LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Shelf, .'.d-..^- 4 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. a (^. -ft) FEWE!( mWi -WITH A- ^ WMi 'W! -OF- ^^Tra -OR- TWEQTYIMIIESSTO^THE^I^HOIISE -IN ALL- CROPS, ENOUGH. "Feed thy farm ancl tliy farm will feed tbee."' BY J. ROMULifS CLIJfE, CATAWBA, N. C. Printed at tlie Enterprise Job Office, Newtun, N. C. gL dJ- P tJ Copyright, 1889, BY J. IIOMULTJS CLINE. All Rjo-hts Reserved. PEWE^ M^ES -WITH A- SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT -OR- TWBI]TY mum TO THE H0^2E -IN ALL- t/ CROPS, ENOUGH. :h;t 141889 0.'^' BY ^ "- '''"'^'" J. ROMULUS CLIJVS, CATAWBA, N. C. Enterprise Job Office Print, Newtun, Nortli Carolina. PREFACE. Knowing the tenacity of the average southern farm- er to stick to "daddy's old ruts" regardless of conse- quences and in many cases even his own convictions, before entering on the subject proper of this little work, 1 deem it necessary that I may show him the folly of such a course, and the more effectually convince hhn of the error of his ways, and thereby induce him to pull out and establish a system tending toward the perma- nent improvement of the soil, to devote a few pages of this work to a brief rehearsal of our condition as a class, and establishment of its cause, if perhapse I may be able. Our Condition— Its Cause. That the condition of the southern farmer as a class is bad, and from some cause is fast ^rowin^- from bad to worse, needs no argument to estabhsh; but is fully evidenced by the thousands of care worn, haggard look- ing farmers all over the land, with their impoverished and gully washed farms and their dilapidated rickety buildings standing as monuments indicating adversity and oppression. With debts hanging over them of which in their honest efforts to relieve themselves, each year only finds them more deeply involved. While there are individual farms and farmers, and even sections of country here and there to which this condition in its worst form does not apply, (and wher- ever so, note the system) yet that it does apply to the masses is a fact that cannot be successfully disputed, and one too that calls for the most serious considera- tion and deepest thought of every tiller of the soil. As a rule there is no better ijidex to the condition of any people than their immediate surroundings — their homes. Compare the homes of farmers with those of other classes. To do this, pass through the country and into the town or city. Note the difference in their homes and then settle with yourself the question— why this great disparity? This is an age of improvement ; and in order to suc- cess each avocation must move apace with the others if it would prosper. Let us go back ten years. Think of every other business. The successful merchant has doubled his stock; the manufacturer has added improved machinery and doubled his cai)acity; factories ofvarious kinds have gone up in our midst; railroads are being FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. built; steam has taken the place of horse power in almost every thing ; improved agricultural machinery is scattered all over the country — drills, reapers, mowers, rakes, double, tripple, quadruple, and even sextuple sulky plows, sulky turn plows, revolving harrows, and every variety of improved tools with which one man and horse can perform the work that required two to perform ten or fifteen years ago, and yet with all these advantages we have not prospered, we have retrograded. Is it not strange? And is it not still more strange that in this progressive age, dating as it were with the very introduction ol these improved tools— ten or fifteen years ago — that instead of advancing our retrogression has been so rapid and marked, and that with their use we have struck bottom as it were so soon ? Look back and take things as they are. Does it not seem that they have helped us down the slick road? For does our condition show an^^ advantage from their use? If so, where is it? If not so let us find the cause. But before we go further let us bring up another horse about the same age, but blind in both eyes — commer- cial fertilizer. While I do not say that the fault has been in either the tools or the fertilizers, for they are each a "God send," and creatures of an advanced age, either of which hence forward we can not do without, as I will show further on ; but I do say that with these tools in our hands, a sack of fertilizer on our backs, and in our heads that infernal greed or disposition to own and cultivate many acres regardless of the fertility of the soil, we have drifted into a slip shod s^'stem, that has emptied our pockets, put us in debt and worse than all, impoverish- ed our farms until four times as many acres as we ought to, or can successfully cultivate, positively refuse to feed us. Nor is this all; many of our farms, stock, tools, etc., are mortgaged, here and there they are being fore- FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. closed, and the once happy landlord becomes a renter to the money king. To put it in a nutshell, we have killed the goose that lays the golden egg, and our condition will not — tan not improve until we resuscitate her — build up these run down farms and establish a S3'stem tending to the per- manent im])rovement of the soil as tlie iii-st and all- important thing to successful agriculture. Stick a pin here. But to be more explicit, let us re- turn to those impi'oved tools and commercial ferHlizers. The fact is we have never had a system of improvement. Our system has been to takeout and put nothing back — to tear down ; hence hei-i' we have alwa^'s retrograded so far as improvement is concerned. But in the days of the single shovel it was not so perceptible; for as we would wear out one field, another was cleared, thus using the original fertility of the soil. The worn fields were thrown