The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-09-07
Brains and Method In Farming.

Could talking or writing have avalled
any thing, enough has been said long
ago TO have depopulated the towns and
established an impossible blockade for
bread and meat around the Cotton
States. We do not propose now to
waste ink arguing the point. Our pur-
pose is; if possible, to aid those who
are content to stay in the country and
work. We believe that farming properly
conducted does pay, that its profits are
reasonable and sure, when brain and
Drawn cooperate eheerfully, intelh-
gently and enegetically; but we believe
just as fully that speculative, careless,
routine, uncalculating, unscientific
farming will not pay, but will, with
fearful speed, make bankrupts of those
who practice it. Illustrations Of the lat
ter proposition abound on every side
those of the former, whilst far from be-
ing so numerous, may be seen in almost
every few farmers stand
ing head and shoulders above the un-
thinking crowd.
Ever since the war the land has re-
sounded with complaints of labor; with
more justice it should be of lack of
brains. Brains to plan, brains to cal
culate, brains to execute; brains to de-
eide what crops will pay, how much
labor will pay, how much and what
manures will pay; what rest should be
gwen to the soil, what restitution made
for its depletion by crops, what rota-
tions will pay best and longest main
tain the fertility of the soil; what stock
will pay best, and most economical
modes of feeding. These and hundreds
of other like questions call most loudly
for strong, educated, thoroughly train
ed brains. Away with the practice of
making tenants or partners of negroes,
and delegating to them the direction
and management of our Southern agri
culture. What would be thought of
merchant or contractor who would
put negroes in charge of his business?
Does farming require less judgment,
less perception, less tact than buying
and selling goods?
Another proposition, palpable to every
rejecting man, is that every ones OPP
erations should be brought sharply
within the limit of his means. Credit
at all times is hazardous; during peri
DDS of great financial disturbance it is
almost invariably disastrous. Credit
ors then become unusually clamorous,
and property brings little if forced to
sale. But what should be done if one
is already in debt, it may be asked.
Sell, if need be, everything above what
is needed to run one-horse farm, and
start from the bottom. Show yourself
honest and you will not need home
stead OF other laws to protect you.
Creditors are exacting because they
fear dishonesty. When one firmly and
cheerfully resolves to pursue a course
like this, it is surprising how little is
required to run farm and support a
family until a crop is made. A cow
and a garden will keep starvation a
long way off. Just think of the guam
tity of Irish potatoes that can be raised
on a little patch of ground, how early
in the season they are available, and
how nearly this tuber can supply the |
place of bread. While urging this he
roic treatment, we hope few will need |
it. We are sure, however, that very |
nearly all our farmers would be bet
tered by more or less contraction Of
business, selling enough to pay off old |
debts, and then adhering firmly and
inileXibly to the maxim 'pay rs you
90. .''-SOutheTn CUltiUatOr.