The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-03-16
For hhc anderson E,aelligener.
A Word to the Patrons Of Husbandry.
TowNyILLK, s. c.,

TOWNSVILLE, s. c., March 9Th, 1876.
MEssRs. EprroRs: wish to say word to
the Patrons and farmers generally on agricul-
ture. The time has come when something
must be done, for this branch of industry is
rather at low standard, and seems as if it
will 90 lower. Many of our farmers are
bankrupt, others tottering, with only one
false step to crush them, while there are a
few who stand firm and make money.
Now, wish to notice the cause of this.
Are the farmers behind the times, and have
not the Improvements of the age to assist
them7 No, this will not do. Hundreds Of
talented men are bringing all kinds of i'm
proyements before the farmers almost daily;
all kinds Of products raised on the farm are
seasonably high; the great order Of Patrons
of Husbandry has spread itself over our
country, and the farmer has the benefits of
it. Why, then, are we not prospering2 The
answer is the same that has sounded in your
ears time and again. That we, like other
men, send to the West for flour and bacon
instead Of growing it at home. 1t is sure
thing if we do not look to our own interest
and quit sending our money off to buy these
products, we are ruined No people can
stand to buy more than they sell. How
many of our farmers are ruined by the de-
lusiye belief that one acre planted in cotton
will buy more -four and corn than can be
grown on two2 but look around you and
see if it has proved so; every mans own
experience will certainly teach him better.
Anything raised at home with reasonable
amount of labor, i, much cheaper than to
buy it. at almost any price. Make your
calculations on paper, and it seems as if it
would pay handsome profit; but try it,
and then you will be convinced, for'surely
there is vast difference in paying the ready
money and growing it. Many of us, too,
buy largely cf guano, which am satisfied
does not pay without the most skillful man.
agement. It is much better to buy only q
small quantity for composing, which is
equally as good with one-half the cost. We
grumble at the hard times-that the labor is
unmanagable, money scarce, etc. Well,
the labor is not as good as we would like,
but this il not the whole cause of the scar
city of money-it is raising cotton and that
alone. The market is glutted, and the result
is, cotton low, provisions high and no
money to buy with. The money passes
through the farmers hands, but unfortu-
nately none remains. Let the Patrons Of
Husbandry come to the front, and set the
example of living at home and making cot
ton as asurplus. Let US SOW down our lands
in small grain, raise as much corn as posi-
BILE and improve our stock-pay more atten-
ton to raising hogs and horses. We can
never prosper while we pay out so much
money for these things, and the worst fea-
turs is, the money all leaves the country
and does no body any good. Letevery good
farmer club with the h,teUigencer and take
some good agricultural journal, and profit
by the experience of others, for experiment.
ing for information on farming is rather ex-
pensive. Let Us all move on together, and
change the present state of affairs.
T.G.