Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-07

We commend the following sensible let
ter to our readers. 1t is written by gen
tleman of elegant accomplishments, dis
eliminating judgment, and sound common
sense. We trust he will favor us repeated
ly with his thoughts that others may be
instructed and benefited thereby:
For the Union and American.
This is the season for farmers to review
their past success and failures, that they
may gather together and firmly lodge in
their minds all good points, and discard
those ideas which are unsound and have led
to bad results. 1t is the time to confer with
successful farmers, either by mouth or
through some good agricultural paper. 'In
peace prepare for war;"
l have gathered together a few Of the
leading causes, as it seems to Inc, Of our
comparative poor crops and wish to invite,
Messrs. Editors, your readers attention
thereto. First, because chief in the list is
our SlGckneSs. ale becOmeth poor that
dealeth with a slack hand" says SolumOn.
A good school can be obtained only by a
thorough teacher at its head who stimulates
the children to thoroughness in all
they do. Reflection and observation
will convince all that every valuable
acquisition is the product of no
slack hand. am fully persuaded that our
soil will and ought to be made to produce
at least thrice its present average yield. The
way to make it is to take but half the guam
tity and begin by thoroughly preparing, en-
riching and generally breaking and subsOl
ing the fall before the seed are to be sown.
If impossible to manure, a sensible farmer
will learn the nature of his soil and plant
that which will best thrive thereon.
A second cause of poor crops is, l think,
late planting. The Northern farmer regards
it as a great mishap if his corn and
wheat are not sown within
week after the frost is fairly out of the
ground. The Southern farmer should re-
gard it likewise, not because of a short sea-
son but because of drouth. l cannot ques-
ton that the corn crop of this whole section
of country was reduced fully one-third by
inattentiOn last spring to this important
item.
Again. Our farming implements are
generally behind the age. Our plows 90 in
the furTow rusty, dull, and misshapen.
They are often drawn lazily along by an
animal which ought never to be accepted as
a gift by sensible farmer. 1t were the
height of folly for mechanic to economic
on the first cost of his tools by picking up at
half price a rusty saw here, dull jack
plane there, and broken chisel yonder;
and equally so for a farmer to put up with
poor tools or poor stock. Better have two
good strong horses than four poor weak
ones.
The last cause which cuts down our har-
vest, that viii here mention, is poor seed.
If it pay-and it surely does-to invest
thousands in animals for breeding pur-
poses, will it not pay as well to get
good seed. Buy at home, if possible,
abroad if necessary. Tricky advertisers and
dealers are of course constantly before the
people trying to get large prices for worth
less seed, and we should use therefore the
more care to get a genuine article. 1t will
never do to fall behind i'll this important
item.
My remarks, then, might be summed up
thus: Deal in the best only, prepare and
cultivate the soil thoroughly, and we will be
apt next Thanksgiving Day to thank the
Lord for about twice our usual harvests.
Z. P