No. 6. PEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 687 



pencil and sell in;; Miatlci-N in order, lie a.uain i-csunics his lask — 

 probably lo couiidcte "the mau behind the piovv." 



While this man is an active, busy man, ho at the same time must 

 be a gentleman, one who has time to stop for a short time to con- 

 verse with his neighbors and entertain all visitors at his home 

 with politeness and gentility. Again, the successful ''man behind 

 the plow" (for we are not discussing the other fellow) is not a 

 loafer in the corner grocery or blacksmith shop, spends little time 

 discussing politics, phases of the moon, etc., but should be alert to 

 his business, spending no more time away from his home and farm 

 than is absolutely necessary. For instance, how would the mer- 

 chant or manufacturer succeed if they would not be extremely at- 

 tentive to their work, looking closely into every detail of their 

 trade. 



"The man behind the plow"' should be a man of fair education, 

 public spirited and of good mechanical judgment. One who can 

 plow a straight furrow instead of one that may be so crooked that 

 vYater could not follow it down hill. The furrow should be even 

 in depth and the work when done look like a garden. All the 

 ground should be well plowed and no misses. If the plow is thrown 

 out of its course suddenly, back your team and see that there is no 

 work done like that; that is called "cutting and covering." Some 

 critic may here say. Why speak of this plowing? Anybody can plow. 

 No, anybody cannot. A poor plowman means a poor farmer and 

 a poor farmer means what? A poor farm. 



If there was more time spent to-day in plowing the fields of 

 our farms properly, there would be a surprising increased yield per 

 acre. "Good plowing is one of the chief essentials to successful 

 crop production." Boys many times can be directed to more profita- 

 ble work on' the farm, instead of trying to plow before they are 

 able to do it practically. 



Rev. J. I). Detrich, who operates that remarkable 15-acre farm 

 at Flourtown, Pa., does every inch of the plowing himself; has 

 done it all for 16 years and would not think of directing any 

 one else to do this important work, although he is supplied with 

 help far superior perhaps to many farmers. 



Cato asked the question: "What is the best culture of land?" 

 His answer was: "First, good plowing; second, plowing in the ordi- 

 nary way." It would, therefore, be wise to give more thought con- 

 cerning the plowing of our farms, for the labor of the plowman 

 produces the wealth of the world. 



Very much is said about thorough cultivation, -which is all right, 

 but spend more time in thorough plowing. This will lessen the work 

 of cultivation and very materially increase crop production. The 



