Imperial Valley press., 1913-09-24
Personal Experience Of
a City Man on a Dairy

J. C. Loomis in Rural Press: The
question "Do city men make success
full farmers?" seems to be answered
in the affirmative by the experiences
Of J. N. Bomberger, Of Modesto, whose
story brings out facts that are profit
able both to the city man and the
farmer who has for years travelled
in the old-style rut.
In 1901 Mr.. Bomberger was en-
ployed as bookkeeper for feed store
in an eastern state. His first interest
in farmers was manifested when he
noticed how little farmers actually
know about the feeding value Of mill
feeds Some knew why some mill
feeds were more valuable than others
at a given price, but the majority Of
buyers did not and it was customary
for other business concerns to know
the comparative value of a raw pro-
duct, it struck him as peculiar that
feeders Of stock did not.
Solely through curiosity at first,
literature and books were purchased
and close study made to ascertain
the relative merits Of feeds chiefly
handled by his firm Through this
literature, desire was made to carry
some of the theories outlined into
actual practice, and in doing this it
was decided that in changing occupa-
tions a change in location might also
be advisable, as he would not be han
dicapped by local scorn in a new
country. AS consequence, he moved
his family to a middle western state,
but having only a small capital, he
did not purchase any land, and,
through sickness, spent nearly all he
had saved.
After spending a year in the new
location, he was advised by doctors
that the climate there was too severe,
and that he must move to milder
climate. With less than 5000 left Of
his savings, tickets were purchased
I for California, the first stop being
made at Los Angeles. AS no farm
work was obtainable there, and as
\ he was determined to keep out Of
more bookkeeping work, he and his
wife accepted an offer Of work on a
ranch near Fresno. After three
months work there, ten acres of sup
/ posedly good alfalfa land was rented,
but it was soon found that the revenue
was not sufficient, so it was given
up. Hearing of the success Of dairy
/ ing around Modesto, the next move
was made to that place and employ
mept secured in adumber yard. Al
ter few months at that work, a
twenty-acre ranch near Hughson.
StanlslauS county, was rented
1t was here that the first real ex
perience in growing alfalfa was OBJ
tanned, as hay was the only product,
! but it was soon found that more
money could be made in feeding II
than by selling it to the market, and
also that the fertilization by the for
mer method was worth a great deal
in raising good crops. AS his capital
was still small, he could not purchase
cows outright, and when nearby al
falfa ranch Of sixty acres, fully
! stocked with dairy cattle and work
horses, and well supplied with dairy
equipment, was offered at a yearly
rental of 5000, with quarterly pay
| ments, location was again changed
The stock and implements were pur-
chased for $3.50, also on easy pay
ments. The former owner stated that
he was quitting as there was not
enough money in it for a comfortable
living, and it soon became apparent
that under his system the wonder was
that he made anything, as a great
many of the cows we're actually los
inr money and the land was not pro-
ducing enough hay to furnish feed to
keep up the stock.
Through his continued supply Of
good literature, the new owner found
that the Babcock tester would dis
tingish the star boarders from the
paying ones. and after applying this
method, considerable culling was done.
Through literature it was found that
"a saving in hay could be made by
feeding it green, so for the first year,
through culling the herd and soiling
the alfalfa crop, the income was sat
isfactory-so much 80, in fact, that
the $3.50 Indebtedness for stock was
paid of through the cream check, and
5000 worth Of hay was sold, which
payed the rental.
After three years Of experience
an income had been gained in the
last-named place. the owner wanted
il back, as he saw that money could
be made if il was properly farmed.
At this time Mr.. Bomberger, hav-
ing gained some reputation as a good
farmer. was offered a 200-acre alfalfa
ranch on shares. and after managing
it for four years accumulated enough
capital to purchase the 65 acres he