The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1845-08-08
.UEs.fL ECO.sU.uy.
From he Sonthetn Pian,ec.
ECONOMY

Perhaps the most marked trait in the
character OF the Southern Farmer is the
want OF economy. Many reasons have
been assigned for the depressed state Of
agriculture in the South. That our coun-
try enjoys the most unrlyaled advantages
for the prosecution Of agricultural pursuits,
is undeniod, and ua3eaaL!e ina, the i'm.
proyements in this art have not kept even
pace with other departments Of science, is
universally admitted. The inquinng mind,
which seeks for reasons for every fact, has
been engaged in the explanation Of this
phenomenon. Some have declared that
the light Of science was wanting to the
pursuit Of agriculture; Some have altribu-
led the stationary character Of this pursuit
10 the existence OF a slave population, &c.
= That the science Of agriculture is 10 its
nature one Of the most complex and nlri
cate, litlle consideration must satisfy the
most careless observer; aud the fact that
a season is required h test an experiment,
proves that experience, which IS tho foun.
dalton of true knowledge, is more difficult
Of attainment in tins than 10 any other ar'.
But thisls true Of agriculture every where,
and only accounts for the retarded pro-
gress Of the art when considered IN re.
lation 10 the world generally. Il has been
asserted, however, that the southern part
Of the United States, the portion Of the
whole globe perhaps best adapted 10 TIE
pursuit Of agriculture, Improvement lan.
guishes most. Whilst We are not prcpar.
ed 10 admit ibis charge 10 its fullest ex.
tent, we viii confess tia, agricultural in.
provemeais encounter peculiar difficulties
in their progress through tho Southern
States not, Us some imagine, for want ct
knowledge Of the scientific discoveries III
agriculture lot they, We b lIcye, ~ ,tusl,
are very few, and are as wei known to tic
enlightened farmers Of The South as to uuy
other portion Of tbs Union. Bl, tho fact
is, that amongst the highly favored, veal.
thy farmers Of tic South, a state Of faaa.
eaI embarrassment prevails, that Offers an
in,upesable bar 10 The agricultural improve.
meu,. Il is no. Uncommon to Gad South.
srn farmer with real estate AMI negroes
worth fifty Thousand dollars, sadly cmbar-
raised with deb, Of lwcuty thousand.
OR No..hesa friends 81. wonder how o
man with fifty Thousand dollars worth Of
property can be seriously embarrassed
with a dob, Of tsenty ,houeanl, bat q
southcrn man vii readily understand ihs
feelings and sentiments which make il s.
Gis,asle(Jl to part With tia! peculiar k,uI
olproperiy IN hich large portion Of ou'
funds IS vested. But unless ha sells s..
slaves, tie farmer cannot part with Ct
acre Of his ground, Which IS, "a his opin
ion, hardly sufficient to sce? them employ
81. Thus il is, HAT tie debt - not oaly
retained, IN, perhaps fsam .hc same cause
from which il oUg.aatcd, !, IS increased
and 70 provide f9r the interest alone alb
serbs al The funds AID much II the 'rn,c
Of the lmpfulJonl farmer. /, were boot
less to look 10 lhisstatc Of things II coull
perhaps be raced to the fac, Of expensive
habits derived from a wealthy ancestry
Wills, the enormous profits that jusutea
them 10 former years, has altogether
ceased 10 later times for whilst there !.
no difficulty IN expanding Your expenses ir
prosperity, the contraction IN adversely Is
moi quite 20 easy. BE tbu, ~ il may, the
fac, Of Q very geaersl pccpuiary cm5af