COL. GEORGE WASHINGTON FLOWERS MEMORIAL COLLECTION DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY DURHAM, N. C. PRESENTED BY W. W. FLOWERS Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Duke University Libraries https://archive.org/details/proceedingsofagr01stat ~ PROCEEDINGS OF THE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION AND OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, From 1839 to 1845— Inclusive. ORATIONS, REPORTS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS READ AND MADE AT DIFFERENT TIMES TO THOSE BODIES. & TO WHICH ARE ADDED A Memoir on the Subjeet of Slavery, BV CHAIVCELI.OB WM. HARPER. AND A LETTER ON MARL, BV EX-fiOVERNOR JAMES H. HAMMOND PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF €lje £tate Agricultural £orietp OF SOUTH CAROLINA. COLUMBIA : SUMMER & CARROLL. PUBLISHERS- 1846. t) THE i, PROCEEDINGS CF THE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION AND OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Frcm 1839 to 1845— Hnclusavc* TOGETHER WITH ORATIONS, REPORTS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS READ AND WADE AT DIFFERENT TIMES TO THOSE BODIES. TO WHICH ARE ADDED A Memoir on tiae Siafeject of Slavery, «BV CHAPfOEJI.il OR WM, HAKPEB, AND A LETTER ON MARL, «Y EX.60VEKN0R JA3BES 3f*. EIAItEMONSK TUELISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF €ijt £tate Agricultural c&ocietp OF SOUTH CAROLINA. COLUMBIA: SUMMER & CAEROLL, PCBLISHERg- 1846 - (oH ! j 3 INTRODUCTION. The Legislature of South Carolina, at its last Session,, having appropriated a small sum, to defray the expense of publishing the Proceedings of the State Agricultural Socie- ty, the preparation of the work has been entrusted to the Publishers. In presenting the result of their labors, they may not be considered intrusive, while indulging in a few prefatory remarks. The economy of agriculture has been considered of para- mount importance, since the first settlement of this State. Legislation, however, has done less for the advancement of this branch of industry, than for any other in South Carolina. Our planters have been left to do almost entirely for them- selves ; nor have they been inactive. As far back as the year 1784, the South Carolina Agricultural society was established. Its design was to advance the art of agricul- ture in the State, by holding out encouragement to its fol- lowers. The society has continued to the present day, and, at every period of its existence, has done much to accomplish the purposes of its institution. Year after year, it has brought its members together, to exchange with one another, such information as each could impart^and 1 this, in a congregated body, has been laid before the planters of the State, as an useful capital from which to derive benefit. 305045 4 INTRODUCTION. Upon the plan of this society, others have been formed throughout the State — not without extending very marked improvement to the whole community in which they have been established. In 1823, as many as eleven Agricultural Societies were in existence in different portions of South Carolina. These were, the South Carolina, the Pendleton, the Edge- field, the Barnwell, the St. John’s Colleton, the St. Helena, the Beaufort, the Beaufort District, the St. Andrews’, the St. Pauls’ and the Winyaw Agricultural Societies. In July, 1826, the St. John’s Agricultural Society, invited her sister societies, to a conference at Charleston in the November following. The meeting was .held, and the Hon. Whitemarsh B. Seabrook as chairman of a commit- tee appointed for the purpose, reported the plan of an United Agricultural Society, to convene annually at Colum- bia, during the session of the Legislature. The plan was adopted ; and in December of the same year, delegates from all the societies in the State, except the South Caro- lina and Beaufort District societies, attended in the Coun- cil chamber of the Town of Columbia. The Constitu- tion of an United Agricultural Society was then ratified, and the Hon. Whitemarsh B. Seabrook, elected President. The members of this society, in almost every instance were also members of the Legislature. Their two-fold duties were incompatible, and necessarily that of the less impor- tance was neglected. As a consequence, the society survived but three years ; having conferred no other ad- vantage on the planters of the State, than to direct the pub- lic mind more pointedly to their vocation. Before the year 1825, a committee of Agriculture had nev- er been appointed in either branch of our Legislature. In that year, Whitemarsh B. Seabrook, then a member of the House, moved for the appointment of such a committee, INTRODUCTION. 5 which was accordingly done; and during the same session, a similar appointment was made in the Senate. Since that time, propositions have been repeatedly submitted by these committees for improving the agricultural condition of the State ;but their propositions, until recently, were on- ly received to meet with neglect. Millions of dollars have been appropriated to support the most chimerical schemes of other interests, while that of agriculture, has been left to live only on its own energies. What, however, had been attempted by the planters themselves, if it had accomplished no other good, had set enquiry afloat. The seed which had been sown by the United Agricultural Society in 1826, began to germinate, wherever it had been scattered ; and it now became appa- rent that the auspicious moment had arrived, when some- thing might be done for Agriculture in South Carolina. During the summer of 1839, the attention of the plant- ers was called to the importance of the subject, by repeated articles published in the Southern Agriculturist, from Hon. Whitemarsh B. Seabrook. In the fall of the same year, an invitation was extended through means of that periodical, to each Agricultural Society, and District in the State, to send delegates to meet in convention at Columbia, during the session of the Legislature, to take into consideration the best means of advancing the agriculture of South Carolina. At the appointed time the Convention met. An account of its interesting proceedings will be found in this publica- tion. Previous to its dissolution, as will be seen, the Convention resolved itself into a State Agricultural Socie- ty ; the constitution and proceedings of which, are also embraced in this volume. B. R. Carroll, Esq., Chancellor B. F. Dunkin and Hon. James Gregg, were appointed to memorialize the Legisla- ture of the State, on the subjects acted upon by the Con- 305043 6 INTRODUCTION. vention. The memorial was presented, which together with so much of the Governor’s Message as relates to agri- culture, was referred by each branch of the Legislature to their respective Agricultural Committees. In the House, B. R. Carroll, Esq., Chairman of the Committee on Agri- culture, submitted a report and resolutions, which, after be- ing ordered to be printed, were, on account of the advanced period of the session, laid over to another time. Before the next session, Mr. Carroll had resigned his seat as a member of the House, and the late R. W. Roper, Esq., then acting as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, resumed the subject, and, with indefatigable exertion, pressed it to a conclusion. An appropriation of two thousand dollars, for conducting a Geological and Agricul- tural Survey of the State, was granted, and the Governor instructed to select a suitable person for the purpose. During the first year, the survey was conducted with singu- lar ability by Edmund Ruffin, Esq., of Virginia ; since which time, it has been continued by M. Tuomey, Esq., also of that State. The respective reports of these gen- tlemen have been published, and embody very important information to the planter. Through means of the appropriation, granted the State Agricultural Society, at the last session of the Legislature, this volume is now presented to the public. To the pro- ceedings of the Society, and the orations, reports, &c., read before it, the publishers have taken the liberty of appending the Memoir on the subject of slavery, by Chancellor Wm. Harper, and a letter on Marl addressed to the Agricul- tural Society of Jefferson county, Georgia, by Ex-Governor James H. Hammond. The propriety of these additions, every one will admit who reads the respective productions. In perusing the able documents embraced in this volume, it will doubtless be impressed upon the readers mind, that INTRODUCTION. 7 South Carolina though one of the earliest cultivated colonies of the Union, and though the pursuits of its people have been essentially agricultural, yet such is the impoverishment of some of its best lands, that all the helps of science, skill and industry, are required to save them from barrenness, and to restrain her people from that spirit of emigration, which is every' day depopulating many portions of the State. Engaged, as four-fifths of her population are, in agriculture ; deriving, nine-tenths of her treasure from the taxation of our planters ; raising, as she does one twenty- fourth pnrt of all the cotton in the world ; producing too, one seventh of all the exports of the Union ; and paying into the national treasury one million of dollars more than all the New England States put together, it certainly becomes a question of no little interest, what has been done for the advancement of our agricultural interests. With one or two exceptions legislative aid has done nothing. While, our planters have, with great forbearance, submit- ted to this state of things, those of other States have been aroused, and insisting upon their claims, have secured many reforms in their agricultural condition. They have been taught to feel with the rest of the enlightened world, that Ag- riculture is indeed of primary . importance to their political economy — that with its prosperity all other branches of industry must flourish ; while with its decline they must, just as certainly, languish and decay — in a word, that agriculture is the main shaft around which commerce and manufactures and the arts, all cluster, and by which they are sustained in vitality and strength. What, therefore, other states have acted upon, and prosperously consum- mated, is neither policy nor wisdom for South Carolina to neglect. Let our people reflect upon these facts. Let them recollect that the history of the world has proved, that nation- INTRODUCTION. al importance, and we may add national independence itself, are based on the prosperity of agriculturists and far- mers. That, amid the fluctuations of all other interests amid the depressions of all other trades, they alone, by their natural repugnance to sudden excitement, remain the most permanent safeguards to the preservation of our insti- tutions and liberty. An interest so vastly important to our State, should certainly not be neglected by our legislators They should feel that to foster it, by all judicious and con- stitutional means, is as high a duty of patriotism, as an- other they could be called upon to discharge. PROCEEDINGS OF THE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION AND OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY O F S O U T H CAROLINA, FROM 1339 TO 1345, INCLUSIVE. Ill accordance with the wishes of the people of most of the Districts in our State, the delegates to the Convention assembled in the Hall ol the House of Representatives, on the evening of Monday, November, 1839. On motion of Dr. R. VV. Gibbes, Whitefield Brooks, Esq., was requested to take the Chair, which he did. Dr. Gibbes having been called upon to act as Secretary, the meeting was organized. The delegates having been called upon to register their names, the follow ing gentlemen appeared and took their seats. FROM MARLBOROUGH. James Gillespie, W. T. Ellerbe, John McQueen. CHESTERFIELD. Thomas E. Powe, J. Wrigtt MARLON. Thomas Evans, Williams Evans, B. Moodv EDGEFIELD. W. Brooks, James Terry, A. P. Butler, J. O. Nicholson AGRICULTURAL ■DARLINGTON. Thomas E. Mclver, W. H. Cannon, Sen., W. Wingate, FAIRFIELD. Thomas P. Lide, J. F. Ervin. J. J. Myers, W. K. Davis, Edward Means, CHESTER. J. B. Davis, J. H. Means, D. Elkin. T. W. Moore, RICHLAND. J. D. Crawford. F. H. Elmore, James Gregg, SUMTER. Robert W. Gibbes, Robert Henry. John P. Richardson, Dr. St. P. DuBose, Isaac Lenoir, ANDERSON AND PICKENS James B. Richardson. Thomas J. Wilder, J. W. English. J. W. Norris, J. N. Garvin, Thomas Pinckney, SPARTANBURG. J. P. Reed, Jesse M’Kinney. H. H. Thompson, John W. Hunt, William K. Poole, 1 John Crawford, Samuel N. Evans. CRANC-E AND ST. MATTHEWS. John M. Felder, S. B. Dwight, , Elisha Tyler, S. Glover, Jacob Stroman, D. F. Jamison. PROCEEDINGS. 