120 
The more we had to sell, the worse we were off, as every bushel of graifr 
raised and sold by the farmers of Rock, till within a few months, has 
made them poorer. The same may be said of beef and pork. Now we 
ought to raise all the cattle, horses, sheep, and hogs we possibly can, 
and, at the same time, improve the blood of all as much and as fast as 
circumstances will permit. At all events, do something in that depart¬ 
ment, for it is easier to raise good animals than poor ones, and certainly 
they are more marketable. In order to carry on the wool, pork, and 
stock business profitably, we must have more fencing—I mean inside 
fences. The farmers of Rock Prairie, and even of Rock county, have, 
comparatively, but little inside fencing ; for the want of which we lose 
nearly one half of the real income of our farms, every year. And, in 
addition to this, our farms are deteriorating and running down in their 
fertility, by not pasturing sheep, cattle, &c., to enrich and keep the land 
in tilth. Farmers will find it much more profitable to raise more corn, 
oats, barley and rye, and feed it to their farm stock, thus retaining at 
home the means of perpetuating the fertility of their soil, than so much 
wheat raising; though wheat raising must receive its legitimate atten¬ 
tion. 
Another important item in a preparation for good times, is a much more 
improved system of farming generally. Our grounds must be more care¬ 
fully prepared—more pains taken to procure good seed—and a frequent 
exchange of seed, especially of wheat, will be necessary. Again, we 
need better fixtures and conveniences for feeding our hogs, sheep and 
cattle ; we suffer a very great loss annually by feeding upon the ground, 
as a majority of farmers have been obliged to do. The fattening of hogs, 
especially, without good pens and floors, subjects the farmer to 100 per 
cent, loss in the food, besides he can never make as good pork. And, 
finally, we need good teams, good tools, good men, and a reasonable 
amount of resolution, and then go ahead. 
One thing more, farmers should keep well posted up in respect to the 
markets. They, of all others, should not be caught napping over this 
subject. Our produce dealers are, many of them, we are happy to 
know, honorable men. Others, we are sorry to say, are sharpers, and 
farmers must look out for themselves, fn order to do this every farmer 
should take at least one good agricultural paper, in addition to his other 