out for rest or pasture, where tliey quietly ](\y under nature's reclaiming process, until the introduction of these improv^ed tools and commercial fertilizer, Avhen, with the advantages of the tools and the fertilizer as a. stimulant to lead us on, together with that greed whi(^h Ave naturaly possesed we expanded our wings, reclaimed the worn lands, cleared the forest and without system or regard for rotation of crops with a view to fei'tility of the soil, drifted into that ruinous one crop system, that has moved our smoke house to Chicago, our corn crib to Cincinnati, impoverished our farms, and is re- sponsible for the ills that befall us to day. Proof : If a system of farming is wrong with a single shovel, is it not doubly wrong with a double shovel? That is, if a single shovel will scratch twenty acres to death, will not a, double shovel scratch forty to death in the same length of time? I know that diversity of opinion pievails even among farmers themselves as to the cause of our condition : such as class legislation ; middle men ; commercial fertil- 6 FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. izer ; what we sell too low ; what we buy too hig-h ; mo- nopoly of capital, etc. adin Jinitum. Strang to say that it never occurs to them that it is the non productiveness of the soil — that we cultivate about four acres lor what one ought to ])roduce; for however much these alleged causes may oppress us, and however much they may seem to cause our oppression, they are only results of the one great cause — poor land, and their oppression will vanish as the dew before the morning sun at its removal. For with rich farms, why need we fear any of these? Our cribs, smokehouses, graneries and barns, would all be full to overflowing; our pockets would jingle with the cash ; our children would be educated ; we ourselves would have time to post up and become better citizens, thereby exerting an influence to be felt even in our legislative halls; our legislators would become our servants instead of our masters ; middle men could be brought to terms or dispensed with altogether and that most desirable event accomplished — tlie ])roducer and the consumer brought face to face. Commercial iertilizers could be profitably used or dis- I»ensed with ; what we sell would be high enough, because of its abundance and cheapness of production ; what we buy would be low enough because we would have the cash with which to buy, thereby using the advantages of competition and buying where we jjlease. Last but not least, and the most to be dreaded of all —That king of monsters— Monopoly of capital — the master ot the poor, and the servant of the Devil, could not seriously ojjpress us in that we would have a little of the articles ourselves, besides being so safely ensconc- ed beliind the breastworks of prosperity and independ- ence. rUit to the subject : — THOSE SKIJYJVr FABMS. As a rule the only com})etition with the southern farmer has been — who can cultivate (or skin, for that is FEWER ACRES, WJTH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. 7 what has been done) the greatest number of acres. Many times the large ones have felt larger, and the small ones been made to feel smaller, when the self im- portant gentleman, leaning back on his dignity, and with thumbs hooked in the armpits of his vest would exclaim: ''I cultivate fifty acres or one hundred acres in corn, the same amount in cotton, in wheat, oats, etc. I pay tax on five hundred or one thousand acres, when at the same time this individual buys fertilizer on time, and the proceeds of that skinny thousand acres will not pay his store account in the fall. His only craving is all the land that joins him ; this he would have if he had the money to buy it, or could get it on easy payments. Yet this individual will cry trust — monopoly, when he is into a land trust and poor land at that— one that does not make himself rich, but his country poor. This spirit— to own many acres; this lack of enter- prise— investing in land because of its safety, regardless of the prosperity of the country, go hand in hand as the producing elements in the cause of our condition. Both are largely responsible for the slip shod system that has impoverished the farms, and the thousands that have been invested in land merely because, "It is a safe in vest- ment," if put into factories and machine shops, would have j)aid handsome dividends to the investors, and kept millions among us that have gone to foster the more enterprising people of other sections. But this spirit does not belong to the farmer alone; all classes are affected alike ; for even the merchant or the mechanic if, his business declares a dividend, he puts it into land as a "safe investment." The whole South is land poor. The farmers own and try to work too much land. While this is the case they will remain poor. For at this advanced age— this age of improvement— this age wdierein the capacity of every thing except our acres has been doubled, trippled, and 8 rEWP]R ACHES, with a system of improvement. even quadrupled— this a^e, ^vhen evei-y tiling we use on the farm — clothes, shoes, plows, bolts, horse-shoes, wag- ons, buggies and a thousand and one other things, are all manufactured b^' machinery cheaper than we can make them ourselves, and must be purchased with the products of the farm. Can we do this and farm ])oor land? Under these circumstances can we educate our children and fit them for society with those of other classes? And are we doing it? How many farmer's children attend the summer school? How many have time to attend the four months term of free sehool dur- ing a three months winter? Frequently they are kept at home a month in the fall to gather in the products of that skinny farm, and again in the spring they are taken from the school anothei- month to go to skinning for another skinny crop. How long