The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-23
Nmsba DRY.
Thoughts for the Month.


particularly the cotton States--in decid-
eddy sounder, healthier condition, than it has
been for long time. True, its cotton crop
has not realised expectations, and the price
it has commanded is ruinously low; but,
on the other hand, far less of it was made on
borrowed capital, and much larger share
of it therefore belongs to the farmer, than
has been the case during recent years. In
addition to this, and better still, larger
supply of provisions is now on hand in the
South, than there has been for many years
past. To very considerable extent, there
fore, the farmer, if poor, THAT is, without
money! enjoys the GLORIOUS privilege of
being independent" He can sleep without
the ghosts of "lens" and mortgages ever
before him-he does not feel the shackles of
debt restraining his every movement and
weakening all the springs of his energy
He can respect himself, can walk upright,
and with unShrinking gaze meet his fellow
man. But this is not all; the same insight
into the true condition of things, the same
will and determination to pursue the course
which has extricated him from former evils,
still urge the Southern farmer on in the path
of independence and prosperity. All feel
chat Solomon was right when he said, che
that hasteth 90 be rich, considereth not that
poverty shall come upon him all realise
that the money crop must be kept within
proper bounds, and provision crops given
their true prominence. This wise determi-
nation to pursue sound policy-to make
supplies at home and sell surplus only
is the brightest omen in our agricultural sky.
When the farmers get out of debt, keep out
of debt, and raise their own provisions, they
can snap their fingers at middlemen; but
until they do this, they are the slaves and
bondsmen of the latter" the borrower is
servant to the lender"
Another circumstance which lends bright
ness to the picture, is the manifest increase
of improved farming. Larger numbers of
farmers are every year emerging from their
isolation, from the little circle Of their own
and their fathers experience, exchanging
views with their fellows, and reading agri-
cultural papers, and seeking light wherever
it can be found. The true economy of the
farm is being more and more appreciated
the intensive is rapidly supplanting the ex-
tensive system of cultivation.
In old thickly settled countries labor is
cheap compared with land-with us these
relations are reversed. The northern far
mer, dealing with free labor, realised this
sooner than the southern farmer. The form
er sought early to replace labor by machin-
ery-hence the great impetus given to in
ventions and manufactures in that region.
The South is now rapidly learning the same
lesson; but, with US, on account of the un-
suitability of the negro to deal with anything
but the simplest implements, the tendency
has been to supplant labor with manure
Hence the extended use of commercial fer
tilisers. These may have been-doubtless
have benin great many instances, used
injudiciously, but, after all, many valuable
lessons have thereby been learned. Expe.
rience is always dear teacher, but it is by
far the most effective; and we repeat what
we have often said before in these pages,
that southern farmers now stand abreast
with the foremost in the knowledge and ap.
probation of the applications of science to
agriculture. The failures since the war have
not been due half 30 much to want of knowl-
edge or skill, as to an unfol tunate desire to
recuperate lost fortunes too rapidly, followed
by the luminous practice of farming on
credit. The farmer has suffered from unwise
expansion of his business; but he is not
alone-expansion has been the curse of the
country in every department of business,
and all are now suffering its legitimate fruits.
These thoughts naturally present them
selves at the end of the year, when its bust
ness is to be wound up and the plans of an
other year are to be formed. 1t is pro.
foundly gratifying to report progress-sound,
healthy progress. Let US see to it that We
do not retrace our steps, nor lose our ad-
vance-the same Syrens as of old will again
sing in our ears-visions of wealth will again
dance before our eyes in extend ed cotton
fields. Merchants, tired of stagnstion in
business, will again offer credit; heed them
not, but heed the lessons of the past, reduce
the area cultivated, manure and cultivate
that we'll, plant as many different crops as
your surroundings justify, but always give
provision crops pre-eminence; an abundant
supply of provisions will save you from be-
ing "servant to the lender" Raise mules, |
sell all but few COWS, unless you are in
stock country,) and let mules take their
place, and finally, raise all the hogs your
circumstances justify.-SOuthern Cuhivator.