The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-06-29

6h ch., 18th q.
In the application of the term economy,
I wish not to be understood as meaning
that contracted and parsimonious princi-
pie usually called stinginess, that closes
up the heart, and stiles every generous
and noble impulse, but that more en-
larged and comprehensive principle that
prompts the farmer to husband all the
resources of the farm, and apply them to
the best advantage.
The cardinal virtue of economy is one
of universal application, and capable OF
great expansion. There is scarcely an
operation on the farm, or al item of do
mestic or household management, in
which it cannot be applied, and the dill
gent, practical farmer will find occasion
every day for its profitable exercise. Our
Saviour, when on earth, took occasion to
set us notable example, in the applica.
ton of this great principle, when "He
commanded His disciples to gather up
the fragments that nothing be lost"
Many of our farmers have energy, and
work hard, and make good crops, too ;
but at the close of the years operations
fail to realize any profit, because they
neglect "to gather up the fragments that
remain :" for it is in the fragments, most
ly, that the profit is to be found.
There are so many ways and occasions
for the profitable exercise of this impor-
tant virtue, that it is impossible to emu
merate them all. I only propose to
mention few of'the most important, and
the first, is that of labor.
Here, in the South, there is more
money lost in the improper application
of labor than in any other way whatever,
and the present stinted condition of our
people is due, in great measure, to this
cause. Much of the land cultivated here
does not pay one.half the cost of its cul-
tiyation. It is strange, indeed, that they
should persist in habit that is so OBJ
viously unwise and ruinous. This habit
was acquired when labor was abundant
and cheap, and our people are so much
welded to their old habits, that they have
not yet realized the necessity of an entire
change of these habits-or rather they
have not wrought themselves up to the
point ofn,aking the change. Talk to them
about these things, and they will &C
knowledge the truth of everything said,
but will still pursue the old beaten track.
They say that their land is all poor, and
what else can they do. The answer to
this excuse is, you must either confine
your cultivation to such land as will pay,
or you must use the fertilizers on the
poor land, so as to make paying crop,
and 20 on and adopt good system OF
improvement, and permanently improve
the poor land; +; and this can be done
mainly by clovering, and by saving and
applying everything on the farm that can
be converted into manure.
Labor is money, or the equivalent OF
money, and we should exercise as much
economy in its expenditure az in the ex-
penditure of our dollars and cents. Our
iaborers should receive our constant at
tention, and be made to discharge their
duties faithfully. The duty and interest
of the master does not lie so much in
laboring with his own hands, as in con-
trolling and directing the labor he en-
ploys though it would not be amiss to
lend a helping hand occasionally, just to
let the hands know that he is not above
doing it. There is necessary, on every
farm, directing, controlling, and super
intending power, without which, business
will not progress satisfactorily. An in
telligent, practical business man can
accomplish good deal more in this way,
than by working constantly himself.
Time is the next item in the account
of ecr nomy which propose 10 notice;
Time is also money, or the equivalent OF
money. Ah! it is very often a vast deal
more valuable and important. 1t is so
precious, indeed, that our benefcent
Creator has given us but moment at q
time. How important, then, to husband
the time, ;" and "count the moments as they
fly" and how criminal to waste or kill
time.
In order to proper economy of time
and labor, the practical farmer should
maintain order, system and discipline on
the farm. He should exercise fore
thought, and his plans should be well
digested and matured in advance. Gen
orally, there are special seasons, oppor-
tune moments for each separate work on
the farm, and when each is done at its
own appointed time, everything goes on
harmoniously. On the other hand, when
the farmer gets behind.hand with bis
work, and one operation begins to crowd
upon another, confusion and embarrass-
ment ensue, sometimes involving the loss
of much time and labor.
Early rising is another requisite for the
proper economy of time, and the master
himself should, generally, be the first to
rise. 1t is all a delusion to think that
the laborers are going to rise up early
whilst he remains in bed; and it is equal
ly delusive to suppose that he can jump
up and blow horn, as signal, and then
return to bed, and expect his hands to
get up and go directly to their work, as
if We were present. "He rose up early
in the morning." is an expression from
the Bible, and whenever the old pa
triarchs had any important work to DO,
they always got about it early in the
morning. Early rising is indispensable
to successful farming.
MUCH Clme anu laDOr mdy ue Sdfou Ny
the proper location of the buildings, farm
pens, and roads of the farm. When the
buildings happen to be located at one
end of the farm, greatdeal Of time must
necessarily be lost in hauling and passing
to and from the daily work. These
buildings, if practicable, should always
be located in the centre of the farm, and
as convenient as possible to wood and
water. On many farms great deal of
time is lost in hunting up tools that have
been misplaced. No suitable place is
provided for them, and when the laborers
happen to stop using them, they are care
lessly thrown aside, and when they are
again needed, very often day is con-
sumed in hunting them up.
On every farm there should be provided
safe and suitable place for storing away
the agricultural implements and tools of
every kind, and the master should see to
it that the laborers lodge them there
whenever they stop using them.
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