is this to continue? Cotton cards, spinning wheels and hand looms are things of the past and oui* system of farming ought to have gone with them. Thei'e is but little difference in the average southern farmer so far as profits are con- cerned, and the man who would set up a factory, by the purchase of a hundred cards, wheels and looms, and hire a hundred women to work them. As with the farmer, so with the factory man, some merchant Avould have to "run him." As with the aid of machinei'v and improved tools the capacity of man is doubled , so to keep abreast of the ti mes ought not the capacity of our acres be doubled? For how are we benefited with the use of tools wherewith one man can do the work that required two to ]x^rform ten years ago, if our acres produce only one half as much as they did then? Without the use of commercial fertili- zer, is not this just about the case? Knot why have we retrograded ? Let us make a comparison. A rich farm will pi'oduce fifty to one hundred bushels of corn per acre; twenty to forty bushels of whea t ; one to three bales of cotton ; FEWEIJ ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. -J fifty to one hundred bushels of oats ; clover and grass in abundance; other crops in proportion. Its soil is easily worked, retains moisture and is drought proof. The crop is encouraging to look upon, encouraging to work, and best of all it fills the cribs, smoke-houses and barns ; and pleasure, plenty and profit, are reaped from its culture. Mor is this all; the premises put on an inviting ap- pearance; the buildings are all in first class order; the yards are beautifully grassed and sliaded ; the proprie- tor is cheerful and gay ; the wife is happy, not overwork- ed and looks as tidy as the premises ; the children are being educated and fitted for society and the various pursuits of the world, and happiness supreme reigns in this home. A poor farm will produce five to fifteen bushels corn per acre; four to six bushels wheat; one third bale cot- ton ; oats too short to cut at all ; clover and the grasses unknown ; other crops in proportion. It's soil dries out quickly, bakes, is hard to work, will not stand drought, the crop presents a ghastly picture, is discouraging to work, and the profits of such a farm — hard times— are reaped by a majority of Southern farmers to-day. In the name of common sense how long is thisto continue? Now friendly farmer, these are true pictures; drawn by a practical and expoi-ienced artist — a farmer; the one a beautiful thing — a superb painting? not overdrawn, but a fair representation of what each farm, large or small should be all over this beautiful laud. The other a familiar picture, needs no description and can be seen from the front door of a large majority of the farmers all over the South. With these farms compare yours. Does it stand with the poor one? Make it richer. Between the two? Make it richer. With the rich one? Make it richer. Let your watchword be— Improve the Farm. With this laro-e crops will follow as a natural consequence; with large 10 FEWER ACIJEK, WITH A SYSTEM OF IM FKOVEMENT. crops, cheap crops; with clioap crops, ])i-ofitable crops; and with profitable crops, ]jros])erity and independence. Yon may talk abont the rate per cent, we pay for what we bny, even at these enormous time prices which are rninons and from which tlie country lias suffered so much, but they sink into comparative r.othingness when compared to the cost of products laised on a rich farm or on a poor one. For instance: The products of an acre in corn at fift^' cents per- bushel, <^ro\vn on land that produces forty bushels per acre, is worth twenty dollars. ( )n land that produces ten bushels per acre, hve dollars. But what did it cost ? If the forty bnsliels cost twc^ity dollars, did not the ten bushels also? What ! two dollars per bushel!! Who ever heard of such "time prices?-' Yet these very pric(!S are paid to- day, in advance at that, by men who cultivate such farms, if not in money, in its equivilant — time and labor, and the sooner they learn that this is money, the better for them. Can't you see? On what does the farmer base his calculations when he pitches a crop? Other thinj^s being equaJ, is it not on the fertility of the soil ? Then is it not a very foolish thing to cultivate four acres for what one can be made to produce with the extra labor that it I'equiresto prepare and cultivate the thi-ee extra acres? Is not perminent improvement th<^ all-important thing to successful agriculture ? Is there any other remedy for our condition? Can legislation help us? Not unless it pensions us. If the middle men wf^re all driven into the sea, would that better our condition? Some of us could not run another year. Or if Jay Gould with all the capitalists were reduced to poverty and rags would that nuike us rich? Not unless they would give us some of their old clothes. What matter it if these are all for us or against us, are we not architects of our own fortune? Av.d did we FEWEIJ ACHES, WITH A SYSTEM 01<' IMPROVEMENT. 