Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1930-01-30
FARMER SHOULD
BE THE JUDGE
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Vet TO predict what the crop will be,
as unfavorable weather at narrowing
time often cuts down the number OF
pigs raised Present indications, how
ever. are that those equipped for hog
production can safely go ahead in
program equal to that of last year.
Even with larger supplies and lower
prices than are likely to prevail il
is doubtful whether Minnesota farm
ers can find a more consistently pro-
fitable farm enterprise than hog rails
ing.
Sheep.
Sheep production should not be eX-
banded. Undoubtedly, there are
many farms on which a small flock
of sheep would add To the net in
come So far as sheep can be used
as scavangers and maintained on in
expensive feeds for which there would
be little sale otherwise they will aGd
to the profits of the farm. Present
prices and supplies, however do not
indicate a favorable time for eXpan-
sion in sheep production. Now would
be a good time TO rigidly Gull the
flocks, sell off old ewes and unpro-
ductive individuals, thus bringing the
flocks TO a high point of efficiency.
The large flock growers particularly
can profit by the culling process.
Poultry.
There seems TO be no good reason
for curtailing poultry production at
the present time. Prices for eggs and
poultry have remained good through
out the year. While there is some
evidence that accumulated stocks
may depress prices TO some extent
and while lower prices were taken
for turkeys in 1929 than in 1928,
there seems to be no sound reason
for being overly pessimistic about
the poultry business. Consumers
have learned the value of poultry
and there is a continuing demand for
it, Only serious business depres-
sion resulting in a curtailment of
buying power on the part of consum-
ers is likely TO interfere with the
poultry business.
Pasture and Hay.
AS has been suggested, this is a
good time to provide abundant pas
ture and hay for livestock produc-
1ion. Alfalfa, sweet clover and other
feeds are relatively cheap and this
is a good time to seed down all of the
land needed for pasturage and even to
provide some green manure crops 20
pillow under. Pasture grasses allowed
20 revert are not wasted because they
go back into the soil and build pro-
ducing power for the future. More
attention to providing pasturage and
good quality LAY often results in in
creased returns from livestock. There
is no more satisfactory way to get
land out of grain production than to
put it into good legume pasture or
hay.
Potatoes.
The potato crop last year fur
Gished a splendid illustration of the
effectiveness of a short crop in rails
ing prices. A crop registered as one
fourth smaller in volume has sold, or
promises to sell for nearly twice as
much as bumper crop of a year
previous. In view of this fact there
is likely to be an increase in the acre
age planted this year. The high
price of seed may prevent new begin
ners in the potato business, but old
growers who have seed on hand are
likely to increase their paintings
should the spring open favorably.
Caution should be exercised in
branching out in this business be-
cause the one extreme usually fol-
lows the other in potato growing and
the crop is largely speculative. Grow
ers living in areas where the crop or
dinarily does well and who are
equipped for growing and handling
the crop may well continue the usual
acreage. Ii is seldom good policy to
disturb settled program of produc
tion of any kind