Huntsville gazette., 1881-12-10
Thoughts for Farmers.

Now that our farmers have harvest
ed their crops and are enjoying the
winter season of rest from active ield
work few thoughts on their pres
ent situation will be timely and
should secure consideration. Crops
have been short and the hard work
ing planter after the yearly settle
ment either finds himself i'll debt or
with a very small balance in his favor.
Those who have pulled through the
drouth and the high prices of provis-
lens and kept their expenses bslow
their receipts are few and count thea
selves lucky. Last year it wa, but lit
tie better, and, indeed, under the
present system, every year seems to
add to the struggling farmer new EN-
bsrassments. His condition instead
of improving, grows worse or at the
best remains at stand still.
Naturally there is arising a spirit of
discontentment, and here and there
throughout the country the best far
mers sacrifice valuable property and
seek their fortunes In strange lands
leaving home, friends and kindred.
Every ueighbor who removes lnduen-
css others to follow, and unless the
cause is removed what now seems
but small affair will grad uslly
grow ints general exodus.
Discouraged by fruitless labor from
year to year with no hope for improve
ment iu the future the farmor will
reluctantly turn his back on the home
Of his birth and seek new lands for a
livelihood All that keeps him lin
gering with his lot here now, is his
knowledge that the South is naturally
adapted to his wants and needs, and
properly managed has abundat resour-
ces for supplying the means Of con-
tentment and happiness to vast pop
ulatiou. The fertility Of the soil Of
the far west with its rich mines or
the indueenlents Of the plains Of Tex
az, would all fail short if pul in the
scales against the charms Of our south
ern climate and seasons coupled wit h
. wise, economical farming system
and public enterprise offering remu-
nerativo employment to labor.
The deficiencies Of our present sys-
tenn Of farming have been pointed out
again and again. 1t has been shown
that the land must be worn out. ex-
hausted by constant routine OF crops
from year to year without manuring,
that the everlasting planting Of cotton
to the exclusion OF cereals must keep
the pocket drained to buy bread, that
negleoting to raise hogs, would re
msve our smeke-house to the North,
the logical result being the impovish-
ment of the country.
From the mutterings Of di,content
arising erywhere does it not appear
that we have reached the brink Of
ruin to which the system leads? Prob
ably the view Of the threatened dam
ger may cause pause, reflection aad
retracing OF our steps. 1t is not
too late.
The naturally fertile soil is still ca
pable OF being enriched and made to
yield as bounteously as ever. Only
let the broad plantations be sold out
into small farms OF such sizes as will
make their proper cultivation practi-
cable. Let our farmers. great and
small, plant more corn and less cot
ton, filling their cribs and smoke
houses with corn and meat enough
for their own supply and also to sup
ply their home markets. The wlyes
should pay more attention to fowls
and to the supply of milk and butter.
In many ways they can contribute to
the yearly income not only by lessen
ing the expenses Of the household
but by market money obtained from
the sale Of such things as butter, eggs
ETC., to say nothing Of what might be
saved by cutting of the snuff bills and
other useless expenditures.
Already step forward has been
made by the establishment of facto
ries in many part Of the South. Let
the good work gs on. Whenever a
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