Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-03-13
agricultural department.
From the Atlanta Plantation.
DOES FARMING PAY?

DOES FARMING PAY?
Does farming pays That is now the moot
ed question. We say it will pay if properly
carried on. We cannot expect farming to
pay when we hear men talk and act in this
wise. Some say 81 won't SOW wheat, for one
acre planted in cotton, will buy more flour
than need" Another says: "At the present
price of pork, I'll raise no hogs, but buy my
meat" And another says: "Cotton brings
so high price, III plant all cotton and buy
my bread, meat, and all else require" Such
is what makes farming don't pay, and it never
will or can, under such system, for the rea-
son, the true system of farming becomes
changed from its normal condition. and as
sumes that of speculation, instead of the old
straight. forward system of making the farm
self:sustaining and selfsupporting. This is
no fancy sketch | have drawn; but it is all
true, as 1 have heard such assertions made by
farmers of my acquaintance, and they have
been carried out but too faithfully for their
good and the good of their country.
We shall now endeavor to show the error
in such system. The business Of the farmer
is that of producer, to raise all that is need
ed on the farm in the way of provisions,
and surplus to supply all, also, that are not
engaged in agricultural pursuits. In word,
the farmers occupation is that of a producer
of food, and not consumer; and, as such,
has been so much departed from by the South
ern farmers that at least half or more OF the
provisions imported into the country are for
the use of the farmers and not for the nom
producers; and what reflection this is upon
people who boast of the superior qualities
of their climate and soil, and its adaptability
of growing successfully any and every variety
of crops. We can say in all truth, the fault
is not in our country, but in its farmers; for
as they SOW, so they reap. Now, as regards
that fallacious argument used, "Sow no
wheat" "raise no hogs" and "plant all cot
ton,' more ruinous system could not be de-
vised in fact, it has already proved so wher-
ever it has been carried out; and the results
show system of farming that has nearly
beggared all engaged in it, and still it is per-
sisted in. 1t is done, as they say, to raise
money but, so far, it has not made money
sufficient to make it even self:sustaining, as it
is carried on by renewed loans, mortgages,
and turning over everything to the parties
furnishing the supplies. And how all such
can be called farming, surpasses my compre-
henson-it is but working for ruin. There
are certain laws governing all pursuits, and
when deviated from, loss is the result; the in
come may be large or small, but the profits
accruing out of incomes-what is saved-is
what is made The farmer, therefore, who
saves the most from his farm, makes the most,
and makes his farm not only self.supporting,
but profitable investment. And as regards
raising our wheat, oats, clover, corn and cot
ton, as we'll as our cattle, sheep, hogs and
colts it should be considered how all-impor-
tant it is to that rotating system, 80 necessary
to keep up the fertility of our lands they are
but the means in our reach to conduct our ope-
rations successfully and pro6tably, and as we
discard them, we, to that extent, lessen our
means for doing good, and con6ne ourselves
to limited circumstances.
There is no pursuit followed by man that
requires more undivided attention, watchful
care and constant study, than farming, com.
prising, as it does, such variety of duties, all
requiring the attention of a practical mind
and practical execution. We may theorize in
all cearness, and make it appear as plain
and as simple as possible, but unless it all be
reduced to practical results, there is no abso--
lutte benefits arising from it. And to sum up
all in few words, the result must be in max
ing the farm self:sustainng, selfsupporting,
and afording to the owner an independent and
comfortable maintenance. Such was the pol
icy and rule with the old time farmers, who,
when they went to market carried their farm
products with them, and bartered for what they
needed. Store accounts we're then unknown;
it was pay as you 90 and live within your
means. They then lived as farmers should
plain, bountifully and independently. The
fashions and extravaganza Of city life never
entered the minds of their wives and daugh-
ters the country then had its simple, modest
and becoming ways, the city had theirs, and
there was no envying and clashing between
the two. But, now, how changed have all
things become-the country trying to surpass
the city! Is it any wonder, then, that the
farmers lack money, and must have money at
the sacrifice of home comforts and indepen-
dence? Hence, we see what has brought far.
ming down to its present dependent state.
Money must be had to meet the extravaganza
of the times and the only chance for money
is cotton, at the exclusion of everything else
OF the farm and such sums up the whole ar
gument "why wheat should not be sown,"
Shogs not be raised, and "all cotton planted"
And, in conc usion, let me say a few words
of advice to our young farmers, and that is,
never attempt farming unless you set out with
the resolution Of raising all your provisions.
Sow annually your wheat and oats, and some
clover; plant suficiency of corn for. your
own use and to sell. Raise your own cattle,
sheep and hogs, and colts, as you may need
for your own use; and plant, also, some cot
ton. Pay as you 60, and attend to your farm
yourself, and my word for it, you will find
that farming does pay. Forty years ago, !
commenced farming with the resolutions |
have given you as advice, and have found
it to pay; and it will pay all who adhere to
such rules. Let those fancy cotton-planters
pursue their course, and you pursue the plan
have advised, and time will soon show which
is the most correct. JNo H. DENT.
SHoEING HORSES. horse-shoers and
their apprentices assume to be more familiar
with the anatomy of feet of horses than any
other person, because, as they frequently aver,
it is their business to handle such feet more
than any one else. Hence, blacksmiths u.s.
ually feel that no one has any right to dictate
how horse should or should not be shod.
If a person will study the anatomy of the
foot of a young horse that has never been
shod, he will readily perceive that more skill
is required to fit shoe correctly, than simply
to nail shoe to block Of wood. Every
blacksmith should procure a foot Of some
horse which has not worn a shoe for long
neriod 50 that he NAV the more readily per: