The progressive farmer and the cotton plant. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1904-1905, 1905-01-31

his advice about cows and keeping farm accounts.
L have been taking an inventory of my possessions
twice year (January 1st and June 1st when list
Tor taxes) every year that have farmed for 40
years, and when commenced planting, ETC., amount
OF crops made, and all the important events and
work done nthe farm. / often refer to it to
know what laborers, stock, etc. employed that year
and the number of horses, mules, cattle, ETC.
practice Professor Burkett's advice as to feed
ing the cotton seed to stock and it paws better
than any other plan.
Dr. freeman always gives something good
about home comforts, health, terracing deep plow-
ing etc.; and he writes like he talks, in an open
frank, honest style.
H. w. Kings advice about saving money ;s
good. The farmers lose great deal by not read
ing our agricultural papers, by which they would
often avoid the impositions practiced on them By
INSCRIPTIONS agents. And when you want any
thing go to your own merchants or manufacturers
and buy good article and pay for it, and he will
always give you satisfaction.
Your editorials this week are grand and good.
And as long as you write that way, we cannot
spare you. Stay with In North and South Car
olina and help to fight our own battles and de-
velop this goodly land of ours. And it will soon
suggestions of last week In "Ihe Remaklng OF
Rural Commonwealth" Improvement of Public
Roads :" "Better Methods of Rural Education;
"School Libraries ;""Rural Mail Delivery and Tele-
phones" :" Farmers Clubs :" ''The Old-time Far
mer and his Modern Prototype"-aH of which
/ enjoyed so much and will file away and read it
over and again.
I hope our farmers will take Brother Parker's
advice and stand pat; hold fast to the cotton and
reduce the acreage They have been talking 1t
for years, but every one thinks the other fellow
will get ahead, and they go on in the old rut
until they have cut it deep that they can't travel
it now. Twelve years ago l cut my cotton crop
one-half ten to the horse, and doubled, the
corn wheat, oats, hay cattle, hogs; and have been
making an independent living, educating the chill
dren and improving the land.
And if Sam Archer will come to see US, we can
set him down to some good country hams and
sausage some good homemade patent Hour
ground at the Mecklenburg Roller Mill, and home
raised corn bread, and of big or lye hominy,
with dessert of peaches and Jersey cream, or
strawberry pie.
Have sold more than half my cotton at 10 cents
and have the balance stacked away, and will hold
on with tar Fitch and turpentine grit, notwlth-
standing held some last year from 16 cents to IL
cents.
So you see I am truly loyal farmer. And l
have no idea now of going back to the e-bellum
or extensive cotton planting system of farming,
but will continue to work less land and more thor
oughly raise more provisions, more stock, more
manure and use improved implements with mod
ern, practical methods. I would like for our farm
ers to try this plan for few years, and they
will be in better condition
Well there are many other good articles that L
would like to notice from your good correspond
ents but it would make this letter too long, and
am afraid the reading would be dull. But en-
ioy them all-the Home Circle, Social Chat, Read
ing Course and ALL With good wishes for them
all and great prosperity for The Progressive
Farmer may it's field of usefulness be greatly
enlarged. w. T.. AhDhh1'
Mecklenburg Co., N @.