Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-12-20
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A cheap scrub is the dearest animal
on a farm. 1t may be dear in two
ways.
A seven-foot mower is a fit compan-
ion TO the hay loader, as it is just the
width required so the loader can take
up a swath at d time.
Even a small dairy often means in
creased fertility on the farm. With
most cows the profit comes out of the
first six months of the milking period.
A Western man has discovered that
his poultry does much better when pro-
vided a bed spring on which to roost.
He says they rest better and thus are
made more profitable.
1t is always an indication of a dry
spell or the neglect of somebody when
the pump handle sticks up, pointing
Obliquely at the sky. 1t makes one
weary to look at a pump in this predic-
ament.
1t certainly looks like a waSteful
practice to buck away the straw at
thrashing time and burn it. There are
so many uses to which straw can be
put that it does not look right to see
it burned.
The lima bear has been an impor-
tant article of food with us for many
years. At the present time thousands
of acres are devoted to its culture,
especially in regions Of California,
where rainfall is scanty.
While dairying has its disadvan-
tages, it has this great advantage, that
it enables the farmer to utilize to an
unusual extent the cheaper labor on
the farm, and to make the most pos
sible out of a small tract of land.
There are several ways of planting
Strawberries. They are sometimes
grown in hills. In this case the plants
are set about two feet apart in rows
four feet apart, and all the runners are
cut off and the full strength forced in
to the single plant.
This Is the age of the handy man
the man who applies his thoughts to
make things himself rather than to
hire them made. He is not only doing
these, but be has his eyes open to note
what others are doing so he can apply
their best ideas to his own needs.
In Germany, where an elaborate mill
tary system controls everything, every
horse is available for the service of the
country in the event of war. Every
foal is registered and may be taken
away at any time by order of the gov
eminent, at a fixed price made by a
committee appointed for that purpose.
One of the remedies for low prices is
to endeavor to make each acre of
land double itself in production. As
many as sixty bushels of wheat have
beer grown on n acre, as an expert
ment. yet some farmers who secure
twenty bushels per acre are satisfied.
There is always room at the top" in
farming, as in every other occupation.
Wherever clover is grown lime gives
excellent results on the land, not only
On account of its chemical action on the
soil. but also because it enters very
largely into the composition of plants
and is frequently deficient in some soils.
Sulphate of lime Cand plaster) on
heavy soils is a special fertilizer for
clover, and may be applied in the
spring of the second year.
The best way to set early spring
onions is to set out the small sets in
the fall. The latter part of November
is the proper time. Get the ground in
nice shape, same as o would in the
spring. and put in the sets in the ordi-
nary tanner. In any common winter
they will live through with no protec-
ton. but it would do no harm to put
On a light coat of mulching. You can
use either the winter top sets or the
regular bottom sets.
A pillow that had been left in the
ground where used last was heard to
a Il seem to be stuck on my job,
but I'll lose all my brightness if l stay
here long "Oh, never mind" said a
s%elf-binder in a fence corner, I'm
bound to stay here with you until call
ed to do more binding" Then a hay
loader chimed in by saying: I've had
nv upS and downs, and this location is
damaging to my Stats, but | am still
loading more trouble on my master"
An oleomargarine fraud was recently
discovered near a town in Indiana. A
man in that locality was rapidly get
ting rich in operating a scheme con-
trary to the federal laws. He would
purchase oleo in Louisville at nine cents
per pound, bring it to his home and
convert it into what appeared to be
good country butter and he would take
it back to Louisville and sell it to
private cuSlDlNtIS at HUN IHtIlN-uNe
to thirty cents per pound. He had es-
| tablished routes in many parts of the
city and was doing a big business.
Judging by the actions of some farm
ers one is inclined to the belief that
the farmer is the only man who hunts
competition. These men are regret
ting the decrease in the number of
men engaged in farming. They would
have an increase in the number and
likewise an increase in competition.
What is needed is an increase in the
| population of consumers and not pro-
! ducers of food. The amount of food is
| limited and is low enough in price.
Farm values depend on the income
from, land Income dpnpnds on the do