The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-18
NENJalnlaeV VIEWl lfeEFARhER] R]

Profitable Isv<stme.t for the Farner's
 Surplus.
 It is a matter of unanimous agree ment that the Southern farmer Is to- day In q more prosperous condition than at any time within the last few decades. Debts have generally been cancelled and surplus accumulated. On the Judicious investment of this sur- plus depends not only the farmers fu- ture prosperity and satisfaction. but also the public welfare. While 1t IS recognized that in matters of invest ment for the individual farmer no one can advise with full knowledge Of all conditions yet 1t may De helpful by way of suggestion to mention a list of some of the expenditures which are usually profitable for farmers.
 These expenditures may be divided Into two classes. namely, those that promise good dividends in dollars and cents, and those that make for in- creased satisfaction of the farmer and his family More frequently than we realiss the two are identical
 The natural tendency of the enter prising farmer Is to invest his surplus very largely in increasing his scale of agricultural operations. by renting or purchasing aditional land by buying additional mules. and preparing for Increased current expenses. This is a iaudable ambition, and this policy is in many cases the proper one. But the labor conditions of the present time are such that the conservative farmer may we'll hesitate before investing his surplus in farms which will return a dividend only in case he is able to se- cure and to retain an abundant and continuous supply of labor. It will of ten pay better to study the present farm and ascertain whether there is %.x tnf fsre .sz than to take the risk incident to farming larger amounts of land
 Let us take note of some of the means by which the farm may be made more profitable and more satisfactory as the result of some investments here- such Improvements we may well place better dwellings for the laborers. Ex- tensive observation indicates that this Is the most effective means of insuring an abundant supply of the most desir- able iaborers at a time when hands are scarce or unsatisfactory. The best ten ants as well as the best wages hands flock to those plantations in com nunity where the best houses have been built. I have in mind n most striking instance of this. plantation on which the erection of new and commodious tenant houses, most of them sealed and painted. has attracted
 
 good teams better able to cultivate the land properly, and willing to pay high CT rents than the average. These iff1- provements were based on business principles and not on phiianthrophy, and 1t Is believed that they pay a handsome interest on the investment Of course, many of us who realize the advantages of such Improvements are hampered by the want of sufficient working capital, but this article Is ad- dressed to those who have funds for in- vestment.
 There is another reason for building the best dwellings that the farmer can afford and on which he can realize reasonable interest. Evidently the time is close at hand when there will be considerable influx of white farmers from the North and from European countries. Most plantations are not supplied with dwellings in which these people would be content to live. The man who now builds good houses fof the negro will be prepared. when immi- grafton increases, to rent or sell his lands to advantage. or to have the first choice among the new 1aborers.
 Farm conveniences may well take a prominent place as candidates for the investment of the farmers savings. Are the barns sufficient and conveniently arranged and adapted to diversified farming as we'll as to the present sys- tenn? Are the fences sufficient to en- close the live stock that the farm ought to support and to protect the crops that should be grown during win- ter, when, by a most unwise custom, live stock run at large? Even if the fences are sufflcient, the farmer may well take thought. In this time of pros- perity, with view to putting them in better repair and making them more durable The increasing scarcity of fence posts has led the experiment sta tion at Auburn to devote considerable attention to the matter of permanent fence posts, and as the result of the work of the farm superintendent, C. M. Floyd, a form of cement fence post has been devised and has thus far proved quite satisfactory. The cost is between 90 and 35 cents and we hope that they are good for hundred years.
 A class of expenditures that will bring immense dividends in saving of labor and in increased satisfaction to every member of the family consists of conveniences around home. Is the well located with a view to economy of labor, and a minimum of exposure? Is there provided a shed under which wood may be cut and the cut wood stored, thus keeping 1t dry and saving many hours in the preparation of a meal: A windmill with steel tower can be purchased for about one-third the
 
 wind mill and a complete system of water works and bath room facilitie.. can be installed in the country for about the price of one mule Which will give the greater satisfaction? The home and other dwellings may stand in need of repairs and a good coat of paint win not only make the home more attractive, but will pay a fair dividend in giving longer life to the building. Cheaper buildings than the home and buildings made of undressed plank may be painted with a cheap colorad wash, and these colors may greatly change and beautify the surroundings
 Perhaps there Is not sufficient shade around the home and on the children's play ground for comfort and for beau ty. Surely this is a time to think of these things and to plant shade trees and ornamental shrubs and to prepare for a lawn. Both comfort and profit will como from Judicious expenditures for purchasing and carefully caring for a collection of fruit trees, small fruits and grapes. The choice of varieties is important, but even if mistakes are made in this, almost any standard va- rietles well cared for will increase the comfort of the home In addition to shade trees for shade alone, 1t would be we'll to consider the advisability of planting the hog lot in mulberry trees on account of the food as we'll as shade that in time they will yield. On many a farm 1t is none too soon to make plantings of catalpa or locust or mulberry with a view to securing a supply of fence posts ten to twenty years hence.