The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1925-01-22
SUCCESSFUL MANAGE
LENT OF FARMS is
TOLD BY THE RADIO

Prof. Geo. Severance of the State Col
lege of Washington said the other
night
Certain factors must be considered
carefully in planning a successful
system of farming. One is the proper
degree of diversifcation. Just how far
it pays to diversity, varies under diff
ferent conditions. No line Of produc-
ton should be added that will not fit
into well organized scheme of farm
ing. There is little virtue in mere di-
versification.
There are certain well recognized
objects to be accomplished in working
out well organized system of farm
ing. One is to maintain the producing
capacity Of the soil.
Except under intensive farming
conditions where the large returns
per acre justify the purchase of ma
nure and fertilizers, the producing ca
pacity Of the soil is most economically
maintained by a crop rotation that
win include some of the heavy rooted
legumes, usually one or more of the
alfalfas or clovers. If this crop hap
pens to be the most profitable crop on
the farm, or if livestock is major
line, as much Of the farm should be
devoted to this crop as is consistent
with other requirements of good or
ganization. Otherwise it should oc-
cur in the rotation only as often as is
necessary to keep up the soil fertility.
Another important purpose Of di-
versifcation is distribution Of labor
as evenly as is feasible. This usually
necessitates growing of some crops
of minor Importance that require at
tention principally when the major
crops require little labor. Care must
be exercised not to select different
crops that require their principal at
tention at the same time. A quite
unimportant crop is sometimes justi-
fled simply because II utilities more or
less otherwise idle time of horses, men
and equipment.
Addition of some livestock Is neces-
sary in most kinds of farming IL
winter labor is to be provided, but
often other conditions do not warrant
the addition of livestock. Insect pests,
plant diseases, and weeds may be con-
trolled to some extent by well chosen
rotation of crops.
1t is wise to utilize wastes so far
as feasible by the addition of live
stock. It is important, however, to
have available means of maintaining
the stock economically during those
parts Of the year when they are not
consuming wastes and nonsalable or
low value feeds. Unless the bulk of
an animal carcass can be grown cheap
ly it is not usually profitable.
1t is also important that the live
stock fit into the labor schedule sat
isfactorily. IL man does practically
all his own field work, and has no
children TO do chores, the addition OF
a little livestock may break into his
field work and cause more loss than
can be made up from livestock. Where
children can care for the stock az
chores, and cheap feed is available
most Of the year, livestock may be.
come an important side line, saving
both waste feed and idle time of the
children.
A combination of crops should bt
chosen TO use given set Of equip
ment as much as possible. A strong
point in favor of wheat as silage, IL
preference to corn, in the Inland EN-
pire, is the fact that 1t is seeded anc
harvested with the same tools used IL
handling the major crop on the farm
Another point illustrating funda
mental principle In choice of crops, il
that the filling of the siIo with whea
comes during an otherwise idle period
while silo filling with corn comes wher
the force should be busy with fal
seeding.
Diversification distributes risk, bu
If carried too far 1t may increase risl
because everything is likely to b
more or less neglected, nothing re
ceiving first class care. After all, on
Of the best means of reducing risk i
to take care of things as they shout,
be, and do Things just when the,
should be done.
The conclusion reached from man,
farm studies is that with proper at
tention to maintaining soil fertility
to distributing both man and hors
labor, to controlling insect pests, dis
ease, and weeds, to the consumption 0
wastes, and to the utilization 0
equipment, that farm should no
= usually maintain over two or tire
: main lines, and as few Supplementary
lines as will make well organize
7 unit.
There are many points in favor Q