Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-08-22
RUTLAND HERALD
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1867.
The Facilities for Agriculture i'm the
south.

At the 39th Sessiou of Congress, pro-
vision was made by 4 joint resolution
for the relief of the destitute OF the
South and Southwestern States, by the
distribution of seed for planting. An
agent was commissioned by the Agricul-
tural Department, to proceed to the
Southern States and maxi observations
OF the needs OF the people, IN preparing
for the coming season. Theodore q.
Peters OF New York, former President
OF the New York State Agricultural
Society, received the appointment, ana
the report he makes gives us view OF
the facilities pos, essed by the Southern
Agriculturlst for the proper and re-
munerative cultivation of the soil.
The mass OF our people at the North
have limited knowledge OF its agricul-
tural resources, Europeans do not
comprehend the vast field offered TO the
emisrant for a future home. While the
institution OF slavery existed that section
OF our country was sealed TO enterprise
and industry, and with its disappearance
there is field opened for profitable
employment TO million OF laoorlnS
people and it would seem from the
reports that are made OF the opportunl'
ties that are offered, that the general
government should make provision for
broad system of emigration. The effective
labor OF the South has been reduced TO
one fourth what it was before the war
A large amount OF land already cleared
and fenced, which cannot be cultivated
and is fast going 10 waste, is opened to
enterprising and industrious labor.
The variety of climate, soil and pro-
duction of the Southern plantations are
understood but by few, including as
they do the temperate and torrld zones.
All the cereals which are grown at the
north can be grown there as well, while
the tropical fruits abound In addition.
Beside, cotton Is grown everywhere; on
the same farm may be seen cotton, corn,
wheat, oats, rye, red clover-all looking
equally well. 1t is mistaken idea that
d northern man or foreigner cannot en-
Joy health at the South, as a general
rule; and when these facts are fully I'M
derstood, emigration must flow in that
direction and In time it will TEEN with
q thrifty and industrious population.
1t is 5 grave mistake to think that
hay cannot be produced at the South.
Nearly all the grasses that flourish at
the North, if properly cultivated, will do
equally well. 1t only needs intelligent
enterprise to thoroughly cultivate the
barren wastes, and where now are
unsightly fields there would be smiling
homesteads. There can be no doubt
from the observations which have been
made by the agents that a rigid
system OF high farming would become
profitable. BY proper rotation ofcroPs
and s free use of fertilizers In favorable
years, s bale of cotton per acre could be
prOuuCeC even on the poor pine IanuS
Of the Csrolinss and Georgia. Unless
skillful cultivators emigrate, millions Of
acres will remain waste for they have
not the labor even TO carry on their
former system Of wasteful and improvi-
dent farming. 1t is well for Us st the
North to give attention to the condition
OF Southern agriculture rs reported by
intelligent gentlemen who have made
investigations 10 reference to it; hence
the information which the present ar.
ticle endeavors TO place before our peo-
pie for their consideration, that the err
roneous opinions now entertained in ref
erence to farming at the South may be
corrected.