Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-12-06
NOT TOO OLD TO LEARN.

An accurate story of the progress
and development of agricultural de-
velopment in York county during the
past fifty years would make an inter-
esting chapter for the young farmer of
today. 1t would be interesting because
It would disclose many things that are
practically unknown to the younger
farmers Of the present generation, and
because 1t would show more genuine
progress than is to be found in any
other pursuit. This statement will
surprise some of the hpstling young
farmers of today, but there Is no ques-
tion of its correctness.
Fifty years ago all the plow shares
were made of iron and were the crude
output of the farm or crossroads
blacksmith shop. All the plow stocks
including foot and beam were made Of
wood, and the two hand plows Of the
day were not only rare; but were Of
dubious utility. And so it ran gener-
ally. Agricultural conditions were in
keeping with the tools described. La
Dor was plentiful and good, but with
out improved machinery quite ineffec-
tive.
These observations have grown out
of a social chat that the writer had
with a well-known farmer a few days
ago. 1t is just as well, maybe, not to
give the gentleman's name, because at
the time Of the conversation there was
no idea that anything he said would be
published. But the source Of the in
formation here is probably one of the
most successful farmers of the county.
He is close on to 70 years Of age, has
never done anything much but farm,
except for four years Of pretty strenu-
Gus soldering, and although one of the
wealthy men of the county, is still TAX
ing as much interest in good stock.
improved implements, better methods,
larger yields, ETC., as If all he had was
forty acres and a mortgage, and the
saving of the title depended upon the
next payment. But don't get the idea
that he is stingy or penurious Not a
bit of 1t. He Is generous with his abun-
dant means. tries to do all the good he
can with as little harm as possible, and
from every standpoint Is one Of the
county's most valuable and honored
citizens.
Mr.. j and his surname does not
begin with ~" has always been known
as a crank on corn. That Is corn has
always been the bed rock Of his agri-
cultural operations. He used to say
and says yet, II would rather be with
out money than without corn,' and
while he has never had the experience
of being without either-not since he
came back from the Civil war-he
means just what he says. Many time
he has had enough corn in his cribs at
one time to keep his farm operations
going for several years, and he always
has corn to sell, If he should want to
sell any. 1t was knowledge of these
facts that caused the writer to ask
this question:
You have observed, Mr.. j that
during the past few years the young
folks and others have been making a
lot Of fuss over corn production and
some of them have made some tremen-
dous crops. Now what want to know
Of you is has there developed any in
formation that has been of real value
to you and that has changed the
methods you have been pursuing so
long?"
Yes" replied Mr.. j as soon as
he caught the significance Of the ques-
ton. Il am glad to be able to feel that
1 have not gotten too old to learn. 1
have been watching all this interest in
corn production, and l believe I have
learned something. l am making more
corn to the acre than l used to make at
the same or less cost, and it Is because
of improved methods. l am inclined
however to give most of the credit to
Mr.. Williamson. He taught me to
plant Deep not to use much fertilizer
under the seed, and the value of sew
eral applications of fertilizers. These
are the principal lessons l have gotten
from him. Another thing / might men,