, 1861-05-01
4 WORD TO, THE FARMERS.

Every body cannot, and for the pres
ent should not if he could, go to the wars.
The ranks are nearly iull OF patriotic
young men, and men in middle Ife, and
until third call is made, very few more
soldiers can be enlisted. While, therefore all
should continue on the alert, and whenever
our country calls, hold themselves ready to
go at moments warning, we hope all our
readers will devote themselves assiduously
to their ordinary pursuits Farmers espe-
cially should be unusually active. Plow,
plant and SOW with all your might. The
hundred and sixty-three thousand men al
ready called into the field must all have
provisions. The West has an immense
surplus from last years crop; but the mar
kets Of the country and the foreign demand
will absorb all that and probably as much
more as our prairies can yield with the
most careful and eregetic culture. The
season thus far has been very backward
and every exertion should now be put
forth, that when fall comes our garners
may again be overfowing with abundance.
It is too early to speculate upon the
prospects Of O foreign market, but the pre-
carious condition Of European affairs, rem
ders it more than likely that the present
large export will be continued. The ex-
cellent quality Of last years crop and its
abundance, will encourage foreign dealers
as well as governments to increase their
orders. It is important that we should
always be prepared to fill all foreign
orders for breadstuffs and provisions, so
that the balance of trade may be in our
favor. Itmakes all the difference in the
world whether we receive or are obliged
to pay that balance in coin.
While on the crops we must not forget
to urge our farmers to cultivate the Sorg-
hum extensively. Experience has already
demonstrated that in ordinary seasons the
crop is profitable. Much knowledge and
skill have been gained in the manufacture
Of syrup and now that our supplies Of mo-
lasses and sugar are quite sure 10 be cut
off by the war which the Southern traitors
have forced upon us, it is doubly impor-
tant that our farmers should as far as pos
sible supply the deficiency. That the crop
will prove very profitable there can scarce
! y be doubt. Let everybody, therefore,
who can, cultivate field of Sorghum
Beef and pork must be in large demand
to feed our armies. Victory, if the war be
lcng, will depend not only upon the num-
Der Of men the Government can equip and
bring into the field, but upon its abil-
ity to feed them. Our farmers need
have no fears that the markets Of the coun-
try will not absorb every pound of beef
and pork they can possibly raise. Let the
focks of sheep be carefully fed and pro-
tected, for millions Of pounds Of wool will
be wanted to manufacture into clothes and
blankets for our brave soldiers The
farmer who turns the sod, cult-
Yates the corn, or tends the herd. is
HOW as directly in the line of patriotic
service as the man who shoulders
| the musket- 1t is as much the duty Of the
father and the mother, the younger broth
ers and the Bisters, who remain at home, to
provide amply for the older brothers OF
for their ne1ghbors who have enlisted, as
it is for those brothers and friends to brave
the dangers Of the battlefield to sustain
the Constitution and the laws Of the coun-
try. The home duty is far less attractive,