11 Benjamin Massey, M. Climon, William Reed, John A. Calhoun, A. B. Arnold, D. L. Wardlaw, Simeon Fair, Bannister Stone. Charles R. Carroll, W. S. Reynolds, James D. Erwin, J. A. Addison, J. C. Geiger, L. Boozer, F. D. Quash, John H. Dawson, W. Lawton, William J. Bull, LANCASTER. J. P. Crockett, John M. Baskin. ABBEVILLE. P. F. Morange, James Fair, George McDuffie. NEWBERRY. GREENVILLE. BARNWELL. J. H. Hammond, W. Gilmore Simms. LEXINGTON. L. Pou, W. F. Percival, IJ. J. Caughman. st. phillip’s and st. Michael’s. W. "Washington. st. John’s Berkley. P. P. Palmer. st. Andrew’s. B. R. Carroll, st. John’s colleton. W. M. Murray, J. Jenkins Mikell 12 AGRICULTURAL ST. HELENA ISLAND. J. A. Scott, John E. Frampton. PRINCE WILLIAMS. PRINCE GEORGE WINYAW. B. F. w. Allston. ALL SAINTS. B. F. Dunkin, On motion of B. R. Carroll, Esq., Col. F. H. Elmore, was unanimously elected President of the Convention, and a committee of three designated to attend him to the chair. The President having addressed the Convention, and stated that the meet- ing was ready to receive resolutions, Dr. James B. Davis proposed the following resolution, which was passed Resolved , That the President appoint four Vice Presidents for this Convention. Whereupon the following gentlemen were appointed : Col. R. F. W . Allston, of Prince George Winyaw. Gen. George McDuffie, of Abbeville. Gen. James Gillespie, of Marlboro.’ William Elliott, of Beaufort. B. R. Carroll, Esq., introduced the following resolution, which was carried. Resolved, That a committee of fifteen be appointed, to arrange business for the Convention. The Chair then named the following gentlemen : B. R. Carroll, of St. Andrews, W. T. Ellerbee, of Marlboro’, Thomas Evans, of Marion, William H. Cannon, of Darlington. James B. Davis, of Fairfield, J. Gregg, of Richland, W. S. Reynolds, of Barnwell, J. P. Richardson, of Sumter, A. B. Arnold, of Abbeville, J. H. Hammond, of Barnwell, F. D. Quash, of St. Phillip and St. Michael. PROCEEDINGS, 13 J. A. Scott, of St. Helena Island, B. F. Dunkin, of All Saints, W. Brooks, of Edgefield, B. Massey, of Lancaster. Dr. Davis moved that the committee be allowed until 6 o'clock to nfor* row evening to prepare their Report — which was agreed to.. On motion of Charles R. Carroll, Esq., the Convention adjourned till six o’clock on Tuesday evening. Tuesday, Nov. 26 , 1839 . The Convention met agreeably to appointment at six o’clock. The min, utes of the first meeting were read. On motion of H. J. Caughman, Esq., It was resolved, that delegates who are present, who have not registered their names in the Secretary’s book, be requesed to do so. The following gentlemen appeared, enrolled their names, and took their seats. From, Fairfield — W. J. Allston, John M, Robertson, and Burrel B. Cook From Sumter — Hon. J. S. Richardson. From Anderson — J. B. Reed, J. E. Calhoun. From Richland — R.A . Goodwyn, D. D. Fenley. From Edgefield — M. Watson. From Lexington — H. Arthur. From Union-^Z. F. Herndon. From Prince George Winyaw — ■‘Thomas G. Carr. The President called for the Report of the committee of fifteen, when the Chairman, B. R. Carroll, Esq., submitted the following REPORT: The committee appointed to prepare business for the Agricultural Con* vention, beg leave respectfully to report, that after an enquiry, in which the sentiments of the different sections of our State have been consulted, they are of opinion that the following subjects are fit and proper for the consid* eration of the Convention, viz : 1. The creation by the Legislature, of an Agricultural professorship in the South Carolina College 14 AGRICULTURAL 2. The appropriation by the Legislature of a sum of money to defray the expenses of a Geological and Agricultural Survey of the State. 3. The establishment of an Agricultural School in some central and healthy position of the State. 4. The establishment of a State Board of Agricultural, to meet at Col- umbia or somewhere else in the State. 5. The introduction into our free schools of some elementary work on Agriculture. In limiting their recommendation to the propositions alluded to, the com- mittee have done so with the view of not crowding upon the Convention the consideration of too many topics of absorbing interest. They belieye that the fault of our Agricultural meetings has heretofore been, that they have attempted too much, and done too little. Hoping, therefore, that they have selected such matters as will interest the Convention, they beg to be dis- discharged from the further consideration of the subject.” The report having been laid before the Convention for discussion, Charles R. Carroll, Esq., addressed the Chair in support of its recommendations. — He was followed by James H. Hammond, Esq., in opposition. J. A. Cal- houn, Esq., and B. R. Carroll, Esq., spoke in reply to Col. Hammond. B. R. Cajrol), Esq., moved to consider the propositions of the Report separately, and to add to the first and second propositions, the words, “and that the same be recommended to the Legislature so that they would read as follows : 1. The creation, by the Legislature, of an Agricultural Professorship in the South Carolina College, and that the same be recommended to the Leg- i slature. 2. The appropriation, by the Legislature, of a sum of money to defray the expenses of a Geological and Agricultural Survey of the State, and that the same be recommended to the Legislature. Col. Hammond moved to lay the first proposition on the table, which was agreed to. He then moved to lay the second proposition on the table, which was rejected. The ayes not being satisfied, the votes were taken by tellers, when it was found that there were 34 ayes, 57 noes. So the second propo- sition was before the meeting. H. H. Thompson, Esq., moved, “That upon that proposition there should be a division of the question, and that the vote should be taken on the propriety of recommending a Geo- logical Survey apart from an Agricultural Survey This motion was under discussion, when it was moved by Dr. Arnold, that the Convention do now adjourn, to meet on to to-morrow evening at half past five o’clock. The Convention then adjourned. ROBERT W. GIBBES, Secretary- PROCEEDINGS. 15 Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1339. The Convention was organized at tiie hour appointed. The minutes of the previous meeting were read. The President stated that the Convention was prepared for business, and that the subject for their consideration was “the propriety of recommending to the Legislature a geological survey apart from an agricultural survey of the State.” Gen. McDuffiie addressed the Convention in favor of the resolution, which was carried by a large majority. The question was then put on the second part of the proposition as divided, viz : “ On the propriety of recommending to the Legislature an agricultural survey of the State,” and carried by a vote of 33 ayes, 32 noes. The question then recurred on the second original proposition as reported by committee, as follows : The appropriation by the Legislature of a sum of money to defray the expenses of a geological and agricultural survey of the State, and that the same be recommended to the Legislature ; which was agreed to. The third, fourth and fifth propositions were put and rejected. The report of the committee, as amended, was then submitted to the meet- ing and adopted, and, on motion of Mr. A. B. Arnold, the President requested to transmit a copy to both branches of the Legislature. THE REPORT, AS ADOPTED. The committee appointed to prepare business for the Agricultural Conven- tion, beg leave respectfully to report, that, after an enquiry, in which the sen- timents of the different sections of our State have been consulted, they are of opinion that the following is a fit subject for the consideration of the Conven- tion, viz : The appropriation by the Legislature of a sum of money to defray the expenses of a geological and agricultural survey of the State, and that the same be recommended to the Legislature. In limiting their recommendation to the proposition alluded to, the com- mittee have done so, with the view of not crowding upon the Convention the consideration of too many topics of absorbing interest. They believe that the fault of our agricultural meetings has heretofore been, that they have attempted too much, and done too little. Hoping, therefore, that they have 16 AGRICULTURAL selected such a matter as will interest the Convention, they beg to be dis- charged from the further consideration of the subject intrusted to them. At the request of J. M. Felder, Esq., the Hon. A. P. Butler, who had voted in the affirmative, moved a reconsideration of the report, in order that he might propose an amendment thereto ; which was agreed to. He then proposed the following amendment to the report : Resolved , That it be recommended to the Legislature to take measures to secure a sound and stable currency to this State. Maj. Felder spoke at length in favor of his motion. Hon. A. P, Butler said a few words in opposition, and proposed to lay it on the table; which was carried. Dr. James B. Davis then introduced the following resolutions : 1. Resolved, That a State Agricultural Society be formed forthwith, to meet in Columbia. 2. Resolved , That the Society be recommended to establish an annual Fair and Stock show in the town of Columbia with suitable premiums for the finest animals exhibited, &c. The exhibition to be held on the first week of the session. 3. Resolved, That the society be also recommended to offer suitable pre- miums for the best lots of Cotton, best variety of Corn, small grain, &c. 4. Resolved, That the society be recommended to offer suitable premiums for the best essay on the cultivation of Rice, Corn, Small Grain, Cotton and the Grasses, embracing in each essay a complete manual in the whole ope- rations of a plantation, of each of these products, of suitable size, compre- hending management of negroes and stock, improving lands, &c. 5. Resolved, That said society be divided into committees allotted to each and every distinct branch of agriculture, embracing geology, introduction of foreign seeds, &c. 6. Resolved, That the society provide the means of paying these premi- ,ums by an annual tax on the members. 7. Resolved, That the Convention recommend to each District to form Agricultural Societies. W. Brooks, Esq., proposed the following amendment; which was adopted : Resolved, That, as an efficient auxiliary towards the accomplishment of this high and honorable purpose, it is expedient to aid in the establishment of a cheap agricultural paper, to be issued weekly at the Seat of Government, and that the same be recommended to the patronage of the public. Dr. Davis proposed the following amendment to his resolutions ; which was adopted : Resolved, That this Convention recommend to public patronage, as a means of diffusing agricultural information, such papers as may be published in the State, having for their object the diffusion of all matters pertaining to agri- culture. PROCEEDINGS. 