The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-02-24
Agriculture.


and large farms, and do not under
stand the management of small
pieces of land as they might. I'M
migrants grow rich where the ma
tive would starve, aud we might
learn some very profitable lessons
from them.
Consider the cost before again
putting the pillow to certain fields; a
loss may be avoided if such be
turned over, seeded down and given
up to good stock.
Spring is an unfavorable time for
subsoiling, for it should be done
when the soil is dry, and if it con-
tinues dry the surface soil has no
moisture for the cremation of seed
sown, for it has been absorbed by
the loose layers of soil below. Fall
subsoiling is usually safest and best.
Suppose there was no such thing
as hog cholera, no devastation from
chinch bugs, no parching from pro-
tracted drouths. no hail storms or
cyclones to sweep over the country ;
suppose the farmer had no backsets.
Might not bis occupation, in many
cases soon be gone? Overproduc-
tiOn would result, markets be
swamped and business be stagnated.
Our medicine is sometimes hard TO
take, but the system needs it. We
should not worry too much over our
draw backs.
If America, with all her advant-
ages, can not make her rural popu-
lation prosperous, contented and
happy, no Government ever will. If
the high standard of civilization in
our country districts are not main
tanned, the outlook for the country
is ominous. The foundation of
peace and prosperity lies in the agri-
cultural home, and if these homes
become poor or degraded there is no
help for the city. All other nations
have gone down who have neglected
or debased their rural population.
If for any reason the farmer thinks
it unwise to plant fruit along the
roadside, be should in any event
have such an eye for the beautiful
as to lead him to set out shade OF
some kind. A walnut tree 10 years
old will be worth something beside
shade. Almost any of our forest
trees will stand 10 feet high in three
years after being transplanted.
In the autumn, where the produce
of our farms lies heaped in great
cribs or bins, awaiting alluring
prices for shipment, fertility is go.
Ing to fertilize other farms where il
is fed. A modest neighbor on his sc
acres feeds his grain and stuff al
home. He gets $50 or $50 a month
from butter and eggs only. Per
chance he is born huckster, and
drives to this market and that with
butter, eggs, calves, pigs or any
thing which will sell. Such a one
is enrlching his possessions, always
while gathering his gold.
All seed for planting should bt
kept where there is little chance tt
absorb moisture; seeds stand heat oil
cold without damage, but when they
become damp their vitality is weak
ened, and sometimes destroyed
They should never be kept in eel.
lar or an outbuilding. While such
seeds may grow, the foundation of &
good crop is in seeds in full vigor.
Toads live entirely on grubs
worms, flies and other insects, anC
abe gardner has no better friends
Wherever found catch them and pu
them in the garden, where they sool
become helpful and at home. 1t /,
estimated that toad will destroy
three or four thousand insects in
month, and we can easily calculat,
the good they may do.
The evaporation which can b,
checked by close cultivation of tn,
soil during the summer is small
when compared with the amount o.
water taken up by an ordinary
growth of weeds. We can not over
estimate the Importance of destroy
ing them.