Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1913-08-29

originates by decay of the underlying
rocks. For this reason the farms OF
northern Wisconsin are commonly more
self-supporting than in those sections
characterized by soils of less desirable
formation. These soils have in them a
constant source of renewal and refresh
ment, which has only properly to be
made avail of to add to their fertility.
Years ago we learned the advantage
of diversified agriculture. 1t has meant
the addition of millions of dollars to
farm profits. Since the day when for
mer Governor Hoard began to advocate
dairying, we have been following a
system of mixed farming, with live
stock production predominating.
Fertilizers Little Used.
Hence, although the average Wiscon-
sin farm contains but 119 acres, >and
the amount of improved land per farm
is considerable less, the net returns
are greater than in sections for years
devoted to grain farming" And this
larger return is to be had without sac
rificing fertility. An average of 29
head Of livestock, cattle, horses and
swine, is kept per farm. For this rea-
son, with rotation of crops, the need of
commercial fertilizers has not been felt
in Wisconsin. In fact, the use of such
decreased Sc per cent from 1900 to 1910.
Such development finds expression in
many social and economic advantages.
1t is significant that more Wisconsin
farmers (S5.3 per cenD own the farms
they are operating than do those in
any other state in the Mississippi or
Ohio river valleys, or in the Gulf states
or central west. And yet there is room
for many thousands more freeholders
in the fertile upper Wisconsin counties.
Unimproved Land Cheap.
The price at which good unimproved
land may be had in these counties to-
day is relatively less than that paid in
older sections by the southern Wiscon-
sin farmer when he secured his land in
effect as gift from the government.
In those days he received less for what
he had to sell and paid more Tor the
necessaries of life. At that time forage
crops were hauled long distances by
team to Lake Michigan ports and dis
posed of at low prices. Today soil fer
tility is conserved and greater net re-
turns enjoyed by marketing forage
CROP in the form of meat, milk, butter
cream and cheese. In those days the
most profitable types of farm practice
were yet to be developed. Today these
methods are known and largely being
follows ed in the upper counties. Schools
are more numerous and better, and it
is our intention to make them still bet
ter. Railroads penetrate every county.
Liberal appropriations are made for
road building (there are 62, 900 miles
already constructed), and in total
mileage of highways Improved with
stone or gravel Wisconsin ranks fourth
among the states.
Cooperative Enterprise.
In no state having an equal area of
undeveloped agricultural land is more
activity to be found along cooperative
lines and especially through communi-
ty organizations. This year there are
62 community livestock breeders as
sociations with large memberships,
societies promoting Holstein, Guern-
sey, Jersey, and other breeds of dairy
cattle, and many of these are located
in the upper counties. Herds of we'll
bred and well fed pedigreed cattle are
being developed throughout this terri
tory. The butter and cheese produced
here is of first quality, scoring exhibit
tions under the direction of the college
of agriculture and the dairy and food
commission. Similar cooperative eff
fort has been had in the community
production of potatoes. In order to
secure car shipments of uniform type,
many potato growing localities are
now concentrating upon a few stand
ard varities. paying careful attention
to selection of seed, sorting in the fed
and grading at the car. Bearing these
requirements in mind, the potato is
desirable az a cash crop for the new
settler.
Larsess Pea Crop.
The upper counties are peculiarly
adapted to the production of all legumi-
nous crops, including peas of field and
canning ..varities. Yields of Is to 80
hushala mar arra NAV he had updor