Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1910-03-03
RAISING OF SPECIAL CROPS.
Too Many Are Content to Follow
Precedent Estab, ished by Neighbors.

ers, like men, have more enterprise
than any other agriculturalists in the
world; but it is nevertheless true tina
in one particular they seem to be laCl
ing in enterprise
\ / am quite certain that a great many
farmers, like myself have in the main
regulated their farming according to
what seems to be the consensus OF
opinion in the vicinity as to what
crops are most suitable. It is ques-
tionable as to being a wise policy.
In some localities, at least, especi-
ally in the older states, there is so
much variety of soil and surface of
land that the crops that do best on one
farm might not do so well on the one
adjoining. In that case it is evident
I that one should not do his farming az
cording to the methods of his neigh
bors; the lay of the land, as well as
the markets, and make a program ac-
cordingly.
In England, l am told, where farm
ing is on land of higher money value
than in this country, and it is neces-
sary to get the best possible returns,
the adaptability of different crops to
the land is studied very carefully; and
both the markets and the suitability
of the soil are important factors in de
termining what crops to grow.
In this country on the contrary, one
will find on fifty farms in one section
corn, wheat. grass and oats. In Ken
lucky there will be corn, wheat, oats,
grass, tobacco. And in other states
some difference of general nature, Blu
in the main the same on each farm
the entire community. In other words,
large areas, without the exception OF
one farm, will be planted to the same
crops, and, as a rule, all of them will
plant some of each kind.
1t seems to me rather surprising
that American farmers, reputed to
have so much enterprise, should be so
conservative in a matter of this sort.
No doubt local markets and demands
have much to do with the selection of
crops; but l think, in the main, if
every farmer would study the capa-
bilities of his own farm many of them
would find that they could make vari-
atoms from the neighborhood usage.
The subject is a pretty big one and
is worthy of careful study. For in
stance for a money crop potatoes may
often be found a more profitable crop
than anything else. Both rye and bar
ley may be found better crops than
oats and wheat. Alfalfa may be found
so satisfactory as to replace almost
any sort of crop. Broom corn is in
many localities a very profitable mar
ket crop.
In some sections potatoes have been
profitable crops; and In al /
most all parts of the country cabbage /
is a crop for which there is enormos
sale.
Now it is true, of course, that the
great staple crops are good crops to
raise almost everywhere. Corn, wheat
oats and such things find a ready mar
ket everywhere, direct or fed to stock
but if local conditions make any Qthe
than these, a man is standing in his
own light not to test some Of them.
He should, Of course, study all the
conditions affecting the crop and mar
ket, and if then he is convinced that
special crops pay better, he should by
all means devote his energy to those
crops. Some men have made fortune
on sweet potatoes and white potatoes, 1
while their neighbors stuck to the
same old staples.
The wide-a-wake, observant farmer,
like the same sort Of business man, is
the one who gets best returns from h
labor. 5ss s
Another matter that is seldom
thought of often helps a man to make
his farming pay well That is to guar
duleb lue Qudlilg VI nat iAN ''Aio 30
the best, and see that nothing but the
best goes The man who viii mix in
a lot of small potatoes with what he
sells in order to get rid of them will
no doubt get rid of them but he will
get small price for the entire crop
And so Of anything else.
The manwho always sells the
best wheat, hay corn or potatoes,
and makes people know that when
they buy from him they will get the
best and full measure. will build up
that will help him to make
the greatest success in his business.
It is a good thing too, for man to
have a tag with his name on it attach
ed to the bags and other things that
contain his produce, with his guaran-
tee Of the quality. as well as name Of
his farm and postoffice address.