THE DRY FARMING CONGRESS. 



325 



Provision should not only be made in this way against the damage that 

 may occur from the weather, but also for the protection against insects 

 and vermin. 



Live Stock Fattening. 



The method of disposing of crops under dry farming will, like those 

 grown in humid regions, depend upon the conditions, such as nearness 

 to market, the character of the available markets, the climiatrc conditions 

 relative to stock raising, etc. Near large cities or towns the products of 

 the farm may find ready sale in bulk at good prices or portions of the 

 crops may be used in the production of dairy and poultry products. Far 

 out from ready markets where the haul will be great the farmer must 

 resort to other methods of disposal of the crops not used directly or in- 

 directly in the family food supply. 



Usually stock feeding will be found the simplest and probably the 

 most profitable method. Sheep and hogs may safely be placed at the head 

 of the list for feeding purposes under present market conditions, al- 

 though the fattening of the different classes of cattle and the feeding 

 and fitting of range grown horses for market and sale, may reasonably 

 be expected to share in the disposal of farm products. To sum up the 

 whole question, wherever markets are near and ample the products may 

 be marketed in bulk as grown, but wherever the haul to market is lomg 

 there must necessarily be made a search for methods ot concentrating the 

 farm products into secondary products which, because of their reduced 

 bulk and increased value, may be hauled to market cheaply or like fat 

 stock or fitted horses, can be made to oarrp their own weight to market 

 with little loss or expense. 



Implements. 



There ai'e a number of farm implements which are essential to suc- 

 cess in dry farming. The success of dry farm operations may often hinge 

 upon the employment of the right kind of farm machinery. Every farmer 

 who expects to be successful should use the following machinery or 

 others that will prove eauallj^ effective: Stirring plow, subsoil plow, 

 sub-surface packer, roller, hoe drill or seeder, disk, surface cultivator, 

 acme harrow, toothed harrow, weeder harvester, and thresher. All of this 

 machinery should be of large draft requiring in most cases from four to 

 eight horses, so that a very wide strip may be treated every time the 

 field is crossed. One man, or often one boy can handle six or eight horses 

 as well as two and thus greatly cheapen the cost of each operation. 

 Every machine should be so equipped that the driver can ride at all times, 

 if he so chooses, and the seat should be so located that he will feel the 

 least inconvenience from the effects of the dust or rough ground. Of 

 course a traction engine may be employed in the place of horses or mules 

 if conditions are favorable. Engines are extremely effective since time is 

 saved and large amounts of work can be performed. 



