Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-01-10
TIE EARMER

Years ago when it took as much Ia
Dor to make one axe, fork, nail, or
screw, as it does now by means of the
greater perfection of machinery to make
score there was greater equality be-
tween the 7arious trades and the farmer.
But while every Instrument that can be
named is made SO much more expedi-
tiously, and with so much less actual Ia
Dor; while nearly all material both OF
wood and metal can be put to its ultl-
mate use with the employment OF less
time and labor, we find that the farmer
produces his bushel of corn, wheat, or
potatoes with as great an expenditure
of labor and time, as was required TO
raise the same 100 years ago.
This state of things must force upon
lis the conviction that the position OF
the farmer nowadays compares very
unfavorably with that Of the artizan.
Yet when there is an effort made to
hit upon some plan by which the farm
ers, as class, may protect their inter-
ests. by combinations, such as exist In
every other profession, from the Mem
Der of Congress to the boot-black the
whole world pricks up its ears and cries
"montes parturiant-" If the farmers on
" perseyere and do not allow their
main points to be merged in politics, we
shall see how great a SUCCESS their e.
fort will be. The lawyer tells us that
he will work for so much, and generally
it is for the bottom dollar. Doctors
have their charge per mile for the labor
of visit. The blacksmith is paid at
such rate for each job. The carpen-
ter charges so much nail. Why may
not the farmers say, eve cannot raise
corn for less than Scots. per bushel or
wheat at less than $l.75, and therefore
if you need our wares pay these prices
The farmer, however, has heretofore
had very little voice in fixing the price
of his produce, and here is his difficulty
They can not, owing to the nature OF
the case, put tariff of prices that is not
TO vary, but they can certainly save
themselves some money, by Judlcious
combinations that will take of the addi-
tional price they pay for articles they
need, in passing from the hand OF the
manufacturer TO their own; and then at
ter going as far as practicable in this oil
rection there is help for them else
where. Let every man who pats
grain of wheat, or corn, or potato, IN
the ground, see that he does it in such
way as to be sure of 4 satisfactory re-
suit. We believe this can be done. But
it certainly can not be. by the man who
IS behind hand with his work, and who
has not a spare dollar to spend in the
cause. 1t requires surplus capital to
farm successfully. over and above the
actual value of horses and lands, DC,
Just as much as to carry on any other
business. And therefore true economy
would prompt every man who has more
land than he has means to cultivate
thoroughly, to dispose of part and
gain the advantage that good manage
ment of the additional means TINS OBJ
tanned would offer him. The farmers
remedy for the inequality, existing be-
tween himself and the artizan is this.
Let him vary his crops. DO not stick
to one thing year after year. An acre
of peas-navy beans-turnips-a lot OF
Green corn sowed for fodder-an acre
of cabbage that will approximate the
acre that was recently noticed as pro
duced at Wytheville-a yield OF $4,000
pounds to the acre. Amy of these would
nav if the business was well done.
But we are told that after raising these
there is no market This is mistake.
The beans can be shipped more profIta-
bly, than any other grain if necessary.
The cabbage at any thing like the above
yield would pay to feed sheep, hogs
COWS, or horses, if they could not be
sold. Do not farmers constantly SOW
timothy and after waiting nearly two
wears think 1000 pounds to the acre do
ing pretty well ? The farmers great eff
fort should be to reduce his cost of pro
duction, by getting greater returns to
make from one acre the crop usually
made on three.
The nearer he comes to this the more
equality will there be between himself
aud the artizan.
by JEFFERSON CoUNTy CoURT.-The