The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1888-01-18
TIE FARMERS NEW YEAR.
HOW TO MAKE a GOOD BEGINNING
IN FARM WORK.

Suggestions for tho Future.
tFrom the Southern Cultivator)
Notwithstanding failures and disap
pointmonts of the year just closed, and
in view Of the promises that "seed time
and harvest, and cold and heat, and
summer and winter, and night, shall not
cease" let every one apply himself with
new hope, redoubled energy and un.
tagging zeal to the duties Of the New
Year-188S!
REVIEW OF TILE FAST.
New Years is tho traditional time for
making new resolutions. 1t is con-
vonient time to 'turn over new leaf" "
as it is commonly expressed In order
to determine wisely and clearly his plans
and purposes for tho year just entered,
each farmer should look back on tho
past year and compare tho results of his
twelve months labors with the plans,
purposes and expectations with which he
began operations last January. He is M
unwise general who plans and inaugu-
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 he "dear school," but it is very
reference to the pending troubles of col
onies with the British Government, that
he had but ono lamp by which his feet
were guided-"th lamp of experience, I"
while farmer has other lights besides,
that of experienco-so far as it extends
along the way-is safe guide. Let the
whole course OF last years plans and
work, the conditions, circumstanI cs and
seasons, be recalled, 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 tho expo
rience of past history rs farmer all the
excellencics, and reject all tho blcmishes.
1t is only by 80 doing that wo can profit
by the Lessons of the past.
THE PRESENT CONDITION.
1t ought to be no difficult matter for
farmer to compare his condition and cir
cunlstances now with his condition one
year ago. Still, we fear there arc many
farmers who cannot say certainly, be-
cause they do not know whether they
whole they have advanced or rctrograd-
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
eral condition Of Southern agriculture,
and intelligent men hold precisely oppo-
site opinions as to whether, as a class,
we are growing poorer or richer. The
question may never be determined, and
If determined little can be done to
ameliorate the condition of agriculture
by concerted or co operative action so
far rs the actual management OF our
farms-our system of iarming-is con
cerned. Cooperation among farmers
has often been attempted, but has mover
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
are too many Of them; they are too
widely separated; they cannot meet in
mass conventions; their circumstances
and surroundings are too varied and
diverse. Let agricultural conventions
and farmers congresses meet and discuss
thought and arouse investigation. The
exchange of experiences, suggestions of
improved methods, and the social int, r
course are beneficial and helpful. T.. )
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 chsses of the country
for equal and fair legislation, the aboli-
ton OF unjust determinations, and the
establishment of schools OF agriculture,
experiment stations, departments of ng-
riculture and the like, for the develop
ment and protection and advancement
Of agriculture.
WHAT WILL YOU DO.
Each farmer must determine for him
self, with all tho lights before him, what
he may and will do for himself Let
him resolve that whatever others may
do, he will that course, in general plan
and detail, that is indicated by expert
ence, observation and careful study.
Let him not rely upon whit others may
say, or what Oranges and Alliances may
resolve. II every farmer would pursue
this course there would result at once
the beginning of an independent, self
reliant individual system, the result OF
which in bene6tting each individual
adopting such system, will bo tho ad-
vsncement and upbuilding Of the aggre.
gate of all such individuals. This must
be the basis OF our improvement and
progress.
TAKING STOCK.
Every farmer ought TO stake stock, /"
as the merchants express it, at least once
year. Note down in dairy or ac
count book tho number, condition and
value of stock of all kinds, the amount
and value OF supplies Of food, the value
take account of the yield of last years
crops, the money returns for the same,
the amount he owes and what is owing
him. Open cash account and put
down the outgoes and tho incomes. Ii
compelled to buy supplies or incur debts
of any kind, borrow the money if posi-
~ n n. Al