Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-04-29
From the Weekly Southern Farmer
How to Change from Cotton to Stock
Growing Safely Cotton Guilt
walton, ETC., Etc.

walton, Etc, Etc.
Even 'sBroomsedge' has gone back Oh
cotton, and from all quarters we hear the
cry Of deserters from the ranks of the
"King." Well, We will inquire, "Qui
Bono?" The folly OF the over loyal sub
iects will cause the market to be over
stocked and the fleecy staple at discount.
As much or more cotton will be planted
this year than ever before. And while
few may be ''nauseated at the sight of a
stalk or bale of cotton" and venture up
on, TO them, untried and doubtful expert
ments, the masses of cotton growers Will
not fail to follow in the beaten ruts Of
ruin. For my part, both are in error.
"In medias res tutisimus est" do not
advocate nor do / believe that the total
Abandonment of cotton is the proper way
TO remedy existing evils; nor can l be-
lieve it is the policy to be adopted by any
Southern farmer. Diversity of products
is the source of success. Our climate and
soil are well suited to this mode of farm
ing. Most, if not all, the cereals grow
well in parts of the South, and all things
considered, they can be grown as profita-
BILE as further north, and the domestic an
finals do as we'll, if not better. Give
them the same attention and we can even
do better with some, for instance, cows
and sheep, and, l believe, horses. The
grasses grow well and yield largely, and
if due regard is paid to known laws and
due eredence given to the experience of
others, we can produce as much hay, and
as good, and have as fine pastures in sum
mer and better in winter than farther
north. The necessities of the manufac-
turing and commercial communities. will
always make it safe to plant cotton, but
the large area upon which it can be pro-
duced, the manner of cultivation and
preparation for market, will always cause
il to be grown, if not in excess, at least
up to the demands. The proper plan Is
not to abandon cotton by any within the
latitude in which it can be grown sue
cessfully. But on the contrary, so diver
SHY the products of the farm as to make
tho farm sustaining, independent of the
cotton crop. Cotton should be the sur
plus-the prOfit-of the Southern farmer.
He should buy no meat, 20 corn, no hay.
If he will, he can raise these at home !;
the cotton crop will then be disencum-
bered of the great load now heaped upon
It, and instead of keeping the farmer
cramped, in debt and declared from the
luxuries and pleasures that money gives,
the farmer will pay out of debt, have
money with which To adOrR home, secure
the comforts, nxuries and pleasures
which few know of. Then the farmer
and his family would be enabled to enjoy
life at home; be no longer harassed by
debt; no longer yearning after intellect
ual food; no longer repine for the ele-
gances and refinements that wealth alone
can bestOw. Then do not abandon cot
ton, but plant plenty of cereals, prepare
pastures, have meadows-and with these
you can have fatted pigs, lambs, and en-
Joy the luXuries of fresh meats instead
of old bacon.
Let the Southern farmer improve the
style of and enlarge his barns, and let
them be filled with grain and hay and
stock; reduce the area of cotton, but in
crease the quality and quantity per acre.
These things can be done, and if once
the desire is ingrafted upon the mind and
heart, the means will present themselves.
Many are making the change, others
even now will do sO-the only thing is,
How shall /, at this time of the year, go
about it? They want forage for the in
creased amount of cattle, sheep, hogs,
and to cut down the cotton crop to pro-
per limit leaves large amount of land
unOccupied, which, to plant in corn,
would produce too great surplus. And
another thing is hay or winter forage and
winter pasture for stock. For hay, plant
peas broadcast or in drill, when mature
pull up by the roots or cut, cure and
store away for winter. To get a pasture
for winter it is coo late for any grass eN-
cept clover. Plow ground thoroughly
aud deep in April; about the first of May
sow peas one and half bushels to the
acre, pillow peas in shallow; then on the
ground SOW clover seed, one peck to the
acre, harrow in well. The peas come up
Immediately and afford shade and protect
the young clover. In August you will
have fine chance of pea vines for hay,
and good patch of clover. Again in May
prepare an acre or two acres of good
land by thoroughly blowing and harrow
ing; plant this with German Millet-the
yield is astonishing to those who have
never seen il tried, and is the best feed,
pea vine hay excepted, that we can have
for stock during winter. These things
can and will be done, and a goOdly guam
tity of cotton be raised on the same farm.
The increase of forage insures increase of
stock, increase of stock insures increase
of manure, with which TO improve the
cotton crop. n. z. b.