11 not how them out with our own hands? Then why lay tlio bhTuie to any other cause? Let us make the best of our lot and try to improve it, for if we have made no mon(^y, we liave learned an important lesson from that best of teachers — experience. FARMING IS A SCIENCE. Farming is a science, and that true farming tends to the permanent improvement of the soil, and any system that disregards it sooner or later will fail, though it be- gins with a rich farm. A farm will no more live as a paying thing without feed than a horse ; the only difference you feed ahorse one thousand and ninety five times a year and a farm will make out on one square ration. This it must have or like the horse on short rations can only perform short duty. In short, farming is feeding the farm for what it will produce; for, other things being equal, in proportion as you feed it, in that proportion will it feed you. Then : Feed thy fai*m and thy farm will feed thee, is no less true than, "Keep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee" or vice versa. Just so true as that many acres with a hap hazzard system has reduced our farms and brought us fo our present conditon, just so true it is that FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT, a thorough system tending to the permanent improve- ment of the soil, must build them up and advance our condition. Nothing else has reduced us, nothing else can elevate us. We are poor in consequence of their reduction, and can onl}' advance as their condition is advanced, or remain poor with them. There is no other remedy. Stick a pin here. Other tilings being equal, farming 3aelds a profit in 12 FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMFKOA'EMENT. ])roportion as tlie farm is I'ioh or a loss in proportion as it is poor. This bein^:,' true 1 dopin ir unnecessary to take up fnrtlier time in the discussion of onr condition : for should there be any who mit>l!t differ with me as to the cause, it is believed that all will a mannre he can and to look after this interest with re- doubled energy, lie must not depend on it at a sacrifiee of his rotation of crops, through greed or any oth(T cause. For as has beini said befoi-e they are both soil feeders and must go hand in hand. Then we can afford to use commercial fertilizers and then as has been said before we can not do without them. For all know their judicious use on rich land has never been (]uestion- od, but acknowledged by all as a paying investment. A farm is a self feeding machine, and will gi-ow most wonderfully fat on it's own products and pay back to the farmer a proportionate superabundance for it, if it is properW treated. .No system is farming, in the true sense of that word, under which a farm grows poorer, but is rather robbery. Every farm is self sustaining as reo-ards manure, but it is the svstem that makes it so. And the system that effects this is the most im])ortant thing of all others to successful agriculture, and as such is the most perplexing question with which the intelli- gent farmer has to contend. There is no question so impoitant as: How to im- prove the farm ? There is nothing that i)ays better ; in- deed, it is the very essence of farming and the quintes- sence to its successful following. Therefore a systf^n that will accomplish this end must be adopted by evei^- farmer if he would succeed. To do this lie must first adjust his working force and acreage to each other. And then with a careful husbanding of all manures, and the proper crops ]:)lanted to follow each other under a systematic rotation, with deep plowing and thorough culture, the desired end will be accomplished — the farm will grow richer, and in (/onsequence, the farmer will prosper. Farmer friend, have you a system of rotation? If so 1 G FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. wluit is it? If not Si), adjust yonr workino- force to your acres or your acres to your working- force, and, planting; the crojis adapted to your sectiou, try the system as L"iid down in niy little farm of forty acres. Plant one field to clovei', one to oats, one to corn, one to peas, one to cotton, and one to wheat. These are your g-eneral crops and should be rotated together. The remaining four acres devoted to truck etc., as fol- lows: One acre to sweet ])otatoes, one to ground peas, one half acre to sorghum, one half acre to Irish potatoes, one half acre to melons, and one half acre to garden. In your rotation let wheat follow clover ; clover fol- low oats ; oats follow corn ; corn follow i)eas ; peas fol- low cotton ; and cotton follow wheat. Thus we have a six shift system. That is a particular field will receive a particular crop every six years.. Only two crops requir- ing clean cultivation — exhausters ; and two strong land feeders — the clover and the pea. In some localities the division might Jieed change. For instance ; a crop that groes to perfection might be increased to the diminution of another not so well ada])ted to that locaHtj^; or a crop niay l)e discarded altogether and the acreage of others increased as the case may demand. For instance, in the Northern or mountainous sections, cotton must be discarded, otlier crops taking its place adapted to the locality. The same in other sections with wheat oats clover etc, but the old "stand by"— corn, by far the best of all crops (for the farmer suffers more in consequence of its shortage than any other,) will grow anywhere this side the Artie Eegions, and should be grown in abundance on every farm. It fills the crib, the granery, the smoke house; produces milk and butter, poultry and eggs; makes fine stock, and, in fact is the very back bone of the farm . The j)ea will gi'ow any where in the South, and is an important crop in the rotation not only for the grain it FEWEll ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. 17 produces but also for the fertilizing qualities it possesses, and should occupy a permanent place in the rotation on every farm. It is a farm feeder, will grow on the poorest soil, and in a few years bring- it up to a high state of cultivation. Just here I will say, that in the present poor condi- tion of our land, clover will not grow as a paying crop, and the pea may occupy its place in the rotation until the fertilit^^ is sufficient to grow clover; thus devoting two fields to the pea until this is accomplished. Or when the farm becomes rich, the pea may be dis- cai'ded, clover and the grasses taking its place. In either instance the farm may be divided into five fields instead of six for general farming. But I mucli jjrefer the division as it is — one third of your general farming land occupied by feeding crops. This will insure a richer farm. Of course this farm only represents