The Bossier banner., 1891-08-20
FARMER AND PLANTER.
MONEY FROM The FARM.

Do All Work In Proper Season and Do 1t
Thoroughly If Tou Would Make Farming
Pay.
No business can be successful, GER
tainly not profitable, if it does not
bring an income over and above the ex-
penses. Under all the contingencies at
tending work on the farm, 1t is not an
easy matter to secure a clear income.
Until we can find some means OF gov
ernmental relief, it will be well to con-
slider and apply such economic means as
will, at least, secure livelihood On the
farm.
There can be no doubt that the great
burden of hindrance on this line comes
from unjust federal legislation, but
while we are seeking to remove that, it
will be wise to determine how we may
at least live until relief can be obtained.
II has become an old song, yet none
the less true that we must reduce our
area and diversity and rotate crops.
Manure more highly and cultivate bet=
ter. This everybody believes and
almost nobody acts upon. The theory
of this advice is better and more thor
ough cultivation. One of the agricul-
tural axioms theoretically accepted and
practically rejected. How long must
this be preached before il is put into
effect? Crops are planted and highly
nianttred and then neglected from vati-
Gus causes; the methods then become
expensive and the results are not
remunerative. 1t is easy to be seen
that there is much more work
necessary to clean a field of cot
ton then to keep it clean; much more
damage to the growth of plants to re-
move the grass than if it is kept con-
stantly out. This unnecessary ex-
penditure of money for the additional
labor demanded reduces the profits, as
does the damage to crops reduce the
yield and, therefore, the income. In
this connection as truly as in any other
ga lick in time saves nine"
Cotton farmers usually clamor for a
dry May and wet August to make the
largest yield. We have had the dry
May effectually If the farmers have
been diligent in keeping down the
grass and securing by free growth vigor
for the cotton plant, they have had an
opportunity for good start, and it be-
hooves them to keep it.
These ideas suggest the further con-
sideration of doing all work at the
proper time. One great difficulty with
negro labor is easy content with exist
ing conditions. The average negro con-
fidently believes that tomorrow will
answer his purposes just as well as to-
day. He must be kept under constant
spur and diligent pushing if he is kept
on time.
believe farmers at the south have
more trouble just at this point than at
any other one. Some man in the neigh
borhocd allows his crop to get behind,
and then to save himself he offers ex-
travagant prices to induce labor from
his neighbors to bring up his
work This induces counter offer
among others. The neighborhood
becomes demoralized. Every man feels
he is paying out more money than he
will get back, but he feels compelled to
take his chances, and thinks that he can
stand it if others can. Labor has har-
vest for short time. The work is over,
and like all instances of undue excite
ment and improper strain, demoraliza-
tion follows on that side also. Hands
are thrown out of employment. neigh
bors become estranged and there are
charges and counter charges. Labor at
one time is impudent and seIf-assertive
and afterward hungry and pleading
Such condition of things unsettles bus
mess and greatly adds to the burdens
of the community. All these matters
should be regulated on the basis of
justice and right. Labor should be paid
fully the worth of it's services. Con-
tracts should be respected as solemnly
as any obligations between man and
man. Every man in the community
should feel himself sacredly bound not
to damage the interest of his fellow
and to labor for the good of the com
munity.
The work season is now upon us and
in all communities where these irregu-
larities have heretofore existed, by
common agreement and common
action they should be corrected.
Farmers can not make money
from their crops when labor is kept
constantly demoralized by undue inter
ference and prices paid for services are
more than the labor given can possibly
return.
The farmers burdens are great enough
already as the consequence of the fixed
evils of the times. It is eriminally
wrong that they should be increased
by the unrestrained conduct have just
criticised. Instead of doing each other
harm and farmers ought to feel such a
sympathy of interest as will bring
about the most cordial and hearty co
operation in removing the hindrances
to their success. Bear ye one anothers
burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. -
w. j. Northen, in Southern Guilt.
vator.
MUST QUIT COTTON.