The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-04-23
ADVICE TO SOUTHERN FARMERS.
The Regulation OF Free-Lnbor-Erec-
ton Of Rarns-The Rotation OF Crops
Economical Management.

-
The Department of Agriculture has not re.
Taxed its earnest efforts to assist In reorgan-
izlng the rural industry, and developing the
agricultural capabilities of the South, and has
continued, with as much llberality az It's
means would permit, the distribution of such
cereal, grass and vegetable seeds as are best
adapted to the climate and circumstances of
that section.
It Is gratifying 10 know that the commits
sioner's expressions Of interest Ia Southern
agriculture have been appreciated, and that
been enabled to render that section has been
attended with encouraging results. A letter
was recently addressed to the commissioner
by the secretary of the Beach Island Farmers
Club, of South Carolina, asking Information
as to the most efeCtual methods OF regulating
the changed system of labor at the South, pro-
duced by emancipation, and desiring partlcu,
climate producing crops that give a much
larger money yield per acre than In the
Northern and Western States, the South Ia not
able to pay one-fourlh the wages that are
paid there. In response TO these Inquiries,
the commissioner has communicated to the
secretary of the club, and through him to the
farmers of the South, som hipls about farm.
lily ~tllCu WILL uC S6HcCloly uoCluit " th0b,
and which are Of general application.
Promising that the short experience at the
South does not Justify the conclusion that the
work cannot be probably done By hired labor.
the commissioner instances an agricultural
district In the interior OF Pennsylvania,
where, as he shows, a farm of one hundred
and twenty acres may be carried on by . farm
casional extra help In harvesting, at a net
pecuniary profit, after supporting the family,
of one thousand dollars q year. For instance,
the farm being stocked with six horses or
mules, eight COWS, and as many young cattle,
twelve sheep, and ten 10 fifteen hogs, the
average product would be eight hundred
bushels OF wheat, and twelve hundred each
of oats and corn, worth In the aggregate,
after deducing the necessary. quantity
for bread aud seed, and the sum paid for hired
help, say 1885. In addition to this
there would be realized from the sale of vege-
tables, butter, and eggs, six hundred dollars,
making the aggregate value OF products one
thousand nine hundred and elghty-ave dollars,
the family, blacksmirh's bills, and repairs Of
implements, O cash balance of one thousand
dollars. This Is an account Of the operations
of thrifty husbandry by a farmer who under.
stands his business, and Ia industrious and
yIpllant la the conduct Of II; and Is designed
to show what, with similar prudence and en-
ergy, may be accomplished at the South, with
It's superior climate and greater money value
|,of the product of its soil. The commissioner
recognizes the fact that a hired laborer at the
North will do twice as much work as q black
man al the South, but attributes 1t to the DIFF
frrent circumstances under which the two
have been educated to work, and believes the
| time is coming when free labor will produce
the same results everywhere. "
The commissioner urges upon tne south Inc
40 - nrnNftnn no rNG tfr the aQUtnO ann
| better preservation Of crops, expressing the
| belief tina; fifteen per cent. Of the products OF
| grains and hay are wasted In cutting, gather
ing, stacking and threshing, while the crops
| should be hauled In In good time and slowed
away 10 q barn, where the threshlng may De
| done at leisure, and the hay, fodder aud straw
| fed to cattle in the barn or It's yard, by which
| otherwise comparatively lost. A careful rota-
| ton OF crops Is likeyise urged as essential 10
| successful and profitable farming. This mate
| rial point Is believed to have been fatally ne
| giected at the South.
The commissioner takes occasion to remind
| Southern gentlemen, Who are peculiarly an
agricultural people, of the Indifference and
carelessness In respect to the condition OF
| their farms, which are observable 10 broken
down fences, gates Ont Of order, buildings out
| of repair, implements lying around, and the
\ generally sloVenly aspect of their premises "a
| condition Of things but too obviously unfavor-
| able to economical management. Industry
and diligence In employees must be enforced
by the vigllant oversight and example OF
the farmer, and habits of order and
npatness are indispensable to the profit:
able conduct of q farm. Disorder aud
confusion lead inevitably to q waste
OF time and means; while neatness and systs.
matte w%atchfuiness of details excite q spirit oil
pride aud emulation, which not only promote
| economy, but ore dlffused through all the Op.
| ~erations OF the farm, and affect and regulate
| the actions OF every man and woman employed.
In conclusion, the commissioner strongly
| commends the use of lime. as being one OF the
large constituent properties oil grass, especial
~ clover, without the use of winch no success.
| fnl farming can he accnmplished.