The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-08-21

The attention of the readers of the Home
is directed to a consideration of the two
we'll written pieces taken from the SOuthern
CuItirdtOr and the FARMER n MECHANIC
which, if reduced to practice, would great
" enhance the comforts and prosperity OF
the farmer. | would not advocate the cul-
t~ivatiOn of the grasses IN this section for
the purpose of making stock raising an ex-
elusive business of ~husbandry, but all should
have a part of their lands devoted to them,
especially since the fence law has taken eff
feet. The want of diversified agriculture
is the great defect of farming in this region.
Every farmer should ralse, as far as practi-
cable. everything needle for consumption,
and then plant as much cotton as he can
cultivate for q money consideration, but
not with IA view to buying his supplies, ex
cept where his ands are fit only for cotton,
and the reverse should be practiced when
the lands are unfit for cotton, which is true
of some plantations. 1t is safe to say that
any farm could be trebled in value if each
would seed down a part OF his lands in
some of the grasses known to be good as a
pasturage for his stock, plant out an orch
ard of choice fruits, viz: Apples, peaches,
pears. grapes and appropriate enough of
their lands to raising potatoes, beets, turn
ips, and all the edible garden vegetables,
selecting those which are best adapted to
his soil. or his markets. avoiding those for
which it is ill adapted or can be raised
more easily elsewhere. for which an cX-
change could be made. Those things would
go far to supplement the deficiency that
might arise from a failure of the main field
crops for it is not wise to stake everything
on the success Of "a few articles, simply be
cause if tho season hits will make the most
profitable return, while. if they fail, the
planter is almost ruined. having nothing to
fall back upon. Every farmer should make
himself acquainted with the best implements
OF cultivation and thus abridge the cost OF
cultivation, for trying to compete with
skilled labor and machinery by hand work,
cannot he other than discouraging, for the
one can easy undersell and hire labor more
readily as their profits made at a less ex-
pense will enable them to pay higher wages.
1t Is a matter of surprise that SO little has
been done in cultivating grasses for pastu-
rage, especially when such success has
crowned the efforts of all who have tried
them, 1t is hard to induce farmers to make
experiments as most are contented to live
as their fathers did, which fact demon
s'rates the necessity of having the planter
properly educated and instructed Many
WISH TO cultivate grasses in lots about their
premises, hut cannot determine what kind
e" seed, waiting for something to turn up
that Will he better than anything known or
tnat Will grow on poor land. If he delays
I"r tl!at, his hairs will whlten with age first.
n one should prepare at once a lot for
oichardl Timothy, Red Clover or Lucerne,
"n,'n are known to do well in this section,
~" .ncn experiment as much rs he wants,
g u tie makes experiments first. the failure
nsucrrss may discourage him SO much that
~ may abandon the whole. and he content
10 live Us his father before him, then