The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-08-12
More Capital to the Acre.

1t has been said, with apparentIv
great show of truthfuIness. that nofbiny
is so truly profitable or so grateful as
the soil; yet few trades or occupations
are so unremunerative as its cultivation,
That this statement is in part true there
can be but little question. That there
is a reason for 1t, must be equally as OBJ
Vlous. 1t Is an acknowledged fact that
we are dependent upon the soil for
meat, drink and clothing; and their
preparation, transportation and distri
button furnish employment to the great
bulk OF the non-agriculturaI classes.
Looking at the proposition in this light.
how IS it that the occupation of the
farmer seems to be generally regarded
as an Improbable one? There must be
bad management somewhere, and it nav
be briefly expressed in the words the
expenses exceed the income. This NAV
be caused IN the first place by attempt
ing the raising of crops not adapted to
the soil and locality, and by acting up
on the supposltlon that because one
man has been exceptionally successful
in the production of a crop, all others
under other circumstances will also
succeed.
What crops are best adapted to GER
tain soils and what can be produced
with the most profit, are questions of
the most difficult kind the practical far
mer IS called upon to answer. Results
are often diverse, even when conditions
seem similar.
Much of the success of English hus-
bandry depends upon the application of
this rule of adaptation of crops and
stock to localities. The Short-horng
are found in the rich grass growing dis
trlets, the Devons in another, the Here
tords, Ayrshires and Jerseys each in
their own and by this system OF breed
ing for locality, and by careful selec-
tlon, there has been a constant improve
ment IN every variety. The application
OF the same rule by English husband
men IN cultivating crops and applying
measures, has led to an increasing
yield; while with us, from failure t0
STUDY and apply this principle of adap-
non, IN too many cases the best breeds
have actually deteriorated and from
the same cause the yield per acre is
growing gradually less instead of in
creasiDg.
Important as it is to observe the fore
going principles, it is equally so to
cease devotiDg SO much capital to the
increase of the number of acres, and
instead of applying all our capital in
that direction, it should be devoted to
deepening and improving the produc.
tive capacity of what we already pos
sess. A deep rich soil is what we want,
instead of a superficial one. In the
preparation Of a deep soil, we do not
mean the adoption of the usual system
of buryiDg the rich surface soil to an
unusual depth, but to leave it on the
surface and use the subsoiI pillow to
loosen the compact clay soil beneath it,
so that the roots of the growing plants
can penetrate it and 8ssimilate the
elements of plant food that otherwise
would remain unavailable. A proper
system of culture, manuring and rota-
ton, and the growing of clover and
grasses, requires an outlay that few
think they can afford. A pertinent
question, and one that ought to be dis
cussed IN the oranges and clubs, is this
How much capital should be employed
IN the improvement of each acre of
tillable land ?-RuraL World.