The Osceola times., 1886-07-24
SCOTCHMAN AMONG THE
FARMERS.
Communicated 1

Frenchman's Bayou. We found it il
a fine and beautiful farming country
with many large farms along il
banks. Hundreds Of acres seem 10 b,
from three to SIX feet above over
flow. The surface is level; land fer
tile buckshot; timber, heavy oak
ash, pecan and other growths com
mon to the rich soils of the Missis
sippi Valley. The older farms show
signs of failing through want Of res
or rotation Of crops. Cotton has i'm
povcrished them, though it may hav,
enriched their owners. The people
are polite, kind, generous and intel
ligent; especially so, are the young
men and young ladies'. Young town
folks often speak Of their "verdant
country cousins" laying much stress
on the word "verdant." Here, allow
us to say to such, and especially tc
those city young men who seem tC
think it too much trouble to be al,
ways acting the gentleman, ycu
would profit greatly in your effort,
to become gcnteel, polite and grace
full by visiting the young people ol
Frenchman's Bayou, and seeing witt
what ease, comfort, natural grace
and politeness they receive and en-.
tcrtain their friends, aud strangers.
1t is true they make no pretentlor
to the split-silk etiquette practiced
by dudes in cities, because their good
sense will no; allow it. You know
in cities,
Some seek a distinction even In a falling,
Like to seem fastidious, weak aud aiiisg;
But give me the country youth tha,s hardy
brave and Kind
Whose homes, face Is the index Of his mind
Crops are not good. Cotton land,
seem not to have been properly pre-.
pared in the beginning. In man,
places it was planted late, and Ina,
been cultivated badly, owing to the
heavy Spring rains, which have alst
caused it to be very Irregular by
standing too long in low and I'M
drained portions Of the farms. /, il
wanting in color, size and fruit, and
with All early frost, cannot make
more than half crop.
Corn seems to have been put on
the worst lands, without much pre-,
paration; left entirely too thick; ; cul
tivated too little; laid by too soon
and, consequently, will not make hall
as much as the same land, with tn.
same season can be made to proluc,
by proper preparation Of soil bcfore
planting, proper culture after plant
ed and properly thinned. Rain haa
not been the only drawback to thci'
crops. Trying to cultivate too many
acres to the hani ard tam has sprun.
a frightful leak on most of the farms
The river overflow is bad enough
but n political overflow il much wors,
on some farms. Cattle Look well, bu
from the piles Of sticks, chunks ane
broken rails we saw lying arount
most OF the milking pens, we do no
think they come up more than ono,
Il day to be MIXED. Upon the Who'll,
Frenchmun's Bayou i, az good as an,
portion of Mississippi county we hav'
seen, but like martha of old, there il
one thing needful, and that is Rail
road. The trees need it; the land,
need it; the products of the farm
need it; the old people need it, and
the young people need it to cnlarg'
the circle of their acquaintances
that they may marry to better al
vantage. A railroad through French
mans bayou would produce a chang
on that people similar to that expc
rienced by the chick when he frs
steps from his she'll. AS he is heavi
or then than the original egg, so the,
would be weather. and made NOR
happy by seeing, hearing and know
ing more of the beautiful world il
which we live.
In conclusion, our opinion Is tina
country merchants should be eau
uous how Acy advance, and farmer
and tenants cautious how they draw
| Both should economize this Summe
and Fall wherever economy is al
missable if they wish to avoid tn
anaconda mortgage next Spring
1t is a horrid monster. Though
moves as silently as sleep, and s
slow you can not see it move, yet
is an enormous feeder. II eats farm.
houses, trees, stock, thrcshing ma
chimes and steam saw mills. ]
drinks up all the happiness Of ever
member of the family around whc
it is allowed to close its vampir
coils. Avoid it as you should dem
agogue politician. Either of thcr
can take down a whole county, stat
or nation at single gulp. If yo
love happiness, hate them, and ney
er submit to either only as men d
to death-when il cannot be avoid
ed. We assure you they are eve
worse than SCoTCAMAN.
I,,,, IL C,,.,ola. !, o,,r,, L.,