Newark post., 1912-10-16
LESSONS FROM THE
WESTERN FARMER
Clippings letters written Cooh Practical Farmer.


same soil year after year, the farmers
began to realize that it was economical
10 think little less of grain, rotate their
crops and raise cattle, hogs and sheep
I In this way they are able to maintain
the fertility of their soil with the use of
very little commercial fertilizer. In due
course of time Minnesota will be using
large quantities of artificial fertilizers,
but the day has been postponed for the
+ farmers read the handwriting ON the
wall-they saw what the eastern farmer
was up against, and are making siren
uolls efforts to avoid the blunders CT their
forefathers.
Wisconsin has justly earned her place
among the great dairy states. 1t is the
home of the inventor of the Babcock
milk tester. The state is literally dotted
with creameries, cheese factories and CEN
tralizing stations. The good old dairy
COW, with excellent clover, is the saliva
ton of the state. would say that nine
tcnths of the dairy herds of Wisconsin
are composed of Holstcins, although quite
frequently | noticed herds containing a
few Jerseys or Guernseys which were evi-
IDENTIFY being used ii increase the percent
age of butter fat from the Holstein
herds.
Down through the Elgin district Of
illinois is considered the greatest dairy
section of the cOuntry-this, at least, is
the easterner S idea until he has had an
opportunity to compare it with some see
| tions of Wisconsin. Without wishing to
detract from the honors the Elgin district
has so Justly won, this section will soon
have to take second place if the Wiscon-
sin dairymen continue on their present
course. Whether this is because of the
renting system nj Illinois, or abecause
by the Wisconsin dairy school, | am not
prepared to say, but will leave the work
ing out of the problem to those most Vi
tally concerned.
Anyone who has had the opportunity
to pass by the great railroad routes
through the eastern half of the country,
and has noted the fields of standing and
harvested grain in many states, will read
lily credit the estimates upon our crops
made by experienced collectors of such
statistics. Almost everywhere | have
gone | hear the statement that this is
another phenomenal " farmers year. -
Surely the greatness Of these crops must
cause such confidence as to minimize the
anxiety for the business outlook frequent
in "rresidental wears.
Coming into Pennsylvania from the
West, stranger is not apt to get cor
rect impression of the agricultural wealth
of the State. Steel mills, blast furnaces,
coke ovens, coal mines, and oil wells seem
to overshadow Pennsylvania S agricutur-
al resources, and yet western Pennsyl-
vania compared very favorably with some
of the more talked about agricultural
sections of the country. In fact, if we
were to take ten-year average of the
crops produced in western Pennsylvania
they would show up surprisingly well, and
open the eyes Of those who are boosting
farm lands so vigorously in some of our
newer states. In eastern Pennsylvania
crop conditions this year are excellent.
Coming down the Chester Valley through
Lancaster Co. which by the WAY is the
banner county of the whole United
States in the matter of agricultural
wealth, | could not help being impressed
with the natural beauty of the country
the evidences of fertile soil, intelligent
farming and general prosperity. This
is the condition that exists all over east
ern Pennsylvania. | could not help draw
ing mental picture of the contrast be-
tween the life of the eastern Pennsyl-
vania farmer and his wife, on theil
small, fertile, well cultivated farm, and
the western farmer and his wife on theil
. large prairie farm. The eastern Penn
sylvania folks have good buildings, well
equipped, excellent stock, cOngenial neigh
bors and excellent railroad facilities
Some of the western farmers have these
conditions, but on a great many prairie
t farms there must be dearth of socia
t intercourse, and the farming, especially
the zone crop system Of farming is
g not calculated to improve the soil.