Le Louisianais. [volume] (Convent, La.) 1865-1883, 1870-05-14
A WORD TO PLANTERS.
BEVERLEY

BEVERLEY.
1t Is not necessary 10 compute the power Of
inc planting interest 10 a country, and 10 our
W IN particular, in order 10 show the import
anoe Of faithfully bringing every energy and
intelligence Of our people TO bear upon il. So
fully is this understood that the planter is
commonly termed the bone and sinew Of the
country; and it may truly be added, tile
morrow too, and all else that gives strength
and solidi,y 10 a body. Notwithstanding this,
there are few, if any civilized countries that
pay 90 little attention 10 intelligent planting
- the South. There are so-calIed farmers,
who have scarcely intelligence sufficient to
sender up an accurate account Of their ex.
pend'tures and income, and after a year Of
ha'd toll usually find themselves amazed and
disponisnt. that nothing is left nay, even
= worse, is not unfrequenlly the fact; they are
in debt 10 the merchant. This should never be
the case; every farm may and should a, Ieas,
Be rendered self sustaining. To-accompIish
this. every planter should be prepared for a
failure in the cotton crop by aIIot'ing a due
proportion Of his land and labor TO the raising
Of everything needed for home consumption,
allowing the cotton crop rs 50 much surplus.
This, and this only, will always insure The
planter. Yet. who does not know how rarely
il is adhered 70. Almost every paper sen,
through the country contains sound, sensible
articles upon the importance Of this course,
and gives Intelligent, practical directions for
accomplishing it, and q few Of the more
intelligent planters have demonstrated npbn
their farms the benefits accruing ,herefrom,
yet the mass ignore these facts, and continue
to toll from year to year under the oppressive
weight Of debt, for a mere subsistence, and,
in many cases, a most meager one il is. Did
this course Of things only effect individual
planters, It would be bad enough, but when i,
reacts upon the entire country, it is vitality
important that earnest, faithful efforts be given
10 its correction. Let the planter be educated
for his business a thoroughly as the mer.
chant or artisan. is for his, and the desired
change will follow as The natural result Of
enlightened industry. If the parent in ednca,.
Ing the boys mind for intelligent planting
does not fall into the error Of failing to raise
him 10 daily habits Of industry and practical
application upon. the farm, Of the knowledge
he Is acquiring.
The planters course Of education need not
Of necessity be . very extended one. Every
ordinarily good mind may receive the course
in three years, under proper instruction and
BY faithful application. The planters mind
should be strengthened and methoLized by a
good mathematical course; he should be
taught the true philosophy Of natures laws
a. we'll the component parts Of the earth, with
their adaptation 10 the production Of a varied
vegetation. This Is 4 short course, yet il will
take three years to accomplish it thoroughly.
II would 10 we'll to add 10 this some sound,
sensible instruction on practical economy.
The planter thus educated becomes a power
Of great strength to his country, an honor to
manhood, and . comfort and satisfaction to
himseif-in fine, he Is the peer Of any man
for what 10 fails 10 accomplish for the world
in. scientific research, he fully makes up in
poctical demonstrations Of facts.
Ii The altered condition Of the South, there
exists : p~scusiar necessity for a sound,
psao,isai sducstion Of planters. There mus,
bs . head or ruling power TO every combina.
lion Of laborefs; talk a much as corrupt,
and fana.icism may Of the perfect
Of man. Put ont : house to be built,
mi nllnw avery man Ia follow HE NUN ;da.s