The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-07-25
The Farnl-Its Uses and Abuses.

SpNS
The following essay was prepared and
read by Mr.. L. NJ. Wilson before the
Honea Path Alliance, and the 1NIELL1.
eENcER has been requested to publish it:
When ne contemplate the vast amount
of territory that embraces the farms
throughout the United States, aud take
into consideration the amount of bread.
stufb that are made every year, and the
cheap transportation that is now afforded,
makes each one of us feel as though we
were living in great and Independent
country; one in which there ia no
trouble realized Of being shut off from
the outside world, nor no fears anticipa-
ted by living in q country where there
are comparatively little breadstufa made
to satisfy the cravings Of man and beast
But, brethren, let us also take into con-
sideration the vast multitude of people
that have to be fed outside of those en-
gagged in farming that are following
other ayocations looking solely to the
farming world for the sustenance OF life.
Suppose the West and Northwest was cut
off so ne would not be able to obtain the
necessaries of life to make the present
crop; or suppose the grain crops to be q
complete failure. Then what would be
our condition? Would it not be deplora-
BILE? Even though we were able to pro.
duce ten million bales of cotton
and could not exchange it for the
necessaries of life, it would do US no
good. Then are our farms not badly
abused by the all cotton culture have
nothing to say against raising cotton to
certain extent. I believe it the greatest
monied crop we can raise, so far as money
Is concerned, but when cotton is raised to
buy comparatively everything we eat, l
have very serious doubts about it. 1t is
my earnest opinion this is one of the
greatest causes of th,. cry of hard times,
for by 80 doing we are at the mercy OF
speculators and money kings. They
give US their price for cotton and in
return sell us the necessaries of life at
their own price. We have heard a great
deal said about doing away with the mid.
die man, but in my opinion, under the
present system of farming, the middle
man is necessity, or at least some me.
dium by which We may obtain the nee.
essaries of life. Would il not then be
better to quit the all.cotton culture and
adopt diversified system of farming?
especially more thorough preparation
aud cultivation of corn? Report says
South Carolina is ahead of any State in
the Union in the production of corn from
one acre of ground, and yet the stafisti,.
cal report of 1887 places South Carolina
among the lowest average in producing
corn. In 1886 New Hampshire's aver
age was S5.4 bushels per acre, while
South Carolina's was only 81.
Agriculture is the basis of national
strength and wealth, and most certain
and liberal support Of all who follow it
intelligently. The farmer will succeed
who makes up his mind that the whole
secret of success is in himself that it is
the man and not the business that tells.
He will succeed if he sticks close to his
farm as the mechanic does to his shop,
and not expect to work three or four
months and then take his ease the rest of
the year. Those who have farms should
consider themselves. fortunate, for
although they will net find sudden roads
to wealth, they will certainly prove that
persistent farm labor will bring a sure
reward. It is worthy of notice that the
and speculator, with blasted
hopes and shattered health and fortune,
have in the end to come back to the farm
for health and safety. In moral point
Of view the life of the agriculturist is the
most pure and holy of any class of men;
pure, because it is the most healthful,
and vice can hardly have time to con.
taminate it; aRd holy, because it brings
the Deity perpetually before his view,
giving him thereby the most exalted
notions Of supreme power, aud the most
fascinating and endearing views Of moral
.benignity. The risks in farming are
comparatively few. There is no danger
of ruin arising from the treachery of
business associates The farm, under
ordinary circumstances, is sure to furnish
enough to make the family comfortable,
and extraordinary circumstances, which
are of a providential character always,
are very apt to exist. There is something
in the pleasures of farm life that reaches
beyond the qualification of the eye-a
something that invigorates the mind,
that erects its hopes, that allays its per-
tubations, that mellows it's affections,
and it will generally be found thst our
happiest schemes and wisest resolutions
are found under the mild influence of
country scene and the soft obscurities of
rural retirement. Every one should
manage to get the most out of farm life /;
not only the most money, but the most
real and substantial enjoyment, the most
intellectual culture, the most happiness
for him and his. It should be so man.
aged as to render farm life attractive to
our children 80 as to make. them con.
tented tillers of the soil; contented to
be among the producers Of the wealth Of
1..E