the arable land, and it is presumed that there is an orchard of two or three acres in the best variety of fruits, wood land to supply fuel and a few acres of hill land for permanent pasture. There should also be an acre in clover near the barn for soiling purposes, and an acre of rye to be used before clover comes in. These can be rotated with each other, and as soon as the r3^e is off, this lot may be planted in drill corn for cows in fall. This represents an up-land farm and it is presumed that if one is so fortunate as to own bottom lands that he will know what to do with them, and will divide and arrange his farm accordingly. Much of our bottom lands that have been considered inexhaustable have long ago yielded to the exorbitant exactions of an exclusive cultivated system, and to-day are but little if any better than the avei'age uplands. They too must bo built up, for which purpose a sys- tem of rotation mu.st be adopted for their special use, as some of the crops suited to an upland farm are not adapted to bottom lands. 18 FEWER ACKES, AVITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. Divide 3' our bottom land into two plats. Plant to corn and oats, and rotate together ; but immediately after cutting your oats each year, sow to peas. In fall or winter, turn under your pea-sward prejjaratory to another corn crop. Thus continue year after year and your lands will grow rich. While this farm is cut and sliced for the average southern farmer, it is not to be presumed that all two horse farms should be the same size for reasons other than those already given. For one man might work fifty acres under the same system with more ease and better success than another would work forty. Then again a very "Go ahead man," with a num- ber one team (not brood mares,) and a big force, might work sixty. But he would always be in a stew and a fret, never having time to go to mill. Unless he hired his force, could not send his children to school, and the whole thing would be unsatisfactory and unenjoyable. Whereas a man and boy can work this little farm of forty acres with ease, and without the unnecessary ex- pense of a hired hand. The children can be sent to school through the sum- mer as well as winter and the most desirable object of all accomplished. The children educated and the farm- ing world on the high road to prosperity and intelli- gence. This it will lead to, and until this is accomplish- ed we will have hard paddling to keep our heads above water. But hj combined effort and strict attention to business under an improved system, with our children in the schools and being fitted for society with those of other classes, we will soon begin to command respect; and the next generation will be an age of educated far- mers. Cut this country up into such farms, and who can doubt the assertion? What imagination can even grasp at the condition of things then? Who would be the underlings, and what class would be the controlling power in this country? Ah! tlien our impositions will FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. 19 have passed away one after auotlier. For as we have become more intelligent the forces that were arrayed ao-aiust us are broken and gone, and the very powers that oppressed us will seek our counsel. Educated far- mers will represent us in our Legislature and in our Na- tional Congress, and thousands will be able to stand up for our rights and defend our cause at all times and un- der all circumstances. This is no idle fancy but a solid reality, that is sure to grow out of the system. And this is as it should be. For why should not the farmer be educated ? Why should not the rural districts be dot- ted with comfortable school houses, and showy acade- mies and colleges? Why should not our homes be beautified and their surroundings made attractive? Why should not the farm itself be a thing of beauty to catch the gaze of the weary traveler's eye as he passes the way? And last but not least, why should not the farming class — the class that feeds the world and the source from which all wealth is derived — that deals with Nature and whose business is as it were in copartner- ship with Nature's God, be equal to that oi any other class mentally, morally, socially and materially ? THE CULTIVATION OF CROPS. That the benefits to be derived from the system of ro- tation may more readily be seen, we will presume that this is the second year and will enter upon the mode of preparation and cultivation of crops. THE CORN CROP. As corn follows the pea crop, and knowing the benefits of the pea as a feeder of the soil, it will be a pleasant task for the intelligent farmer to prepare the land for this crop. In fall or winter break eight or ten inches deep with two horse turn plow, turning under everything that was left on the land by the pea, and the deeper the better, as 20 FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. there is no plant in our catalogue that requires deeper breaking than corn, especially on upland for which this mode is intended. In lact it is the only way we can raise it successfull}^ Deep breaking is a preventive against drought, the greatest drawback on upland corn. Harrow two or three times previous to planting, and if land is level, lay off each way rows three to three and one half feet apart, or wider according to fertility of soil. The furrow in which you drop the corn, lay off with two horses to ten or twelve inch shovel plow, or an eight inch shovel with a ten or twelve in(ih following in same furrow, with one horse. This is done to get a deep clean furrow in order to get the seed as deep in the ground as possible, the nearer the hard pan below, the better. To fertilize with stable manure or compost, drop a handful in furrow on each side of hill ; with guano or phosphate alwa,ys drill in the row, as then the plant will feed on it even until the vei-y ear is