17 J, E. Calhoun, Esq., moved to lay on the table the last resolutions relating to agricultural papers ; which motion was rejected. Gen. J. H. Adams called for a division of the question on Dr. Davis’s re- solutions, and that the first resolution be considered separately ; which was agreed to, and the resolution adopted, viz. Resolved, That a State Agricultural society be formed forthwith, to meet in Columbia. Mr. Davis then moved, That a committee of nine be appointed by the Chair to report to this Con- vention, to-morrow evening, a proper plan for the organization of a State So- ciety, and that the remaining six resolutions of Dr. Davis be referred to them. Agreed to. B. B. Cook, Esq., moved, That this Convention recommend to the Legislature to require the several Tax collectors of this State to take a return annually of the sums paid by each person in their respective districts and parishes for western produce, viz: for hogs, horses and mules, and make a return thereof to such officer as they may direct. This resolution was adopted, and, on motion of Major Felder, his resolution was taken up and referred to the committee of nine. The President announced the following gentlemen to compose the Com- mittee : Hon. Geo. McDuffie, of Abbeville, Dr. Jas. B. Davis, of Fairfield, lion. J. P. Richardson, of Sumter, Hon B. F. Dunkin, of All Saints, Hon. James Gregg, of Richland, Hon. R. F. W. Alston, of Prince George, Winyaw, Col. Thos. Pinckney, of Pendleton, W. Brooks, Esq., of Edgefield, W. Gilmore Simms, Esq., of Barnwell. The President read a communication from Dr. S. Blanding, presenting two copies of the New England Farmer, from Mr. J. Breck, of Boston ; which was referred to the committee of nine. W. Gilmore Simms, Esq., introduced the following preamble and resolu- tions : Whereas, in consequence of the scattered condition of our settlements throughout the country, the present plan of poor school education is found inoperative in most instances and partial and unsatisfactory in all — those towns and cities alone excepted, where the number of pupils is sufficiently great to justify the employment of competent teachers. Be it recommended to the General Assembly of the State now in session, 2 18 AGRICULTURAL That a tract of land not to contain less than fifteen hundered nor more than five hundred acres, centrally chosen, or as nearly so as practicable. Ic procured in each of the districts, with which the poor establishment of such district shall thenceforward be endowed — that on the said tract of land, suita- ble buildings shall be erected for the reception and accommodation of such a number of poor boys, as, according to the census of the district, it shall be likely to contain — that provision be made of all the usual and necessary utensils for farm culture, as practised in said d. strict —that it be moderately stocked with the horses, cattle, sheep, and all such other animal'? as arc found useful in such an establishment — tiiat when this is done, a teacher of known intelligence and integrity be procured, who shall receive an adequate salary for the tuition of all pupils who may be placed under his care by the Com- missioners of the said district — and that for certain periods in the day, and in certain classes and divisions, to be hereafter determined by the commis- sioners, he shall have entire control of their studies and their time — that at all other periods, the said pupils shall be placed under the control of a com- petent intendant or overseer, who shall direct their labors and industry white preparing them as farmers and planters, for the proper performance of such duties in after life, as may seem best to correspond with their condition and necessities — and that the commissioners of each district be empowered to receive as indented apprentices to the poor school of said district on behalf of the State, all such boys, the parents of whom may be found desirous of securing for them the advantages of such tuition, and till such orphans, as, governed by a praiseworthy ambition, may be willing to avail themselves of the same — the term of apprenticeship in no case to be less than three, no.- more than seven years — unless in the case of such youth as may be already greatly advanced towards the years and purposes of manhood, and who, at the discretion of the commissioners, may be received for a still shorter period. Be it recommended yet farther — that on the same plantation or tract of land, but removed from close proximity to the dwellings and the school-house of the boys, there be erected suitable houses for the reception and accommo- modation of poor girls, who shall be placed under the tuition of one or more female superintendants, from whom they shall learn the ordinary elements of a plain English education, and, in addition, such duties of a farm and house- hold as ordinarily devolve upon females in our country — that they shall spin, weave and sew, attend to poultry and the dairy — the culture of the silk- work rf it be advisable, and be taught also to fashion and make their own and the habits of the boys — the latter in turn, performing all those severer labors of the plantation, as will yield sufficient food and provision for both establishments. Be it further recommended, that in addition to the studies of the ordinary PROCEEDINGS. 19 English Grammar school, the master of the male department shall be requir- ed to instruct his pupils in a competent knowledge of simple land surveying. It is recommended also, that the dress of the boys be made uniform, and that the elder boys, ranging from the years of 15 to IS, be provided with light muskets, and be subjected to the drill and instruction, once a month, of the neighborhood Captain of Militia. Resolved , That these recommendations be respectfully submitted to the General Assembly, with the prayer of this convention, that they be subjected to examination and experiment, in three of the districts of the State, in order that their operations may be witnessed, prior to their general adoption, as a system for all the districts. That in order that the experiment should be fairly made, the districts so chosen should lie, one in each of the grand di- visions of the State, the upper, the middle and the lower country, and that the present commissioners of the districts chosen, be required to take charge of the entire subject. The preamble and resolutions having been submitted, J. E. Calhoun moved that they be laid on the table ; which was agreed to. J. A. Calhoun, Esq., of Abbeville, then moved that the Convention do now adjourn to meet to-morrow evening at half past five o’clock ; which motion prevailed and the Convention adjourned. ROBER.T W. GIBBES, Secretary. Thursday, Nov. 28, 1839. The Convention met at the appointed hour. The minutes of the previous meeting were read. The President called for the report of the committee of nine, whereupon the Chairman stated that the committee were not fully prepared to submit their report, and asked the indulgence of the Convention until to-morrow evening; which, upon taking the vote, was agreed to. The following delegates appeared and enrolled their names : Alexander Sparks, Darlington; E. C. Johnson, Union; J. Rose, St. Philips and St. Michaels; John Wilson, St. James Goose Creek; Ed. Tho. Heriot, All Saints. John A. Calhoun, Esq., introduced the following resolution : Resolved , That the Trustees of the South Carolina College be requested to have delivered, by the Professor of Chemistry, in addition to his other du- ties, a course of lectures on Agricultural Chemistry ; Provided that they do not interfere with his regular duties. Dr. Gibbes moved an amendment to the resolution, to insert after the words “ Agricultural Chemistry,” the words “ and also on the principles of Geology;” which was agreed to. 20 AGRICULTURAL The resolution, as amended, was unanimously adopted. Dr. W. S. Reynolds, moved the appointment of a committee of three to communicate the resolution to the President of the Trustees ; whereupon the President designated, DR. WM. S. REYNOLDS, HON. A. P. BUTLER, HON. J. S. RICHARDSON. The President informed the Convention that he had received from Mr. R, E. Russell, proprietor of the Botanic Garden in Columbia, with a request that he would present them to the society, a loaf of Beet Sugar from France, and several beautiful specimens of native Silk ; which were laid before the Convention. F. D. Quash, F.sq., moved, That the Convention return their thanks to Mr. R. E. Russell, for the spe- cimens of surgar and silk presented by him : and also to Mr. J. Breck, of Boston, for the pamphlets on agriculture, presented by him. The President requested to know what disposition he should make of the specimens before him ; whereupon it was moved by Mr. Quash, Thatthey be presented to the Secretary ; which was unanimously agreed to. W. Gilmore Simms, Esq., introduced the following resolutions, with a re- quest that they should be laid on the table ; which was agreed to : Resolved, That no people can be held capable of self government, who require to be deceived as to the amount of their Government expenses, and that no man can be held a freeman, who does not look the cost of his liber- ties in the face. Resolved therefore , That direct taxation, while it saves the citizen from the constant impositions of the cunning, is the only honest, cheap, safe me- dium for raising supplies in a country such as ours. Resolved, That it is a fraud upon the public, whenever a bank or other chartered corporation declares a dividend upon borrowed money, or upon any basis other than its clear receipts, and good faith profits. Resolved , That if it be not an usurpation, it is at least an abuse of power on the part of the Legislature to tax the citizens for any but the unquestion- able exigencies and expenses of the country, and that most alliances between the State and any one class of its citizen®, in trade or speculation, result un- favorably to that wholesome competition of other classes of the community, from which the people derive many of their chief securities. On motion of J. P. Richardson, Esq., the Convention adjourned to meet to-morrow evening at six o’clock. ROBERT W. GIBBES, Secretary. PROCEEDINGS. 21 Friday, Nov. 29, 1S39. The Convention convened this evening at the hour appointed- The min- utes of the previous meeting were read. The President called for the reports of committees. Gen. Geo. McDuffie submitted from the committee of nine, a constitution for a State Agricultural Society, and several resolutions. The constitution having been discussed and amended was adopted. The reslutions were also adopted as follows : 1. Resolved, That the President be allowed time to nominate the commit- tees, and that he do appoint a committee to select the best essay on the cul- tivation of Rice and Cotton respectively, each of such essays to embrace a complete manual of suitable size, exhibiting the whole economy of a planta. tion, comprehending management of negroes, rearing of stock, and improve- ment of lands, and that he do provide a suitable premium for the same. 2. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to memorialize the Legisla- ture to grant an annual donation of the sum of five hundred dollars, for the term of three years, to aid the society in providing its premiums. 3. Resolved, That this society do request the members from the several districts to use their exertions to have local societies formed in each district, to be affiliated with this society — and that it be recommended to such local societies to offer premiums for the best managed plantation in their respective districts, as well as superiority in particular department and products. The committee ask leave to report of Mr. Felder’s resolution, That while they consider the resolution as of vast importance to the true interests of the agricultural community, they are yet of opinion that none of its importance will escape the reflection, or elude the vigilance, of the Legis- loture. They deem it advisable, therefore, to leave it to the ordinary legisla- tion, in the confidence and hope that they will give it the consideration which its importance demands. The committee recommend the following gentlemen as officers of the State Agricultural Society : His Excellency, PATRICK NOBLE, Pesident, WHITEMARSH B. SEABROOK, V. President, COL. W. BROOKS, COL. W. K. CLOWNEY, COL. JAS. GREGG, CHANC. B. F. DUNKIN, B. R. CARROLL, ESQ. Corresponding Sect’y, R. W. GIBBES, Recording Sect’y and Treas. On motion of J. Hammond, Esq., Gen. Geo. McDuffie was appointed unanimously Anniversary Orator for 1840. 