The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-18
AGRICULTURAL PROSPERITY.

Ina recent editorial on the agricultural
outlook. we expressed the opinion that the
agricultural prosperity oT Virginia was de-
pendent upon ,ho rupture Of the system
prevailing in so many parts Of the state
OF cultiyating land in large iracis-m other
words. that moi until the soil was divided
up into small holdings was it probable that
the existing depression Ia the agricultural
interests would be very much modified orl
entirely removed.
This opinion is confirmed n an able cdi-
torial appearing IN the Brunswick Gazette
Of re 18th instant, which is entitled TO care
ful consideration, as giving The observation
and experience of one who has made a close
and intelligent examination Of the condi-
lions Of agricultural success and failure in
that section Of Virginia, i'm which thccompa-
ratiyc advantages and Disadvantages ofpur-
suing agricultural operations, on a large
and on small scale respectively, can Doe
best studied.
Auorexprcssingi in general toms,aiull con-
currence ion the views Of THE TIMES ON these
points, il proceeds 20 particulars, which are
well worth quoting, at length, as throwing
light on one Of the most important problems
% De solved by the large majority of our
Virginia communities.
HThe poorest people that is those who
have less ready money with which 90 supply
their daily wants, are The larger land own
ers. who have no other resource but their
lands and are dependent ON hired labor or
tenantrv for its cultivation. This is a
gloomy picture, we admit but it lisa true
one. Of the class 20 which it refers. There
is. however. another class of agricultu-
rsts who Notwithstanding the depressed
condition Of the markets for all
farm products are prosperous con-
tented and happy-wh0 realize annually
enough from their operations 20 supply their
wanis-pay AN expenses and have "a little
left % lay aside for "a "rainy day This
class is composed almost, ifnot entirely. of
the small land owners, men who have had
the wisdom 10 see that idle land is worse
than dead capital, and are careful TO invest
in no more than they can judiciously Use.
who curiail the acreage for cultivation.
make at home an the manure possible and
concentrate 10, and last, but by mo- means
least. who plant no more than they can
thoroughly cultivate, dispensing, as far as
possible. with hired labor to do it.
'ls il not then the part of wisdom for the
large landowners 10 recognize the fact that
the cultivation Of large areas OF land under
the present system Of labor almost inyaria-
blv entails losss That 10 retain it idle and
uncultiyatcd. brings annually debt in the
shape Of taxes with scarcely ever amy COM
uonsatory return in the enhancement of lbs
value. and that the only escape from the
horns of the dilemma is 90 sub-dNide the
large tracts into smaller ones. containing
from one to two hundred acres. and sell
them of to industrious and enterprisin8
men, ON long credit. if necessary Thus.
and thus only, i'm our judgment. viii the
agricultural condition Of Virginia Doe inn
proved, and the material prosperity OF her
people generally DE promoted
These sensible views, so clearly and
forcibly expressed, and 30 evidently found
ed upon long and discriminating obscna-
ton, under exceptionally favorable circum-
stances. are entitled to the thoughtful ai-
tention Of every farmer in Virginia.