The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-12-05
HINTS TO HELP MOUNTAIN
FARMERS


in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ten
nessee, and the western portions OF
Virginia and North Carolina, and
gain only a scant subsistence from
their farming operations. On many
of these farms the average annual
receipts from the sale Of live stock,
poultry, eggs, and butter aggregate
only 500. Most of the farms are
from ten 10 thirty-flve miles from
the railroad; rough mountain roads
which are impossible during the
worst season of winter are the only
outlets which connect these hill
farmers with civilization.
Il is the desire of the United
states Department of Agriculture to
render every possible assistance TO
these people in sonier that their
farming operations may be con-
Quoted more probably. With this
end in mind the Federal specialists
recommend that the farmers of the
southern mountains should grow
three or more crops in rotation, in-
Guiding clover, in order that the in
dividual farmer may be able to pro-
duce larger crops and make more
money, and keep the majority Of the
crop land under cultivation all the
time. Furthermore, they suggest
that more cattle, hogs. and sheep
should be maintained, as such live
stock will not only increase the cash
income, but also will help materially
in improving fertility conditions,
which, in the long run, will make
for the production of larger crops.
A four-year rotation of soy beans,
rye, slower and corn is we'll adapted
for use on these southern mountain
farms.
Sell Animal Products
IL is urged that each farmer prac-
tice system of management which
will allow him to convert his sur
plus grain and rOughage into such
concentrated marketable produce as
cheese, buttar, bacon, hams, and
sausage, as the comparatively high
value of these commodities per
pound makes it possible to trans
port them long distances over rough
roads at a profit to the producer.
Recommendation is made that all
the mountain communities which
are not readily accessible to mar
kets should organize and operate
cooperative cheese factories, wher-
ever possible. The cost Of equip
ping one of these small factories
rarely exceeds $1,000. which means
an outlay on the part OF twenty
farms OF only $50 apiece. The whey,
a by-product of the cheese making,
is a valuable food for hogs.
These community clubs can and
will aid in many ways, not only in
cheese factories, but in road build
ing, church work and school work.
Resting" Land Improbable
The common practice of letting
the land lie idle for few years to
rest" after it has produced a crop
of corn is not necessary. Under the
usual system Of farming in the hill
country even the rich coves on
mountain sides are seriously de-
pleted in fertility after three or four
years. Rotation OF crops keeps up
fertility as we'll if not better than
letting it rest" and grow up TO
weeds. At the same time this prac-
tice brings a farmer more money,
since il keeps the land busy all the
time.
A practical rotation can be begun
by cropping one-fourth Of the till
able area in the spring TO soy beans,
which may be harvested for hay.
Subsequently the bean stubble can
be narrowed and prepared for crop
Of winter rye. The clover should
he sown on the rye land during the
late winter or early spring, so that
the field may remain in clover for
two years. At the end OF this period
il should be broken and cropped TO
corn and then the rotation should
be repeated. Managed in this way
the average farm can carry two TO
three cows, five 20 six young cattle,
and a sow with five or six pigs.
Several sheep may also be kept, as
we'll as a team OF horses. Small
patches Of alfalfa or sweet clover
may also be grown whenever posi-
bile for hog pasture. Sweet clover
is recommended for Rockcastle
County. Those who live in Rock
castle County call on County Agent
and discuss sweet clover.
Under this new system OF man.
agement without an increase in the
tillage area or a change in the mar
ket facilities, the average farm in
come could be increased from the
existent standard Of approximately
800 TO new point Of approximately
$3.50, which would afford better liv-