22 AGRICULTURAL Gen. McDuffie proposed to consider the constitution, clause by clause, and the resolution separately ; all of which, after some discussion, were adopted. Whitfield Brooks, Esq., introduced the following resolutions, with a re- quest that it should be laid on the table; which was agreed to : Resolved, That, in the opinion of this convention, the multiplication of Banks in the State, invested with the legal right of substituting credit for cap- ital, to three times the amount of the latter, and the imputed and ruinous practice by many, of exceeding their chartered limits from five to seven fold, has had the effect of changing almost the entire currency of the country from Gold and Silver to Paper ; of substituting, for a metallic currency of permanent and intrinsic value, one of paper, of uncertain and fluctuating value — that one of the natural and inevitable effects of this system has been to drive the more valuable currency from circulation, to be transported to other countries, or to be hoarded in the vaults of these chartered institutions. Resolved, That another consequence, no less injurious to the country, has been produced by the prodigal issue of a paper currency, of creating two standards of value in the markets of Europe and this country ; the one for- eign, which is regulated by gold and silver metals of intrinsic and uniform value among all nations ; and the other domestic, which is regulated and con- trolled by paper ; that two thirds of the amount of its circulation depend upon credit for the standard of value, which is therefore always fluctuating with the expansions and contractions of bank issues. That in consequence of this state of things, the planter of cotton is forced to sell his produce at a price regulated by gold and silver, and to purchase every article of consump- tion by a paper standard in the domestic market. Resolved, That the legalized privileges of the banks, and their prodigal use of it, has mainly contributed to the wild and ruinous speculations, which have characterized the present age ; and, to produce the late and existing de- rangement of the currency, with all the accompanying evils of bank suspen- sions, the fall in the price of the great staple of the southern States, and the paralyzed condition of trade. Resolved, That the only hope of relief from the evils complained of, is founded in the anticipation of a mild, gradual and judicious reform in the currency of the State, by that department of the government to which is en- trusted the guardianship of the great interests of the community. Resolved, That we entertain the highest confidence in the intelligence, wisdom and patriotism of the legislative department for the adoption of such provisions by law, as will effect a wise, safe, and graftal reform, in which no short-sighted policy shall be permitted, that may do injustice to these institu- tions, or violence to the existing relations of society. PROCEEDINGS. 23 Resolved, That one chief dependence of right should be, and. in fact, must be, upon the efforts of the agricultural community, to work out their own de- liverance and independence by a united and harmonious concert of action among themselves — to introduce and encourage improved methods of fer- tilizing the soil by popular and scientific modes of cultivation — by the prac- tice of economy, and especially byrthe production at home of all the articles of domestic consumption. W. J. Alston, Esq., proposed the following preamble and resolution ; which were adopted, after free discussion : Whereas good roads are indispensable to the agricultural prosperity as well as beneficial to the general interests of any country, and no labour be- ing more profitable in its results than that judiciously bestowed upon roads ; and whereas the notoriously bad condition of many of the most important roads in this State afford ample testimony of the utter inadequacy of the ex- isting laws on this subject, and independent of their inefficiency, their opera- tion is unequal and unjust, inasmuch as they impose upon the owner of male slaves, and those residing nearest the chief market roads, the burthen of keeping in repair the public highways — exonerating all other classes — the merchants, the stock-jobbers, and the speculators of every caste, from their just share of this burthen : Be it therefore resolved, That, in the opinion of this Convention, it is the duty of the Legislature, either to remedy the defects of the present system, or to substitute another and a better in its stead. Maj. J. M. Felder moved the following resolutions, which he proposed to lay on the table, with the consent of the Convention : Resolved, That as the agricultural interests generally become the first vic- tims of fluctuating disordered and corrupt currency, the Legislature be res- pectfully requested to take such measures as will restore and secure to this State a sound and stable currency. Resolved, That as one step towards this desirable result, the Legislature be respectfully solicited to restrain all banks from issuing any bank bills of a less denomination than five dollars. Resolved, That this Conven ion solemnly protest against borrowing any more money, or issuing any more bonds or stocks on the credit and faith of the State; and if any more money must be raised for the necessary purposes of an economical government, that the same be raised by a direct tax on the people. B. R. Carroll, Esq., submitted the following resolution ; which w r os adopted : Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to memorialize the Le- gislature of this State, on the different subjects recommended and acted upon by this convention. 24 AGRICULTURAL The President named the following gentlemen as the committee : B. R. CARROLL, ESQ., CHAN. DUNKIN, HON. J. GREGG. Mr. Davis proposed the following resolutions : Resolved , That copies of the proceedings of this Convention be furnished by the Secretary to the Carolinian and Telescope newspapers of this town for publication ; and that the principal papers of the State, friendly to the in- terests of agriculture, be requested to copy them into their columns. Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be presented to the Hon. Mr. Elmore for the courtesy and impartiality with which he has presided over its deliberations — and also to Dr. R. W. Gibbes, for his diligence, industry, and general attention to the wants and wishes of the Convention. Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be returned to the House of Representatives, for the use of their Hall. These resolutions were unanimously adopted. The President having made his acknowledgements to the Convention, ex- pressed the interest he felt in the objects of the Convention, and recommend- ed an earnest, united and persevering attention to them. On motion, the Convention then adjourned. ROBERT W. GIBBES, Secretary. CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY SOUTH CAROLINA. We the undersigned do hereby form ourselves into an association to be devoted to the improvement of the Agriculture and Agricultural Economy of the State. 1. The Association shall be styled, The State Agricultural Society of South Carolina. 2. Its objects shall be strictly Agricultural and Rural. 3. All persons subscribing and paying to the Treasurer the sum of five dollars, shall be eligible as members. 4. The Society will receive, as members (at its annual meeting,) one del- egate from a District or Neighborhood Society. 5. There shall be a President, five Vice Presidents, a Corresponding PROCEEDINGS. 25 Secretary, Recording Society and Treasurer, and an Anniversary Orator, who shall be annually elected by the Society. 6. The Society shall meet annually in the town of Columbia, during the first week of the session of the Legislature; at which time there shall be an exhibition and cattle show for premiums. T. A quorum of the Society shall consist of not less than twenty mem- bers, including the President or a Vice President. 8. The President shall preside at all meetings, and in his absence a Vice President. 9. The President with a majority of the Vice Presidents shall have power to call special meetings of the Society, but such meetings shall be announced in one or more of the Agricultural papers of the State, at least thirty days before the time at which it is to be held. 10. The committees shall be appointed by the President. 11. There shall be a committee on Cotton, whose province it shall be to collect all facts relative to the growing crop, the amount produced, the kind most profitable, together with such observations thereto relating as may be useful to the Society, and to award such premiums as may be provided for by the Society. 12. There shall be similar committees on Rice, Corn and small grain, with similar powers and duties. 13. There shall be a committee on stock, whose duty it shall be to re- port the best mode of rearing the best variety, and to examine and award at the show the premiums for the same. 14. It shall be the duty of the President to publish, six months before the meeting, the kind and age of the stock to be shown, also of the products to be exhibited, and to specify in said notice the respective premiums. 15. The Society in prescribing premiums for stock, shall have reference to improvement in the stock of the country. 16. The President shall sign such orders on the Treasury as a majority of each committee shall have drawn in the performance of the duties. 17. The Treasurer shall collect all monies due to the Society, pay orders drawn in due form, and keep the accounts regularly stated in the books of the Society. 18. It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to revise all communications before they shall be made public, by authority of the Soc- iety. 19. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary, to keep and preserve the books and papers of the Society, and to prepare its proceedings for pub- lication. 26 AGRICULTURAL November 29, 1839. The State Agricultural Society of South Carolina was organized by White- field Brooks, a Vice President, taking the chair. The Constitution was read as recommended by the Agricultural Conven- tion, and adopted. The following gentlemen were elected officers by nomination by the same committee. His Excellency, P. NOBLE, President. W. B. SEABROOK, Vice President. Col. W. BROOKS, Col. W. K. CLOWN EY, Col. J. CREGG, Chanc. B. F. DUNK1N, B. R. CARROLL, Corresponding Secretary. R. W. GIBBES, M. D. Recording Secretary and Treasurer. Gen. GEORGE M’DUFFIE, Anniversary Orator. On motion of Simeon Fair, Esq. the Society ^adjourned until to-morrow evening, to meet for a more perfect organization. ROBERT W. GIBBES, Secretary. Saturday, Nov. 30, 1839. The Society met at six o’clock. The President took his seat and address- ed the Society on the objects of the association, in a short but impressive speech. The minutes of last meeting were read. The roll were called, and it ap- peared that seventy gentlemen had become members. The President informed the Society that the meeting was prepared for business, and open for resolutions. Major Ellerbe introduced the following : Resolved, That two thirds of the members present at the meeting fof the Society shall be necessary to make any alteration in the Constitution of the Society. This resolution was adopted. Dr. Davis proposed the following resolutions, which were agreed to. Resolved, That the Anniversary be commemorated by a dinner, and that Stewards be appointed by the President to superintend the same. Resolved, That Dr. Gibbes be requested and authorized to prepare a lot for the exhibition of stock, at our next annual meeting. Major Ellerbe moved, PROCEEDINGS. 27 That Thursday after the fourth Monday in November be the Annivesary and that the dinner shall take place on that day. Agreed to- J. A. Calhoun, Esq., introduced a preamble and resolutions as follows : Whereas, it is a matter of the first moment to check emigration from our State as much as possible ; and whereas, the great source from which emi- gration originates, is in the comparison of our worn out fields with the fertile plains of the west — and whereas, the only means of preventing this unfavor- able comparison and deplorable result, is to improve our lands by the most speedy means practicable ; Therefore be it resolved, 1. That this Society do recommend to the Planters and Farmers of our State the adoption of the most energetic means of improving our lands under existing circumstances, as far as may be compatible with their present con- dition. 