242 



Next season we expect to have between three and four hundred 

 thousand plants to set out. About 50,000 of these may be sold 

 to the small farmers and homesteaders at $1.50 a thousand, cost 

 price at this nursery. Truly yours, 



U. Hannestad. 



THE SOW'S EAR. 



(By E. G. Cheyney in North Woods for July.) 



As long ago as Shakespeare's time, it had already become 

 proverbial that "you cannot make a purse out of a sow's ear." 

 The world is supposed to have advanced immeasurably in knowl- 

 edge and wisdom since then, and yet, in spite of all our study 

 and all our boasted efficiency, there are thousands of people twist- 

 ing away at the patient old porker's ear in the vain hope of mak- 

 ing something beautiful. This is especially true in respect to 

 l?.nd. There is a prevalent idea, fostered by some real estate 

 men, demagogues and misguided agricultural enthusiasts, that a 

 ])aying farm can be made out of any kind of land. lUit it 

 lequires very little imagination to liken a paying farm to a purse, 

 and a glance at history will soon convince any open minded man 

 of the similarity of a portion of this fair country to a sow's ear. 



In the old country the largest crops in the world are raised. 

 This is partly due to the intensive methods used, but more largely 

 to the careful selection of the land. Each little patch of land 

 has a reputation for its ability to raise some particular crop. 

 Some of it is recognized as unprofitable or even totally unfit for 

 any crop at all. Even in this country certain classes of land 

 are recognized. We hear of corn land, wheat land, clover land, 

 etc.. thus admitting that there are different grades of soil. Why 

 not have the nerve to carry this to its logical conclusion and 

 admit that there is some land which is not fit for any crop? 

 -Admit that a certain portion of it is a sow's ear? Admit that it 

 is fit only for a forest? 



In the early days in this state it was the ambition of every 

 farmer to raise wdieat. Land not in wheat was waste laud. 

 Gradually they began to realize that there were crops which 

 would pay better than wheat on some land. .Xs a consequence, 

 the crops became more diversified and the j-jrofits larger and 

 more sure. This recognized the principle that land was not fit 

 for the purpose of producing any particular crop, but rather to 

 produce revenue from anything that can be grown. Why. then, 

 not extend this jjrincii^le a little fmilicr anri grow trees wIhto 

 they will produce the large return: and tlie\- will i)rii(lucc the 

 larger returns on certain lands and nndrr crrtain onditiitiis. 



This is sufficient evidence to show that there is a choice of 

 land and a choice of crops ; but little use is ever made of the 



