The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-28
eEonGIA's PROGRESSIVE FARMERS
More Attention BEING Paid to Buildings and

GEORGIA's PROGRESSIVE FARMERS
| More Attention Eeing Paid to Buildings and
Stock.
ATHENS, Ga, August 25.-[ Special. l. If any
one doubts that the farmers Of Georgia are
more prosperous, progressive and enterprising
than ever since the settlement OF the state, let
| him take a trip through the country and notice
| the Improvements they are making on every
| hand and in every direction More attention
| is being paid to the farm buildings, the fields,
| the crops, the stock, and vast advances made
| in the use Of improved agricultural imple-
ments.
To within few years ago 1t was the custom
for even the wealthest and most successful
planters to house their mules and horses in I'M
slightly little log pens, built in rows, or i'll
rudely constructed barns, made from
the same material and covered with
rough boards Their vehicles and farming
utensils were left exposed to the weather, or
placed under uninclosed sheds, where they
were permitted to rust and decay. Their for
rage was carelessly thrown in almost inaccessi-
BILE lofts, roughly constructed beneath the
rafters of the various Outbuildngs, or stacked
out of doors to become the prey OF the weather.
Few farmers ever thought OF preparing shelter
for their cattle, and they were expected 10 seek
protection from the scOrching rays of the sum
ner's sun. and the chilling blasts OF winter by
crouching behind some straw pen or
beneath tie friendly bouChs of
Pine thicket. The tools used in maxi
ing and harvesting a crop were but lit
tie improvement the ancient implements
Of agriculture described in Holy Writ. Heavy,
old wooden stocks, with an iron plow that
would merely scratch the surface, were in gen.
erai use, while tire harvesting of small grain
and hay and all the other manner of farm
work, was done by the slow and fatiguing
process of hand labor. AS TO the cabins of the
tenants, they were wretched structures formed
of pine poles, notched together, the cracks be-
tween the logs daubed with mud, and n stick
. L.. -.
the comb of the roof. There were no openings
to these huts except the door. A few ragged
chickens and one or more NANCY ours of low
degree completed the picture.
In fact, there was not more wretch
ed or thriftless sight than the aver
age middle Georgia farm, unless
it be the premises and ontbuildings immedi-
ately surrounding tie planters home. Many
farmers erected palatal residences for them
selves, but the beautiful and costly building
was defaCed and dsfgured by framing of
"outhouses," but little better than the huts Of
savages. 1t seemed never to have crossed the
mind of the planter that he could realize as
much pleasure and qualification from tasty
and well arranged barns, neat and trim SER
want houses, and other necessary structures on
his farm, as from fine habitation for his
family.
But, as have intimated, his field presented
even a sadder picture of mismanagement than
the premises connected with tho dwelling.
y,
and that was TO got as much from the soil with
as little exertion as possible. In blowing
field but little regard was paid
to>the clay of the land and rows were as apt
tn be run up and down hill as across or around
the elevation iii the fields. AS a natural con-
sequence, after being worked for three or
four years, a field the least broken became
succession OF washes and gullies, and would
not pay to cultivate. Hence thousands of
square miles of as fine farming lands as tho
Itrts Oh Il 4 a.
by such an unslilllul and willfully destructive
mode of farming; and but for the natural
growth and recuperative powers of the old
field pine, middle Georgia today would be
almost as barrcnI us a desert. Thus by the
decree of an all wise Creator, the kind hand of
nature quickly repairs the destruction and
waste committed by the reckless children of
the earth. Many eminent statesmen since
the late war, have claimed the credit and
the honor of serving Georgia: but in nv
humble opinion, all praise is due to the ofd
field pine. But for the spontaneous growth of
this valuable and friendly tree, our hills today
would be as bleak and bare as the cliffs Of
Scotland.
have painted the picture of what agricul-
tural Georgia was n few years ago. Today let
us take a trip over these same roads, and view
these same FARMS and see what changes the
hand of time have wrought. Were one who
has been dead and buried for a score of years
suddenly brought to life and TRANSPORTED
marks he would scarcely recognize the coun-
try. Tho changes wrought in this incredible
short space of time are indeed wonderful, and
the march of progress still continues. These
improvements are not SO strikingly notice
able TO man who has never
moved from his neighborhood, as To he who has
been absent for a term of years and returns to
his old home To begin WITH the whole as
pect OF the country has been materially and
Strikingly changed by the general adoption of
stock a. of bn ;,,i,t lx
rail fences that SO greatly disfgured the land
scape. Fields that were once n succession of
washes. with all the soil carried of by the
rams have been restored to their pristine fer
Uluy and now produce the most luXuriant
crops. gully in acultvated field is now al
most unknown. Through the means of terra
ces and hillside bitches farmers have learned
to control the How of the water, and n worm
ont or hroomsage field is a rare sight, indeed
Lands are no. now persisted by being
planted year after year in one crop
that requires the destruction of all vegetation,
but tho yields are alternDjcd SO that instead Of
field deprerNting IN fertility. il is improved
each year The scrawny, hali-Staryed herd of
cattle and The razor-backed hogs Of yorc have
almost vanished from the face OF the land, and
tine old FIELDS that knew thoin once now know
them no moro forever, In their stead YOU see
grazing ON mNpriant meadows or in fields sod
den in bermuda or some other hardy grass,
new ana improved breeds OF cattle and swine,
that are pleasing sight TO the eye and u
source of profit TO the owner. Among all the
changes and improvements wrought during
the past few years. none are more remarkable
or gratifying than the Improvement in the
breed and condition of stock of all kinds
You ride up to the farm house and here a
stu greater revolution meets the eye.
/ The large and Commodious Old
mansions. once the scene of genuine old-time
southern hospitality are fast disappearing from
the face Of the country, and in their stead you
see cosy little cottages or moro commanding
dwellings painted or whitewaShed. and the
grounds around them as neat rs % pin, while at
/ convenient distance stands the barn that has
cost rs much or more than even the residence
OF the planter. The log houses, the fodder
stacks the rickety sheds, the dilapidated
wagons and plowstocks that once Uttered the
lot have all vanished as If by magic The loft
Of the handsome new barn, which has been
built anaNentillated for the especial purpose
OF curing hay, holds all tho forage that the
farm produces. Beneath are we'll
arranged stalls for not only the horses
and mules hut for cattle also. together with
room for grain, the gear, harness aud smaller
farm implements These barns, too, are 50
constructed that enc band can, with creator