2. That a committee of three be appointed by the President of this So- ciety, whose duty it shall be to report to the next annual meeting of this Society, as to the best means of improving our lands under existing circum- stances. Adopted. Col. Pinckney proposed the following resolution, which was agreed to. Resolved. That all persons engaged in Planting, Farming, Horticulture, or breeding stock, are earnestly recommended to publish from time to time in the Agricultural papers of the State, the result of their observation and ex- perience. Col. R. F. W. Allston moved, That when this Society adjourns, it do so to meet on the 4th Monday in November next, at six o’clock, P. M. Agreed to. On motion of Dr. Davis, the Society adjourned. ROBERT W. GIBBES, Secretary. November 23, 1840. The Society convened this evening in the Hall of the House of Represen- tative. On motion of Dr. J. B. Davis, The Hon. W. B. Seabrook took the Chair, and the meeting was organ- ized. The minutes of the last meeting were read. The Secretary informed the meeting, that, in consequence of the lamented death of the late Gov. Noble, the President of the Society, there had been no committees appointed ; and the organization of the Society had therefore not been completed. On motion, 28 AGRICULTURAL The Vice President was requested to appoint the committees, and announce them on to-morrow evening. Chancellor Dunkin introduced the following preamble and resolution ; which were unanimously adopted : Whereas, since the last meeting of this society, it has pleased Almighty God to remove from this transitory scene his Excellency Patrick Noble, the President of this Society, an individual eminently distinguished, as well for his private virtues, as his public services. Be it resolved, That this society deplore an event which has deprived them of the active, zealous and devoted co-operation of their lamented pre- siding officer. Resolved, That in testimony of the high respect entertained by this So- ciety for the character of their late President, and their regret for his de- cease, the society will wear crape on the left arm for thirty days. Dr. Thos. W. Moore, a delegate from the Fishing Creek Agricultural So- ciety, and Geo. Leitner, Esq., from the Monticello Planter’s Society, ap- peared, and took their seats. B. R. Carroll, Esq., submitted the following resolutions, and proposed them for consideration on to-morrow evening : Resolved, That to attain the great ends for which this society was created, the establishment of an Agricultural Society in every parish and district of the State, is highly expedient and necessary. Resolved, That it shall be the special duty of the members, at as early a period as possible, to convene the planters of their neighborhood, or to em- brace the first opportunity of a public meeting of the people, in order that that the private and general advantages of local associations for promoting the interests of husbandry may be fully discussed and thoroughly understood, and the foregoing resolution thereby carried into effect. The districts and parishes unrepresented in this society, shall be invited by the President in any form he might deem proper, to unite in furthering the object in view. Resolved, That the Legislature be respectfully invited to employ a compe- tent person to effect an agricultural survey of the State, in the manner that task has recently been performed in Massachusetts, and that a committee be appointed to memorialize that body on the subject. The Chair nominated the following committee : — Dr. Gibbes, Gen. Means, B. F. Taylor. Resolved, That the district and parish societies be invited to present to this society, at its next annual meeting, an essay or memoir on the subjects to which their notice may respectively be drawn by the President, whose bu- siness it shall be to designate the topics on which information is desired. Adopted. PROCEEDINGS, 29 Col. J. H. Hammond informed the meeting that he had received a letter from Gen. McDuffie, expressing his deep regret that his health did not allow of his delivering the Anniversary Oration of the Society ; but that he had forwarded the manuscript, which he now placed in possession of the Society. On motion, Ordered that its disposal be considered on to-morrow evening. There being no further business, the Society adjourned, to meet on to» morrow evening, at six o’clock. R. W. GIBBE8, Secretaiy. November 24, 1840. The adjourned meeting of the Society was held this evening. The min ? utes were read. The President named the following committees: ON HORSES. Col. W. Hampton, J. H. Adams, P. M. Butler, J. G. Guignard, Th. Stark. ON MULES. B. F. Davis, E. G. Palmer, D. Elkins, Geo. Leitner, D. D. Fenley. ON CATTLE. B. F. Taylor, J. B. Davis, R. F. W. Alston, W. Washington, W. T, Ellerbe. ON HOGS. Ed, Means, D. W. S. Reynolds, J. J. Myers, A. Young, R. W. Gibbes, W. J. Alston. ON SHEEP. J. C. Singleton, E. T. Heriot, Dr. Thos. Smith, Jas. Wright, B. R. Carroll. ON COTTON. Gen. George McDuffie, J. H, Hammond, W. J. Taylor, W. R. Davis, Ch. R. Carroll, W. M. Murray. ON CORN. Col. Jonathan Davis, Jr., B. T. Elmore, C. Bookter, W. F. Percival, B. B. Cook. ON WHEAT. J. H. Means, W. J. Alston, Jacob Feaster, W. K. Clowney, J. Douglas. ON OATS. Dr. A. B. Arnold, James Gillespie, JohnN. Williams, John McQueen. 30 AGRICULTURAL ON RICE. Daniel E. Huger, Chan. Dunkin, R. F. W. Alston, E. T. Heriot. J. B. Grimball. E. G. Palmer, Esq., moved the following resolution ; which was adopted ; Resolved, That a committee of nine be appointed, to ascertain the amount of the Cotton crop of 1840, and that they report the same to the Society at its present meeting. The Chairman named the following gentlemen : E. G. Palmer, J. II. Ham- mond, W. J. Alston, 5, M. Felder, R. J. Gage, John Jenkins, C. R. Carroll, J. McQueen, Dr. J. Douglass. Mr. Carroll’s resolutions were then considered, and adopted- Col. J. PI. Hammond moved that a committee of three be appointed to request a suitable person to deliver Gen. McDuffie’s Anniversary Oration on Thursday evening, at seven o’clock. Agreed to. Committee, J. H. Hammond, J. B. Davis, R. W. Gibbes. There being no further business before the Society, they then adjourned. R. W. GIBBES, Secretary. November 27, 1840. The Society convened this evening at six o’clock. The minutes of th e last meeting were read. The committees on premiums were called on for their reports, when the following were made : The committee on Horses, report that they award the premium for “the besi mare,” to Col. Hampton’s bay mare, “ Bay Maria,” by old Eclipse. For the second best mare, to Col. Hampton’s mported bay mare “ Emily,” by Emilius. For the best yearling Colt, to Col. Hampton’s c. c. Herald, out of Del. phine, by Plenipo. P. M. BUTLER, Acting Chairman The committee on Cattle, to whom was referred the examination of stock, and distribution of premiums, respectfully report, That they have considered the characters and respective merits of all, which were submitted for exhibition as follows : Two Durham Cows and a half bred Heifer, bred by B. F. Taylor, Esq.; an imported Devon Cow and three Durham Cows, bred by Col. W. Hampton ; an imported Durham Bull and an Ayshire Heifer, owned by Col. Hampton ; a grade Devon Cow and Heifer, bred by Dr. J. B. Davis; a Durham Cow, bred by Col. Hampton ; and af Durham and % Teeswater Cow from I\en- PROCEEDINGS, 31 tucky, owned by Dr. R- W. Gibbes ; and yearling Tuscan Bull, (bred by Dr. Gibbes,) owned by C. McCullock, Esq.; a yearling £ Tuscan J Durham Bull, bred and owned by Dr. R. W. Gibbes ; two Cows, a two year old Heifer and Calf, owned by Mr. Alexander Brown ; a Cow and Heifer owned by Mr, Gladden ; a part Devon Bull, 9 months old, bred and owned by Dr. Toland ; a part Devon Heifer Calf, bred by Dr. J. B. Davis, and owned by Mr. R. Waddell ; An Ayrshire Heifer calf, 4 months old, bred, by J. C. Singleton, Esq. The following are the awards of the committee : To Col. W. Hampton for the finest thorough bred Bull, Mo B. F. Taylor, Esq., for the best thorough bred Cow, (Durham.) To Col. W. Hampton, for the second best Cow, (Durham.) To Col. W. Hampton for the best heifer, (imported Ayrshire,) under three years old. To Dr. J. B. Davis, for the best Heifer, (Durham and Devon,) under two years old. To C. McCulloch, for the best Yearling Bull, (Tuscan.) To Dr. H. H. Toland, for the best Bull Calf, (Durham and Devon,) under 8 months old. To R. Waddell, for the best Heifer Calf, under 9 months old" B. F. TAYLOR, Chairman. The committee on Hogs, to whom were referred the distribution of the premiums to the best specimens, report, That they scrutinized the merits of the following specimens : A Woburn Boar, 15 months old, bred and owned by Wra. E. Haskell, Esq.; a Berkshire Boar, (imported from Bement of Albany,) owned by J. C. Singleton, Esq.; a Berkshire Boat, (of Bement’s stock,) owned by B F. Taylor, Esq.; two Berkshire Sows, (of Bement’s stock,) owned by Dr. R. W. Gibbes: a pair of Berkshire pigs, (bred by Dr. R. W. Gibbes,) and owned by E. Means, Esq.; a pair of Berkshire pigs, (of Lossing’s and Judge Spencer’s stock,) owned by Dr. Gibbes; a Chinese Sow, bred and owned by A. Brown, Esq.; a Chi- nese pig, bred and owned by A. Brown, Esq ; a Chinese Sow, bred and own- ed by R. E. Russell, Esq. They awarded the following premiums : To W. E. Haskell, Esq., for the best Boar. To Dr. R. W. Gibbes, for the best Sow. To E. Means, Esq., for the best pair of Pigs. The committee, in considering the merits of the respective kinds of stock, were influenced in their decision by the breed which they thought best adapted for the improvement of the stock of the country. E. MEANS, Chairman, 82 AGRICULTURAL The committee of the State Agricultural Society on Sheep, report that they have awarded, To Col. Hampton, the premium for the best Ram. To B. F. Taylor, Esq., the premium for the second best Ram. To Col. W. Hampton, the premium for the best Ewe. No pair of Lambs having been exhibited, the committee award no premium. The committee noticed, with interest, a broad tail Ram, exhibited by J. C. Singleton, Esq., more particularly from the fact that the second best Ram was a cross of that breed with the Merino, and would seem to hold out strong expectations of improvement from the cross of that stock with others. ED. THOS. HERIOT, For the Committee. The Committee on Mules, unanimously award the premium to John S. Chappell, for the best Mule, two years old, by the imported Jack, Knight of Malta. E. G. PALMER, Chairman. On motion, these reports were adopted. E. G. Palmer, Esq., made the following report on the Cotton crop of 1540; which was ordered to be published with the proceedings : The committee appointed to ascertain the amount of the Cotton crop of the State of South Carolina, for the year 1840, beg leave to report that they have given to the subject the closest investigation, and that, from the number of persons from every portion of the State now assembled at this place, they have enjoyed peculiar advantages in arriving at the most accurate informa, tion. Your committee have been struck with the coincidence of the view's of those of whom they have enquired as to the failure of the present crop ; and believe that if they were disposed to arrive at the most accurate conclu- sions on the subject, that they would estimate the failure of the uplands crop of the State of South Carolina, for 1840, at f- of the crop of 1839, which amounted to 301,569 bales, and which would make the present crop 183,430 bales. But believing that the safer course would be to under, rather than over-estimate the failure, with a view to give greater confidence in the future reports of this Society, they have concluded to fix the present crop at about 200,000 bales. Your committee regret that they have not been able to pro- cure as ample information in relation to the Santee and Sea Island Cottons, as they could desire, but believe that the failure will be very nearly one half of the crop of 1839. EDWARD G. PALMER, Chairman. The following resolution was offered by Dr. Gibbes, Resolved, That the premiums of the Society are open for the competition of citizens of the State, who are not members of the Society. PROCEEDINGS. 33 After some discussion, Col. Allston moved that the following words be added to the resolution : “ By their paying an entrance fee of one year’s subscription to the Socie- ty which was agreed to, and thefresolution adopted, as amended. The hour of seven having arrived, Col. B. T. Watts, delivered the Anni- versary Oration of Gen. McDuffie before the Society. On motion of Col. Allston, Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be communicated to Gen. Mc- Duffie, for his able and interesting address. Resolved , That the Secretary be requested to have the address printed in pamphlet form. Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be tendered to Col. Watts, for his compliance with the wishes of the Society, and the impressive manner in which he read the Anniversary Oration of Gen. McDuffie. On motion, Resolved, That three Stewards be appointed to prepare a dinner or barbe- cue for the Society, at its next meeting. The Society then proceeded to the election of officers, when the following was the result : HON. W. B. SEABROOK, President. Col. W. BROOKS, q Col. W- K. CLOWNEY, Col. J. GR.EGG, f Vice Presidents. Chan. B. F. DUNKIN, | Gen. J. GILLESPIE, J B. R. CARROLL, Esq., Corresponding Secretary, Dr. R. W. GIBBES, Recording Secretary. Col. J. H. HAMMOND, Anniversary Orator. The Society then adjourned. ROBT. W. GIBBES, Secretary. November 22, 1841. The Society met in the Hall of the House of Representatives, the meet- Jfig was organized, and the minutes of the preceding meeting were read. The President informed the members that he had discharged the several duties committed to him at the last meeting; that he had received contribu- tions of Essays from several Societies and individuals, and submitted An Essay on Sea Island Cotton by himself, An Essay on the religious instruction of slaves, by Rev’d R. Fuller, A ReporL of the Pendleton Agricultural Society, on manures, 3 34 AGRICULTURAL A Report of the Pendleton Agricultural Society, on Forage; A report of the Newberry Agricultural Society, on Agricultural Econom 3 % Of these the two latter were read, and, on motion of Dr. J. J. Myers, it was Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to examine the reports and essays submitted to this Society, from District Societies, and from indi- viduals ; and that they be directed to publish such of them as they think proper. The following was the committee named : Dr. J. J. MYERS, Dr. R. W. GIBBES, Dr. I. FICKLING. On motion of Dr. Davis, Resolved , That a committee of five be appointed by the President to re- organize the several committees, for the purpose of awarding the premiums, and report the same for confirmation on to-morrow night. The committee consisted of, Dr. J. B. DAVIS, Col. R. F. W. ALLSTON, Maj. W. T. ELLERBE, SIMEON FAIR, W. M. MURRAY. The Society then adjourned. ROBERT W. GIBBES, Secretary. November 23, 1841. The Society convened and was organized, the roll was called, and minutes of last meeting read. The President having called for reports of committees, that, to which were submitted the essays and communications of other Societies, reported that they recommended the essay on Sea Island Cotton be read before the Society, and published in the Southern Agriculturist — and that the other communica- tions be published in the Temperance Advocate. The President then read that essay. Dr. J. B. Davis, from the Committee on re-organization, reported the following as committees for making the awards for stock, as follows : ON HORSES. Col. IV. Hampton, R. H. Goodwyn, J. Wright, Dr. T, Stark, S. Fair, PROCEEDINGS. 35 ON CATTLE. 8. P. Taylor, W. R. Davis, John C. Singleton, A. H. Boykin, J. Gillespie. ON MULES. E. G. Palmer, J. G. Guignard, J. M. Felder, J. J. Myers, J. H. Means. ON SHEEP. Jas. M. Taylor, E. T. Heriot, W, Washington, W. M. Murray, W. El- lerbe. ON HOGS. J. W. Parker, R. W. Gibbes, W. E. Haskell,!. H. Hammond, E. Means. On motion, these committees were adopted. Major Murray introduced the following resolution ; which was unanimous- ly agreed to. Resolved , That the President be requested to continue his exertions in pro- curing the formation of local societies, and inducing them and individuals capable of communicating information to present to this Society, at its annual meetings, essays adapted to localities. On motion of Dr. J. B. Davis, it was Resolved , That a committee of three be appointed by the President, to pelition the Legislature for a donation to the Society of $500 per annum, for three years. Dr. DAVIS, Judge HARPER, W. BROOKS, Esq. Dr. Myers proposed, That a committee of five be appointed to nominate officers of the Society for the ensuing year, to report to-morrow evening ; which was adopted. Dr. MYERS, R, F. W. ALLSTON, W. ELLERBE, J. H. HAMMOND, Dr. FICKLING. The Society then adjourned, to meet on to-morrow evening at half past six o’clock. R. W. GIBBES, Secretary. 36 AGRICULTURAL November 24, 1S41. The Society met at the hour appointed, and the minutes of the last meet- ing were read. The President read the following communication, from Col. Wade Hamp- ton ; which was ordered to be entered on the minutes : Columbia, Nov. 24, 1841. Dear Sir, The meeting oi the State Agricultural Society affording a favorable opportunity for its distribution, I beg leave to place at your disposal, for that purpose, about tw'o bushels of Musquite Grass Seed. This grass is a native of Texas, and as far as 1 am capable of forming an opinion, by an experi- ment of a single year, is admirably adapted to our country. It has, I under- stand, been successfully cultivated by Mr. Carter, of Alabama, for some years past ; and the high estimate he placed on it, induced him very kindly to send me a few quarts of seed, in the summer of 1840. These seed were planted in September following in drills, came up with great regularity, and continued to vegetate during the whole winter. A drought of unusual duration in the spring, and another in July, accompanied by intense heat, produced no visi- ble effect on it ; and it has continued to flourish through all the vicissitudes of a most disastrous season. The seed were sown on dry alluvial soil, which had been prepared for turnips ; and from a piece of ground not exceeding the fourth of an acre, I gathered fourteen bushels of seed. It will, I think, make fine hay, growing from two and a half to three feet high ; and, in its native prairies, it forms the favorite pasture of the wild Horse and Buffalo. Appreciating as I do, your untiring exertions in the great cause of agricul- ture, 1 offer no apology for the trouble I impose on you, in distributing the seed that accompanies this letter. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, W. HAMPTON. The President called for reports from the several committees, when the following were presented and adopted : The Committee on Horses, reported that they had viewed the animals ex- hibited at the cattle show, and award the following premiums : To Col. W. Hampton, for his horse Sovereign, as the best Stallion for ag- ricultural purposes, the Silver Cup $20. To Col. W. Hampton, for his bay mare Bay Maria, as the best mare for agricultural purposes, the Silver Cup $20. To Col. Hampton, for his mare. Emily, as the second best mare for rg.-.cm- tural purposes, the Silver Cup $15, PROCEEDINGS. 87 To Col. Hampton, for his br. colt, by Monarch out of Maria West, the Silver Cup $10. ToB. F. Taylor, Esq., for his ch. filly, by Monarch, out of Betsy Robins, the silver cup $10. JAMES FERGUSON, ) A. R. TAYLOR, > Committee. THOS. T. STARK, ) The Committee on Cattle reported, That they have discharged the duty assigned to them in awarding the pre- miums. They cannot permit the present occasion to pass by, without expresing the gratification and pleasure they experienced in examining the very many fine cattle exhibited. In some cases, they found great difficulty in deciding be- tween rival competitors. There were exhibited Durhams, Devons and Ayrshires, imported and home-bred — with such a variety of the most approved stocks annually exhib- ited at the Capitol of South Carolina, our planters and farmers have an oppor- tunity of improving the native stock of the country to any extent, and the great advantage they have over the original importers, is, that they can get cattle acclimated, and avoid any risk from a change of climate. At the present exhibition, the committee do not hesitate to affirm, there were many which would have stood an equal chance for premiums at any cat- tle show in the United States. They cannot recommend too strongly the patronage of the Society, in continuing and extending premiums, for the ex- hibition of stock, at their annual meetings. They award the premiums as follows, viz : For the best Bull, Col. VY. Hampton’s Durham Bull, Skinner, the Silver Cup $20. For the second best Bull, to Dr. T. T. Stark, for his Durham Bull, Hector, the silver cup $15. For the best two year old Bull, to Capt. R. Ward, for his Durham Bull. For the best yearling Bull, to Col. Jonathan Davis, for his Durham Bull, the silver cup $10. For the best Cow, to Dr. James B. Davis, for his imported Durham Cow, the silver cup $15. For the second best Cow, to Col. W. Hampton, for his Durham Cow, bred by himself, the silver cup $12. For the best Heifer under 3 years old, to Dr. J. B. Davis, for his Durham Heifer, out of an imported Cow, got in England, the silver cup $15. For the second best Heifer under 3 years old, to Col. W. Hampton, for his Durham Heifer, bred by himself, the silver cup $10. 38 AGRICULTURAL For the best yearling Heifer, to Col. Hampton, for his Durham Heifer, bred by himself, the silver cup $10. For the best Bull Calf, to B. F. Taylor, Esq., the silver cup 810. For the best Heifer Calf, to B. F. Taylor, Esq., the silver cup 810. B. F. TAYLOR, Chairman. The committee, to whom was referred the distribution of premiums for the exhibition of sheep, report The premium to Col. Hampton for the best Ram, Bakewell. The premium to B. F. Taylor, Esq., for the second best Ram, a cross of Merino and Tunisian. The premium to Col. W. Hampton, for the best Ewe, Bakewell. The premium to B. F. Taylor, Esq., for the best pair of Lambs, cross of Merino and Tunisian. JAMES M. TAYLOR, Chairman. The committee on Mules, beg leave to report, That they examined carefully all the mules exhibited ; and have awarded the premium for the best two year old mules, to Dr. Thus. T. Stark, of Rich- land ; and the premium for the best three year old mule, to Dr. James B. Davis, of Fairfield. Maj. Felder, of Orangeburgh, exhibited some very fine Mule colts; but, according to the arrangement of the premium list of the Society, they could not compete for premiums. JOHN J. MYERS, Chairman. The committee on Flogs, respectfully report, That they considered the merits of ail submitted to their inspection, and award the premiums. For the best Boar, to Col. Hampton, for hisBerksire Boar. For the second best Boar, to Dr. J. W. Parker, for his Berkshire Boar. For the best Sow, to Col. Hampton, for his Berkshire Sow. For the second best sow, to Dr. T. T. Stark, for a Woburn Sow. For the best Pigs under a year old, to Col. Hampton’s Berkshires. For the best Pigs under 6 months old, to Dr. Parker’s Pigs, Berkshire and No Bone. J. W. PARKER, Chairman. PROCEEDINGS. 39 The committee appointed to nominate Officers for the Society for the en- suing year, beg leave to report the following : Hon. W. B. SEABROOK, President W. BROOKS, Esq. 