made. Cover lightly with double shovel plow on which are two very small short bull tongues. This leaves the surface of the ground that covers the corn if ])roperly done three to five inches lower than the general surface; which is the very thing 3^ou want for an easy time working, and a prevention of drought. First working use two horse harrow running with the I'ows in which the corn was planted. This will work just enough dirt to the little corn to cover all vegetation that may have started, not even scratching out a single stalk, leaving the corn still a few inches bejieath the general surface. Next working, use side cultivator the same direction as before, which will again work just enough dirt around the corn to hoe the cro]), covering vegetation etc., still leaving the plant below the general surface. Continue with the cultivator at short intervals until laid by, which should be at least four times in all, when the last workino; will find the arourxl level, in fine con- FEWEK ACItES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPUOVEMENT. 21 dition to stand drou.o'ht and in the very best condition to receive the next crop. Under this mode of cultivation there is ni) use for a hoe in the field , except to ch op briars, sprouts, etc., as the cultivator if run at regular in- tervals effectually' works every hill and if not kept out too long at a time, scarcely a sprig of grass can be seen in the field in the fall. There is but one system to woi-k corn, and that is the dirting system— a continual work- ing dirt to it ; but that end is accomplished in two ways — dirting up or dirting down. The one is to plant in shallow farrow and continually dirt up with twister or turn plow ; the other is to plant in a deep furrow and continually dirt down with very hght cultivatoi'. The one the ridge system, tlie other the level system. Each has its advantages in the different soils. In low bot- tom laud the ridge system, but on uplands the level sys- tem always; and should be adopted by every farmer who cultivates upland smooth enough on whicli to use the side harrow. The harrow- is a five tooth implement and if properly made will thoroughly clean the land and sweep a row at a round. Another mode for planting is to bed laud as for bot- tom, and then plant in water furrow ; a very good mode except that the plant will not start off as fast in a poor water furrow, but will come in on the "home stretch." Anotherstill ; especially whereground was broken early and has become grassy before planting, is to bar off" your laud with twistei' or turn plow, leaving an imagi- nary row and completely covering up the middles, then with an eight or ten inch shovel break out this imagina- ry row and drop your corn, covering as befoi-e. This you will observe requires three furrows to the row, but effect- ually covers and freshens up the entire field, leaving a deep furrow in \\hich to plant the grain, and I believe the very best plan to follow even in all conditons. I should have said above, at second working, thin to one stalk in the hill. 22 FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. THE WHEAT CROP. As wheat follows clover, where the land is in condition in August or September, (the sooner the better,) turn your clover with two horse turn plow 8 to 10 inches deep thoroughly covering all vegetation. Near seeding time, (whichin this latitude is about the first of October) and when the land is in good working order harrow two or three times leaving a good seed bed to receive the grain ; letting the last harrowing just precede the sow- ing that the land may be fresh. Sow with drill, using 100 to 200 lbs phosphate per acre, and one to one and a half bushels seed. Or better still, if land is level, sow both ways, using half amount of seed and phosphate each wa3'. This will insure the largest yield as the seed will be more evenly distributed over the land. If not convenient to drill and fertilize, sow broad cast, using same amount of seed, and harrow in or plow with double shovels using bull tongues. On such land as will grow a good clover crop, thoroughly pi^epared, and well put in, under either mode of seeding, a yield of 20 to 40 bushels per acre may be expected. THE OAT CROP, This crop folloAvs corn. If you wish to sow in the fall which generally is best, in September or October, — after fodder is gathered, sow among the standing corn one and a half to two bushels per acre, harrowing in with side harrow or cultivator, running with the rows very close to standing corn in order that all the seed may be covered. If corn is in hill the harrowing can be done both ways ; but one way is sufficient. To sow in spring, sow one to one and a half bushels per acre and plow in nicely — very nicely. As this crop matures in a very short time the land must be well cul- tivated and thoroughly cleaned of filth etc. As a choice between fall or spring sowing, any condi- tion of land,— filthy or clean,— can be sown in fall; but none but the cleanest may be sown in spring. If as FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. 