Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-27
BY w, e, TAYLOR.

TINE soils of Rock Island county fair.
ly represent the soils In nor hern
Illinois and Iowa. They vary in
type from light sandy texture to a deep,
heavy black loan. While different soils
require. in a measure, different methods
of cultivation, and the management OF
different types should vary somewhat,
the same general features OF modern
farming methods should be observed
II the best is secured from the farm
and the fertility OF the soil is main
tanned. 1t is safe 10 say that IL the
soils Of Rock Island county are prop
erly titled and all Of the essential feat
ures Of farm management are strictly
observed, that the annual production
will be more than doubled.
In view OF the splendid local mar
ket which the farmers of Rock Island
county have. both for products OF the
soil and for beef, pork. and dairy prod
ucts, its behOoves them to be more
systematic. more thorough and scien-
tifc If they expect to receive fair in
terest upon the present value of their
land.
The farmer should have two impor-
tant objects in view, namely:
% To produce wealth from his land
sufficient to compensate himself and
family for their labor and yield a rea-
sonable interest on the value of his in
vestment.
90 To TIL the land and manage his
operations so that the fertility of the
soil will not become exhausted
Haphazard methods and careless
work will not accomplish those re-
suits, but systematic manage ment.
modern methods and a scientific
knowledge of plant and animal REQUIRE
ments will surely bring success in a
high degree.
Farming is a profession no less i'm
portant nor less difficult to master than
many of the so-called learned profes-
sions, and the man who believes that
farming is foolproof occupation will
usually make an abject failure of the
business.
Two features must be observed,
namely. stock raising and crop rails
Ing. They are interdependent: they
lean on each other and neither one will
long endure alone. The crop CON
sumes plant food from the soil. but he
supply is no more inexhaustib'e than
the farmers bank account. The soil
fertility must be replenished from time
20 time, and II must be stimulated to
activity, otherwise the soil becomes
sick. anaemic and unproductive. Live
stock should consume the major por-
ton OF the product OF the soil in order
that many OF the organic substances
essential 70 make inorganic elements
(which exist In most soils in abund-
ance) available. may be returned to
the soil in The tyrm OF manures. Eigh-
~ per esZt or the fertility removed by
the crop Is restored to the land if the
manure is properly preserved and ap-
piled.
STOCK RAISING.
Stock raising involves features re-
qlr!ring knowledge Of breeds, means Of
caring for animals. and the science of
feeding them A high bred animal,
whether a beast of burden. or for meat
or dairy products, is mauifest'y far su-
Torlor 70 a scrub. A well bred animal
rquircs no more feed than one with
en- inferior or inbred record and the
production is usually very profitable.
The difference in the amount Of feed
consumed by a well bred dairy cow
ana a poorly bred enc is insignificant,
but the production IN milk makes one
very profitable while the other does
not pay for The food eaten.
The science of feeding is Of even
more lmpOr ance. To obtain the best
results, the rations must be- balanced.
that Is, natures requirements should
be provided. Food elements that make
fat. heat and energy are called carbo-
hydra'os, but they DO not promote
growth. Growth is made By feeding
heterogeneous substances. but to secure
a perfect aud rapid development. the
right proportions Of both must be
given
Animals are no exception to the
rules governing construction in other
things. II one is building a house, the
quantities Of the various parts must be
In proportion. II the structure Is com
plete and durable. In chemistry. we
find that the law OF combination will