The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-10-24
Small Farms.

Some little has been done during the pres
ent year to encourage the small-farming
system in the State, and the success which
has attended its introduction in different
localities will, it is hoped, stimulate those
who are already disposed in its favor, and
convert those who, from constitutional in
trinity, remain it's persistent opponents.
There is no reason why South Carolina
should not become great agricultural
State The fertility of the soil, the salu
brity of the climate, the facilities of rail-
road communication, all point in that direc-
tion. But it cannot be accomplished while
the plan of farming in vogue before the
coming of emancipation and reconstruction
is generally adhered to. Then the occa-
sional raucity of the direct crop was made
up by the increase in the laboring capital,
while in the low country the richness OF
the land and the value of the produce made
the planter Indifferent to the small econo'
mics of life. It seemed useless to conine
ones operations to an hundred acres when
the tract contained one thousand. There
was scarcely any limit to the area of land
occasionally in cultivation, and little or no
pains was taken to ascertain whether
smaller area would not have returned q
.J,n-ar 1;a1d nor acrp
Now, however, circumstances compel US
ito turn over new leaf. The only profit
to be derived from planting and farming is
the proceeds of the crops. Every laborer
is paid day by day for his work, and it is
of the highest Importance that no more
labor than is necessary be employed, and
that the work of each laborer be turned to
the best account. This is most surely attain
ed by cultivating small tracts, and cultivating
them thoroughly. In the days before the
war the ploughing, in many parts Of the
South, was nothing more than scratching
the soil-Dame Nature did the rest. Now:
We want thorough draining, deep plough
ing and plentiful manuring. Nothing
should be allowed to 60 to waste. There is
no farm so small that it cannot have vege-
tables, milk, butter, poultry and fruit. The
large farms can have, in addition, cattle
and sheep. There are thousands of acres
in the State which are fit for pasturing and
grazing, and yet our beef cattle are brought
from the Western States. No country can
make finer butter or cheese, and yet we
still depend on the butter and cheese of the
North. In truth, we were accustomed TO
RELY on the indomitable Yankee for well
nigh all we wanted, and looked to him to
supply with equs! readiness any article OF
necessity, from q cradle to locomotive.
The remedy for much of this dependence,
the wsy to achieve greater independence
than we ever had before, is the adoption OF
the small-farming system.
At this time there are but few model
farms in the South. Many people are
awaiting the result Of experiments, without
understanding that there can be no loss in
any system which developes the capabilities
of the soil which they own, and will pro-
vide within the year for all the actual wants
of themselves and their families. There is
no reason in their conduct but they are the
men of the old dispensation, and the new
lights seem to them senseless innovation.
Only the gospel of success will drive them
from their ancient stronghold.
Whatever our political destiny, we shall
still have cause for congratulation if the re-
suits of the war induce our people to be
thrifty and provident, aud TO change aloose
system of farming for one that may be made
both profitable and scientific. The Bona
Dea of the harvests smiles upon US; but her
fayors are not for the weak and careless
but those who do her homage with wise and
understanding toll.