The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-18
Aari1nltnral.
From the Farmer and Planter.
Agriculture.

N' '"'hS anu ieauiHS your
paper, with varied interest, for some time,
and profess myself benefited by the same,
in noticing the plans and experiments of
Others engaged in similar pursuits with
myself, especially by these portions of
agricultural chemistry, which illustrate
philosophically the laws of nature acting
upon soil, the atmosphere, light, and the
plants in their growth and maturity
Here is surely wide range presented for
agricultural thought and investigation.
And whilst all the communications pos
sess-something of interest, yet it is not to
be expected, that the interest of all would
be equal to all.
Diversity must necessarily be the ruling
character of all papers-much more so of
one of an agricultural character. We are
aware that there are opponents to, and de-
preciators Of agricultural productions, O,
"book-farming," as some choose to call it,
as we'll as eXtravagant and servile follow
ers of such regulators of planting and
farming pursuits. Both parties l regard
as occupying extreme positions, and con-
sequently fall into occasional error and
disappointment. There exists a corrective
for all this, by taking a middle course, in
reading and using these productions, as
whole or in part, with proper discrhni-
nation and Judgment guided by careful
observation and experience. In them We
are furnished with the plan of manage
ment, based upon assumed theoretical
principles; the experiments of individuals,
with such suggestions as their judgment
dictate; and statistical tables of one and
others, on all the different branches an
pertaining to general agriculture AS n
matter OF course, some of the operators
live III the low-comtry, some in the mid
die and some in the up-country and near
the mountains. Again, some in the East,
in the North, in the West and in the
South. Now upon the whole, all these
must be regarded as only Indicating gene
raj principles, the different branches of
husbandry by their labors. Some ofthcse
approach standard of perfection, and
stand the test of time and change of cir
cumstanceS. Others arc found capable of
further development. The North cannot
develop complete system for the South,
nor the South for the North. Neither can
the low-country for the mountain regions.
And why not: Because, the diversity of
soil, of climate, of seasons, of the staple
plants, DC, creates local agriculture, and
render change necessary in the details
OF the modes Of operation. Indeed, after
the Agriculturst, be he n planter or far
mer, or mixer of operations, has obtain
cd for himself code of principles, from
comparative husbandry and chemical ana
lysis, he is only then well prepared to
study his own locality, and adopt and per-
feet system Of operations, to suit his own
premises and peculiar branches of arri-
culture. For the want Of discrimination
of this sort, men sometimes adopt every
idea they sec advanced, with too much
confidence, and thus meet with results. in
view of their credulity, which subjects
them to ridicule. see that some of your
contributors prefer to deal in generalities,
and Others delight to descend to things in
particular. This seems to be all right;
they will prove beneficial to each other:
and only keep a sufficient number on each
side to balance the preponderancc. Then
with an occasional real "Broomsed1en
broom to sweep over and out, the kinds
OF hasty communications, we shall have
fair sailings, and enjoy true farmers
"otiue cum dignitate."