520 CLAYTON COUNTY, IOWA. 



acres of corn, twenty acres of grass, besides a few acres of 

 potatoes, cane and turnips. 



I always try to sow my crops so that the same kind of 

 grain will not be in the same field two years in succession. I 

 also seed down and break up grass land every year. 



FERTILIZING. 



B\^ tliis system of rotation, and at the same time hauling 

 out all my manure, I keep up the productive qualities of the 

 farm, and seldom fail in having good crops. I always make all 

 the manure I can, and liaul it out too. This, I think, is a very 

 important part of the regular work of a farm. 



TOOLS. 



I use the very best tools I can buy. My plows are strong, 

 durable, and of the most improved patterns. They are light, 

 run cas}-, and wear well, which I consider the most essential 

 points. I use the common square harrow. It does good work 

 and answers the purpose very well. 



' 1 u;jc a combined reaper and mower. It works well, is a 

 first-cUiss mower, and a very good reaper. 



CLEANING WHEAT. 



I always sell my wheat, and take great care in cleaning it 

 well before shipping it. I find that I am able to get from 

 five to ten cents per bushel more for wheat that is cleaned, 

 than fur that sold in the condition it comes from the threshing 

 machine. 



With average crops and fair wages, it costs me seventy-five 

 cents ])er bushel to raise wheat. AH that I receive in excess 

 of this is clear profit. 



C3ST AND CULTIVATION OF CORN. 



My corn and oats I convert mostly into pork and beef. 

 The average cost of raising corn with me has been about eigh- 

 teen cents per bushel. I always plow corn four times and hoe 

 it once. Some farmers do not believe in hoeing corn, but I do. 

 It })ays me every time. My oats cost me about fifteen cents 

 per bushel. My pork about two and one-half cents per pound. 



