The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-03-23
THE TRUE SYSTEM OF FARMING.


Trying to do too much, is a common error
into which the farmer often falls. His great
eagerness in striving to be rich, is doubtless
the cause Of his error. He is ambitious and
energetic, and forms his plans on a large
sca!e, too cften, perhaps, without counting
the cost. He buys iarge farm and wants
to be called large farmer" without un-
derstandng or considering the true elements
that constitute real farmer. He fancies The
greatness Of that profession, as is too often
the common estimate, to be in proportion to
the number OF acres, not to say cultivated,
but embraced within the boundaries of his
domain. The fact is now being spread
abroad. that a large farm does not make a
man either rich, contented, or happy, but ON
the contrary, the reverse Of all these, unless
well TILED, when his labor j. rewarded by
ample crops and fair success in the various
departments in which he is engaged. No
farmer can realize the full benefits of his pro-
fession without adopting thorough system
OF culture. His success, commensurate to
his wishes, always depends upon the manner
IN which he prepares his grounds, plants his
seed, and rears his stock. Neither Of these
departments-which may be considered the
cardinal ones Of his PROFESSIONALISM take
care Of themselves. The soil NAV be rich,
but it needs culture. His seed may be sown.
but il should be in due time, and always on
soil well prepared and Of suitable quality
for the production Of the crop desired. His
stock must be constantly cared fort de-
riycs its thrift from the soil, and sends again
to that soil the sustenance il requires but
this is not done in loose or hazard way.
The farmers care is required, and all his
better judgment must be exercised in keep
ing up this system Of reciprocal benefits that
may be realized BY every intelligent and in
Jusirious farmer.
Thorough cultivation and systematic at
tention to all parts Of his business is indis-
pensabe to good degree Of success. The
very corner stone TO this whole system Of
farming, is TO do hat you do thoroughly na-
ture will not be cheated, and never gives laii
returns to the halfway work that is prac-
ticrd BY vastly too many calling themselves
farmers. II the land has been worn, the ex-
tent Of that exhaustion and the food required,
must be first considered. When ascertain
ed, the full measure Of these requirements
must be given to bring ont tull returns. II
the farmer has nut small stock, aud conse.
quenily but small amount Of manure 10 re-
plenish his land, il is obvious that but small
farm can be supplied with il and good judy
ment AZ once dictates that 10 cultivate prop
erly large farm, artificial fertilizers must
be used il good crops are obtained. And 50
with the labor; two men cannot suitably till
one hundred acres Of land, when the labor of
two men. and perhaps four, might be profita.
bly employed on seyenty.fye acres.
This is the great error in farming. Two
men strive 10 dn what four can hardly do,
and thus thousands of tcres are run over, halt
titled, and producing half crops. The land
" run over ill worn our, sustaining, year az.
ter year, the unnatural tar, till its energies
are entirely exhausted, and il fails TO yield
even feeble crop, because lis life j. worn
out. Much uf the soil IN n. C., and other
Southern States, is type Of this. Thousands
of acres are lying entirely useless and ex-
haus,ed, aud will ever remain 50. ill the
first elements Of ITS power are returned to il.
This proee" Is fast going on IN maus ol the
Ufsfem .Ndfts. The soil IS treated like an
inexhaustiblc mine; the tillrrs CRYING, give,
give. give! til. 10 lew years, il will ,e
nothing 20 give. The boast Of the West is,
large larms and large fields nt grain plnw,
saw, snd reap. is the business Of the western
farmers, drawing out the very life Of the soil.
sending away IN the heavy exports that ate
constantly gUing onward, without returning
to the soil the food il requires 70 make il
productive.
The light that is being spread abroad on
this subject, Is beginning TO correct this prac-
tiee 10 some extent. but IN most instances
very little j. returned TO the soil to keep il
alive, till. after several years of continual
cropping. Il manilests signs of exhaustion.
and ultimate bartenness. When tillers Of the
soil understand tueir true interests, they will
cultivate no more land than they can 10 well.
Fifty acres of land Tor tillage. brought to
high state of cultivation, pay better than one
hundred run over in the way that many do.
JsftrWa Farmer.