The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-01-18
THE FARMERS NEW YEAR.
HOW TO MAKE 4 GOOD BEGINNING
IN FARM WORK.

HOW TO MAKE 4 GOOD BEGINNING
IN FARM WORK.
A Timely Article from an AUTHORITATIVE
Source--A Glance at the Past. with Soun<
Suggestions for the Future.
fFrom the Southern Cul1irator)
Notwithstanding failures and dlSap
pointments of the year just closed, anc
in view of the promises that s'seea time
and harvest. and cold and heat, snc
summer and winter, and night, shall no:
cease" let every one apply himself Will
new hope, redoubled energy and IN
Tagging zeal to the duties Of the New
Year-1SSS!
REVIEW OF TIE PAST.
New Years is the traditional time for
making new resolutions. It Is con-
Yenient time to ssturn over new leaf,
as it is commonly expressed. In order
10 determine wisely and clearly his plans
and purposes for the year just entered,
each farmer should look back on the
past year and compare the results OF his
twelve months labors with tue plans,
purposes and expectations with which he
began operations last January. He Is en-
unwise general who plans and iHansu-
rates new campaign without reference
to the conditions, methods and move
ments of previous campaigns WHICH
brought victory and success, or led to
disaster and failure. Experience IS said
to be s'dear school" but 1t IS very
valuable school. Patrick Henry ssld, N
reference TO the pending troubles OF col
onies with the British Government, that
he had but one lamp by which his 1eet
were guide6-'sthe lamp OF experience,
while farmer has other lights besides,
that of experience-so lar as 1t extends
along the WAYS safe guide. Let the
whole course of last years plans and
work, the conditions, circumstances anc
seasons, be recaled, as far as NAV be.
Trace successes or failures to their
causes. Note the effect OF changes from
previous methods. Go back in memory
to former years; extract from the expe-
rience of past history SIS farmer all the
excellencies, and reject al the blenllshes.
It is only by SO doing that we can proht
by the lessons of the past.
TIE PRESENT CONDITION.
It ought to be no difficult matter for
farmer to compare his condition and CIR
cumstances now with his condition one
year ago. Still, We fear there are many
farmers who cannot say certainly, be-
cause they do not know whether they
are better or worse cff-whether On the
whole they have advanced or retcoSrs9-
ed. This ought not SO to be, and would
not if they would acquire the habit OF
Keeping some sort of accounts OF farm
operations. But every farmer knows
whether his general condition Is pros
hperous and satisfactory. Much has been
Sid and written OF late about the gen
2SAA j condition Of Southern agriculture,
Intelligent mer hold precisely oppo-
lspinions as to whether, as 8 class,
growing poorer or richer. The
"A may never be determined, and
mined little can De done to
3ss e the condition Of agcsealsnre
by concerted OF Cooperative action 50
far as the actual management OF our
farms-our system of farming-is con-
cerned. Cooperation among farmers
has often been attempted, but has never
achieved any decided success. It IS i'm
practicable to control the operations OF
Individual farmers by any sort OF resotu-
tons or covenants or pledges. There
are too many of them; they are too
widely separated; they cannot meet ID
mass conventions; their circumstances
and surroundings are too varied and
diverse. Let agricultural conventions
and tanners congresses meet and discuss
and resolve and adjourn. The stimulate
thought and arouse investigation. The
exchange of experiences, suggestions OF
improved methods, and the social inter
course are beneficial and helpful. The
chief benefit, however, to be expected OF
these representative assemblies IS the
moulding OF public opinion and the
giving expression to the demands Of the
great agricultural classes OF the country
for equal and fair legislation, the aboh-
ton OF unjust Determinations, and the
establishment of schools Of agriculture,
experiment stations, departments OF aS-
riculture and the like, for the develop
ment and protection and advancement
Of agriculture.
WHAT WILL YOU DO.
Esch farmer must determine Tor hlm-
self. with all the lights before him, what
he may and will do for himself. Let
him resolve that whatever others may
do. he will that course, ii general plan
and detail, that is indicated by experi-
ence, observation and careful study.
Let him not rely upon what others may
say, or what Oranges and Alliances may
resolve. II every farmer would pursue
this course there wou.3 result at once
the beginning Of al independent, sell.
reliant individual system, the result OF
which in beneftting each individual
adopting such system, will be the ad-
vancemens and upbuilding OF the a2gre'
gate OF all such individuals. This mus:
be the basis OF our improvement and
progress.
TAXING STOCK.
Every farmer ought tc stake stock,
as the merchants express it, at least once
a. wear. Note down in o dairy or &C
count book the number, condition and
value of stock of ail kinds, the amount
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