Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-03-23
Agrieultnral 9epartment
longinal..
UNITED EFFORT.


The condition of our country is in many
respects very peculiar. The farmers-at leas
majority of the large farmers-are in en-
barrassed circumstances, and many of the
small farmers are not in very prosperous
condition. Several reasons, may be assigned
for the present condition Of the South. Since
the war there has been much smaller supply
of food, both for man and beast, produced in
the South, than was ever before. All the
pork and bacon have been bought, and nearly
all the corn, -four, hay and fodder. This is
one reason why farmers are so hard pressed
Another is, they have been extravagant in
their dress and in their mode of living, gen.
orally. They have simply lived beyond their
income. They made one dollar, and spent
more than dollar.
These two reasons form the base of the
present critical condition of our country. To
these may be added exorbitant taxes, inefh-
cient labor, and host of other things spring
ing out of the deplorable political condition
of the whole country. Every man who de-
sires to see the country restored to prosperity,
must retrace his steps. First Of all things, he
must make an honest effort to produce bis
own supplies.
A decided improvement, in this particular,
has taken place within the last two years.
More small grain was sown last fall, than has
been sown in any one season in the last ten.
It is to be hoped that more corn will be plant
ed all over the Southern country this spring,
than ever was before. If this is done, pro-
visions will be plenty. If, in addition to this,
an effort is made, some hogs can be raised-at
least half enough to supply the demand of the
country.
AS people, we have been extravagant.
We must be more economical in the future.
We must dispense with multitude Of useless
extravagances in dress, and luxuries in liv-
ing. We must submit to some sacrifices if we
would save the country from bankruptcy.
Half the usual cotton crop, could it all be ap-
piled to the paying of,debts, would place the
majority of our farmers in safe condition.
Heretofore it has taken all the cotton crop to
meet current expenses, and still there remain
ed fearful deficit.
In this thing there must be united effort.
One man by himself can do very little. Maj
is a social being and society is ruled by the
majority. If the majority of farmers would
inaugurate such reform as we have indica.
ted, the minority would not long be found lag
ing behind. With proper forethought and
rigid economy, there is no reason why next
year may not be as prosperous as the present
is gloomy.
At present there is no encouragement to
plant large crop of cotton. The price is by
no means very remunerative when we count
the cost of producing it; and the probability
is that the ruling price in the future will be
below what it is at present. Supply and de.
mand in the future must regulate the price of
cotton. The present supply is more than
equal to the demand.
It is worth an effort to rescue country like
ours from it's embarrassed condition. The
thing can be done if properly directed effort
is made The effort must be made at once and
made by all.