23 a choice of evils 3^ou have to sow filthy land in spring, alwa^'s burn off nicely all trash. THE COTTON CROP. As soon as the wheat is cut start the plows to sow peas on the stubble at the rate of one to two bushels per acre. Plow in nicely ; if double shovel will not do ffood work, use single shovels and plow thoroughly. The better the work, the heavier the sward, and that is what you want to improve the land. During the winter — say December or January break deep turning under every thing thoroughly. Previous to planting harrow fine, after which lay off rows with large shovel plow three to four feet apart according to fertility ; the richer the land the wider the row ; deep fur- rows; in these drill your manure and bed on it with turn plow. Plant at proper time, covering lightly and just before the plant is ready to come out, run over with drag pole taking two rows at a time. This flattens the row on top, kills all vegetation that may have started, leaving the land in the finest order for the side harrow, which should start as soon as the plant begins to ap- pear above the ground. Continue to harrow at short in- tervals, never letting the grass appear among the cot- ton, remembering that you have but to stir a seed in the sprout to kill it, otherwise nothing short of the hoe will do it. Early thin to a stand and if the harrow passes at short intervals very close to the little cotton, little hoeing will be necessary. But woe unto you if your crop gets grass3^ which I have told you how to prevent, but if through carelessness or any other cause it does appear, do the best you can under the circumstances and help yourself, for I am at too great a distance to lend a helping hand were I ever so willing to do so. THE CLOVER CROP. Clover can be sown with about equal success either in fall or siDring, sa^^ September or March. 24 FEWER ACUES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPKOVEMENT. While there may be some disadvantage as regards fall sowing- — the risk of freezing out during the* following- winter — yet notwithstanding this, there is a great advan- tage to be derived from it, in that the plant is well root- ed the next spring and frequently a fair crop is cut that season ; which rarely ever occurs with spring sowing. In any event your farm must be well up and in a fair state of cultivation before yon can grow this plant to any profit except as an improver of soil, and this will be a slow process if your land is very poor; for it is hard to get it to catch on poor land. Clover will make rich land richer and produce a paying crop at the same time; but land that is too poor to receive this crop had better be brought up with manure and the pea. If sown with or immediately^ after the grain, sow ten or twelve lbs of seed per acre and brush in with a pret- ty heavy brush. But if grain was sown in fall a.nd it is desired to sow the clover seed in the spring, sow same amount of seed, but harrow in with heavy two horse harrow; if land is hard, harrow twice. Cover well ; and if land is sufficiently fertile, a good crop may be expected. Cut for hay when % of bloom has turned brown. THE PEA CROP. As the pea follows cotton, the thoughtful or rather the brainy farmer, in August or September sowed his cotton field to rye, sowing Yzto % bush els per acre cover- ing with the cultivator running between the rows. Af- ter the cotton is picked, ^vhich generally is about Christ- mas, turn on your cows for winter pasture, and now look out for yellow butter, and at the very time that it brings a big price. About two weeks before you Avisli to turn for peas — say about 1st. to middle of April, take oil join- coavs a,nd let it grow, to turn under. At proper time turn under the rye, cotton stalks and all deep and thorough- ly, harrow hue, and about 1st. to middle of May sow to FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. 25 peas, one to one and a half bushels per acre ; harrow in or plow with double shovels. Now let them alone, they will take care of themselves until i>'athering time, when I will tell you what to do further on. As the peas are wanted for hogs, sow the whippoor- will variety as they bear much better than other varie- ties when sown broad cast. But if from any cause you plant the other pea, plant in drills and cultivate two or three times. SWEET POTATOES. Select for this crop sandy land of medium fertility, rather poor, but deep soil. Break land deep in fall or winter ; alter which lay off rows three and a halt to four feet apart, deep furrow; drill heavily in this furrow woods mold, fence corner and barn yard scrapings, or any conceivable decaying vegetable matter to be found on the farm. On this put a light sprinkling of ashes or phosphate, throw on one furrow and let it lie till spring, or about planting time, when run through this mass with bull tongue plow, in order to mix, and complete your beds with turn plow. Do not draw up dirt witli hoe, but set your slips on the beds as the plow leaves them, continually drawing up the dirt with the hoe at each working until laid by, when you will find that your beds are high enough, and the cultivation was much easier than if they had been drawn up at first. GROUND PEAS. Select medium land. Prepare as for cotton, open beds with small bull tongue plow. Drop two "nugs" twelve to eighteen inches apart, cover lightly and cultivate as sweet potatoes. If desired for market a light colored sandy soil should be selected, as the color ot the soil has much to do with the color of the pea, and the color of the pea much to do with the price. But for hogs any color of soil will do, but a sandy soil preferred for any purpose. 26 FEWEK ACIiES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. MOLASSES CANE. Select strong land. Alluvials or bottom lands best. Prepare land and plant just as cotton, covering very lightly with a board. Work with side harrow and thin to hoe width one stock. Last working throw np dirt with double shovel. When seed are ripe prepare the crop for the mill. Let two hands cut cane; one gather a bunch in his hands, and the other with grass or brier scythe cut the bunch off close to the ground and throw on piles. This done cut off seed heads, and tie the stalks in bun- dles of convenient size to handle, tieing at both ends. The cane is then ready to haul to the mill. If no one in the neighborhood follows the business of making up the cane for the neighbors, let several join in and buy a horse mill and pan, and each make his own molasses, charging disinterested neighbors one eighth for use of mill if they wish to make. Farmers, raise your own molasses. It will grow any where in the south, and is the best paying crop for consumption on the farm that we can raise. The seed is worth about as much as corn would be, grown on the same land, and the molasses a clear profit. Try it. IRISH POTATOES. Select medium land, break deep, harrow fine and lay off rows three to three and a half feet apart, deep fur- row. Plant good size tubers cut into four pieces, 15 to 18 inches apart, two peices to the hill. Manure heavily in the drill with well rotted stable, or better still hog pen, manure. Bed on this with one horse turn plow, and let it remain so — middles unbroken till potatoes are near ready to come up, when harrow crosswise Avith two horse harrow, reducing land to a level. When the plnnts are all up, cultivate with double shovel working a little dirt to the plants each time, until last working, when throw up pretty well and lay by. FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. 