The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-12
INTENSIVE FARMING.


A Belgian refugee, who lost everything when
the Germans invaded his country, recently
wrote to an American agricultural journal
description of the little farm which for many
years yielded him and his family good living.
The recital is interesting as example OF
European intensive agricultural methods. The
farm described was only acre In extent.
After blowing, covering with six inches OF fer
tiizer, narrowing, etc, the farmer followed Il
system of planting which he describes in this
manner: ...
planted two by two apart 1882 plants Of
Observation-Disclosures roots-in September
October and covered the roots with good coat
of fertilizer. Between the of asparagus =
i sowed winter vetch, inocuated. which turned
down in February March.
At the beginning middle of March sowed my
seed OF raulsnes between my plants of aspara,
gus. Between the rows of my asparagus sowed
my seed of lettuce, green onions and early peas,
inocuated.
After my radsh crop planted early beans.
oculated After my of lettuce green onions
and early peas 1 planted squash, cucumbers and
All arodnd my fence planted, three apart,
| rhubarb, and between these plants sowed Jap
cucumbers.
These numerous crops yielded return of
$2,738. The Belgians expenses, which IN
Guided two men, two horses and wagons and
his own services for year, were 81 ,OOO, leaving
a net profit of 81 700, which is surely hand
some amount for one acre of land to earn. he
thinks that American farmers could reap larg
er profits by understanding thoroughly we'll
the rotation Of crops, and predicts that in time
we shall double and triple the value of our agri
cultural resources.
While it is undoubtedly true that most
American farmers would benefit from closer
study of scientific agriculture, this does not by
any means argue that it would be possible to
duplicate in this country the record of the Bel
gian cited above. The wages and "keep" Of
American farm hands will average easily $40
month The Belgian included his own serv-.
ices in his expense account, which would make
his yearly bill for labor, according to American
standards, 1920 month 81 ,44O year The
feed and care of two horses would cost $40
month, or $24O a year; seeds and fertilizer
would amount to 5000 more, and incidentas
would bring the expense to 81 900, with net
profit of 1898 a year, or less than one-haf that
claimed by the Belgian. 49,. .
And this result would be reached only with
full crops and good markets. The Belgian, for
example, received for his green onions $1O4, for
his cucumbers $3.50, and for his rhubarb $3.50
an excellent return for ''sde line'' crops of
this character
It is not advisable for the American farmer
to reject or condemn the European methods of
intensive cultivation. By studying them he can
acquire much useful information. On the 9th
er hand he should feel his way cautiously in
the matter Of devoting all his labor and capital
to the development of one or two acres. The
American farmer does not lack for land but in
matters of economy, scientific cultivation and
prevention of waste, European methods could
profitably be adopted. There are tillers of the
SOIL not only in Iowa but in each one Of the 9TH
er states, who have yet to learn that no back
breaking toll, but intelligent, painstaking work,
is the surest means for obtaining financial sue
cess.