The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1915-01-29
The
/ armerS Corner
Edsteea by Cove farmer
s. u stienstra ancs =.
L. Doara. Write to tz.ese
farm esa2tors fer ad-
wise. Your azasvvars
will be I'm these eoI-
I1rraras.

had been such that I4would have considered.
it folly to head an article for farm subject
as have headed this
The farming district in. which was raised
was made up of self made farmers, mer who
had, themselves, broughtthe improved hard
woodland in northwestern Illinois where
the land is quite billy. Many of the farms,
when mhen purchased, had but little land
cleared. know of one farmer who bought
$50 acres of such land near town when a
young man. He put up some log buildings
as he was poor and could make but small
first payment on the land. He cut cord
word and hauled it to town until he had
sufficient land cleared to do some farming
He continued to haul off wood and clear
land until he paid off the mortgage. By
this time he had accumulated considerable
stock and felt the need of better buildings
to shelter them. He again mortgaged his
farm and built modern residence and all
other outbuildings found on modern farms
AT the age of fifty years, this man was en-
tirely out of debt and had reared large
family besides paying for his fam.
1t was such far ners, as above mentioned,
for whom worked since the age of thirteen
years until l took charge of my mothers
farm at the age of eighteen,
The above is not a lesson in farm
economy but goes to show what can be
done when farm economy is practced in
connection with other essential farm manage
nent, which will be taken up in these col
i umns at future writings
i [ said at the beginning, that in those days
farm economy was term with which l was
not familiar, This was due to the environ
ment. All the farmers, as / said, were self
made. In order to succeed they had to
economic. Farm economy is nothing more
or less than knowledge of detecting the
leakes on the farm income and finding a
remedy to prevent snch waste. There are
many ways in which the farm income may
be deminished to such an extent that farm
ing would not be profitable, even through
good crops are raised, chief among which l
will set forth herein.
AS farm machidery is so much used these
days, is so necessary, and is so expensive,
| think that it will be we'll to devote little
space in outlining its proper handling and
care. Among the farmers of my old home
state, I have known some who would take
apart the harvesting machinery after harvest
and remove all dirt, oil, and gummy subs
lance, before putting away the machine for
the season. / do not know that it would be
necessary TO take such pains in the effort TO
prolong the lite of machine. 1t may lie
cited as one extreme in an attemp to avoid
another extreme, that of permitting machin-
cry to remain in the field where last used.
All machinery, when put away, should be
wiped off thoroughly and be so housed that
it will be dry and where it can not serve as
a roost for poultry.
When preparing machine for seasons
work, see to it that all parts are intact, and
| that there are no loose nuts. Replace any
part that is needed and use plenty of kero-
sepe on the bearings to cut the grease which
| will be freed when the machine is put in
| motion and other oil is applied. Keep the
bearings we'll oiled while machine is in use
watching nuts to prevent to much play which
increase wear and tear. Do not leave it
exposed to the weather All hour longer than
is absolutely necessary. Keep cutting parts
sharp and in case of soil working machinery
avoid rusting as much as possible.
Space is limited and will more briefly
outline certain other causes Of farm failure.
No really through farmer ever lost sight
of the value of manure on the farm and
knows that it is not well to expose to the
weather except on the particular portion of
land it is intended to fertilize. Get it there
with out delay. Remember that heating of
horse manure ishighly injurious to its fertiliz-
ing qualities. If you cannot haul it out as
often as you should, take little time now
and then and scatter it little to preveIt
4
heati,lg.
Next in order is the prevalence Of noxious
eeds on the farm. This is something Of
which too many farmers need to be contin-
uaIly reminded. 1t will need more deter
mined attack in this vicinity soon or it viii
get beyond control.
! Canada thistle, quick grass. wild mustard
etc., are needing immediate attention.
When you buy seed this year, see to 1t
that it contains no Hoxious wildseed That
il is suited to your locality, Of high gerrnina-
ton test, and bought from dealer who
stands back of his goods.
ITO be Continued
S. ]. Stienstra-