Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1883-11-24
To the Standards
SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
BY V. NJ. METCALFE.

but little thought. But from long
years of close observation | believe
there is no question of greater impor
lance to the country than for the pro.
ducing people to keep up with the great
question Of supply and demand.
Now | wish to make few SUCCESS
tions in practical way that may ar
rest the attention of some and do good.
OF course, due allowance must be made
for this gambling age, when there is so
much produce sold that is never deliv-
cred. Yet even these stock and grain
gamblers are largely influenced by the
crop reports from the different States
or general Government. There is such
a thing as raising or producing more
than can be consumed. When this is
the case prices rule lower; but on the
other hand, if the supply is short, cor
responding high prices are obtained.
Before the days of railroads it was not
difficult for the farmer to decide the
price Of produce in his neighborhood,
as the supply and demand was easily
comprehended by him and he could
govern himself accordingly. But things
have changed. If an entire county, or
even State, should make a failure in
any crop it will not effect the general
market but little, since the railroads
and steamships are penetrating almost
every nook and corner of the country,
bringing the produce of every land and
country to our very doors, and often at
a much less cost than we can even pro-
duce it. So, in view of this wonderful
change, we must look around with a
wider range than simply over our own
neighborbood, county, State or country.
With these general remarks | leave
the farmer to follow his own reflections.
But | want to name few things that
are crowding the markets and others
that are scarce. We have too many
young men quitting the farm and
crowding the stores. Too many trying
to make living by their wits and
sharp tricks without honest toll. Toe
many farmers who are contented tc
make meat and bread without laying
up anything for old age or rainy day
wearing out their farms and entailine
poverty and ignorance on their chill
dren. We need more intelligent
thinking, Independent, working farmers
those who will get out of old ruts
The supply of poor tobacco, cotton
corn, wheat and stock of all kinds j,
greater than the demand. But the de
mand for the best cotton, corn, wheat
: tobacco and high grade stock was neve
better and at prices that will pay tt
produce them. There are too many
| farms for sale, mainly because they ar,
poor and not profitable to work. l
! you want to sell, fertilize the galdeC
places, and save all the stable manur
3 you can, sow clover and peas, turf
r them under green and rotate you
crops. Raise more grass and less grain
more Southdown sheep, more Berk
, shire hogs, more Shorthorn cattle an,
q fine horses and mules. Plant out NOR
= orchards, vines and fruits. Instead 0
q having the hills washed in guIlies
: ditch and drain the swampy place
E clean out the old spring, right up tn
Y fences, clean out the corners. Plan
: out shade trees in the yard, whitewas
d or paint the houses and fences. TAX
. out the pasted paper or old hat fror
the windows and put in glass for light
> Plant flowers and vines around til
house. Get your neighbors to join 20
:. in building a neat little schoolhouse an
church. Encourage mills and shops
= all kinds, except whisky shops, an
- my word for it by the time you g
your place in shape so there will be
demand for it, you will not want to Sc
half as much as you at first though
Bear this in mind, young man, the
is always demand for the best and
= a good living price.