'i Chan. HARPER, | Chan. DUNKIN, } Vice Presidents. Maj. J. M. FELDER, Gen. J. GILLESPIE, J A. HAMILTON BOYKIN, Corresponding Secretary. Dr. J. B. DAVIS, Recording Secretary. Hon. J. B. O’NEALL, Anniversary Orator. The Chairman also would state, that Dr. R. YV. Gibbes, the present Sec. retary, desires to withdraw from that office. J. J. MYERS, Chairman. The question being put on the adoption of this report, it was unanimously agreed to. The President, in an eloquent and feeling manner, acknowledged his re-elec- tion to the Presidency. W. Brooks, Esq., suggested to the President the propriety in appointing the committee on Cotton, to arrange it so as to have two sub-committees, to report on Long Staple and on Short Staple Cottons. On motion of Dr. Davis, the following resolution was referred to a com- mittee of three — Dr. Davis, B. F. Taylor and S. Fair: Resolved, That in the opinion of this Society, no stock which has been ex- hibited, and obtained premiums at the present anniversary meeting, shall compete for premiums hereafter. On motion of Dr. Myers, the following resolution was referred to the same committee : Resolved, That the committee on Mules, shall, hereafter, award two pre-. miums to mules; the first, to the best mule; and the second, to the second best mule ; and that mules of any age be exhibited for premiums. On motion of E. G. Palmer, Esq., Resolved, That this Society recommends to its members, and the members of the District Societies, to patronize the Temperance Advocate, the South, ern Agriculturist, the Plough Boy and the Farmer’s Gazette, by subscribing to them. On motion of Dr. Davis, it was Resolved, That the Constitution be so amended, that instead of one dele- gate from each District Society, jive be received. Dr. J. W. Parker offered the following resolution ; which was adopted : Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be returned to Mr. R. E. Russe] 40 AGRICULTURAL for his exhibition of flowers, and that he deserves the commendation of the Society, for his Agricultural and Horticultural repository. The Society then adjourned until to-morrow evening at half past six o’clock. ROBERT W. GIBBES, Secretary. November 25, 1341. The Society met at the appointed hour, the minutes of the preceding meet- ing were read, and the Secretary, Robert W. Gibbes, turned over his books to the newly elected Secretary, J. B. Davis. The President announced the following committees, under the Constitution : ON COTTON. Gen. Geerge McDuffie, Abbeville; Win. S. Lyies, Fairfield ; Wm. K. Clowney, Union; Simeon Fair, Newberry; J. Douglas, Chester; A. H. Boykin, Kershaw ; Dr. J. Fickling, St. Lukes; Wm. M. Murray, St. Johns Colleton ; W m. Washington, St. Pauls. ON CORN. Col. Jonathan Davis, Sr., Fairfield; Col. Whitfield Brooks, Edgefield; L. Boozer, Lexington ; W. R. Poole, Spartanburg ; J. M. Felder, Orange- burgh ; B. F. Taylor Richland ; C. R. Carroll, Barnwell. ON RICE. R. E. W. Allston, All Saints ; Daniel E. Huger, St. Philip and St. Mi- chaels ; F. Quash, St. Thomas and St. Dennis; J. B. Grimball, St. Pauls; T. Ferguson, St Johns Berkley; B. F. Dunkin, All Saints. ON SMALL GRAIN. Hon. J. B. O’Neall, Newberry ; Col. R. J. Gage, Union; Col. J. A. Al- ston, York; J. A. Calhoun, Anderson; Gen’l J. Gillespie, Marlborough; ■Col. B.F. Perry, Greenville ; William J. Ellerbe, Marlborough. The following report was then read: The committee, to whom was referred the two motions of the last meeting, ^relative to stock, report that they have duly considered the same ; and re- < commend that no animal of mature age, that has taken a premium at this Society, -shall a second time be presented for exhibition and award ; and, in reference to the latter motion, that an additional premium be offered, here- after, for.'Mules under two years old. JAMES B. DAVIS, Chairman. PROCEEDINGS. 41 On motion of Col. Brooks, it was now decided by the Society, what should be regarded as mature age, viz : For Hogs, 2 years of age. Cattle, 4 years of age. Horses 5 years of age. Sheep 3 years of age. And, with this amendment, the report was agreed upon. The hour appointed for the delivery of the Anniversary Oration having arrived, the President’s seat was now given to Gen. James PI. Hammond, who delivered his address, very much to the satisfaction of the Society and audience. On motion of B. R. Carroll, Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be given to Gen’l James H. Hammond, for his very able and instructive address before this Society, and that a committee of three be appointed to wait upon him and request a copy for publication. The following committee were appointed: — B. R. Carroll, Ur. Myers and Mr. Murray. The following preamble and resolutions were then presented by Mr. Davis : Whereas, American Cotton-growcrs have been remiss in using means to obviate the effects of high duties upon Hemp Bagging and other articles, prejudicially affecting the cotton-grower; and believing it not only in our power, but our duty to ourselves and our country, to counteract such innova, tions by a just and laudible policy: Therefore resolved, That from comparative cheapness, it is practicable, and for the purpose of encouraging American Manufactures, as well as most materially increasing the consumption of cotton itself, it is desirable to sub- stitute, and we recommend to all growers, to substitute cotton for baling in- stead of Hemp, and PIoop Iron or Cotton roping, instead of Hemp roping. Resolved, That we further recommend the use of cotton for shirting, and for any other apparel, for which it is equally suitable, as well as any other use in domestic or national economy. Resolved, That we will strenuously encourage all manufacturing estab- lishments in America, which will co-operate with us in carrying out this policy. Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary of this Society, be, and he is hereby directed, to remit printed copies of the above resolutions to the asent of each and every Cotton Manufactory in the United States, as well as the President of each and every Agricultural Society in the cotton growing re- gions. 42 AGRICULTURAL These resolutions were, at some length sustained by the mover, and car- ried. On motion the Society then adjourned sine die. JAMES B. DAVIS, Secretary. November 28, 1842. The delegates having enrolled themselves, the proceedings of the previous year were read, and the usual routine commenced. It being in order, reports and communications were called for, by the Pre- sident, when a memoir from the Black Oak Agricultural Society, on the sub- ject of Santee long cotton, nature of soils, manures, &c., was presented, and, on motion of Major Felder, was read by the Clerk, and laid on the table till Tuesday evening. Through the President, a census of the United States was presented to the Society by the Hon. John C. Calhoun; which, on mo- tion of Major Felder, was deposited in the Legislative Library. The Corresponding Secretary, A. H. Boykin, presented a communica- tion, viz : Office of American and Foreign Agency, ? New York, December 7th, 1841. $ Secretary of the Agricultural Society, of S. C. Sir, I beg to acquaint you that I have been appointed corresponding member of the “ Rec. Socieda Economica De Filijrtnas,’ established at Mani- la, to foster and promote the Agricultural manufactures and industry of the Philippian Islands. Presuming that an intercommunication and exchange of seeds, plants, printed transactions, &c., would prove materially advantageous to both Insti- tutions, I take the liberty of proposing such exchange to your Society, with a tender of my services, in receiving and despatching any letters, packages, &c., which it may be pleased to forward to my care, for the “ Royal Econo • me Society ,” Minilla, by any of the Packets plying between Charleston and this Port. In the hope that the proposed interchange may be attended with beneficial results to both Institutions. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully Sir, Your most obedient servant, AARON H. PALMER. PROCEEDINGS. 4*3 On motion of A. H. Boykin, this letter was laid on the table till to-morrow night. Dr. John J. Myers then presented the following resolutions : Resolved. That the Corresponding Secretary of the Society be required to issue a circular letter to individuals residing in the different Districts and Parishes of this State, requiring them to transmit to this Society, information on the following subjects, as connected with Agriculture : 1st. An account of the present condition of Agriculture, and the changes since the first settlement of the country. 2d. The general aspect of the country, embracing the nature of the soil. 3d. The principal products. 4th. The kinds of cultivation or tiliage in use. 5th. The favorite breeds of Horses, Mules, Cattle, Sheep and Swine, and their management. 6th. The Agricultural Implements in use. 7th. The general value of land. 8th. The Agricultural changes necessary to advance the prosperity of the country. 9th. That a circular letter be addressed to the District and Parish Socie- ties, recommending them to impress upon their members, the importance of raising more grain and stock than has heretofore been the custom of the country to do. Dr. Myers moved the above to be laid on the table till to-morrow night. Agreed to. Major Felder moved that the President announce the several committees of award on to-morrow night ; and On motion, the Society adjourned till seven o’clock to-morrow night. JAMES B. DAVIS, Secretary. November 29, 1842. The Society convened at seven o’clock, the minutes of the last meeting were read, and reports from the committees were called for by the President. Mr. J. Fickling, from the committee on Cotton, presented and read a re- port on Sea Island Cotton. Hon. J. B. O’Neall presented and read a report on small grain. An essay was presented from the Milton Agricultural Society, “ on the cause of agriculture best suited to the region of country around Milton, Lau- rens District.” An essay was also presented on Sea Island Cot'on, from the President. 44 AGRICULTURAL Dr. Myers moved, That all the reports from the several committees, together with all commu- nications to this Society, be referred to a committee of three, with instruc- tions to publish them in the Planter and Temperance Advocate. The following amendment was proposed to this motion, and adopted, viz : That it will be left to the discretion of the committee on Printing, to reject or publish the above reports, communications, &c. The President appointed the following, as a committee on Printing : JOHN J. MYERS, B. F. TAYLOR, WADE HAMPTON, Sr., Rev. J. DuBOSE. Hon. R. W. Allston begged permission to suspend presenting a report on Rice; he proposed it to be placed in the hands of the committee on Print- ing ; which was agreed to. Dr. Myers moved that the Corresponding Secretary be required to respond to the communication from the agent of the Royal Economic Society of Mi- nilla. Agreed to. Dr. Myers then introduced the following resolutions : Resolved, That this Society do zealously recommend to the Parish District and neighborhood Agricultural Societies, to patronize the Planter, a new pa- per about to be issued in Columbia. Resolved , That the Society be requested to use their strenuous exertions to procure subscribers for the Planter. Agreed to. Dr. R. VV. Gibbes moved, That the Corresponding and Recording Secretaries of this Society be re- quested to refer all communications which they may receive, during the re- cess of this Society, to the committee on Printing. Agreed to. Hon. Mr. Roper, of Charleston, presented the follow'ing resolution : Resolved, That the State Agricultural Society appoint a committee to me- morialize this Legislature on the subject of an agricultural survey of this State, and pray that an appropriation be made, and fit and proper measures be adopted for conducting the measure to a successful termination. Mr. Roper stated this as instructive from the Agricultural Society, he rep- resented and sustained lengthily this motion. Major John Boykin stated, he, as a delegate from the Wateree Agricultu- ral Society, had been furnished with a similar resolution from that Society, which he desired to sustain. Major Felder, at great length, opposed these resolutions, with the qualifi- cation that he would favor these resolutions, when the State should be ready to prosecute them. ' PROCEEDINGS. 45 Dr. Gibbesand Mr. Roper responded to him, and, on motion of Hon. J. B. O’Neoll, the debate was suspended until some future evening. Dr. Myers moved, That a committee of five be appointed by the President, to nominate Offh cers for the ensuing year. The President appointed the following as a committee, to report on Thurs- day evening: Dr. JOHN J. MYERS, B. F. TAYLOR, R. F. W. ALSTON, J. FICKLING, WM. CANE. The Society then, on motion, adjourned till six o’clock, Thursday evening. JAMES B. DAVIS, Secretary. Thursday, Dec. 1, 1S42. The Society convened according to appoinment, the minutes were read, when a communication was received from the Hon. James PT. Ilammond, and referred to the committee on Printing. The President announced the following committees' for the ensuing year : ON COTTON. Gen. George McDuffie, Abbeville; Maj. Wm. S. Lyles, Fairfield; Col. Win. K. Clowney, Union; Col. Simeon Fair, Newberry; Dr. J. Douglas. Chester; Maj. A. FI. Boykin, Kershaw; Dr. J. Fickling, St. Lukes. ON CORN. Col. Jonathan Davis, Sr., Fairfield ; Col. Whitfield Brooks, Edgefield ; L. Boozer, Lexington ; W. R. Pool, Spartanburgh ; J. M. Felder, Orange- burgh ; B. F. Taylor, Richland; C. R. Carroll, Barnwell. ON RICE. R. F. W\ Alston, All Saints ; Hon. D. E. Huger, St. Philips ; J. B. Grim, ball, St. Pauls ; J. Ferguson, St. Johns Berkley ; Hon. B. F. Duncan, All Saints ; Joshua J. Ward. ON SMALL GRAIN. Hon.J. B. O’Neail, Newberry; Col. R. J. Gage, Union; Col. J. A. Ah ston, York ; J. A. Calhoun, Anderson ; Gen. J. Gillespie, Marlborough ; Cob B. F. Perry, Greenville ; Wm. T. Ellerbe, Marlborough. 