American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-03-13
Value of New Agricultural Products.

The old saving that a new broom
sweeps clean applies with peculiar force
to the subject of agricultural products.
The question whether a new grain, fruit,
or breed of animals is superior to an old
one of the same class is seldom taken
into account or discussed; and it is well
that it is not; for apathy would then
take the place of that enthusiasm which
a novelty calls forth, and which is the
foundation of great success in almost
any calling. We do not wish to be I'M
derstood as asserting that our farmers
have no fixed purpose of their own, or
that they are weathercocks, snuffing
every breeze for something new; but we
have not failed to notice the many new
broOms which sweep clean for a few
years, and then go to the shop for repairs
or a new name.
OF course there is no denying the fact
| of progress in agriculture, and that new
| plants have been and are constantly in
| troduced, some of which are improve
less rapid than many persons would
feel inclined to believe without a care
full investigation OF the subject
But we would not cast straw
in the way of the Introduction
or dissemination of any pretended
or actually new farm product, if
only on account of the beneficial
| ii
in the superiority of a new thing over
an old one. Improved systems of cul-
ture of certain kinds of plants have, in
a majority of instances, originated with
those who were experimenting with
novelties. Who would have ever sup
posed that a hundred or more pounds of
potatoes could be raised from one. had
not new and high priced sorts been intro
duced as an incentive for experimenting
| int Il nf
the Early Rose potato were produced at
The start, and, while every tuber was in
demand for seed, to-day the average
yield of this variety will not exceed that
of the old Neshannock or Pink-Eye, so
popular forty years ago. Still, our
potato growers have been greatly bene-
fitted by the introduction of the new
sorts: because they are really valuable
acquisitions, and, in addition, cultivatoIs
have learned much in regard to the best
method of propagation, both from seed
and tubers.
| The same or similar results follow the
introduction of new kinds of grain, for
a man who pays ten dollars per bushel
for a new variety of wheat is very
likely to give it corresponding care
and it would be very strange in
deed if no improvement over old
sorts did not result therefrom
Ills DdluSldkIIS WIFI ucW hlHus
tends to more and better care Of the old
and this is one of the good results which
follow their introduction and dissemina
ton. One of our correspondents gave us
this week the results of his first years
experience with a flock of five hundred
sheep, and the balance sheet shows al
most a doubling of capital within the
time. Some may attribute these favor
able results more to good luck than man
agement; but the new broom with oul
correspondent has been well cared for
and good work done with it. We have
not the least reason to suspect that the
same thing may not be done again, and re
peated any number of times if there is nc
relaxing of vigilance or withdrawal OF
proper care.
; In fact, success in any branch Of farm
ing depends more upon persistent etfor'
combined with good judgment, or sound
common sense, than upon climate, soil
or other circumstances. No matter
where some men are located, they arc
bound to succeed and everything they
touch, whether new or old, yields
profit Such farmers do not require thu
stimulus of novelty, while there are 9th
ers who do, and require to have it Otter
repeated, or their love of farming wane:
with each succeeding season.-N. Y
| sam.