odebolt
will no longer be a nOvelty.-American
Farmer.