The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1868-03-26
AGRICULTURAL.
From the Southern Cultivator.
PLANTING-FARMING-PLoW
AND PLOwS.


AND ,PLowS.
EDITORS SOUTHERN CULTIvAToR :
The agricultural interest of the South
is SO much unhinged by the emanci-
patton of the slaves, it will take some
wears for it to settle down to a regu-
lar system again. But whilst this
uncertainty lasts, must this great
interest Of the South continue to de-
cay? We may not. Let US resort to
what seems to be our only chance,
and that is, to abandon the large
planting system, and adopt farming.
The experience of the last two years,
has shown conclusively that Cotton
and Rice planting have been ruinous
undertakings to those planters. Why
then, persist in it, when we see that
the negroes as laborers are still un-
settled and unreliable, and the chances
of making crops with them are no
brighter ? Itseems, under the circum-
stances, but the part of wisdom to
abandon the large planting system
and adopt the farming one. Let US
now discuss the policy of so doing
Which is best, to make large cotton
crops, no provisions and have to take
the proceeds of the cotton crop to
buy provisions with, and pay your
laborers and other expenses, leaving
you no income, but in debt; OF to
cultivate a farm raising your proyis:
ions, stock and other necessaries, and
planting only sufficicncy iof cotton
- defray farm and household expen-
scs? Let US go further, and say, that
na5money is cleared even by farming,
but expenses paid by the cotton crop,
and the difference in favor of farming
will be at least this: you have raised
Your provisions, and are gamer that
much-having made your supplies
when, by large cotton crops, you have
no provisions, and have to borrow
money to procure food and necessa-
ries to carry on the plantation anoth-
tr year. 1t is very-clear, under the
llost simple reasoning, that the farm
system possesses all the; advantages
over the planting. Again, the labor
rrs are few, in comparison with plant.
irg, less liable to decentralization, and
easier managed. The contrast is
striking, if we but compare the stu.
alton of the farmers of upper Georgia
with the planters of lower Georgia
Admit that all are penniless, but the
farmers in the up-countries have an
abundance of provisions, stock of all
kinds around them, and they are liv.
ing in apparent comfort and ease;
whilst with the planters, provisions
are scarce stock scarce, dplantations
show signs of neglect and decay. Let
us take another view of this subject
Who does the cotton that is made,
hene6t? 1t does not benefit the plant,
CT, the freedman or the South; fol
the cotton goes North to the manufac'
turer, and he reaps the benefits from
the fabrics made out of it; and the
proceeds from the cotton by first sales
goes to the Northwestern farmer, fol
his corn and meat, furnished to make
it, and the balance to the merchants
in the way of commissions andsupplie:
furnished.
We see, therefore, that the producer
makes nothing for himself; but il
enriching the very men who robbed
him Of his laborers, and placed hin
in this dreadful and impoverisheG
situation. If my reasoning is correc
the remedy should suggest itself t.
our planters. And before concluding
I will make few remarks to my
brother farmers of Northern Georgia
We possess a fine country for agri
cultural purposes-having a rich soil
,apabie of producing a variety o
'rops, such as grow in Northern eli
lates, as we'll as the more Southern
id as pure bracing climate as mar
led work in. What we need, is, t.
lprove our system of agriculture
d keep up with the latest improve
ents. Procure good plows and us'
..em to advantage, learn how the sol