The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-05-13
THE HOPE OF THE soUTHERN FARMER.

From many parts Of tho South reports
-Aanaa ihAt -Ah4 -AnrAaxa- in ventinn=tx,- bsius
attention to other crops. We may hope that
this is permanent departure. and that, even
should the price OF cotton improve, farmers
will not return to the old one crop practice.
Every year that the new policy is tried will
strengthen its hold, by showing tho increased
comfort and independence of those who rai,o
their own grain, fodder, meat etc. 1t is not
cotton alone that has encouraged the one
crop idea Wherever there are special in
ducements to raise certain crop-it may DO
cotton, tobacco, garden truck, stc.--therc is
tendency toignore everything else 1t, of
course, requires less all-round knowledge,
and less effort TO go in the same rut year
after year, than to try to succeed in various
lines, aud this, no doubt. explains largely
the present situation. Farmers should,
however, remember that, like others Ito be
successful they must be progressive, and to
get the full benefit Of thoir occupation they
must be constantly striving after larger and
better results.
The unsatisfactory condition Of Southern
farmers il the result mainly Of trusting lc
ono crop for everything. Tho rocen. low
price OF cotton has increased tho distress
but every one knows that the complain,
IS chronic, and that farmers have been Dor
rowing money in a9sla4er n tfhis borrowing 'Vn or
obtaining credit year after year, is all wrong.
When cotton sold well tho evil was not so
manifest, but now it 10 ruinous. The prime
need is new system which, with economy,
shall enable the farmer first to clear him
self. and afterwards to pay as he goes, get
tue full beneht OF his crops, and buy what
he needs in the cheapest market.
This now system is simply the old sv,,om
OF farming. as distinguished from the roi,inc
Of special crop. All the venerable associs.
tions of agriculturs-its traditions of peace
plenty and independence, i. claim OF main
tanning the wor!d-relate TO that all-round
farming which includes the raising Of cereals.
vegetables, fruit i've stock; dairy products,
etc, anu wherever this is carried on under
fair conditions, the farmer is n sold and
prosperous man.
Inc farmers of the South have undoubt-
edly legislative and othor hardships. az the
high tariff, for example, from which, by
various movements aud proposed expedi-
ents they are seeking relief. But the great
ana paramount cause of distress is the CON
unuai drain for ordinary supplies that
could and should be raised nj home. In ono
county alone IN Tennessee, the amount paid
in year 1or grain, meat, vegetables and
i've STOCK, all Of which might have been
ralSe1 at home, reached SiC4 ,4uT, and in
me memphis market the sales OF Northern
1oodStnifs ana fodder to Southern pee ple in
year amounted to $lG,l45.21T. Nor il
ms all True farming supple, much of
the manure for the land.
lle lcssenipg Of the cotton acreage called
lor' TO limit the crop and secure a better
price Is sun more urgently needed to enable
the planter to give his energies to divers.
neo production Once let him do this, max
ing cotton MS surplus crop, and he will be
ou the way to competence and wesih
"hile the South, with its advantages of eli
mate ana SOIL Will become the ideal farming
section Of the ccuntry.-Hs South.