CHAPTER XLIV 
FARM MANAGEMENT 
The successful farmer is an industrious and intelligent 
workman who knows how to raise large crops and fine stock 
and to keep his place in a trim and orderly condition. But 
that alone is not sufficient. He must have considerable busi- 
ness ability. In making a start he must have the necessary 
knowledge and judgment to decide wisely where to locate 
and the type of farming to undertake; whether to buy or 
rent; how far he may safely go in debt, and what particular 
farm to choose. Then he must determine the shape and size 
of the fields that will make them most economical to work, 
the most practical way to maintain the fertility of the soil, 
what machinery and other equipment to buy, what labor to 
hire, when and where to sell his produce, and many other 
problems in farm management that arise from time to time. 
We have space for only very brief notes on a few topics be- 
longing to this important field of study. 
Kinps OF FARMING 
Specialized and Diversified Farming. — In a new farming 
district it is customary to devote the land to the production 
of a single kind of crop, and in the Northwest that has been 
wheat. This is raised from year to year until the soil is finally 
impoverished to such an extent that the farmer is compelled 
by sheer necessity to turn to some other line of operation. 
Usually cattle and other stock are then added. This brings 
with it the raising of legumes for pasture and hay, and 
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