Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-08-19
TACT AND JUDGMENT NEEDED
Exercise of Farmers Mental Powers
Devises Plans and Methods Of APP
plication Which Increase
Yield of Crops.
(By THEODORE MACkLlN, Of the
University of Wisconsin.)

their farm work and in idealing with
their farm hands directly affect the
cost of production and the quantity
and quality of products turned out on
the farm.
Modern Farming Many Sided.
AS manager the operator of a
modern commercialiZed farming enter
prise deals''with a large number Of
variable forces. The weather, the kind
and costs Of farm machinery, live
stock, seed grains, concentrated feeds
farm loans, farm labOrers and many
others tax his judgment and call for
the exercise of tact and proper
knowledge Of human nature.
There was time when the farmer
was independent Of almost everything
but the weather. Market conditions
did not bother the self-sufticing pioneer
farmer because lis own family con-
sumed whatever his judgment led him
to produce. Credit facilities did not
worry him because his land was free
for the hOmesteading. Hired labor did
not concern him because there was
MT no such beast"
Farmers Now Use Their Heads.
But today pioneer conditions that
demanded very largely 'strong back
and weak head" have been altered.
The farmer who is succeeding attrib-
utes lis condition to the fact that his
head is stronger than his back and
hot no fo1r tn
Modern power machinery takes the
place of the pioneers strong back and
the exercise of his mental powers de-
vises plans and methods Of application
which increase farm yields, reduce
farm costs, increase the quality and
enlarge his profits and therefore the
satisfaction of his family and his COM
munity.
Successful Farming Hard Work.
From the earliest times to the pres
ent day the farmer himself has been
recognized as the most important ele-
ment in the triple combination Of
farming-labOr, land and capital. The
thrifty, Industrious Roman farmer Of
Pliny's time who was condemned on
the ground of "enticing away the
crops of his neighbOrs was unani-
mOusly acquitted when he stated in his
appeal, "Here Roman citizens are my
implements of magic; but it is i'm
possible for me to exhibit to your
view, or to bring into this forum, those
midnight tolls of mine, those early
watchings, those sWeats and those ia
tigues."
Family and Help Need Consideration.
Hard work has always been the key
to success and the greatest success
has fallen upon those whose efforts
have been expended upon a wisely
chosen combination Of crops and live
stock, where the boss has kept his
laborers industriously and cheerfully
doing the right thing month after
month of full days and yet MAS been
remfndful that he, his family and his
laborers were the object for which
farming is conducted as well ~as the
means of doing it efficiently.
an outstanding urgent need is for
farmers to recall the fact that they
and their families and labOrers are, af-
ter all, worthy and likeable people, en-
titled to their share Of recreation, en-
ioyment and intellectual achievement.
These opportunities are dependent
upon the success Of farmers as indi-
viduals.
Community Ideas Changing.
Changes in the dominant ideas Of
farming communities come as slowly
or as rapidly as changes Of their lead
ing farmefs: For example pioneer
farmers loved the homesteads they had
made out of the wilderness. Their
farms were not for sale as a rule.
Such farmers were permanent mem
bers Of their communities. Their land
was an opportunity to farm which
they cherished and held for that pur-
pose alone Their farms were not for
sale. They were a heritage for the
next generation.
AS a contrast to pioneer conditions,
the younger generation is coming into
the possession Of the lands improved
and tie buildings made by their pio-
neer ancestors. Traditions do not bind
the young newcomers. A variety OF op-
pOrtunities lure them and the farm Is
thought of as merely a valuation. A
new proof Of the so-called inadequate
earning power of farms. Figures are
brought together to convince one that
with the new valuations only insignifi-
cant profits if any are possible.
Farm Cost Determines Farming Costs.
What is the matter with these cal
culations? Are such farmers making
real use of their mental powers? Are
they in reality the main factor in their
particular farm combination? Certain
" not. The price which one pays for
q farm fixes in advance considerable
proportion of what his costs are to De.