The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1888-01-19

Suggestions for tho Future.
(From the Southern Cultivator)
Notwithstanding failures and disa,
pointmonts of tho year just closed, an
in Wow of the promises that "sced tim
and harvest, and cold and heat, an
summon and winter, and night, shall nc
cease" let ovory ono apply himself wit
new hope, redoublcd energy and I'LL
tagging zeal to the duties of tho Ney
Ycar-1988!
REVIEW CT TIE PAST,
Now Years is tho traditional timo 70
making new resolutions. It is q con
Vonlent timo to "turn over o now leaf,
as 1T is commonly expressed. In orde,
to determine wisely and clearly his plans
and purposes for tho year just entered
each farmer should look back on the
past year and compare tho results of his
t"elVo months lRbors with the plans,
purposes and expectations with which he
began cporations last january. lie ison
un"lso general who plans and inauou,
rates now campaign without rcfcrel1co
10 tne conditions, methods and move
i hlohIs or previous campaigns which
Drought victory and success. or led 40
disaster and failure. Experiences is said
to bo a "dear school," but it is q yrrv
valuable school. Patrick Henry said, in
reference to the pending troubles Of col.
ONES with the British Government, that
ho had but ono lamp by which his feet
were 8uldcd-"thc lamp Of experience"
while farmer has other lights begidcs
tnaC OF cNpCllonoo 90 --.-:L-----L---.-
along the way-is Il safe guide. Lot TAO
whole course of last years plans and
work, tho conditions, circumstances and
seasons, be recalled, as far as NAV be.
Trace successes or failures to their
causes. Notc tho effect Of changes from
previous methods. Go back in momory
to former years; extract from the cXpc-
rience of past history as q farmer all the
oXcellcncirS, and rcIGC5 all the DicmiSbc3
1t is only by so doing that we can profit
by the lessons Of the past
TIE PRESENT CONDITION.
1t ought to be no difficult matter for q
farmer to compare his condition and Cir
cumstanccs 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
ere better or worse Oii--whether on the
whole they have advanced or retrograd-
cd. 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
porous and satisfactory. Much has been
said and written OF late about the gen
oral condition Of Southern agriculture,
and intelligent men hold precisely oppo
site opinions rs to whether, rs a class,
we are growing poorer or richer. The
question may never be determined, and
ii determined little can bC done to
ameliorate the condition Of agriculture
by concerted OF CO. operative action SO
far as tho actual management of our
farms--our system Of farming-is con
ccrnCd. Cooperation among farmers
has often been attempted, but has never
achieved any decided success. 1t is i'm
practicable to control the operations Of
individual farmers by any sort Of resolu-
tions or covenants or pledges. There
arc too many Of them; they are too
widely separated; they cannot meet in
mass conventions; their circumstances
and surroundings arc too varied and
diverse. Let agricultural conventions
and farmers 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. Tho
chief benefit, however, to be expected ol
these representative assemblies is tho
moulding of public opinion and tho
giving expression to tho demands OF tho
great agricultural classes Of the country
for equal and fair legislation, the aboli
ton of unjust determinations, and thC
establishment Of schools Of agriculture
experiment stations, departments Of ag
riculturc and the like, for the develop
ment and protection and advQnccmcn
Of agriculture.
WHAT WILL YOU DO.
Each farmer must determine for him
self, with all the lights before him, wha
he may and will do for himself. lie
him resolve that whatever others ma
dO, he will that course, in general pla
and detail, that is indicated by expert
.Rf encc, observation and careful study
Lot him not rely upon what others ma
say, or what Oranges and Alliances ma
resolve. If every farmer would pursu
this course thcr0 would result ut ono
the beginning Of au Independent, sci
reliant individual system, the result {
which in benclitting each indiVidus
uuOpGDS SuCu SSSLCulj VIII DC LILO lI
vancemcnt and upbuii0ing of the aggr'
gate of all such individuals. This mu!
bo tho basis of our improvement an
progress
TAKING STOCK.
Every farmer ought to "tako stock
as the merchants express it, at least one
year. Noto down in a dairy or q
count book the number, condition ar
value of stock Of all kinds, the amour
and value Of supplies Of food, tho valr
Of machinery and implements. ALI
take account of the yield Of last yeal
crops, tho money returns for the sam
the amount he owes and what is own
him. Open u cash account and p
down the outgoes and tho incomes.
compelled to buy supplies or incur deb
Of any kind, borrow the money if pos
bic and pay as you go. DO not put T.
keeping OF accounts entirely i'll the han
Of your merchant, if you will run an q
count, but keep pass-book and requi