868 PRODUCTIVE FARMING 



poorly culled flocks and herds as breeding stock; (14) ravages 

 of insect pests due to destruction of birds; (15) plant dis- 

 eases not kept in control; (16) loss of animals that are im- 

 properly treated; (17) bad ventilation of buildings; (18) bad 

 feeding methods. 



Modern agricultural teachings will greatly reduce these 

 losses on our farms if the farmer himself will learn and apply 

 them. There are good and inexpensive remedies for all the 

 foregoing losses and wastes. The time has come when 

 farmers, especially the younger ones, are willing and anxious 

 to apply the best methods hi their farm practices. As these 

 methods are introduced farm wastes will gradually disappear. 



GETTING STARTED ON THE FARM. 



Young men and women desiring to enter farming as a 

 means to a livelihood are usually confronted with the problem 

 of how to get started. Where is the capital to come from? 

 Shall we rent? Shall we " go in debt " for the land and equip- 

 ment? Or shall we work for wages until enough is earned 

 with which to buy a place? 



A Stepping Stone. In many instances other callings are 

 used as stepping stones to farming. Teaching, mercantile 

 business, and other pursuits are often followed with the hope 

 of getting enough capital to start into farming. This plan 

 often results in failure in two ways: (1) attention to such 

 pursuits trains the mind away from farming and usually all 

 interest in modern agriculture is lost; (2) money is saved so 

 slowly by most people that a farm cannot be acquired free 

 from debt. 



The renting plan often furnishes the best means of getting 

 started. By careful management and forethought in all 

 details of the business money can be saved faster by the 

 intelligent young man while operating a farm on shares than 

 while teaching or clerking or managing a business in the city. 



