The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-05-04
THE FARMER an THE TABLE.
STANLEY

In considering the farmer in his vari-
Gus positions and under his many cir
~cumstances, we find that there are
times and places owe which he is, or
may Se, master Of the situation, aud
we further find that if he is not, it is
the fault OF no one but himself. The
farmer annot govern the price of
wheat or corn, nor u he keep the
price OF hogs at IL nickel. In the open
market he is not only subject to the
law of supply and demand, but is also
subject TO the will Of the gamblers in
Chicago and other market centres.
They bull the market aud the price OF
cor oes up SO do the spirits OF the
farmer when he hears of it. Then
the bears bring in extensive reports of
enormous crops and visible surplus,
and jump onto the market with both
feet and tear it down, little by little,
sometimes even tearing tho very fouu-
dutiOn from under the lowest antici-
pated prices, then do the spirits Of the
farmer drop accordingly. But there
Is Il place where the markets OF tho
world need not worry him, nor cause
any uneasiness on account Of the visible
surplus. and that place is his own
household at mis- own table. The
farmer who plans q little, and carries
OuO lis plduo, may hHNS his JdDlC sup
piled tho year round with q variety,
both Of vegetables and meats, and fruit
he may gather fresh from the garden
five months in the year. Now some
will II How can this be ?" In this
way The farmer should set out fruit
plants and trees that will cover the
full time OF ripening from the last of
May, when ho begins picking straw
berries, until in October, when he
picks his winter apples and pears.
Fruit is wholesome, and there are few
persons who do not enjoy eating fresh
berries or haru fruit from the hand, and
tho canning n preserving Of fruits
carries the cas- from ono years end
to the othor. Beginning with the
strawberry in the early Spring, we
have one Of the most delicious Of al
fruits, and one which every farmer
may be well supplied with if he will
only take a little care. There need be
no expense. a fow plants each Of
strawberry, raspberry and blackberry,
If properly cared for, will in two years
give an abundance OF fruit, and plenty
Of plants with which to extend the
fruit-bed il SO desired. Aud 10 it is
with tho currant and gOoseberIy -all
are brought into early and abundant
bearing with but little expense or
trouble. Before the blackberries are
gone we are using our cherries, Sum
mer apples and pears, and once IN q
while peaches. In this locality one
reed not expect peaches 80 u regular
crop, but II he will set out two o" t1rec
trees and give them some attention he
Will be amply re wardcd for the time
he bestOws upon them, for Il peach
crop once in three or four years will
pay good rent for the ground occupied
by the tree. The Fail and Winter
fruit may be made to extend through
the season until berries come again
Apples are easily Kept six months
after picking, and can be kept ten
months by keeping in Il low and eve
temperature and excluding the circula'
ton OF the air.
Now turning to the vegetables, we
find that the early outdoor garden
gives US asparagus, pieplant, lettuce,
onions, radishes and spinach about the
first Of May, and are soon followed by
beets, peas, beans, potatoes, etc, OF
which we may have u continuous sup
ply until the November frosts cut down
ali outdoor growth. When frost
comes or is expected, we gather and
store the remaining vegetables into
the cellar or pits, aud thus continue
the supply Of potatoes, parsnips, car
rots, beets, cabbage, and Il few others
until tie Spring garden again comes
to u relief. There are many kinds
OF vegetables which are not commonly
found in the farmers garden, bul
which he can grow with little trouble
and with much pleasure to his family
Squashcs are easily grown and very
productive, and may be kept all Win
ter along with pumpkins in a dry
nlapa sHfN from frapuipr ETr pl.nt
must not be put in Ihe garden unit
settled warm weather, but are ther
rank growers, productive and hardy
until killed by frost. CauliHowcrs are
as easily grown as cabbages, ant
celery may be grown equal to any ron
Michigan or elsewhere, If it only re
ceives the fertility and plenty OF water
Thus we might extend tho farmer.
list OF vegetables, even to the limit o
the city markets; but it takes some
extra time to care for SO greata variety
in the garden.
Along with these vegetables ant
fruits, the farmer can pro luce all tn
meat required for his own table, be
side that which he prepares for mar
k"t. Sugar cured ham il included il
his daily bill Of fare ne also has al
the other hog products within hi:
rcach-lard, sausage and bacon-tha
he knows to be from good, thrifty
healthy hogs.
But his meat supplies should not bt
limited to the one item OF pork.
Many farmers keep sheep and car
have fresh mutton or lamb occas
sionally.
a farmer cannot alone use a whole
mutton. veal. or beef, but by combin
ing, as Is lone in many neighbor
hoods, they a kill and divide tn,
carcass at once, thereby furnishing
fresh meat at frequent intervals, ant
at the actual cost OF raising the ami
mails.
The fowls Of the %barnyard, ~especiall,
the chicken, though much smaller
stock. play a very important part OF
the table OF every household, whether
II be that OF the farmer, the merchant
or the banker; all delight in the de
iiclous, rich, juicy meaLof the chicken
Like many OF the vegetables. tn,
chicken Is OF quick growth, aud t. give
satisfaction, must be used while in ,
thrifty, growing condition.
Combining the above mentioned sue
culent, toothsome edibles, together
with milk, butter and eggs found OF
every farm, and we find the farmer.
larder filled to overlooking, and not
whit behind that of,the millionaire
who with his cash can only buy sucf
as the grower puts upon the market.
There is still another point TIA
must be looked after, and that is tn,
preparation OF these provisions for The
table.