The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-05-20
agricultural,
Words for the Season.

The agricultural campaign of 1864 opens un-
der some disadvantages. Labor is scarce and
high. About half million of farm laborcrs
have gone to the army. In this the agricultu-
raj class has exhibited most creditable patri-
otism. In some sections, especially Of thor
ough- going Union localities, nearly oil the far
mcrs' sons Of suitable age have enlisted.
The loss of this immense laborins force Is ap-
parent when the fact is given that 1t Is equiva-
lent to about 500, 900 900 bushels Of corn per
annum for single man can tend 25 acres on
the average Of the country, though 30 is the as
signment to each laborcr on the prairies.
This diminution Of labor is in part supplied
by contrabands and emisrarts, and largely by
the greatly increased application of machinery.
It is true that corn is still cultivated without
much increased advantage from this source |;
but its application to other productions has sup
piled the deficiency Of many laborcrs. It.,
therefore, would well become the farmers to
consider II patriotic duty to bring oil the force
possible into the field. This patriotism is rem
dered especially agreeable from the fact that
better prospect for profit never was presented
to the "kings Of the soil" We would suggest
that the sturdy daughters Of the farmers would
lose no caste or health by contributing what
they can to farm labor during the coming sea-
son. We also suggest that those sons who are
at the academy or college be called home TIL AZ
ter harvest at least They need not dislike to
lose the half year in their regular course, be-
cause the health of half of them absolutely re.
quires it, and they would live ten years longer
for II and also let 1t be remembered that most
of them are under twenty years of age, and any
time this side of twenty-eight is carly enough
to completso ones education.
The best period for study is between twenty
FIVE and thirty-dve years Of age. In full CON-
pcnsa,ion for the high price of labor arc the ex-
traordinary prices Of most productions. Corn,
oats and potatoes have commanded more than
double the usual rates, and all kinds OF stock
bring prices hitherto unknown. The farmer
cannot miss in planting anything for which his
soil is best adapted. White beans are profitable,
and there is a plenty Of land that will yield
more Of this than of any other crop. Onions
arc much needed in the army. Hay commands
an enormous price, though in view of the prob
able speedy close of the rebellion, we would not
recommend an increase Of meadows. Sorghum
yields net profit per acre Of frcm $50 to 500.
The close of the war Some farmers may ex
claim. Will not that event bring general col.
lapse Of prices, and our productions at high
cost be drug in the market at any price
Have no fear on that score. What II the war
close on the 9TH OF July, The next excitement
will be the rush Of business and speculation to
the South, and in consequence Of the speedy up
lining Of all departments ofbusincss and indus
try over 80 vast an extent Of hitherto neglected
and slavery -curscd country, the price Of oil ag-
ricultural productions will continue good for
fye years at least.
Cotton and sugar viii occupy the attention
OF the farmers until II shall cease to be more
profitable than wheat, corn and stock. There
need be no fear. therefore. about prices for half
q decade to como. so, we say TO the young and
old, male and female, plow early, plow late,
plow deep, and produce "somo thirty, some
sixty, and some an hundred fold" Agricul-
ture Is at the bottom of all business, and the
condition Of the country amer the war viii de-
pend chiefly upon the farmers.
William Beck. n farmer and mechanic vho,itis
claimed. "has made observations the last twenty
years." says in the Boston Cultivator: T" Most
kinds Of timber cut and sawed in the months OF
January, February. March. September and Dc.
toeer. are more durable than when cut at any
other season Of the year. Walnut. ifcut in
June, will not become worm-eaten. There Is .
difference in the sams species oftrces; those that
grow on high. stony land are more durable and
harder than thoss that grow on low lands. - (