The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-08-25
AGRICULTURAL.
For The HcSfcrn DcmOcrdt.

For The HcStcTH DCNOcTUt-
Mr. EDITOR: I again presume to trouble
you with my notions of matters and things
in regard to- agricultural pursuits. Since
have arrived to years of maturity and OBJ
servatinn, | perceive there is nothing so
characteristic of thrifty and successful
farmor. good gear and good plowS; L
mean both stocks and moulds. There is
nothing that kills out horses and mules
sooner than old knotty gear, rope brides,
grape vine lines, bad fitting collars, &c.
Nothing is So iTksome and labOrious, or so
detrimental to longevity in the human, as
IN unwieldly, unshapely, heavy, and mean
running plow. man that uses such gear
and topls, invariably has grassy crops,
poor, sore shoulder, sore back horses, and
the hair all shaved of; in fact in pillow time
they are literally skinned. ! am satisfied
that nothing will develop latent disease
quicker in an animal, than rough treatment.
Now in addition to this destructive policy,
it is downright cruelty, and cruelty to
either mule or horse, or any dumb brute
we could not get along without them at all.
l think that any man can ihavc good
harness and good tools to work with if he
desires them, and if he would consult his
own interest, and the ease and comfort of
] is hands and horses, he would have them.
a hand can do as much again, and better
work, and with greater ease to himself and
beast, if he is properly equipped. | insist,
then, that a liberal but judicious outlay of
money in the way of good farming utensils,
is good and wise economy.
The simplest, best and cheapest horse
collars that have ever seen, j saw on the
farm of Mr. Hugh Peoples, of Providence,
this spring; they are cut aud made Just as a
leather collar, and stuffed with dirty cotton;
coarse cotton cloth being used instead of
leather. Any person wanting the pattern
can get it by calling on Mr. +. who will
take pleasure in giving any instruction as
to the cutting and making of them, &c.
/ know that some close fi>tcd heartesS,
undiScerning persons will say that all this
ado about good gearing, plows. &c, is all
moonshine, and that they can produce just
rs much corn, cotton, &C., with any sort
of an excuse in the way of harness and
plows, rs one ever so we'll rugged off; but
perhaps they will admit that they could do
it easier if they were better fixed. Now
if they can prove that mechanic can do
fine work with Indifferent tools. and AS
much of it, and that darkness is a better
medium of vision than light. aud that cold
IS attributable to the presence of caluric;
or that the great toe of the human system
Is the nucleus of the venous and arterial
circulation; or that the laws of gravity at
tracts heavy bodies towards the clouds, |
say then perhaps, they may be able to
prove the other. l never could believe
that this knock down and drag out sort of
farming ever paid, and it pays worse in a
grain than in cotton country: Of this fact
i am fully convinced from personal obser-
walton.
would here remark that am prepared
TO furnish any number of shovel pillow stocks,
put up in 4 neat. durable and workmanlike
manner and handsomely painted, together
with names. &c. Or will give any per-
Son a pattern for a name that will never
hurt or draft for a shovel pillow stock
that runs delightful, and never chokes.
AS there is as much skill in working a crop
10 advantage as there is treating disease
OF the human system, | may in future at
tempt to throw out few hints and sugges-
tions as to the easiest, speediest and best
way to cultivate crop in general: we can
not follow any regular routine 81 working
successfully; but just as the physici pre-
scribes for a disease, we must meet the in
dications as they are presented to US in
the farming operation. III. NJ. J.