FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 75 



Added to this is the great question of fences. Michigan methods of 

 mixed husbandry and crop rotation Math live stock will always combat 

 any plan looking toward open prairie methods, or even the. enlargement 

 of fields to any great extent. While the fence panel itself is destined to 

 be of metal, for its support and anchorage to the ground it is doubtful 

 if a more practical material than wood will be found. 



Then, last, but not least, is the question of fuel. We live in a rigid 

 climate and must have fires to warm our homes and to cook our food. 

 In this connection we must also keep in mind that the home of the Amer- 

 ican farmer is a palace, when compared in size and appointments with 

 those occupied by tillers of the soil in many other nations. 



Thus to perpetuate all that we now enjoy within these homes it is 

 none too soon to lay the foundation, whereby each farm will furnish 

 its own supply of fuel. \Ve should be wise in the present and leiive for 

 our children an independent and near-by supply, free from the dicta- 

 tion of the trusts or ordered strikes. If the time ever comes when 

 farmers are compelled to resort to the peat bed or faggot it will be 

 chargeable to a large extent, to the ruthless destruction of the last 

 remnants of the natural forests which was God's richest gift to our 

 beautiful peninsular State. 



Along the line of economical management, it seems sound to argue 

 that it is wasteful to take from the money already in hand to pay for 

 some necesslt}^ which can be produced on the premises. Buildings, re- 

 pairs, fence posts, and fuel are all as much farm necessities as the cere- 

 als and live stock, and in the future more than in the past will these be 

 expensive and uncertain to obtain. The time has gone by when we can 

 consistently argue that the land upon which the farm forest stands 

 will, if cleared, produce more than enough to buy all the timber and 

 fuel needed upon the farm, for, while the actual exchange at first cost 

 value might indicate this result, there are those very important incident 

 conditions, which given right weight in the matter would show conclu- 

 sively different results. 



I have heard farmers say that they could buy a hoe handle, whif- 

 fletree, or wagon box so cheap that they could not afi'ord to make these 

 articles which are so simple and easy to construct. Close business 

 management causes the great meat-packing establishments to utilize and 

 put to some use every part of the animal slaughtered, including hoofs, 

 horns, hair and intestines, while the great manufacturing concerns of 

 the country follow back to primitive sources every ingredient and mate- 

 rial which enters into their products, and it is easy to see that the 

 farmer's argument, and his practice of taking from his pocket to buy 

 such articles as he can make or produce himself, is illogical and false. 



Important as the purely financial features of this question may be, 

 there is yet another part of it which should appeal to every person 

 who loves the country for the beauties which the God of nature has so 

 profusely spread over it. This may be called the sentimental side of the 

 question but of benefit to every life. How it adds to the perfectness of 

 the home farm if there is a relieving background of well-kept wood-land. 

 How it charms the eye and satisfies the worldly desire of the soul to 

 look back across the farm landscape, to the beautiful foliage border, 

 and, just before Dame Nature goes to rest in autumn, how gorgeous are 

 her robes of crimson and gold. 



