The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-07-08

pf.UOS harvesting Snreddlng, S1.5O;
total, $500.
5 bbls. corn, $4,000; 1000 Tbs. shred
ded fodder, -$26.25; net profit, /
1925.
PEA VINE HAY.
e Preparing and seeding, $500; har-
vesting and baIing, $500; total $500.
? tons hay at $500, $4,000; profit,
$25.OO.
GRASS HAY.
Preparing and fertilizers, $500;
harvesting and baling, $500; total
$500.
tons hay at $500. $4,000; net
profit, $1,000.
The above estimates are based on
land that will make with $40O fertil-
izers and proper cultivation, 1000 TBS.
seed cotton. Of course if the lands
used are more fertile, the relative val
ues will vary to that extent. Some
lands that are very fertile will pro-
duce very little cotton and will pro-
duce a heavy yield of grain. We can
best judge our lands each one for him
self, and should plant our crops on
lands that are best adapted for same.
I am quite sure our aim should be
to raise those crops that are in most
demand and that we can market with
the least cost and labor, as you will all
agree with me that the labor question
is getting to be one of very great i'm
portance in our section of the State.
With the use of the latest and most
up-to-date machinery for seeding and
harvesting grain and hay crops, an
ordinary family with two or three
boys, can seed and harvest crop of
grain that will equal in value cotton
crop that will take fifteen or twenty
hands to plant, cultivate and house,
besides, the boys enjoy the work with
the machines and teams. have boy
that is just fourteen years old, that
has done all of my moving and har-
vesting, for the past two years, on my
| home place.
CoIored labor will not>do to operate
improved farm machines, and I think
our white boys should be encouraged
to do this work, and I am quite sure
that when this plan of farming is
adopted in our country, the boys will
not leave the farms and go to the
towns seeking employment, as they
have been doing heretofore l have
three sons at present, they are desi-
rous of being farmers, and would not
go to town under any consideration.
must say, too, that I am very glad that
their inclinations are that way.
We should also remember that we
can market our produce with much
more facility, over our present roads,
in summer than in winter, and that
the dollars we get in the summer
months are worth more by per cent
th7o dollars we get in the winter
months.
I think it is safe to say, with the
same manures and cultivation for
grain crops .as for cotton and tobacco,
we will one year with another get more
net profit from grain and hay crops
than we will from cotton and tobacco,
and am sure we will have more and
better stock, and more manure to go
back on our lands.
I have received the past year for
grain, hay, beef-cattle, and butter over
$2,5OO, and am sure over One-half of
this amount is net profit. I do not
mention these facts in a boasting way,
but simply to show to my neighbors,
and the people of the county, what
can be done along these lines. If we
would raise enough of these crops to
pay our expenses through the year,
then cotton and tobacco crops would
be entirely clear, and we would be
more able to keep our plantations IN
good shape and to beautify our homes
and make them more attractive. If
these conditions we're to prevail
throughout the county along with
good roads, good schools, good socie-
ty, and civilization, our boys and girls
would stay on the farms, and good old
Edgecombe would blossom as a rose;
for her lands are the most fertile, her
daughters the fairest, and her sons
the truest and bravest. Her name to-
day is the most exalted of all the coun-
Il. .4 C4o4o oe o,-.. o-,J