Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-05-22

tobacco or a ton of hay? If not then
ca d we with consistency say, wheth-
err to not. it pays? Pay or not, We have
to sell at the prices fixed by the inevi-
table law of supply and demand. If
we can not thwart this great ruling
power, we can stop raising product
when we know it does not pay. If the
prices of our products are governed by
the surplus which is exported, then,
what would govern if no surplus exist
ed to export? You answer, the actual
cost of producing. Very we'll. Do We
know the exact cost? Is it better to
raise fhis surplus wherewitil to govern
the price, or let the cost Of producing
govern? We make the supply. Can
we not increase or decrease as neces-
sary, working with the concentrated
knowledge of the farming population,
brought to light by systematic accounts,
and statistical records, disseminated
through the Oranges?
But am Distressing. Where prac-
tieable, Think it will make the farm
more Interestingly profitable to sur
vey each field. name them and record
in the book, making an entry of debit
and credit for each, leaving room
for small history below. When any
one of these fields is being cultivated,
let it be the old rye or creek field, the
north field or the new ground, note the
condition of soil, when first fallOwed,
refallowed, what turned under. what
fertilizer used, the quantity, etc.
Then charge it with the exact or esti-
mated cost Of fertilizers and everything
else with which it should be charged.
When the money is received for the
product of that field, credit it with
the same, and so with all the fields,
whether in corn, wheat, tobacco, mead
ow or pasture. If left out to bleach
in the sun, to be washed red by rain
(should not the compassionate broom
sedge clothe it, should the latter be
the case, do not, | say, neglect to charge
cost of that expensive crop, and cred
it with the net proceeds of yard broolns
aud rabbits. wish the farmers could
be convinced that there is no demand
for it and never will be, that it is u
vain and Improbable speculation.
Now for suppoSition, whether il
ever comes to pass or not. Suppose
each Granger throughout the State
being y per cent. of its population
should pursue this method, with ac-
counts and records of crop after crop OF
each several field, or Of one particular
field. When ten or twenty years shall
have passed away, the comparing OF
records so kept will throw a light on
the rotation of crops, youched safe by
practical experience, till then unknown
to scientists, simply because they
could not have had the diversified ma
terial wherewith to operate, which
necessarily would have forced itself
upon so great number OF farmers in
THAT space Of time.
OF truth, we are the class to ex-
pertinent, and we do; but through the
want of keeping accounts aud re-
cords, our knowledge dies with u, and
the rext generation go ON, and do a.
they suppose the past to have done, and
at last all they know, is through their
own experience. But. gentlemen, ex
perience should be recorded, that it
may illumine the way before us, and
light up the paths of those who are
to follow; it is too dearly bought to be
trusted to the care of our treacherous
memories, thereby entaiiing too heavy
tax on the future digscrs of earth.
Let us leave footprints, by daily reg
istering notes and items iu the farm
book. How little does it cost. com
pared with the. incalculable good we
derive from it. with yet more in pros
pectiye!
The present century has been, and
is, one of progress. | suppose the in :
yentions of the past fifty years, almost
if not quite counterpoise those of the
fifty centuries before them. Art and
inventions continue to enfold millions
of the useful and beautiful. The in-
ventive mechanics live and die in the
praise of the appre;iative public, and
generations yet unborn will continue
to sing their praises throughout time.
Farmers have not keptpac with the
inventive genius of the age. What
fields lie hidden rOunda bout their daily
walks, awaiting discovery and scientific
To discover is one branch
of our profession. Seasons, plants
and chemistry are our tools, our work
bench the old earth that feeds and
clothes us, putting forth nature, which
stands out in broad array as a model
and teacher. We make discoveries
and profit by them during our lives,
then die, and bequeath them to obliv-
ion.
Recall to your minds the most sue
cessful farmers, who have passed away,
leaving behind them broad lands in a
high state of cultivation, having
lmassed large fortunes. Do you know
how they tidit-the fundamental pliu-
,iples which brought about their sue
cess? Their SONS aud ncighborS,
doubtless, learned a great deal fir m
hem. But to what extent is agricul-
ture forwarded? Have they done
heir duty to the farming public
Have they obeyed nature?
Look round our worlG, behold the chain !
OF love,
Combining all below and all above.
See ths plastic nature working to this I
end.
The single atoms each 10 other tend.
Attract, attracted too, The next in place,
Form'd ana impeird ITS neighbor TO EN-
brace.
See the matter next with various life en-
du'd,
Press to one centre still-the general
good"