(11) 



year, until it attains an almost fabulous fertility. Nor is 

 this all. The amount of hay produced from a single acre 

 can be increased almost to any extent by the application of 

 stimulating manures. If then, land in Europe can produce 

 five tons of hay per acre, and sell for 1,000 per acre, why 

 cannot Tennessee lands, far better naturally, and in a more 

 genial climate, be made to rival these results? One thing 

 only prevents, and that is the fatal apathy and want of en- 

 terprise on the part of the land owners. It is the thirst for 

 immediate returns. To create this state of tillage, it will 

 e necessary to proceed slowly, and look for no returns of 

 consequence for one or two years. Pressing necessities 

 weigh upon the farmer, and he thoughtlessly drives on in 

 the same interminable furrow, regardless of the loss of time 

 and fertility. The Northern husbandman bales his hay, 

 and is able to ship it to all parts of the South in search of a 

 market, and after paying heavy railroad charges, is still 

 able to sell his produce at a remunerative price. The 

 Southern man has no freight charges to tax his hay, and 

 yet he is content to let his Northern rival enjoy, without 

 competition, this great market. When will our eyes be 

 opened to our interests, is a question often asked, but diffi- 

 cult to answer. 



A capitalist invests his money in United States bonds, 

 and without risk or labor contentedly cuts off his coupons 

 and enjoys his ease, while the merchant, with the same cap- 

 ital, is harrassed to death meeting bills, collecting accounts, 

 and watching with unceasing vigilance the turn of the 

 markets. So it is with farmers. A prudent farmer will 

 invest his farm-capital in grass, and he contentedly watches 

 the growth of the grass and the browsing of his cattle, 

 while his neighbor raising corn and cotton, is busy all the 

 year in cultivating his crops, watching his laborers, buying 

 mules, bacon and hay from his more prudent friend, and 

 when he counts his receipts at the end of the struggle, he 

 will find his neighbor has absorbed the greater part of them. 



