Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-06-24
Stauntotl Spectator.
WEDNESDAY, JDNE "a, 1885.
THE OUTLOOK FOR SOTHERN AGRICUL-
TURE.

things which he thinks deserving of criti-
cism. but it is always safe before one criti-
cises ANYTHING new in a strange place, to
wait until he understands something of the
necessities of the case. The whole agri-
cultural practice of the South, necessarily
differs greatly from that of the North.
Climate has an important influence, which
is not at once apparent to stranger. And
when one sees old fields turned out, and
cotton and corn grown in crooked beds and
burrows, and many other practices which
are new and strange, he may justly believe
that these ways are thus, because they are
the best under the circumstances. But it
is quite possible to change ones circum-
stances in many cases, and after some
years. experience with Southern agricul-
ture, it seems quite evident that Southern
farmers can make better use of their land
than to thoroughly exhaust it by continued
cropping in cotton and corn, as to disable
it from producing even the common weeds.
Rotation of crops is taught us by nature.
Any one may see how nature practices this
rotation, in the springing up of pines and
other soft woods, on lands from which hard
woods have been removed, and the growth
of hard woods upon cleared pine lands.
When the soil has been exhausted of GER
tain elements which have furnished food
for corn, cotton or tobacco, any one OF
these crops may follow another without
an indication of distress, but when the
whole of them have been grown success
sively, and the soil has been exhausted of
every constituent required by these crops,
there is still food enough left for grass, if
the process of exhaustion has not been
carried too far No doubt, as a rule,
Southern farmers have gone to extremes in
their disregard of these requirements of
the crops, and the ability of the soil to
supply them; hence the great amount of
poor, abandoned land which is left to grow
up in weeds, and ''old field'' pines and
oaks. It cannot be charged against South
ern farmers that they are any worse in this
respect than their Northern and Western
brethren have been. A judicious rotation
of crops is the first step toward this better
way and there is now favorable opportu-
nifty for beginning new course in this res
pect A great European war appeared to
be imminent but short time ago, and
many think that it is postponed for but
short time Should it occur, its first effect
probably will be, to affect the cotton mar
ket disadvantageously. This will force
Southern farmers to grow some other
crops, and the first and best of these crops
will be grass and clover. Then will follow
the feeding of stock, the production of
beef, mutton, pork, butter, cheese and
fruit, and other valuable and indispensable
products These will not only bring in
money to the South, but will keep money
there, and the very greatest need of the
South-money-wil very soon be supplied.
With the increase of food products will
soon follow manufactures, which will occu-
Ply the magnificent water powers, and It'll
ize the vast wealth of timber and valuable
minerals. Then will follow railroads,
shipping, great increase of population
and prosperity, and all these will make the
South what it's great natural wealth and
unex celled climate fitted it to bs-the rich
est portion of the United States"
The foregoing editorial article is from
the July number of the american Agri-
cultwist, New York, which has been re-
ceived in advance of its date. The view
taken of Southern agriculture in some of
its features is from standpoint, East and
South of the Virginia Valley, but the arti-
Gle is so fair in its conclusions, which are
not without direct interest to our immedi-
ate section of country, that we reproduce
it entire, for it will be read with high
degree of pleasure in our own as we'll as in
the States farther South.
The Agriculturist numbers it's readers in
the North and West by thousands, and we
really think the articles will be of much pres
emf, and we hope of continuing, value to
the South, and as journal, representing a
fair share of our agricultural and indus
trial interests, the SPECTATOR makes its
Acknowledgements for the broad and gene
rous spirit which pervades it, as well as fol
the timely and wholesome advice it offers.
Virginia farmers admit that they have
been in times past unmindful of adhering
to we'll devised systems of crop rotations,
and that they were no more secure against
the temptations of dissipated farming, i.
their earlier experience, than are Western
producers now, and whilst the fact is moi
mentioned as justifable excuse, yet it is
something new for Southern agriculturists
to hear, that they are not the only people
who have such delinquency to account for.
When formerly appealing 10 our young
men to remain in their homeland rather
than be allured away from it by the glitter
ing offerings of the newer West, we have
referred to the fact, that the day of recu-
peration would have to be met there as il
has already come upon US in all it's severity
and that not wholly from improvident
culture and this is truth which reason
ably follows the whole matter as the Agri-
calturist puts it. Resuscitation is now a
necessity inthe older Western States, and we
maintain that the difficulties which beset
it, and The indisposition to meet the situa-
ton, are greater there than in our old
States where climate, subsoil, and other ad-
vantages are largely in our favor.
The policy foreshadowed for the cotton
States, in the event of certain contingengen-
cies prevails now in Virginia, and if we con-
tinue to appreciate wheat culture as basis
Of soil improvement that policy will con-
tinue to enlarge, adding annually to exist
ing resources for the profitable production
of the mixed industries named in the refer
ence.
After surveying the field in "The out
look for Southern Agriculture the editor
from whom we quote closed with an ex-
preston which is indeed refreshing to every
Southern man who may have the opportu-
nifty of reading after him. He observes the
coming era of our greatness. which fills
the heart with hope, with cheerfulness and
with contentment IN the realization that
we are furnishing the highway to great
and rightful destination. In laying down
the modes of our progress, we are CONT
dent that the views of the editor of the
AgricuHmist are fully met when we can
assure him that they are in full accord
with his counsels, as we apply them for
our advancement. He says: "Then will
follow railroads, shipping, great increase
of population, and all these will make
the SOUTH what its great natural wealth
and unexcelled climate fitted it to be-the
richest portion of the United States.''