Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-08-19

We suggested, In our Fast issue, that
even the best Of sur farmers, with the
best lands, IN the country, nre making
nothing, and the great majority ere
being gradually Impoverished. This
results, IN part, FROM the eilsracter Of
labor enDployed and, ~ part, from the
system Of farming aud the kind OF
agricultural products relied upon for
profit. r
This Inns ever been an essentially
tobacco growing section; the land
holders and the laborers have been
trained and habituated to Its produc-
ton, until the belief has become fix
cd that the attempt to raise any 9TH
or staple will prove ruinous. Itseems
never 10 have occurred to the farmers
Of the country, that, what Is termed
a staple crop, In any extensive locali-
~, so far from being source Of
wealth, Is, IN reality, allowed by
Impoverished lands, empty purses aud
general iDdettedness. OF the truth
Of this, the cotton States afford
abundant proof.
IT Is fhct, thoroughly established
Ivy experience, that the thrilled peo-
pie are those who diversity their pur-
suits, who provide the necessaries for
home consumption, first, and then
rely upon their surplus for their prof.
t.. And to create q demand for that
suyPius, tbs next step Is to multiply
non-producers OF agricultural pro-
ducts, by the establishment Of man
ufastories, of everything, that the
fsrnetknsed and cannot make. The
wisdom n this policy Il tho plain to
need elucidation by facts, or argn-
,nents. ~ g 1888 t ~ - ~ 1
II this Be conceded, the farmers
must see the absolute necessity for
such. . change Of system ns will con-
form their practice to the theory 80
long and persistently repudiated by
the scnti.e South. They admit that
tobacco does not pay at the prices
they are likely to get; then let them
80 regulate its production as to OBJ
tain, for half the amount, what they
now get for o full crop. In this way,
they viii realize as much money, as
now, and save, In the reduction of
the amount Of labor. They, the far
Iners, admit that the uncertainty at
tending the growth Of wheat, forbids
reliance upon IT.. as q source Of profit.
How, they. ask, Is this source Of loss,
to be remedied? Perhaps, by FREE
quent changes Of seed, and u more
thorough preparation Of the ground
hit more certainly, by the culture Of
grasses, and the feeding of'stock.--
'rhcso last do not conflict with the
gffowtl, Of wheat, but are, actually,
suxlliary to Its more profitable cult.
walton, by consuming the straw and
clsafi and Increasing the yield OF
manure. y
Prior to. the war, the abundance Of
available labor made farmers eager
u Invest In land I; since the war, this
conditioned things h reversed-land
b the superintendent article, and la
Dor, the great desideratum. This sud.
den and complete revolution, In the
relation between land and labor, de.
inands such a change of policy al
will most efIectually economixe the
latter. How can this economy b.
insuRurated aud successfully prac,
ticed? BY sowing broad fields o
mixed grasses. This Is the system
ihdicsted by the prize Of beef and
mutton, Of wool and leather, mill
and butter---as we'll a. by the larg,
importation Of hay Into all parts o
the South. It Is indicated also, b,
the fact that grass raises and fstten
stock, without the Intervention o
hired labor, and grows without tn,
annual appliances Of plow and hoe
1t enriches the soil, Of itself, and there
by limits the area that demands tn
application Of manure for the NOR
profitable growth of tobacco and ce
reals. Orchards, too, though the,
require much attention to details, de
mand no large amount Of labor, AM
may be made profitable by supplying
the home consumption Of fruit, eide
and vinegar, but. even more SO, b.
the adaptation of the fruit to fatten
Ing hogs.