The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-08-20

IL ~ were not Tor tneSe factors the
men on the small area would hardly
be able to live.
Wages are reward for labor, and
If farm does not provide work the
pay must bo correspondingly small.
The family-size farm, which in the
corn belt should be above 100 acres,
is unquestionably more efficient unit
than an area of 40 acres or less. Crops
can be grown cheaper, labor will be
better paid, and the farmer and his
family will enjoy more Of the benefits
Of modern civilization.
Quality Of the Farm Business.
The farmer may have sufficient area
and grow the right kind of crops, yet
not be successful, owing to the poor
quality Of his entire business. Poor
crops that do not pay the cost of pro-
duction, and the feeding Of these to un-
productive livestock, IRE common causes
Of failure This characteristic of un-
successful farming attracts much pub
lie attention. Such farms are unprofit-
able largely through ignorance or in
difference on the part of the operator
Under good management they can gen
orally be made successful.
Diversity Of the farm busness-Im-
proper organization of large farm
limits its possibilities, just as area
limits the small farm. Single crops or
single livestock enterprises seldom util-
ize farm labor at its maximum. By
having several crops there is not only
better distribution of labor, but the
chances Of total loss from crop failures
are lessened. Fortunately, corn, oats
and wheat utilize the farmer S time
pretty thoroughly through the growing
season. In some parts of this country
certain crops that need labor only a.
part Of the year may be so profitable
that the farmer can afford to be idle
the rest Of the year However, these
are the exceptions. Most crops are not
profitable enough to permit any such
practice. Idle horses and machinery are
nearly as expensive as idle men, If the
working equipment can all be kept
usy on paying enterprises, success is
almost assured.
Adaptability of the Type Of Farming.
Equally important in the selection |
of enterprises to permit the miximum
use of labor is the consideration of the |
profitableness Of each. Dairy cows and
cash crops may utilize al lof the farm
er S time, but in certain regions, pos
sbly, dairy cattle under the best man
agement could hardly be made to pay
a profit. Markets and other conditions
have to be carefully considered in
choosing the enterprises which are to
constitute the main sources of income.
Fitting the right crop to the soil and
selling it to the proper market or feed
ng it to the right kind Of livestock
ire important factors. Following such
ypes of farming as are unsuited to the
egion is often cause of unprofitable
agriculture in some of the older settled
tates
The wide fluctuation in prices of GER
ain crops makes it extremely difficult
or farmer to choose definite rota-
ion. One year they will be such as to
i've handsome profits .on certain crops,
nd the next year they may be insult
icient to pay the cost of production.
he question confronting the average
armer is not so much one Of produc-
ion as it is of marketing. Most farm
RS are able to grow sufficient guam
ity of crops to give therl very com
ortable living if they are assured of
easonable prices for their products.
[owever, under present conditions he
armer has to take big chances with
early all Of his crops. If he is so un-
ortunate as to have combination of I
rops every one of which is low in price
4 some particular year, severe losses
ill be the result, Potatoes, apples,
caches onions and cabbage are good
lus rat ons of the crops that fluctuate
tidely in price from year to year.
The essential characteristics of the
lore successful farms are a sufficient
rea and proper organization of we'll
elected farm enterprises to permit the
aximum use Of men, horses and ma