Saturday morning visitor., 1849-01-27
THE WAY TO MAKE A VIRGINIA
FARM PRODUCTIVE.

FARM PRODUCTIVE.
Mr.. C, now known one of the
most successful farmers of Eastern Vir-
ginia, came into possession OF his fine es-
tate when he was young man, at time
when the property bore quite bad repu-
taiion. The quality of the land was ac
knowlsdged 10 be excellent, and the force
of laboring hands amply sufficient 10 ill
it but somehow the whole of the pro-
duce bad leen eaten up year after year,
and far from yielding the former owner a.
ny considerable income, the estate at the
time OF his decease, was in a somewhat
embarrassed condition. Our young farm
er who, as the reader will not be slow TO
perceive, wa a man Of considerable acute
ness Of mind and great energy of charac-
ter, was satisfied that something " as wrong,
and before commencing operations, like a
gnod general, took deliberate survey of
the field Of his future exertions. 1t soon
became very apparent TO him that under a
lazy, worthless oyerseeer, large part of
the force, which ought 10 have been active
ly employed, was then useless on the farm,
and even those who were tlassed as eff
cent hands, did not do half service. There
was quite an extended sick list, as NAV be
supposed; one was unable to work, be-
cause he had 'slch misery in The Lreas, !
another was a llta lame; auofher he'd
sore; another had run splinter INTO lis
finger and SO through a list of ailments.
G observed, however, that they all
10 man, drew their rations regularly, and
disposed oflhem, too, and he was strongly
inclined to the opinion that in proportion as
men can eat heartily, SO can the work if
they feel disposed 10.
His first step vas TO discharge the over
seer and 10 employ one in whose energy
and probity, according TO tie representa-
lions OF his neighbors, lie could place con-
iidence. Before installing Mr.. Brown,
the new overSeer, in Office, he gave him
distinctly 10 understand that lie expected
always 10 be obeyed in every portieular,
TO the very letter.
III, said Mr.. C, i order You TO
turn the plow into tie wheat field a week
before harvest II is 10 be done. If | or
dery 10 pull up the corn aud wash the
roots after the first plowing, you are 10
have II done without question. am 10
be the loser or gamer by the system prac-
'iced here, and my will is TO be the SUI
preme law. Your duty must be TO carry
my Will into effect, ana this l wish clearly
understood 10y The negroes. II you can
not engage with me on 4 ese terms why
our negotiations are at an end.
Mr.. Brown, making no objections TO the
terms on which lie was TO be employed,
and promising implicit obedience, was .'u-
ly installed in office. The day after he
had entered upon his duties, he was sent
Cor ty Mir. C.
MIR. Brown, said lie, Tomorrow morn
ing al len o'dock, | wish you TO collect to-
getler and have piled up IN The field close
To The garden fence all The old plows, bro
ken hoes and useless farming implements
of every description. At The same time
and place, you viii also have all the hands
sick, lame, blind, superanuated-men,
women and children, assembled
Yes, sir
The neyt day, accordingly, at the desig-
natef time and place, were collected
huge pile of plows, with broken shares,
harrows destitute of teeth, hoes " ilh no.
hing lelet but the handles, axes without
blades, ioolhless rakes, &C., SC. Close
,y were assembled the whole ;orce Of
lands, able 10 move out of the house.
MIR. c. made his appearance in
lue time.
Set fire 10 these things, Mr.. Brown
1t was done at word, and in short
ime heap of smoking ashes and some
fragments of iron were all that remained. .
The negroes seemed soneW hat bewilder-
I'd.
The master continued
'To-morrow morning, Mr.. Brown, at I
en- o'clock, desire you will have bro't I
o thhis place all the oxen, unable to work,
Ill the sick, blind and lame horses-in
short, every animal on the plantation unfit
or service
Yes, SIR was the ready response.
Dismiss the hands and order them 10
'ome up al the same hour tomorrow.
At the appointed time, all the old horses,
ken, cows, sheep, pigs, every unservice-
Ible animal which could be found on the
plantation, were huddled together, in pen
'ear the pile Of ashes above alluded to-
rhe whole army of servants stood By,
-mouthed, to know what they were
lext 10 witness.
The master made his appearance.
KNOCK these useless animals in the
Iead. Mr.. Brown. nghh Nsaaaaa
II was Immediately done. The negroes
rere amazed, as may wen he supposed.
The masier assumed stern aspect, 7