Farmers in the Northwest country usually summer fallow, and many put in alfalfa, which is a good crop for summer fallow and is profitable. Here is what one man’s experience was whose profit is based on 1914 prices for alfalfa:
“In 1913 I sowed sixty acres of non-irrigated land to alfalfa. I cut off of it the first year 11⁄4 tons per acre which I sold at $10 per ton, making $900 gross returns. Besides my hay crop I sowed a field for pasture during the fall, but cannot tell just what it was worth.”
PLAN No. 627. FARMS TOO LARGE
Here is what a woman did in the State of Washington, and the following statement is in her own language. She must have made money on $2 wheat.
“Twelve years ago I started in owing $2,500 on 320 acres. Since then I have purchased two more sections in Lincoln county, Washington, and two sections in Canada and have never had a mortgage on my home place. The money has all come from the ranch in Lincoln County.
“This year I had 85 acres of barley, which yielded 50 bushels per acre, and 640 acres of wheat, which yielded 29 bushels per acre. I sold my barley at $1.20 per hundred and my wheat at $1 per bushel. My 1913 crop was still better, as part of my wheat made 52 bushels.”
PLAN No. 628. LIKES THE WEST
Here is what he did with $3,000:
“I came to the State of Washington twelve years ago from Central Illinois with about $4,500. I purchased 160 acres at $50 per acre, paying $3,000 down. I bought fourteen head of cows at a cost of $700, sowed most of my land to grass, alfalfa, timothy and clover.
“The first five years I practiced dairying and mixed farming, selling the whole milk, hay, small grain and potatoes. I also have a one-acre orchard, which has produced an average of 200 boxes of apples per year, besides what we used. Four years ago I bought 120 acres more, paying $100 an acre. I now have a farm that is worth $30,000 and feel that I have done very well, but no better than any one else can do who will follow mixed farming and give it careful attention. I believe mixed farming will pay anywhere.”