Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-04-23
A~oritulturaE
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.

AG RICULTURAL INTERESTS.
We have occasionally alluded to the
change which agricultural industry is
destined to undergo in consequence of the
competition in staple products, induced
by the construction Of railroads and ca
nails We presume no one will under
stand US to argue that the whole system
of agriculture, and the kind of crops
which are to be cultivated, are to under
go radical change under these new cir
cumstances. Grass will continue to be,
as it has been, the great crop of the ma
jority of the farmers, and next to it
wheat, corn and potatoes. But in the
culture of these, even, more skill, more
sense, and more thorough farming must
be applied than has been usual, to insure
successful results.
The sustenance of his family will al
ways be the first object of the farmer,
aud this will require a considerable por-
ton Of the produce of his farm For
this purpose the same crops will be re-
quired as heretofore, but they must be
raised at less expense. The perfection
of good and profitable husbandry will
not be reached till the farm has become
like a garden Those who cultivate
highest, and do it iudiciously, always
meet the most profitable returns. 1t is
by high culture tina; the lands in the
vicinity of cities and large towns are
Iaade to pay an annual rent frequently
amounting to more than the whole value
Of similar land in other situations.
The frstaim Of the farmer, then, should
be to avail himselfof the aid of improved
implements improved mode of culture,
and of the best means for the increase Of
his manure. And, fortunately, while
railroads and canals bring the product Of
distant lands in competition with his
own, they afford him facilities for bring
ing fertilizing materials from distance,
and for transporting to market eommodi-
ties which before would not pay the ex-
pensa, and thus practically give him the
Advantage of a near location TO a popu-
lous mart.
While, therefore, large portion Of
most farms must continue to, be devoted
to the same products they heretofore have
been, we have no doubt that the surplus,
over the necessary consumption of the
family, that portion on which the farmer
relies for sale in the market, must under
20 a considerable change. Butter, veal,
mutton, beef, &c, of quality such as
viii take the first price in the market,
must be substituted for such as bring but
little morc than half as much as the best
would, The various choice fruits, and
delicacies in the way Of vegetables, for
the local markets, and for the cities, in
localities where they can be sent by rail-
roads, mast take the place of corn and
pork. The farmer who gets twenty five
or thirty cents n pound for his butter, the
year round, on account of its fine quality,
is surely doing better than he who, gets
hut fifteen or sixteen, and he who makes
his calf bring him moro at six or eight
weeks of age than his neighbor does at
n year, is surely the wiser man Of the
two. A judicious selection in the object
of production, and the means by which
they can be produced at the least expense,
must become the care of the farmers. II
they attend to these as they may, they
will still prosper more than they have
ever done in time past. To this, our
aim, their efforts should be directed, and
all should cooperate together in bringing
about So desirable n result - N,tinn,,j
Eceaiag Argas,