The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-04-01
The Prospects of the Future.
II will be admitted by, perhaps, every f

The Prospects Of the Future.
II will be admitted by, perhaps, every farm
er in South Carolina that the agricultural con-
dition of the State is not as favorable as is de.
sirable. There is disparity between the nat
ural capability of the soil and the actual con
dition of the people, Nature has done great
deal for that portion of the globe which we
call the Southern States. The climate is mild
and the soil is admirably adapted to the pro-
duction of, we may say, all the absolute neces'
sities of life. Notwithstanding this fact, the
South is behind, in agriculture, other sections
less favorably situated. 1t would be interest
ing. had we time, to inquire into the cause OF
causes aus of this state of things. This we do not
propose to do. The future is before us, and we
NAV contemplate with profit the prospects.
Some day, not far distant, if war; with its
desolating results, does not visit the South, it
will be one of the first farming countries in the
world. This is especially true of South Caro-
lima. Multitudes have learned by actual e1pe-
rience that all things considered, farming is
more remunsrative in South Carolina than in
any other State in the Union. OF the vast
number of those who have left the State there
are but few who would not come back IT they
were able and could do 80 without looking
ashamed. They are like the Irishman WAS who
said when asked if he did not desire to go back
to Ireland-"No, I do not, because am poorer
than when I left Ireland" Others who have
been obseryant of this have become better sat-
isfed. In fact, there is less disposition to-day
to emigrate than has been at any previous Pc
riod in the history of the State. This is oml.
nous of good. If every farmer in the State OF
South Carolina would determine to spend his
days in the State, the condition of things, ten
wears hence, would be very different from what
it is now. Farms would be improved, and
farmers would live more comfortable The
price of land would advance, and more settlers
would come into the State.
There is another favorable symptom. Far
mers are beginning to study their calling.
They do more thinking than formerly. The i'm
plements of agriculture are better, and work
animals are better. There are more improved
plows in York countyto-day than were in any
three counties in the whole State before the
war. AS q result of this improvement in plows
better blowing is done, and larger crops are
made to the same quantity of land cultivated
It is a favorable, omen that farmers are general
" determined to make their supplies at home
and all the cotton they can besides From
present prospects the day is not far distant
when farmer will be ashamed to buy corn in
ordinary seasons. In respect to producing
home supplies farmers have the theory clearly
in their minds and are commencing to practice
it.
Every year the people are becoming more
fully acquainted with the new state of things
which has been brought about by the abolition
of slavery in the South So soon as both white
man and negro accept the condition Of things,
the better it will be for the whole country. We
are nearer this point to-day than ever before.
Multitudes of white men have learned the fact
that the negro is free, who did not know it
three years ago; and the colored people of the
South have generally learned that freedom
without work will not put clothes on their back
or bread in their mouths. They have much yet
to learn, which we may as we'll hope they will
learn, as to ignoranty say they will not.
The prospects to-day, in another particular,
are more favorable than they were this time
last year. There is more corn in South Car
oina now than was, at the same time of the
year, at any time since the war; 1t is true that
money is scarce, but if farmers have plenty of
corn, thew can get along on very little money.
There will be fewer liens given in 1875 than
there were in 1874. There is a greater acreage
sown in small grain than usual. Some men
who, heretofore, sowed no wheat or oats, have,
this spring, large fields of both.
Last, but by no means least of those things
which promise we'll for the future, is the fact,
that farmers are more energetic than formerly.
The want of energy we'll directed has been the
cause of all the failures in farming in the
State for several years. The old men not being
able to adapt themselves to the new state Of
things became discouraged, and the young men
were idle and wasteful Things have changed,
or at least are beginning to change in this
respect. Many of the old men at the time the
war closed have died, and the young men are
beginning to take their places. This fact,
more than anything else, brightens the pros
poets for the future. Each year its effects are
more clearly seen. If every farmer will con-
tent himself to live at home, and attend to his
business closely, we predict prosperous flu
ture for South Carolina Yorkuille Enquirer.