The Ordway new era., 1908-12-04
FARM NOTES

Cattle starving on the plains un-
precedcnted loss to stnckmen who are
caught unplepared. Alfalfa selling at
$50 to $50 per ton in Arkansas valley"
Denver Republican, Dec. End.
Sounds little sensational, but the
far-seeing farmer who has his crop of
'OS in good stacks is enjoying excellent
health, indeed his appetite is almost
savage and increasing day by day.
Draw your own conclusions. "a word
to the wise," etc. Meeting an old
weather prophet yesterday, his greet
ing was, didn't tell you it was liable
to snow any day now?" Yes, but you
have said the same thing for months.
Uncle Sam with all his baromcters and
wind mills, maps and charts was say
ing generally fair" until the snow
mantle was wrapped around us. Our
only safety lies in keeping ahead Of
the work. Beels probably will all be
harvested yet. although 30 per cent
are still in the ground, but more
farmers would have asked tor u second
helping OF turkey had the beets all
been in silo. Thanksgiving is good
day to rest from all bcct-lifling, year
in and year out.
Certainly would use the water IL in
the ditch, providing had any thing
to water. Fine time to wet up or.
chards and alfalfa land: wet now
means two crops sure. Unless my
winter wheat is on very sandy ground,
think it better without watcr-soil
will be warmer. Any plOwed ground
should be wet now, but don't wet any
you are going To plOw. lf your bcets
are all of the ground 1t would be well
To wet the land now, for cantaloupes
or oats next year. Double disc 1t next
Spring instead OF blowing. This was
the method used by Mr.. Walter with
his fine crop OF cants-eXccpt as to
watering. AS Il general thing, though,
we have little use for water now ex-
cept for alfalfa land. Don't forget
next Spring to put disc on that old
alfalfa field and tear IL up till you
think you have killed 1t. Level on
with the drag harrow and see II you
don't increase your alfalfa crop about
One-third, besides having the pleasure
OF working smooth field with your
mower and rake next summer. Talk
with neighbor r. l.. Thompson Of his
experience In that line last year.
How much we farmers could learn
from each other II We could only have
an old.fashioned Methodist class
meeting every week,-rather an Ex
pcriencc meeting where crops Of grain
was the subject instead Of heavenly
mamma, and how we have succeeded
in cradicating the Colorado sand burr
instead OF the weeds OF sin. Our
personal experience right at home
with our own adobe soil, is worth
much more than somebody's ideas In
an eastern journal.
This was our prime object In writing
these letters, to bring out public dis
cussion, but SO far, few farmers have
taken up the pen. Now, while the
long evenings are with Us, hope our
Farm Notes" column will be crowded
with OF her mems experiences. Prob
ably you don't believe what has been
written; here is the place to say so,
and tell why. "Many men Of many
minds" Farming need not be the
only subject. Anything which con-
Germs the farlner-schOUls, home life,
household affairs. patent dishwashers
or any other Jimcrack. Moral reform
duties and obligations, business affairs,
tradc-especially mail ordcrs.-coal,
flour or feed, or any other old thing.
Write as you feel and send IL in.
Uncle Sam, through his Commission
is asking twelve very important
questions for our benefit. The first
. on the list Is care the farmers homes
, /, your vicinity in good sanitary con.
, dition?" suppose this means Is the
drainage good. Does your bath tut
, just empty under the floor or II piped
, away are the pipes thoroughly trapped:
Do you throw the wash water around
, the kitchen door, or carry the soar
i, suds 10 those rose bushes that need II
| SO much? Do you sleep with the
;. windows open, and get up In the
q morning with clear head. ready
p to enjoy the morning meal, or do yol
p curl up near casing coal stove will
/. all ventilation closed, and wake W
!, feeling dull II not in pain, sip a cup o
coffee and walt for a dinner appetite.
: What about your drinking water
/ Why not have pure soft water from
your cistern?