Bits of David Rankin’s philosophy 

Implements that reduce labor and perform the work better than your current method are a wise investment. Rankin was an early adopter of Cyrus McCormick’s reaper and JI Case’s thresher, and he knew both inventors personally. 

He preferred to “sell his corn on the hoof” by employing animal husbandry to convert his crop into an even higher value product. 

The hog is a gift of heaven to the American farmer.” Three of them for every head of cattle can feed on what the cattle leave behind after gleaning a field, and they’ll even scatter the manure in the process. 

“One day in the field at the right time is worth a month at the wrong time.” Keep your workers, equipment and supplies in great order.  

“To have cheap teams, cheap machinery and cheap men is to save at the spigot and waste at the bunghole.” Cutting corners to save money is like pouring water in a leaky bucket. 

“Never sell the farm.” The supply of good soil is limited. Invest in good land and take care of the soil you’ve got.