90 CLAY COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 



it. On my own farm I aim to keep two-thirds of the land 

 in grass, wheat and hay, the balance I use for pasture. 



CORN. 



I raise fifty acres a year, I used to raise one hundred and 

 fifty acres. I now aim to plow land that has been idle, or wheat- 

 stubble for corn. I try to have my land plowed as early in the 

 Spring as the season will admit. I plow from eight to ten 

 inches deep. I want the ground dry and warm, and well pul- 

 verized before planting. I plant in checks. I use a two-horse 

 planter. Mark first plain, then turn with the planter the 

 other way, drive straight, and have a good careful dropper. 

 Commence to plow corn as soon as it is three inches high. 

 Plow as close as possible. I use a two-horse cultivator with 

 fenders. Plow every ten days. I have found it pays well 

 to plow corn when it commences to tassel. I then use one 

 horse with a single plow. This plowing will always pay. 



I SHELTER ALL OF MY STOCK. 



*They wiU do better, and will not eat as much. No. 1 

 is the horse barn. Under the same roof there is always plenty 

 of corn and hay without going outside. Barn No. 2 is 50 feet 

 by 80 feet ; this I use to stall-feed cattle. I tie the cattle up. 

 The barn is all floored with 2-inch plank. My hogs follow my 

 cattle and do well. This barn has been built nine years. I 

 have fattened cattle in it seven times, and I always have been 

 well paid. I keep o'ur milch cows in this barn. Barn No. 3 is 

 for stock cattle. It is 56 feet by 80. It is 



WHAT WE CALL A STOCK BARN. 



The loft is 7 feet high. Has a rack from the ground to the 

 loft lengthwise clear across the barn. I feed hay, straw and 

 fodder in tliis barn. Then I have a shed for all of our farming 

 implements. These barns are all built on a cheap plan. 



I do not pretend to be a real practical farmer. I do not 

 know what every bushel of wheat, oats or corn costs me, but I 

 do know at the end of a year what my profits or losses are. I 

 never have had a loss on a year's labor. My profits have come 



