Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-07-09
WHAT DO FARMERS NEED.

The Agricultural interest is the most important
and most universally diffused at the South. But
since thefreshness and the exuberant vigor OF the
soil has become somewhat exhausted, there is an
evident langour in agricultural enterprise, and a
casting about for other sources Of profit and more
lucrative employments. Men shrink from invest
ing capital in business, at present esteemed pre-
carious and Improbable, while, at the same time,
they are afraid to venture into the untred field of
manufactures. From these causes, the capital of
the country is seeking investment in bank Stock
and the young men of energy are rushing into pro-
fessions or seeking in the of speculation the
dazzling bubble of fortune. They do not stop
to consider, that such condition of things cannot
long continue--that agriculture must form the
basis of all real wealth. since it alone can furnish
the comforts and necessities of life which are
wealth. But scorned and neglected it must droop
in langour, while every other business dependent
on this, is inevitably paralyzed and stagnated.
1t is capital and economy that the farmers need.
The idea Of working hundreds of acres of poor
land without the means of improving and enrich
ing it, is contrary to all the principles of sound
economy. Many ofour farmers with land enough
to create them Barons and Lords, were they in
Europe, cannot command money enough to meet
the common necessities of life, to say nothing of
improving the productiveness of the soil. Wereit
not for the gradual rise in the value of land such
suicidal policy would make them nation Of bank
rupts. This with the increase Of slaves, keeps up
the farmers of the South, for they have never
learned to make farming per Sc profitable. Their
policy is exactly that of the specuator, who
would invest large sum in the purchase of min
eral spring, and tLen from false idens of economy,
refuse to expend upon it, that amount necessary
to make it place of fashionable resort. 1t is a
dead weight upon his hands.
Yes, it is capital that the farmer needs, and wise
system oflegslaton would labor to turn as much of
the element as possible into this channel, without
holding out inducements to speculation, and a
course ofpolcy directly antipodal to the economical
nerests of the State by the chartering Of private
banks To deyelope our agricultural and manu-
featuring resources is the only method of pre-
venting scarcity in provisions and stagnation in
business. But it is impossible to do this without
first Withdrawing the funds invested in specula-
tiops, for there is no employment which requires
such large amount of capital for successful prose-
cution as the proper culture of the soil. In regard
to manufacturing, false idea is prevalent, name
ly, that there is something conflicting between it
and agriculture. These two employments are
mutually dependant on each other, and there is
no reason why they should not exist harmonious
ly in close proximity. 1t will Of course require
surplus of labor before both can be prosecuted to
any great length. But it is agreeable to common
sense, as well as good economy, to save the cost
of transportation, commissioners wages and va
rious incidental expenses, by manufacturing amid ,
the farmers, sufficient amount to supply their |
wants, and to make the entire community indepen- /
lent of the aid of those at distance. We hope
o see the day, when more attention, and far more
;apital, Wil be brought to the development Of our