27 ANOTHER WAY. ~ Check land three feet apart each way, plant three pieces, and manure in the hill. A LAZY BED. This is especially recommended when one is short of land and desires to make a big yield to the acreage. First break very deep ^vitll two horse plow and harrow fine, then rebreak with one horse plow planting in every furrow about 15 inches apart as the breaking goes on. When completed the land will be level. Cover the entire patch heavily— the heavier the better — with strawy leaves, pine tops or any available trash to be found on the farm, and let it alone, the potatoes will take care of themselves until digging time. When, go in with a plow and after raking off the trash, plow them up as you planted them, letting the hands follow to pick up the potatoes. By this plan I believe twenty to thirty bush- els could be planted on an acre. But do not conclude from the name that it requires no work to grow them this way, for you will find if you try it that it takes quite as much labor under this plan as it does to cultivate them. The great saving is in the land which of course is very important. Besides this, in extreme drought the crop will be more sure as the covering promotes moisture in the eai'th. MELONS. iSelect land with a, deep sandy soil. After breaking deep lay off rows eight feet a]iart, then place your hills eight feet apart in the row, by shovelling out a large basin shaped hole some what deeper than the breaking, in which put from a gallon to a peck of well rotted sta- ble manure, on which draw three or four hoe fulls of dirt, and mix thorougldy. On this mass draw up a hill of i)ure dirt, somewhat higher than the general surface, and shai)od like an inv(.'rt(vl basin. This should be done some weeks before planting. Dro}) your seed on the liill near the center and press into the ground with your fin- 28 FEVVEK ACREH, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. ger, — the depth of the first joint, or barely one inch ; rake the holes shut, and gently pat to firm the soil. When up commence cultivating, and as soon as out of danger of bugs, thin to two or three vines to the hill. Cultivate frequentl,y until the vines are too large, when lay by. Remember never to cultivate when the dew is on the vines. THE GARDEN. Last, but not least conies the garden; the wife's farm. But a mean man is he who makes his wife work the garden. I had rather work a small farm than a garden the ordinary way — all hoe and no plow. Fiftj^ yards square is a very pretty size for a garden ; or bet- ter still forty by sixty. A garden should occupy an ob- long square. Run your walk through the middle length- wise ; and let your rows run with this walk. Plant every thing in rows through the garden. If one thing or crop will not fill out a whole row, fill out with something else that will need work about the same time. Plow every thing— onions, peas, beans, beets, cabbage, — every thing. You will be surprised at the hoe work it will save. Work the garden once a week, or better still, after every rain ; never letting a crust form, and your garden will never suffer with drought. As one crop matures and is used up remove the trash, re-plow, mnnure, and plant in something else. There should be something continuall.y growing in the garden . Onions can be gath- ered the 1st of July ; gather and plant to corn for late "roastneers." After gathering early roastneers, remove the stalks, break deeply and manure for turnips— first harrow fine. After digging potatoes, prepare and sow to turnips also. Don't be afraid of having too many turnips. They are good hog and cow feed. Now you have two strips through your garden in turnips ; leave one of them for "greens" or "sallet" in the spring. After which plant for late "roastneers." W^hen vou work the garden take all hands, start one FEWER ACRES, WITH A SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT. 29 plow on one side, and the other one on the other side, and let the hoe hands brush it up with the hoes. The whole thing can be done before breakfast any morning— and well done. The wife will prepare you a good breakfast, and say thank you sir, and perhaps give you a kiss. Try it. There is a big living in a garden ; or, rather poor liv- ing without one. This part of the farm is too often neglected, especially in the country. Our town friends excell us in gardening. This is a result of few acres. The garden must be rich or made so witli manure. Each year it must have a heavy application. Vegetables re- quire the richest soil for their growth and will only re- spond when such is the case. Apply youi- manure dur- ing the fall or winter that it may rot and become more thoroughly incorporated with the soil. STOCK. On this farm I would keep two strong brood marcs, four good milch cows, a flock of sheep, a brood sow and ten or twelve porkers, and all the poultry I could possi- bly raise. From these I would expect to raise two colts a yi^ar, four calves, milk and butfer in abundance for family, pigs, and market, mutton and wool for family an.'"^ *\, ^- ^: