The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-01-15
Farm Work Ser the Season.
THE SOuiiarA CI!iin0i0T.


Of the South in better condition in
some respects Iiln they have been in
ten wears or more. They have rractic-
cd sHu?c scil-Iclianc", Il more seli-sus-
tanning system, greater economy, ana
PERHAPS more industry and rcrsever-
ancr. They have been animated by
stronger hopr:, and Il more determined
purpose the direct offspring Of the
power of cooperative effort. They
have made rapid progress in the
knowledge Of their rights and wrongs,
the safe guards of the one aid the
remedies for the other. They are real
izing more than eyer before that in
"union there is strength" The year
has been remarkable for the rapid
growth in the numbers, il!nt!|nre and
Dower of the Farmers Alliance, and
for the prompt realization of tie hcne-
fits that result from an Intelligent, ac-
tive combination and cooperation of
those engaged in the same calling.
Some have sneeringly called this ul-
ion of effort among the farmers trust
u combine. BE it 50. II is sacred
trust; Il patriotic union of right against
avron1; a combination of the plOduc-
ers of the wealth of the country to Sc
cure and maintain for themselves and
for their posterity fair share of the
fruits of their labors, the just rewards
OF honest industry and patient econo-
my. The farmers have long slept over
their rights. The toilers in the me-
chanic arts Lave long ago awolSc to a
realization that they were slowly but
surely becoming the traditional chew.
ers of wood and drawers of water"
and have manfully, albeit in some in
stances injudiciously, and in some
cases by unjustitiable means, sought to
secure q just recognition OF their claims
against the arbitrary exactions and
greedy demands of combined and in
corporated capital and wealth. The
farmers, not too early, have at last
been reused to q sense Of their oondi-
ton, and are now rapidly coTbining
all their influence, and, ii 1aced be, aOiA
unite their votcs, in the grand crusade
against extortion, unjust government
burdens, and the unfair and one-sided
business customs and so-called laws OF
trade which are always for the benefit
and advantage of the few against the
many.
1t has been q year of success and
plenty. Except in q few localities, the
provision crops have been abundant,
and the country is better supplied with
corn, forage, pork, butter and milk
than usual. The last cotton crop was,
perhaps, the largest ever made, and
the prices have been higher and better
sustained than for several years past.
RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE.
At the outset of the year every wide
awake farmer will cast up his accounts,
take stock and ascertain his condition
as compared with last year. He will
cast his eye over his diary, or call ur
from the pigeon-holes of his memory
the record Of last year. He will now
recall the mistakes committed, the sue.
cesses achieved and the failures endur
ed, with the resolutions and selfprom
ises there recorded and if he is true
and faithful to himself, his family and
his calling, he will "turn over" tho
traditional "new leaf" paste it down
and determine to avoid the errors oI
the past, to perform his VOWS Of amend
ment, and generally to put in course o
execution the long conceived purposes
of improvement.
PRELIMINARY WORK.
The general plan, and as far as prac
ticablc, the details of the years opera
tions should be carefully considered
and determined upon as early as posi-
BILE. We have before had occasion tt
employ the figure of military cam
paign to illustrate the work of con
lucting farm operations. The figure
is apt and appropriate. The farmer
as the commanding officer, should maj
out the coming campaign. There ]:
always preliminary work, with abun
dant details, regardless of any genera
plan that may be adopted, that may
receive immediate attention, pending
Tie conception and final adoption of ;
comprehensive scheme OF the cam
paign. 1t takes but Il walk or two owe
the farm, and & rapid inspection of it:
general condition to determine wha
lines of fencing require to be reset
how many rails will be needed, wha
changes, if any, will be desirable, anC
what permanent improvements shoull
he effected.
TERRACING.
Now is convenient time to adOp
the system Of terracing on all land
that are inclined TO wash, or to she,
the water too rapidly. The mere dan
ger Of washing into gullies should no
6c the only consideration in delermin
ing whether, Oh given piece of land
the surface water should he controlled
by terracing or otherwise. AS far Il
practicable the water should be pre-
vented from running across the land
especially after the soil has been plow
ed and the crop is in course Of cuitiva
ton. If the water, us it rails IRON
the field into the nearest ravine o
b,anch, is muddy. we may be sure tina
it is loaded with the very best parts o
the soil. Clear running water carrie
Off very little Of the plant food that i
in the soil, but when the soil is rcmov
ed bodily it carries with it all its con
TIMED cIcmrnts-the very cream Of th
land. During the winter and spring
while the land is still in the impactct
condition caused by the rains that i'm
mediately followed the close of sum
nler cultivation, and is held togethc
by the roots and stems Of the late crop
and the grass and weeds that spring
up after laying by, large part Of The
wa!er from the ordinary rnlllstorm
viii! flow over tie surface without ma
tcrial injury. This L. manifested by
the fact that the flowing water Is no
so turbid With lis load Of surface soil
But if washes and gui,icS are already