The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-11-12
A Few Words 10 Farmers.

The questions of commercial fertilizers
is very important one for farmers to
consider carefully. When one is making
bareley two.thirds of an average cotton
crop, it takes large part of the cotton to
pay off the guano notes. Then when the
average price Of cotton is only eight
cents, it seems to be losing business.
For instance, if one horse farmer makes
only five 500.pound bales of cotton,
which is fair average for this year, that
will bring him only $3.50. If he hes to
pay for two tons Of guaho out OF that, it
will take one fifth of his crop.
Then what is the Spartanburg farmer
to do? Will he give up guano and cot-
ton9 Ifso, where will his money come
from? Making corn and wheat is a slow
way in this section to make money.
Even on the rich prairies of the West,
where corn and wheat can be raised at
10 to Is cents per bushell, the farmers
are burdened with mortgages and the cry
Of hard times is never out of their mouths.
The farmer of the Piedmont is about
as we'll off as his brethren IN any section
of the country. In addition to his fine
climate and good soil. he needs a liberal
application of brains, backed by q strong
will. The most of them know that
nearly all cotton, with pittance of corn
and long forage, tarely keeps e man out
of the poor house. 1t does not require
Solomon to see that. Empty corn cribs,
decayed and useless smoke houses, wheat
boxes filled with cotton seed, all pro-
claim that our farmers have been pursu-
ing ruinous policy.
The best thing now>in the close of the
year, is for eSch one TO make up his
mind to do what be knows will bring
about better times. The hope of our far
mers is gradual adoption of the inten-
sive system. That means fewer acres,
more manure, less grass killing, bigger
crops, fatter mules and horses, fine cattle,
large hogs, home made -four and grits,
large barns, painted houses, better furni-
ture, happier homes and increased
knowledge and contontment. Wise is
that farmer vino cuts down his acreage to
what he can manure and cultivate we'll.
Ten acres in corn and peas and ten acres
in cotton, with ten acres in wheat and
oats, is about right.
In order that gradual improvement
of land may be made and an increased
production be realized, heavy manuring
is required. a good stand of peas on
corn land, whether planted between the
hills or sown broad csst at laying by
time, is worth $500 to IS 90 per acre
Good lot manure, carefully manipulated,
is worth a dollar for a two horse-load.
Pea vines, lot and stable manure and cot
ton seed raised OH the place should he
The principal sources Of manure. When
a farmer has these in abundance he can
afford to buy commercial fertilizers lib
orally. He should study the needs of
his soil and buy such as produce best
results. Two hundred pounds of acid
phosphate, or ammoniated fertilizer, will
not be zoo much when one is beginning
the intensive system. AS he increases
the quantity of pea viues, cotton seed and
lot manure, he can increase his CONNER
cial fertilizers. His land will gradually
be brought up to a high state of prcduc-
tion and much less labor will be- required
to make crop.-,SpartanbWg Spartan.
The world uses $500, 900 steel pens
every dsv