The morning news., 1890-06-02
Side CrODS.

While a farmer NAV look to his cotton
and corn for the bulk of returns for his
farming efforts there are a score of other
empIoyments Tor the use of other crops
that may be made to supplement his income
very decidedly, and from which he may de-
rive cash receipts at a different time from
that brought in by his staple crops. Cotton
aud corn afford their returns toward the
close of the year. Grain is ready for mar
ket early in the summer. Hay early in the
fall and until the close of the year. Vari-
GUS other crops there are that can be made
to fill out acomplete circle of the months.
In choosing one or more of these side
employments farmer is likely to follow his
fancy of adding something little more
pleasant, and admitting possibly of much
greater profit in proportion TO the amount
of work than that to be expected from his
crop of cotton or corn or the like.
AS the country becomes more thickly set
tied and railroads permeate every corner of
the land and our public highways be so
improved that our farmers can move at all
seasons the heaviest loads of farm products
to the Surrounding markets, there will be
few farmers of any intelligence who will be
satisfied with The incoming of cash just at
one season of the year and no more. What
will be possible and practicable twenty or
thirty years from now owing to increased
population and improved transportation
facilities and multiplied markets may not
be possible now lis not in fact, but by de-
grees as an increased demand for various
foods is exhibited farmers will be led into
giving more intelligent attention to special
plants as side matters to their general farm
ing. Some will choose one thing and some
another. Whether the basis of farming be
pastural or agricultural it will be set off
with one or more side ventures that will be
looked to to bring in periodical returns of
cash, as well as tend to the support of the
family. .-.-..-t
Some will choose eggs; others poultry, or
both combined; others bees; some butter;
others beef; some cabbages; others onions;
some Strawberries; others grapes; some a
variety of fruits and vegetable, according
as they may be favorably situated in respect
to soil and market. The whole list of food
matters, vegetable and animal, might be
enumerated, each and all of which will re-
ceive from the cultivator special attention.
1t will be here as fully exemplified as it is In
the old world, where cultivators make
living by growing the pansy or hyacinth or
crocus. Even in this country now near the
large centers men make specialties of
asparagus. celery, Strawberries. potatoes
and the like, and derive an abundant sup
port from their exclusive culture. This will
gradually extend all over this broad coun-
try, spreading as population spreads.
1t is common enough in the south now for
farmers near the large cities and towns to
have their few acres of melons and water
melons, an acre or SO of Irish potatoes, or
onions, or cabbages, or green corn, or to-
matoes. Some derive helpful addition to
their yearly income by regular sales of but
ter, pork, mutton or beef, and other articles
that might be named.
Further away from the cities or better
markets we find one making side crop of
hay, another sugar cane, another ground
peas. another apples and SO on.
Every small farmer should study how
best he can make some side crop pay him at
best half as much as his staple crops, and
yield him a vernal or early summer return
of cash, and thus enable him to avoid the
ruinous practice of going into debt so
much for the necessary expenditures of that
season.
A farmer who confines himself to the
planting of cotton and corn follows the
most uninteresting system of farming that
could be well devised. He has only one
harvest, and handles his cash but a little
while at one season. It is true a farmer
can do only so much in a year. He can ex-
pend only so many "foot-pounds' of mus
cular effort in the agricultural year. Yet
it is well to remember that oftentimes a
well-chosen 'sside crop" of one acre will
yield as much money as three or four of
cotton, and half dozen or more of corn.
Let him be on the alert to choose one that
will make him the most money, regulating
his choice of course according to the nature
of his soil, market and surroundings.
Southern farming will be satisfactory just
in proportion to the diversity practiced.
Special farming has brought very general
depression everywhere. s. A. G.
xSa