Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-02-08
THE BEST STEP FOR FARMERS.
>. P. stribIIns Gives Practical sussestloas
for BetterIng Farming Conditions.

H |
AS the price of cotton is now below
the cost of production to many farmers,
IT is high time for us to stop ard think
and Dake some changes, before we again
skill the goose that has for the past few
years layed the golden eggs" Let us
ask ourselves the question, what is our
best next step?" Cotton is our best
friend--has been, is, and will be-, our
Southern king of industries. But we
must use some discretion, forethought
and Judgment in paying yearly tribute to
this friend and king of industries.
Providence; the fertilizer men and che
farmers united their energies the past
year to make the largest cotton crop on
record, and we are now confronted with
low priced cotton. What are we to do
for. the present yea,p Agloomy outlook,
and we must look! Only one answer:
Change our system of farming. When2
Nowl Howp BY diversification, or ro-
tation of crops. What are the require
m ents of this system of rotationP First,
be honest with ourselves and our farms
study our farms and divide them into
three equal parts or divisions,
On the first division of ope-third of our
cultivated lands, prepare deep, fertilize
literally and plant in corn. Cultivate
shallow, and when laying by sow three
pecks of peas to the acre. Next fall
gather the corn early, turn this land and
and cane for forage, to be planted in cot
ton the third year.
On the second division of one third of
the land SOW small grain, forage crops
and truck patches, etc. Next fall turn
this land deep for cotton in second year,
to be followed by corn the third year.
On the third division of land prepare
extra we'll, fertilize literally and plant
in cotton; cotton to be followed by corn
the second year and small grain the third
year.
This system gives us a throe-sided
farm-three leading crops (corn, cotton
and small grain)-and a three years. rota-
tion. Any one Of these crops can fail
and the other two will amply support
the farm.
Under this system one horse can easily
cultivate 80 acres. Our average lands,
managed properly, will make 200 bushels
corn to 10 acres, 200 bushels small grain
to 10 acres, bales of cotton to 10 acres,
with an ample supply of rough feed for a
liberal keep of farm animals.
This system gives thirds of our
farm to support literally our farms, and
one-third in cotton, or bales to the
horse, as surplus or money crop. Fol-
low this rototion for few years and we
will make 800 bushels corn to 10 acres,
800 bushels small grain TO 10 acres, and
10 bales cotton to 10 acres, and this cot
ton will bring 15c. This system of rota-
ton, practiced by all the Southern farm
ers, will forever stamp out the idea of
low-priced cotton, destroy the boil
weevil and decrease all other insects.
Follow this system with forethought,
judgment and skill, such as is required
to succeed in other callings in life, and
it will fill our cribs, our granaries and
our homes brim full. These products
can be readily converted into all neces.
sary and luxuriant supplies for our homes
and our tables and "pin money! besides.
This surplus cotton money will pay our
extra bills, fill our purses and give us
good bank accounts.
This system will help us to hold our
rolling lands together by adding humus
to our worn soils; and each three years.
rotation will add 10 per cent Ia low esti-
mate) to the fertility of our soil. There
is great deal of detail as to manage
ment that may be added later.
Now, is this system the best next step?
Is it practicalp Will it raise the price of
cotton? Does it fit our case? Then
will we adopt itp 1t will fit the landlord
and the tenant 1t will work as we'll on
ten-horse farm as a one-horse farm.
Try it'll
eve know the right, and approve it, too
Condemn the wrong, and yet the wrong
pursue"
j. p. Stribling,
P;ohlopl