THE GREAT SECRET. 85 



the Spring, as early as possible. Generally turn over the 

 clover and timothy sod, and in the Winter manure it with 

 eight loads to the acre. I use a three-horse riding-plow. 

 Plow eight inches deep, harrow well, and plant about the first 

 of May. I use the check rower and plant in rows four feet apart 

 each way. Cultivate first with square harrow before the corn 

 is up. The object is to destroy all young weeds. I then use 

 the roller to keep the ground solid and moist. As soon as the 

 corn is large enough, say four inches high, I put in the plow 

 and never stop cultivating until the corn is laid by. I never 

 use the cultivator, I prefer the plow and roller. My corn 

 will average 80 bushels to the acre, 70 acres=5,600 bush- 

 els. I feed all my corn ground. Brother farmer, do you 

 ever sell corn at present market value, 34 cents per bushel ? 

 I say no ! My corn is worth 68 cents per bushel to me on my 

 farm by feeding to good stock, such as horses, mules, beef 

 cattle, dairy cows, hogs and sheep. In the first place 



I KEEP THE BEST STOCK. 



It costs no more to raise a good animal than it does to 

 feed a poor one. I feed ground corn with wheat bran, in 

 water. I keep all stock under shelter in stalls. I feed four 

 quarts of meal to each grown animal twice a day, smaller 

 stock in proportion, with hay, corn fodder and wheat straw as 

 a change. In keeping the stock warm they eat less and thrive 

 in Winter just as well as they do in Summer. Each grown 

 animal will raise one hog, and now comes 



THE GREAT SECRET. 



All the stock are fed on the same plan. All are fat and 

 ready for market the same time. The hogs clear gain, while 

 the farmer has a fine lot of manure, worth one dollar for every 

 load, to put on his land. Brother farmers, I contend that, one 

 year with another, the farmer will realize just double the mar- 

 ket value of his corn fed in this way, and have the pleasure 

 of making first-class beef for export, and realize the highest 



