The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-12-11
RALEIGH, N. C., TUESDAY. DECEMBER II, 1900.
t1he Southern Planter.

/
| With this issue we complet. NOT
; only the volume fer the year. but tn,
volumes for the centuly-and what a
century the nineteenth has been, I'm
the arts and sciences, in manufactur-
ing and agricultural discovery and
progress. II has been more than the
equal of all the centuries which have
preceded il since the foundation OF the
/ world. More has been accomplished
in the century now closing To bring
about the happiness, comfort and Well
2 being of mankind than in al the ages
Of the past. II is not too much 10 say
that today il is possible for even the
poorest classes in all civilized coun-
! tries to enjoy more of the comforts,
! pleasures and luNuries OF life than the
proudest and greatest monarch in the
| world could command or Ell Joy in the
middle ages than even the rich
| could ENJOY al the commencement of
the century. What progress the science
+, OF agriculture has made in the cen
| tury. At the close Of the last cen
F; turN. and we'll ON into the nineteenth
the scientific truths of agricultural
chemistry and the laws Of crop-feed-
ing and production were absolutely
unknown. Farmers worked in the
dark. They committed the seed to the
ground. and knew nothing of the laws
governing growth and plant-food as
Similation. and practically nothing Of
the food requirements Of crops. The
land was worked by implements OF the
most crude design. and i'll adapted
for the purposes intended. BraWn, not
brain. was the factor relied on to Win
success. and if it came with this help.
it came largely by chance, and MAS
not the outcome of means adapted to
live stock breeding had barely been
attempted TO be mastered. and the
domestic animals We're largely but lit
tie removed in fitness or adaptablity
from their wild ancestors. The out
come of all this advancement has been
a higher standard Of life. and a more
perfect opportunity for the en- joyment
Of the benefits which a beneticent
Creator has designed for all created
beings. and ought to result III a i'ro-
found sense of thankfulness to the
| Giver OF all:
We in this land have been favor
ed with uneNampled prosperity in
every branch Of trade during the year
now fast drawing to a close and farm
ers, notwithstanding the fact that a
partial drouth has somewhat re tUcctl
the Weld of our staple crops. have
largely participated in that prosperity.
The demand for all the products Of
the farm has been large and this at
prices higher than at any period in the
last seven wears except in the case
Of one or two staples. The demand
for labor has been greater than ever
before. and wages have been higher
The result is seen in the more vigorous
efforts being made all over the south
TO develop our great resources. All
this must result i'll higher degree OF
prosperity for farmers, but to make
this to be completely availed Of farm
erS must adapt themselves to modern
systems of farming and get out OF the
| ruts Of the past They must become
! reading and thinking men-not mere
much more largely than
they ever have been in the past Whist
| it is now too late in the year to do
| much in the way Of actual work. II >
not too late to make u start IN this
new departure which is called for, and
we urge that each one who reads this
viii determine that he. for one. will
| make the effort. The next century Will
mark even a greater advance than the
one now closing. but OntN he who
avails himself of its opportunities Will
receive his full share of the rewards.
The year has closed with one of the
finest and most genial Of falls. and the
| result is seen on every hand. Progress
has been made beyond expectation ~
, seeding fall crops. and the wheat and
i winter oats Of which a larger acreage
has been seeded than for MANY years
| in the South are looking splendid.
Whilst it is now too late to seed amy
!. crop it is not TOO late to pi0W and
} prepare the land Keep the teams at
t work breaking the land intended 10
:. be put in crop in the spring ~ long
: as the weather keeps open AMI the
: land is in good blowing condition.
I Much more work can be done in the
t same time now than at any other pc
: ROD of the year: and with less injury
I. to both team and hands. De not bc
I afraid to bring up some CT the sub
G soil. The winter viii aerate this and
1 fit it to become available a plant food.
Set the furrOw slice on edge. so that
/ the subSoil and surface soil viii. IN
! working the land. become thoroughly
5 mixed. If possible. subsoii the plowcd
land. especially 50 where the bottom
OF the furrow is practically hard
pan. The benefit Of this will be seen
in the next wears crop. il will GER
1ainly prevent washing OF the land
and will secure a reserve Of moisture
for the needs Of the crop in the hot
dry weather Of July and august
when crops most need this help we
: have had q number of reports from
q farmers who subSoiIed last Year. who
. one and all. thereby secured good
S corn crop this year. notwithstanding
:; the drOuth.
G IF yOnl. land needs lime. and there
i is very little land in the South that
e would not be improved BY its appi'ca
ton. this Is the best time OF the wear
10 apply it. Apply at the rate OF :,
u "a hnShnIS 10 be afrt. broadcast Il