107 



always brings a good price, and cattle and wool are in good demanc?.. 

 Now the farmer who, when the price is up, has nothing of that article- 

 to sell, consoles himself by resolving that the next year, for instance, he 

 will make pork — he is tired of raising wheat, and his neighbor did so 

 Avell Avith his pork that he is for fattening hogs. The next year, pork is 

 down and wool is up ; he changes for sheep ; and the next season wool ■' 

 goes down and wheat goes up. Now it is sometimes proper to change, 

 but every change, in the first instance, is attended with a new outlay j 

 cattle, hogs and sheep require each appropriate fixtures, and different 

 management and additional experience. A farmer ought first to consult 

 the system of agriculture to which his farm is best adapted ; whether- 

 for wheat growing, stock raising, or for dairying. Having settled this; 

 question, he must prosecute it according to his means ; his implements ©r 

 husbandry must be right and the very best, and adapted to his work ia 

 hand. This question must be raised and settled by every farmer in bis: 

 own mind : what leading product shall I cultivate, best suited to my soil ? 

 To this particular branch of industry, without neglecting others, he must, 

 give his prominent attention ; he must consult agricultural papers and 

 bocks, and converse with intelligent persons on that subject, collect facts-- 

 and experience, as men do in the professions of law or physic, or as me- 

 chanics in their several trades. If he decides on raising wheat, he m^ist 

 ascertain from close and personal attention, the best time for sowing, the- 

 amount of seed per acre, and the best quality, the best mode of pre- 

 paring the ground and securing the grain, and the best market to sell 

 in — but above all, he must learn what constitutes good plowing. And" 

 so of raising horses, cattle, and sheep. The thing must be a matter of 

 profound thought, study and observation. It cannot be left hap hazarxi.. 

 His efforts will then be attended with better success, and he will derive^ 

 all the secret satisfaction which success inspires. 



Stock, would, in a great measure, at present, supply the place of 

 money as currency. Two-thirds of my labor this season could have beeaa. 

 encfaffed for stock. 



There has been a cash demand for cattle the past year. Dane county- 

 is well adapted for raising stock, and the prices have been amply remu- 

 nerative. The immigration setting in, and the emigration to California 

 has advanced the price. Cattle have been greatly sought for, and raising • 

 them has paid well. But in answer to the inquiry, why do you not' 

 raise stock ? the answer is, we have no money to begin upon. But iSi\i^ 



