The dry atmosphere, combined with the absence of heavy dews, and the generally favorable climate, make the Big Bend a natural poultry country. Disease is kept down to a minimum and the fowls themselves thrive. The high price for eggs in this market makes the returns unusually attractive. Turkeys, always difficult of successful raising, seem to be in their natural climate in the Big Bend, and those who are now in the business claim that the country will become famous for its annual shipments of the great American bird.
Figure out the amount for yourself, and, if you live in the city, figure what net profits your business paid last year, then deduct from that the cost of food and clothes, rents, pleasure trips, amusements, etc., and you will be surprised at what you have left. But remember Mr. Farmer’s net profit is above his living, which is the very best.
PLAN No. 776. FARMER LIVES NEAR COLLEGE
Many farmers in the West will not trouble themselves with stock, but this man shows how expensive an idea this is.
This farmer living near Pullman, Washington, has demonstrated that dairying pays in the Palouse country. He owns 240 acres of land two and one half miles from town that he values, with improvements, at $100 an acre. Because of the size of his farm he raises quantities of wheat and other products for the market, but his main income is from butter. He makes this on the farm and sells it to the consumers at an average price the year around between 35 and 40 cents a pound.
“Much of my land is in grass and alfalfa,” he says. “We market two nice bunches of hogs each year, raised on the skimmed milk from the dairy. Half as many heifers as we have cows are matured every year and added to the herd to take the place of the cows sold. Veal and poultry and eggs all bring in money. I raise thirty acres of corn a year for the silos. This land is then sown to fall wheat. Rearing the family, near the splendid schools of Pullman, and with the state college in sight, has a lot to do with the satisfaction we get out of life.”
PLAN No. 777. CUT-OVER LAND FARMER
This farmer purchased a farm ten years ago near Newport, the county seat of Pend Oreille County, Washington. He bought 268 acres at $23 an acre.
The farm is on the bench land where the soil is a sandy loam, particularly suited for growing vegetables and grass crops.
Here is what he says: