The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-01-22
From the southern Cul;iyator
THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH.
BI W. l.. JONES
NEW DEPARTURES.


and methods very slowly their work goes
on from year to year in pretty much tho
same grooves - cmincntly conservative,
they fear that change will bring disaster.
Within proper limits, this conservatism is
both wise anl commcndabe The result
ant, so to speak, of the experiences of
large numbers of men running through
many years Is very apt to point in the
right direction. or quite near to it. But
change of surroundings, increase of kn9wl-
edge in other departments, more or less
closely relntcl t. farming. ncw inventions
together with additional experiences, open
the way sometimes. to gradual aud impor-
tant changes, even in the old art of aeri-
| culture. Witness the extended use of
commercial, or chemical fertilizers, and CT
labor saving Implements the large sub
stitution Of cotton for flax and wool, and Of
beet sugar for cane sugar in European
markcts-all within the memory of many
now living. The beginning Of n new year
| is a fitting time to consider whether any
new departures are advisable just now
| upon our Southern farms. Does calm,
| disppssionatc consideration of results war
rant a repetition in 1856 Of the plans,
methods and operations OF 1885 or are
there points at which it is plain that
greater or less chanycs might be alvanta-
gcously made? Let us look into these
matters.
rREroNDTRANCE or MONEY CROPS.
Is it not true that under the prevailing
farm economy, we sell and Euy too much
Are not money crops pu<hcd.too far? We
are thoroughly convinced that they are.
We lay it down as a sound, incontrovcrt-
ible maxim that nothing needed on the
farm or by the farmers family, should be
purchased, when it can be produced on
the farm at anything approximating
reasonable cost Consider what has to be
paid on everything thu, is bought. First,
ohc actual Cost vi prouufSlon OF the article
second, the profit Of the producer Of it;
third, the profit of the commission mer-
chant who first handles it; fourth, The
cost and profits Of iraymcn aud railroads
in transporting it, AMI fifth, the profits of
the commission merchant who sells it.
Surely, he must Be 4 very poor farmer who
cannot raise any article at all adapted to
his soil aud clinltc f1r less than he can
| buy it, with such an accumulated burden
Of profits laid upon it. If he is such a
poor farmer, how cln he possibly raise
money cops ut such little cost and with
such large profits, as to enable him 70 save
or make money by buying these other ar
ticles after 50 many profits arc taken ont
Of them Instead of poor farmer, it
would obviously take the very best and
most skillful 20 d. it, if it could be done
at all. Bat the truth Of the matter il, it
cannot be done. Nnc-tcn'hs Of Southern
farmers have tried to do it fu: the last
twenty years, and have signally failed.
They have sunk money in raising cotton to
buy corn. oats, hay, meat aud mules II
twenty years experience cannot open their
eyes and satisfy their judgments, how many
will be required to DO it? Tho force of
habit was never more forcibly illustrated
the ruts are SO deep, it looks as if the
wheels could not be turned aside and pull
ed out Of them.
pANICS-TlGIrNES IN MONEY MARKET
Observe that the practice under discus.
sion is not one Of simple barter cotton is
not exchanged directly for meat or corn or
hay ; but money intervcnes, cotton is sold
and SO are the other articles, and then re.
spectivcly bought again. This opens wide
the field to speculation panics and tight
ness in money matters come 10, sharpers
perhaps flourish, hut the farmer is suro tc
catch it then. If, however, he raises hi.
corn and other grain, his forage, meat and
mules, he escapes the malgin influences o.
Wall street, with full barns, what. boots i
to him if there is corner in grain o.
meat, he has none to buy, ~ merchants
bills for supplies to meet. lie is a free
man-what wealth he has, is freedom from
care and anxiety, how swcetly he sleeps a
night and how sunshiny his face in th
day. God pity the poor Israclitc who has
created famine on his farm, and has t,
so down to Egypt to buy coru; bondag
surely awaits him