The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-01-01
The True System of Farming.

ScfneSS Ill STRIVING 10 Dc rlcn is,
doubtless, the cause Of his error.
He is ambitious and energetic,
and forms his plans on u large
scale, too often. perhaps, without
counting the cost. He buys Il
large farm and wants to be called
a sslarge farmer" without under
standing or considering the true
elements that constitute real
farmer. He fancies the greatness
of that profession, as is too often
the common estimate, to be in
proportion to the number Of acres,
not to say cultivated, embraced
within the boundaries of his do
main. The fact is now being
spread abroad, that a large farm
does not make a man either, rich
contented or happy, but on the
contrary, the reverse Of all these,
unless we'll titled, when his labor
is rewarded by ample crops and
fair success in the various depart
ments in which he is engaged.-
No farmer can realize the full
benefits OF his profession without
adopting thorough system of
culture. His success, commensu-
rate to his wishes, always de-
pends upon the manner in which
he prepares his grounds, plants
bis seed, and rears his stock
Neither Of these departments,
which may be considered the car
dinal ones Of his profession, will
take care of themselves. The
soil may be rich, but it needs cul-
ture. His seed may be sown, but
it should be in due time, and al
ways on soil well prepared, and
of 4 suitable quality for the pro-
duction Of the crop desired. His
stock must be constantly cared
for-it derives it's thrift from the
soil, and sends again to that soil
the sustenance it requires; but
this is not done in a loose or hap
hazard way. The farmers care is
required, and all his better .judg-
nent must be exercised in keep
ing up this system of reciprocal
benefits that may be realized by
every intelligent and industrious
farmer.
Thorough cultivation and sys-
tematic attention to all parts of
his business is indispensable to a
good degree Of success. The
very corner stone to this whole
system Of farming, is to do what
you do thoroughly-nature will
not be cheated, and never give
full returns to the half way work
that is practiced by vastly too
many calling themselves farmers.
If the land has been worn, the
extent Of that exhaustion and the
food required must be first con-
sidercd. When ascertained, the
full measure of these require
ments must be given, to bring out
full returns. Ii the farmer has
but a small amount of manure to
replenish his land, it is obvious
that but small farm can be sup
Piled with it; and good Judgment
at once dictates that to cultivate
properly q large farm, artificial
fertilizers must be used if good
crops arc obtained. And SO much
with the labor; two men cannot
suitably till one hundred acres of
land, when the labor Of two, and
perhaps four, might be protitably
employed Oh seventy-fivc acres.
This is the great error in farm
ing. Two men strive to DO what
four can hardly do, and thus thou
sands Of acres are run over, half
titled, and producing half crops.
The land is run over till worn out,
sustaining year after year, the
unnatural tax, till it's energies are
entirely exhausted, and it fails to
yield even Il feeble crop, because
its life is worn out. Much of the
soil in Virginia and other South
ern States is type Of this
Thousands of acres are entirely
useless and exhausted. and will
ever remain so, till the first ele-
ments of it's power are returned
to it. This process is going on
in many Of the Western States.
The soil is treated like an mex
haustible mine; the tillers crying
give, give, give! till in a few
years it will have nothing to give.
The boast Of the West is, large