The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-03-09
Fewer Acres-Better Cultivation.
From the Southern Culuvat0r. ]

From the Southern CulIivat0r.l
In the presence of wiser methods
of culture than those which were
common under the regime of slav-
cry, the habit of attempting to cul-
tivate too many acres still prevails
toa great extent. Those who have
abandoned it are experiencing the
benefits of this feature of reform,
and we hope the day is not distant
when those who yet cling to the
practice will discover its folly.
1t should be the policy of every
one to adjust the number of acres
TO the available force of the farm, SO
that, by reasonable industry, the
whole may be cultivated well. This
will certainly result, relatively, in
larger and more excellent products
than a greater area imperteclly cul'
tivated.
There is something more TO be
done than the mere planting, plow-
ing and hoeing of the crop, in order
to successful agriculture. The pre-
breaking up and fertiliZing,
is not only essential, but should
be provided for i'll the cal
cuIatiOn of the work OF
each year. The farmer who collects
the materials and makes the COM
posts for his own fields, is now only
rendered secure against the posi-
bic frauds OF the vendors of tertili-
zers, but adds to his soil that which
Is enduring i'll its influence and sat
| isfying in its results. When an
acreage which requires the constant
| work of all available labor, for cul-
tivation and harvesting, is set apart
for the year, the very essential items
OF making and applying home meas
ures is sure to be overlooked.
The common practice of pay
ing high prices tor conf
nlercial fertilizers of uncer-
tain character, and sprinklIng them
i'll hills, or rows, is by no means an
equivalent for the use of domestic
mauures. One stimulates for sea-
son, the other becomes real addI-
ton to the soil.
| lime spent i'll actual and permanent
Improvement of land is more wise
| ly spent, even with an acreage some
what too small, than that which is
devoted to the reckless cultivation
| OF an excessive area. While either
extreme is unwise, ii is better to fall
below a right estimate of the availa-
Die force with the advantages of thor
ough fertilization from the compost
beds, and thorough culture, than to
take on so many acres that
both the land and the crop are in
juriOusly treated. Proper attention
to preparation and cultivation, will
cause one acre to produce perhaps
more than two under less favorable
treatment. In the former case the
farmer is not only gathering an am
pie harvest, but is making the land
more valuable intrinsically; in the
latter labor is strained to its utmost
tension, horses are OverwOrked, and
the land itself impaired by slOvenly
preparation and culture. The poor
est lands, with a clay foundation,
may be permanently enriched TO the
highest degree by the application
of domestic manures for success
sion of years and it is equally true
that good land may be impoverish-
ed by its improvident culture. The
making, or the destruction of soil.
should be taken into account in all
estimates of the results of farming
When the agriculturists of the
Southern States awake to the i'm
portance OF limiting the area fol-
cultivation so that time may be al
lowed for such details as concern
the real improvement of their lands,
they will not only have the satisfac
ton OF more extensive harvests, but
of seeing the real fertility of their
fields enhanced. Then, by reasOna.
BILE industry. they will be enabled to
keen their farms in condition fol
present profitable use, and likewise
as productive heritages for then
children. Each farmer must be the
Judge of the number of acres his
force can cultivate well, keeping i'll
view the work necessary for pre-
pairing aud making domestic ma
nures, and for making such bitches
rs are required 10 prevent the wash
ING away of the soil. 1t will be a
glorious period for southern agri-
culture when the policy herein COM
mended is universally enforced, and
we long for the coming of that day.
1t this generation and the next can
not repair the ruin which was
wrought by our fathers, in the reck-
less cultivation of their lands with
slave labor, it is possible to stay the
work of destruction, and preserve
and improve that which escaped as
our heritage. Let this subject be
seriously and wisely considered.
and acted upon, by every tiller OF
the soil!