Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1879-03-08
SOUTHERN FARM AND HONE,
Summer WORK in Winter.

WuHA in WAlAEEs
In time Of peace prepare for war"
Is a venerable maxim, applicable to the
farmer as well IS to the soldier. The
farmer should occupy at least a portion
OF the peaceful, leisure days, and lorg
evenings of winter, in preparing for the
active campaign OF the ensuing summer
In field, orchard and garden. Now, in
the early part Of the year, is the time to
study and mature plans for the approach.
ing season. Every wise husbandman
will give much thought to the subject
OF changes and improvements upon his
premises. With a map OF his farm be-
fore him he can easily mark the course
to be pursued and decide as to the best
manner If sccomplishir g the objects deS
sired. 1t is not hest L be in a hurry,
however, for IL is always wise to carefully
digest a plan before deciding to adopt it
IN practice. The better way is to cons
sidel the pros and cons until satisfied as
to the advantages of any proposed
change in your system Of culture or
management.
Any farmer who cultivates rom only
twenty five TO one hundred acres or
more, will find it or his interest to de-
vote time and att, ntion 10 this matter
OF preparation 1t will pay good divi-
bends before the close of the year to now
(or betort suring oIpns) decide and map
out, or even write down in detsil-sub
Ject, OI coursr, to modification il ntce~
sary what he pro. oses 70 SOW or plant
on each field to be Ctltivst. d, noting
the Changes and having regard to Il
proper system OF rotation II it is pro
posed to make sny additions in the way
OF buildings, etc, he should not only
have carefully prepared plans, but pro-
vide suitable material and arrange ali
details 30 far as is practicable. Ii other
improvements are TO be inaggursted,
whether in fencing, drainage, the plant
Ing OF orchards, the making of a better
garden, or the Ornamenting of the
grounds about the dwelling, etc, every
thing should be so carefully considered
snd provided for, that there may he no
delay when the proper season for action
shall arrive.
The man who thus employs his brains
in winter will be rewarded therefor dur
ing summer, in the greater ease and
cheal ness with which his plans can BE-
carried cut; for, having fully decided
what to do, and having made his arrange
ments deliberately, every operation will
be performed in its appropriate season,
and with that promptness which follows
foresight, readiness and energy. Indeed,
the wide'awake, progressive %cultivator.
will 30 study and mature his plans dur.
ing the winter season, that when spring
opens he will be prepared to put his
forces in the field at the earliest prac.
tlcSble moment, and, by leading and
directing in person, see that there is no
delay or waste of time at the season
when " time is money"
Winter is also the proper season to de.
eide as to what seeds, implements and
fertilizers will be required, and to secure
the same, or make such arrangements
that they a be had when wanted. If
changes are to be made IN the varieties
OF any grains, vegetables or grasses, it
Will be well to secure the seed early, and
N"hNSSo0"' w duu LudI tue DtbL is
always the cheapest. If new tools or i'm
plements are required, or old ones need
repairing, to enable one promptly and
properly to perform the necessary opera,
lions OF the coming campaign, give the
matter early attention, and thus guard
against h ndrances and accidents at a
time when delays are expensive, if not
dangerous.
II is well occasionally to jog the mem
cries of even the most intelligent, for it
may be truthfully said of a host of well
advised farmers, that
They know the right, and they approve it
too;
Condemn the wrong, and still the wrong
pursue"
Albeit this couplet may not apply to the
reader, 1t will just fit some Of his neigh
bors. But be that SIS it may, we insist
that the prudent far-seeing husbandman
may, by a timely exercise of his brains,
DO much of the coming seasons work in
advance OF its opening - with which
axiom VIZ close.