Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-05-02
|uP.To.pATE FARMERS 4,
IN MELBOURNE VICINITY
Other Farms Near ~ Where YisId
Grows Less. Du. to Short Term Ten.
ant systsnr-Nsw Man Leaves Il in
Worss Condition Than He Found It.
= Wilson's Rural Observations.
Spec1al 10 Times Republican.

other articles too numerous 10 mem
ton was an old ox-yoke that he had
made and used in the days when oxen
furnished the principal motive power
OF the pioneer farmer. Among the at
tendants at the sale was a father and
his young son. The little fellows inter-
est and curiosity were aroused by the
curious old relic and he begged his
father to allow him to bid on the yoke
when it should be put up for sale. The
youngsters wish was gratifed and his
1O-cent bid brought down the prize.
A large red barn stands on one Of
the many fine farms Of this region and
the name Of the farm is printed in big
white letters above the door. Higher
up hangs the old. implanted ox-yoke.
One glance tells the story-the devel-
opment of the free homestead into a
high priced farm: the change from OK
power to that Of the horse and the
gasoline engine; from the lonely hut
and matched stable to the modern
house and convenient and slightly
barn, standing in full view Of many
other commodious and comfortable farm
homes About sixty years Of farm his
tory beginning with the ox.and brought
down to the time of the auto. Can the
next period Of three score years pos
sibly furnish another opportunity for
so remarkable a change?
80
Some high class farming is being
practised in this part Of Iowa these
days. In the vicinity Of the town Of
Melbourne especially there is some ex-
ceptionally fine farming land that is
kept in high state of cultivation.
When one drives thru a neighborhood
and finds about one-third Of the corn
land Of the season to be freshly broken
sod and sees land that was in corn
last year disked. treated to a coat Of
manure. then plowed for corn. he may
safely conclude that he Is In q locality
where the up-to-date farmer is carry
ing on his occupation.
Yet well posted man said the other
day, there are hundreds Of acres Of
farm land hero that are producing less
and less each year, and the sole cause
Of the trouble is the short term system
Of renting. The owner Of the land
seems to be afraid to put his farm in
the care OF tenant for a longer term
than twelve months. Generally there
- an agreement to the effect that II
both sides are satisfied the renter re-
mains another year. II not, he moves.
MT. Tenant, having slight assurance
that his tenure will extend to second
season, naturally gets all he can FROM
the place and puts back as little as
possible. The new man finds the farm
run down and leaves 1t In a little worse
condition than he found 1t. Such BUSH
ness can not be prolonged indefinitely
on land In central Iowa. Long term
leases on the farming Of the land by
the owner appear to be about the only
ways to keep the farms up to their old
time productive capacity and where
these methods are observed the yields
are increasing from year to year. There
Is no excuse for worn-out land in this
part OF the country, the numerous ex-
amples Of increasingly productive farms
being proof Of the assertion"
go
The use Of galvanized tin roofing is
especially noticeable in this vicinity. In
some cases the walls Of farm buildings
are covered with this material. It Is
said to be considered cheaper than
shingles, when the labor Of fastening
on Is considered. and farmers generally
agree that for old buildings especially
this form OF roofing In more desirable
than the single. It is admitted, how
ever, by some that In barns the vapor
from animals kept inside in the winter
time causes degree Of dampness that
Is not encountered In the old fashioned
wooden roof. In the case Of granaries.
coal houses. etc, this objection would
not apply.
Whatever may or may not happen to
other farm crops this season It Is safe
assertion that clover hay IN this local