The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1860-09-22
AGRICULTURAL.
Hints on Farm Economy.

in introducing my views on practical ag'ieuI-
ture, ] will first give few hints on farm cc"nomy
Tor think there can be- great Improvements mad"
in this department. Economy does not consist
with the least outlay Of capital, or mere saving
disposition, but it requires wide and far r"armnr
views and generous and self reliant spirit to de-
eide practical questions in such manner as to So
cure the greatest measure Of Success. Ono may
be very economical in expanding much labor and
money in practical agricultural pursuits, such n
draining fencing, manuring, etc, which too of
ten neglected,
Above all things we should not cultiyat" morr
land than W. can thoroughly. The agricultural
readers of LIFE ILLUSTRATED will admit that Il
small farm well cultivated is far better to the
owner than large one half tiled. The fumcr
who a large farm will often complain
that his crops are a failure, while he VIII" cult
Yates thoroughly what h. pretcnds TO cultivate NJ
all, will get better returns from his few acres than
the other iors from his many. and will have more
time to exterminate the noNious weeds, such rs
Canada thistes, etc, which inf st thu very best of
farms know this to be- thu case from personal
observation and practical 'Sp'ri, nee
True economy is not to uvuid labor, I'M, 10 m,kr
labor pay well in all It's branches; and verify be-
leve that nothing is better established that the
productivencss Of the labor Of making and saving
manure, especially in this section, where the
soil is not 50 productive as some Of the Western
States
Straw can be applied to old meadows profitaby
by scattering it thin over the ground early in the
spring, rs il is very beneficial to grass, but for
grain think it is very injurious, especially when
the land is subject to drouth.
For corn should prefer pondrette as a frrtil-
zer, handful to be applied to each bill at the
time Of planting Some use plaster and ashes
mixed with manure that contains large amount
of ammonia, or nitrogen.
1t is most profitable TO keep only the very best
of stock, which every farmer can afford to do. 1t
costs in this vicinity at least $50 TO keeps horse
well through the year. and AS much to keep span
Of well formed, active, and powerful horses, even
should they cost $500, than pair Of poor old
broken down ones, event they could be obtained
for nothing and it is just the same with cattlo and
all other animals without any exceptions.
We should always be very sure to secure the
very best and most perfect animals that the coun-
try affords, to rear from, and be not content in
breeding fair good specimen, but in every
case breed the very best. Every farmer will
grant this to be true economy in the matter of
raising stock. There is no farmer who could not
avail himself of the best stock by alitc prudence
and perseverance. Whatever we do in rural affairs
MS well as anything else let us do it to perfection;
and in no department of human affairs should we
strive for perfection than in that Of agricul-
ture. There is such thing as perfection in every
branch of agriculture, and should not stop till
this great point has been reached, or as nearly So
as possible
We believe that the thorough study of this
whole subject together with the principle ofdoing
well whatever is done at all, will ultimately lead
to most perfect system agriculture. Let every
farmer test this important rule, and make the re-.
suit. Improvement should always be our aim
nd ] believe there are hundreds Of sources of
profit in the province Of farm economy which now
lie neglected and which it is proper for us to dis
cover and sccure.-Life Illustrated.