The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-07-02
FARMER ANDPLANTER.
THE STUDY OF AGRICULTURE.
subject Though Worn by Ages, Yet
Grows Like the Brain. Through
Wise Cultivation.

Turning to webster's dictionary
winch was premium OF this journal
we md that the word agriculture /
formed from two Latin words-aper.
neid, and colo, till. We also fin,
that the word epitomist is derived from
Two Greek words which signify cut
ting, section. We have alread,
SHOWN that an epitome is more hopefu
20 the memory and more durable tf
the owner than book is, and we illus
trate the point by saying that prov
ero Oh solomon ian epitome of wiser
sermon than Beecher could preach.
now wiseiy-cu1tivated brain grows
IN strength, in size and in quality un-
I'll lie wanes beneath boar head inst
as the plant grows until it fades be-
meath the boar frost.
Though the subject of agriculture is
worn by ages of use, yet it grows, like
the brain, through wise cultivation.
as the people of China and Japan have
SHOWN. so we talk not about the sci
ence OF agriculture to wear it ont. but
20 enlarge it, both in quality and in
quantity. In describing the Indians
ul the new world, vepable afiirms that
their number within the confines of
what is now the United States was at
no time since the discovery of America
above 400, 900 individuals. Thouoh thev
cultivated maize somewhat, they vet
found their food mostly in Wild plants
ana In their hunting grounds. Now
ali Is changed, and agriculture sun
ports nearly 100000 persons here
ana exports many millions of bushels
ol wheat and other products abundant-
y. ny one estimate 22 acres will sun-
ply meat enough for one person. wheat |
enough Tor 40 persons, oats enough for |
80 persons, either corn or rice enough
.or i16 persons or bread fruit enouob
Ut over o'ooo persons. Sc. agriculture
esa'es the human rae mentally,
physically and numerical4.
Inc writer can not be a LAWYER nor n
physician nor a minister, because he
mas not legal qualifications: but he
can, fortunately, study, practice and
teach agriculture, though the latter
profession includes greater kpowledgc
OF nature and truth than the former
NO one can truly understand aoricul.
lure without knowledge OF air. climate
.isnt ana soil, and this information L,
forms many volumes. Consequently.
the farmer wants agricultural ESSAYS.
extracts and condensed information.
as Inc physician needs to study medi-
cinc. Agriculture is practical, like the
arr Oh healing, and saving experiments
prevent great droughts. The farmers
success hangs mainly on his knowl-
eagc OF soils; therefore, experience
chemistry and geology are his teach !
ars, showing that soil is clay and sand !.
with various substances
Light soils are always sandy. but :
'eavy soils are clayey. Light soils are =
fruitful OF sweet crops in :,
proportion to the sand. Light soils al q
why's contain to IA per cent. of clay. =
ma they are suitable for truck farm. :.
n.y. Light soils also contain abont * .
'er cent. OF sand, and mature crons :,
ari'er than heavy soils do. Light :.
Oils naturally yield smaller crops than =.
eavy soils, but early crops often bring - -
Ugh prices ON account of den,,nd y
'agnt soils also lack the power which -
eayy soils have OF absorbing and re- :.
aiming manures; SO light soils should ~
manuued frequently and moderate -. ~
= "niie heavy soils should be manured ~
SIS frequently and more heavily. =.
eavy soils commonly contain about ~
Ve and ten per cent. of sand, Weld o.
eavier crops than light soils. and
azure their crops later than light
MS do by several weeks. Heavy soils
so hold an EXCESS of moisture which
Dances coarse crops, but light soils :
we a.iack OF moisture, which causes no
&c crops. So that which is gained In Ing
'antity Is frequently lost in quality. 70
a ciayey loan is especially fruitful ha
one sort OF plants; sandy loan is the
revise productive OF another division :
vegetables; loan of clay and sand er
ually proportioned sustaius both mu
nos profitabiy. Plants are generally clip
'sed later in the interior than thew pos
by the sea. Climate governs the lnt
ne OF harvest and the distribution ~
Fps, but soil mobiles the effect OF as
mate and the distribution of types. the
US, hard wheats are the consequence Won
warm climates, while soft wheats are tho
consequence of c,ld climates. White cor,
eats are the consequence of Iigbt
Is, while red wheats are the conse-
'nce OF heavy soils Likewise. large non
dark tobacco is the consequence Of ,oo.
Wy soils, while the thin and yellow hee'
is the consequence Of light soils. ma,
&C animals depend either directly or "n'
lrectly on vegetation, we infer
I largo animals are the conse- lect
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