The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-07-06
Fertilizers, the Credit System, and
High Prices.

To The Editors american Farmer, PRO.
fessor Vile, in his admirable work or
"Chemical Manures," observes very truth
fully that all successful farming depends up
on heavy manurng.
The great fault with our southern farmers
is that they cultivate too much surface and
too much poor land They spend too much
money in labor and not enough in manures
Our old togies are constantly going back
upon the past, contending that in the olden
times they made good crops without feril-
izers, and that We should do so now. They
ignore the fact that tue most unaccountabIe
changes have taken place, and that il
is much more difficult TO farm it success
fully now than it was fifty years ago. Take
wheat for instance. the same sy stem were
attempted now that prevailed then, most of
our lands would scarcely yield seed. But
whilst these important changes have taken
place a kind Providence has not left us with
out Il remedy 10 meet them. The conccn-
trated or chemical manures have been prov.
identally placed within our reach, and it is
both our duty aud interest to Use them. These
fertilizers have become necessity, and
there's but little successful farming without
them. Immense quantities Of these tertil.
iZers are now being used, but in consequence
Of the extensive authorizations practiced in
their manufacture and the high prices pre-.
valing, thus far but little profit has been re.
allied from their use. There is no denying
The fact that the prices Of these fertilizers
are much too high; but this evil is not due
10 the seller or manufacturer alone. 1t is
chareeable in Il great degree to The farmers
themselves. They will huy on credit, and the
credit system neceSSitateS immense cost and
heavy losses in the shape of Dad debts, which
must be anticipated by u wide margin Of
profits may be safely estimated that a Gre
dit business inyolyesa loss OF at least twenty
five per cent. upon the gross amount of sales.
This immensa loss, which falls mainly upon
the farmer, might all be saved by the gene
raj adoption OF cash ystem; but it is con-
tended that cash system is altogether in-
practicable, because the farmer cannot raise
the cash. One OF the most prominent
trailtieS of our ialten natures is TO be
constantly magniiying prospective Difficult
ties. Doubtless too sudden change
from credit to cash system would
cause considerable interruption In the general
current OF trade, and mapy would be unable
to procure their usual supplies for while,
but the difficulties would be much less thun
are generally anticipated. A little pinching
necessity occasionally is very necessary in
schooling the character and forcing us into
habits of self.dena and economy. 1t has
the further effect at sharpening the wits and
stimulating the energies in mostwonderful
manner. II credit were generally denied the
farmer a little pinchnS necessity would soon
prompt him to raise the ways and meaus ne
eessary, and the natural flow of trade would
soon set in again. Cooperation is the great
nemedy for these evils, but the cooperative
system is impraeticatle except upon cash
basis. Cooperation not only brings down
prlc.ss, but it breaks up monopolies and uu-
air and unjust combinations of other inter-
,sts. Many farmers who cannot raise the
ash nece> ~ary for their guano-purchase ran
make arran, Sements equal to cash. Let them
orange with their commission merchants to
accept their DRIFTS on time. There is scarce
y respectable farmer in the country who
annot effect such an arrangement il he would |
make the proper efforts, Let the farmer pledge
us crops, and let it be distinctly provided that
when he draws upon big commission mer.