Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-02-03
Terms. Tnco Dollars per annum In adrian
mDrToHIALs
TO FARM ERS.

y
the fact, that the present system of
farming is running them and impov-
erishing their lands. A remedy for
the evil is, however, not easily found.
One thing is clear, and that is that
nothing is to be made by cultivating
large bodies of land with the labor
now to be had. We will not recon-
mend immigration as the remedy,
because it is Observation-Disclosures
desirable-so long as the present In
borers remain among us, and how to
get rid of them, is problem no one
can solve, at present. 'i3H'
We believe however, If land owners
would set apart such portion Of
their farms as they can cultivate
thoroughly, ard rent the balance to
reliable parties, they would make
more, with far less trouble and vexa-
ton. Or, which Is better still, let
them cultivate what they can judic-
iously, seed the balance in grass and
raise stock. This system will require
but little hired labor, and six or eight
acres in tobacco, II properly titled
and handled, will pay family ex-
penses, small field of wheat will
pay taxes and furnish flour and seed,
and the stock and hay will be clear
profit. OF course some corn must be
raised to feed horses and fatten hogs
few acres will suffice for this, If they
he properly fertilized and prepared
for the seed. Under this system, the
land will rapidly improve, fencing
and buildings can be kept in repair
and the farmer feel like he was at
home, and free from the care and
losses which so constantly harrass
him. Under this arrangement, an
orchard, well selected and well cared
for, will prove great source of COM
fort and profit. Perseverance in this
system will, we believe, rapidly in
crease individual and aggregate
wealth, is the best invitation to i'm
migrants and will make our present
labor far more reliable, or force it to
seek other fields where the system OF
farming remains as 1t is here now.
Farming on shares, secures to the
owner all the vexation and loss, and
to the laborer all the profit and none
of the risk. This, it seems, is the
universal experience, and as almost
any change must be for the better,
we venture to throw out the foregoing
suggestions for the grave considera-
ton of the community of farmers.
We know how humiliating it is to
them, at the beginning OF each year,
to be forced to bargain and palavor
with set of unreliable beings, who
feel their importance, and presume
upon the power which the indiscre-
ton of farmers has conceded to them,
and we believe the plan we propose
will not only relieve them from this
constantly recurring humiliation, but
will completely turn the tables, and
make the laborer the suppliant for
employment, instead of the dictator
of the conditions on which he will
work for his own living. 1t seems to
us that the bare prospect for such a
change ought to stimulate farmers to
try to bring 1t about.
Tobacco will pay no adequate COM
pnnsation Mt less than ten dollars,
wheat is liable to fail, from various
causes, hogs die of cholera, in great
mum bers every year, and hence the
necessity for more diversified produc-
tons. Cattle and sheep are not very
subject to fatal epidemics, the grasses
rarely ever IA | and therefore suggest
themselves as worthy of far more
consideration than they have hereto
fore received. To these may be added
fruits, cider, vinegar, garden and field
vegetables for summer and winter
supplies. All OF which, though Scent
ingly Insignificant, when taken sing
ly, make up an aggregate of no small
proportions. And when the compar-
tive amount OF labor for their pro-
duction, and the saving in the ex-
haustion of the land are considered,
together with the comfort and indie
pendence they will bestow upon the
farmers, We can see no reason why
pur suggestions should not, at least,
he subjected to the test Of fair expert
ment,