The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-04-03
THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER, APRIL s. 1900

system, the existence of which to some
degree, I hardly think any of us will
dispute. But even if one were JUST
fed by continued success, and compe-
tent from studious observation and
practical experience to point out errors
in the methods of his fellow farmers
and formulate the best general plans
to successful farming, would such a
discourse be of much real benefit to
his hearers? Very interesting it
would be to hear him relate the
methods by which he reached success,
but not of much real benefit to his
hearers, even though Dixon or Rich
ardson himself were the speaker. For
the farmer, as is every one, is to a
greater or less extent controlled in his
action by circumstances and the pecu-
liar nature of his surroundings, which
often renders it impossible to put into
practice the theories which his judg-
ment may tell him are correct. |
think every one here will attest to the
truth Of this remark. And further
1I1OIC, LII GuO SdIllO 1CdSOIl, IOI ills
fact of the popularity of circumstances
and conditions en~vironing every one,
no one general rule or set of rules for
successful farming could be given. In
our vocation, as in others, the avenues
to success are multiform. | do not
mean, Of course, that there are no
abstract principles underlying farming
as a science, but that the true applica-
ton of these principles is regulated
by individual circumstances.
For instance, take the general ques-
ton whether it pays to buy fertilizers,
a question sometimes discussed. Now
the true answer would be unsatisfac-
tory to those who would reduce the
answer to every question to a dog
matte yes or no; and would be that
with some it may, with others it may
not, a condition determined largely by
the nature of the soil to which it is
applied as well as by ones convenience
for preparing for their substitution, a
sufficient quantity of a complete home
made n
Or whether it pays to raise cotton
at s or 9 cents per pound, a question
[ have heard asked and answered in a
brief negative without regard to the
economic conditions under which the
cotton was raised. Under some con-
ditions it would not pay to raise it at
Is cents per pound, under the most
highly favorable conditions of soil and
seasons, and with practice of the best
possible economic plans it might be
profitable at 4 cents. Even the ques-
ton of raising home supplies which
we have heard so long, may be de-
termined by conditions. Ihave heard
a practical, experienced farmer say it
was cheaper for him to buy his meat
than to raise it. I think it will GER
tainly admit discussion whether it
pays to raise hogs on corn made at
the rate of l ID to 2 barrels per acre.
With these few ~generalisms on ques-
tons pertaining Immediately to farm
ing, l will pass to the consideration of
the second class of the aus of de-
preston.
These are more remote, and are in
directly the fault of the farmers. [
near oppressive legislation, with all
it's indirect as we'll as it's direct evils,
and this l purpose to discuss, not so
much the evils as the remedy, the
only possible remedy within The reach
of farmers.
Do not think that l have lit upon
some novel and easily-executed plan
of reformation; no one could do that
unless inspired. No! the farmers as
a class have the prospect for some time
yet of a hard and weary struggle. To
say that the remedy lies in organiza-
ton, is but the repetition of a much
hackneyed statement. Temporary,
l~istless organization will effect nothing.
1t must be jealous, every member
must recognize that a responsibility
rests with him. And by all means let
each Individual member recognize
that it must be permanent, and not
grow impatient at not seeing the pros
pect of immediate reformation. There
must be growth before strength, not
merely a numerical growth, but a
growth in the recognition of certain
unjust expressions, a growth in this
feeling of individual responsibility,
and a growth which must be born of
permanent union and of the knowl-
edge how best to resist the conditions
adverse to our interests. And when
this growth is attained, then, and not
till then, can the farmer become what
he should always have been-a promi-