46 AGRICULTURAL Col. W. Brooks presented the following resolutions, viz : Resolved, That the members of the State Agricultural Society deem it highly important to the prosperity and success of the Institution, that branch Societies should be established in every District in the State. Resolved, That the President of this Society be requested to use his best efforts to promote the formation of an Agricultural Society in each and every District in the State. Resolved, That for the purpose of promoting agricultural improvements throughout the State, a petition be presented to the Legislature, asking an ap- propriation of 550 dollars, to be used under the direction of this Society, in offering premiums for the different agricultural productions, and such speci- mens of dsmestic manufacture as shall be decided to merit the patronage and encouragement of this Society. Resolved, That in the event of an appropriation, by the Legislature, of the above sum of money, it shall be exclusively used and applied to distribu- ting premiums for agricultural productions and domestic manufactures in the several Districts; and under no circumstances, to be used in offering premi- ums for the exhibition of stock of any description, at this place. Resolved, That for the purpose of giving some indication of the opinion of this Society, at this time, as to the importance of those branches of agricul- tural productions and domestic manufactures, worthy of its patronage, pre- miums be offered, For the largest product of Corn, from a lot of not less than ten acres of land ; For the greatest yield of seed Cotton, both of short and long staple, from a lot of ten acres ; For the greatest yield of Wheat, Oats and Rye, from lots of ten acres each ; [ On all, the land must have been in cultivation not less than ten years. Also premiums for domestic manufacture, composed of cotton and of cot- ton mixed with wool, or silk, or other material, as shall hereafter be selected by this Society. Resolved, That in competing for premiums, low lands shall compete with low lands, and high lands with high lands. Also, that a premium shall be given for the greatest yield of Sweet Pota- toes, on ten acres of land. Resolved, That each competitor for a premium shall furnish a statement, in writing, of the mode of preparing his land, planting and cultivating, the quantity and kind of manure, and its mode of application. Col. Brooks sustained his resolutions, and, on motion of Dr. Davis, the de- bate was suspended till after the delivery of the Anniversary Oration. The Hon. J. B. O’Neall delivered an interesting address. PROCEEDINGS. 47 Dr. John J. Myers, then introduced the following resolutions: Resolved , That this Society, tender their thanks to the Hon. J. B. O’Neall for his able and interesting address, and that a committee of three be appoint, ed to wait on Judge O’Neall, and furnish him with a copy of a resolution and request of him a copy for publication. Resolved , That our most sincere thanks be tendered to the ladies, for the “ wreath cf beauty,” with which they have crowned and adorned the gallery to night, and also to Mr. Russel, for his beautiful and extensive exhibition of of flowers. Agreed to. The President appointed thereupon the following as the committee : Dr. JOHN J. MYERS, Dr. R. W. GIBBES, Dr. H. CLARK. Col. Brook’s resolutions were again taken up and discussed, by Mr. E. G. Palmer, and others, and the resolutions being separately put, were carried unanimously. On motion, a committee was appointed to detail the awards and items, under Col. Brooks’s resolution, consisting of Col. Brooks, E. G. Palmer and B. F. Taylor. The following was presented as their report : For the largest product of corn, . . . . . . 20 00 second do do • • • . . 15 00 u third do do . 10 00 (< fourth do do , • « . . 5 00 For the largest yield of short staple cotton, . . . 20 00 << second do do ... . 15 00 u third do do » . . 10 00 (( fourth do do . 5 00 For the largest yield of lorn l staple, ..... 20 00 <( second do do . . . . . . 15 00 u third do do . . . . . 10 00 a fourth do do 6 00 For the largest yield of wheat, . . . » . 20 00 a second do do . . . . . . . 15 00 u third do do 10 00 u fourth do do . . .... 5 00 48 AGRICULTURAL For the largest yield of oats, , . * 4 * 20 00 “ second do do . • • • • 15 00 “ third do do • « « • , , 10 00 “ fourth do do . . 5 00 For the larget yield of rye, • • • • 20 00 “ second do do . ■ e • 15 00 “ third do do • • • , , 10 00 “ fourth do do • . 5 00 For the best ten yards of plain or twilled homespun of cotton, 20 00 “ second do do do do do 15 00 “ third do do do do do 10 00 “ fourth do do do do do 5 00 For the best ten yards of plain or twilled homespun of cotton and wool, or cotton and silk, dyed or not, .... 20 00 “ second , , • • • • 4 . 15 00 “ third • . . 10 00 “ fourth • . • 5 00 For the best blanket or coverlet of part or all wool, 4 # 20 00 “ second do do do . , 15 00 third do do do • . 10 00 “ fourth do do do . • 5 00 For the best figured counterpane of cotton, . . 4 . 20 00 “ second do do • • 15 00 “ third do do . 10 00 “ fourth do do . . . . . 5 00 The above report, as above, was agreed to, and the President apppointed the following as the committee to memorialize the Legislature, under Col. Brook’s resolution : Col. BROOKS, E. G. PALMER, Gen. MEANS, Gen. GILLESPIE, Dr. R. W. GIBBES. Dr. Gibbes moved that the Secretary of this Society be requested to pre- sent Mrs. Mary Dantzler of Spartanburg District a silver cup, for the splendid specimens of silk handkerchiefs, manufactured by her and submitted to this Society. Unanimously adopted. PROCEEDINGS. 49 Col. R. F. VV. Allston, chairman of the committee on Rice, was called on Dud read his report on Rice. Dr. Myers, chairman of the committee to nominate officers for the ensuing year, made the following report : Hon. WHITE MARSH B. SEABROOK, President. Col. WHITFIELD BROOKS, -] Chancellor HARPER, Chancellor DUNKlN, J- Vice Presidents. Major J. M. FELDER, | General GILLESPIE, J Dr. ROBER.T W. GIBBE3, Corresponding Secretary. Dr. JAMES B. DAVIS, Recording Secretary. Col. WM. JESSE TAYLOR, Anniversary Orator.- This report was put and unanimously agreed to. The President addressed the Society, at some length and again took hig- seat as the presiding officer for the next year. Col. W. J. Taylor, expressed himself fully, in appreciating the honor con- ferred upon him, and will favor the Society with a compliance of their elec- tion. Dr. Myers moved that a committee be now appointed to arrange the premi- urns for the exhibition in 1843, and the following gentlemen were appointed : Dr. JOHN J. MYERS, Dr. JAS. B. DAVIS, B. F. TAYLOR. The committees appointed to make awards for stock, were called on, and Col. Hampton, chairman of the committee on horses, reported the follow- ing: The committee on horses, beg leave to report, that they have awarded the following premiums : To Major A. G. Summer, the first premium for his chesnut mare by Bu- siris. To Col. William J. Taylor, the second premium-, for his brown mare by Confederate. To B. F. Taylor for the best colt, a yearling by Monarch. To Col. William J. Taylor, for the best filly, a foal by Bertrand, Jr. No stallion was exhibited for a premium, and your committee of course awarded none. 4 WADE HAMPTON, Chairman . 50 AGRICULTURAL The committee on mules, beg leave to report, that the}’ have awarded the premiums for mules, to the following persons : To General Means, for the best three year old mule. To Col. Jonathan Davis, Jr., for the best two year old mule. To Major Felder, for the best mule under.two years old. The committee also report that they had much difficulty in awarding the premiums on mules, from the fact that an unusually large number of very superior ones were exhibited. Mr. Povvel exhibited one, tho’ the committee did not make it the award, cannot but notice it. Col. Davis exhibited some most remarkable for size, as well as also Major Felder of Orangeburg. J. H. MEANS, Chairman. The committee on cattle have awarded the premiums, as follows : For the best bull to General Means, a roan Durham Bull, bred by Col. Hamptm of Richland. To B. F. Taylor, for the second best bull, an imported Ayrshire. To Col. Jon. Davis Jr., for the best two year old bull, a full Durham, bred by Jas. B. Davis. For the best yearling bull, to B. F. Taylor, a Durham, bred by himself. For the best milk cow, to J. B. Davis, an imported Durham. For the second best milk cow, to Col. Wm. J. Taylor, Durham, bred by C&pt. Powel McCrea of Kershaw. For the best heifer, under three years old to B. F. Taylor, bred by himself. For the best yearling heifer to B. F. Taylor, (red Durham) bred by him- self. For the best bull calf to Wm. J. Taylor, (Durham) bred by himself. For the best heifer calf, to Mrs. Gandy, (native stock) bred by herself. B. F. TAYOR, Chairman. The committee on sheep, have made the following awards : To Dr. Parker, for the best ram. To B. F. Taylor, for the best ewe. To General Means, for second best ram. No award made for the best pair of lambs. THOMAS STARK, Chairman. The committee on hogs, beg leave to make the following report of the dif- ferent ho^s and pigs, presented to the Society, no specimens competing for the pigs, viz : By Gen. J. Means, a pair of Woburn pigs, nine months old. By Mr. .D E. Smoke, a pair of Woburn sow pigs, nine months old. By T. Starke, a pair of Woburn pigs, nine or ten months old. PROCEEDINGS. 51 By B. P. Taylor, a pair of half breed Berkshire pigs, four or live months old, and a Berkshire boar. By Mr. Parker, a Berkshire boar, (raised by Col. Hampton,) also, two Berkshire sows, two pair of Berkshire pigs, and a very fine sow, a cross of the No bone and Berkshire. After a very deliberate and careful examination, your committee unani- mously have awarded the premiums to the competitors as follows; To J. W. Parker’s Berkshire boar, the first premium. To J. Means’ Woburn do second do To J. W, Parker’s black Berkshire sow, first do To J. W. Parker’s spotted do second do To Dr. Stark’s Woburn pigs, the premium, the best under one year. To J. W. Parker’s Berkshire do do six months. In addition to the above pigs exhibited, there Were some other very fine specimens. Col. Hampton, who declined competing for any prize, favored the Society with the exhibition of four Berkshire pigs, four months old, very fine indeed. Also Mr. John Singleton, who exhibited a pair of Berkshire, very fine ; and a white sow, six months old, a cross of the Kenilworth and Berkshire. Your committee received this animal with great pleasure. It is we believe the first of the Kenilworth breed of hogs, imported into this State, it is classed as the largest of all the varieties of swine, and we had unanimously awarded the premium to this animal, as the second best sow exhibited ; from a de- scription given of this animal by the celebrated breeder of the north, A. B. Allen, your committee believe the animal will he particularly acceptable to those persons who desire great size ; we regret that her enterprizing owner refused to compete for a prize. Your committee will further remark to the Society, that of all the varieties of hogs exhibited, wherever a cross of the Berkshire can be traced, a most decided improvement is the result. Your committee would therefore recom- mend to farmers generally, the encouragemeni of that breed, as being the most suitable for all purposes. It is with great satisfaction, that your committee can report a great im- provement in the different breeds exhibited ; their fine condition, and great improvement does indeed, great credit to their very enterprizing owners. All of which is respectfully submitted. Signed, W. IZARD BULL, Acting Char man. 52 AGRICULTURAL November 27, 1848. The Society assembled at seven o’clock. The President took his sc-a': and the delegates enrolled their names. The following letter was presented to the Society : Charleston , S. C. November 24, 1843, To the Hon . Whiteraarsk B. Seabrook, President of the Stale Agricultural Society, of S. C. Sir : Permit me, through you, to offer to the acceptance of the State Ag= rlcultural Society, for the purposes to be stated, three copies of the Farmer’s Register, complete in ten volumes, of as many years publication, under my direction. I request of the Society, to offer and in due time, award these three copies severally, as premiums, as follows ; One copy for the best con- ducted experiment, made in South Carolina, in 1834, with marl, showing as accurately and fully as possible, the manner and cost of application, and the effects for the first year. Another copy, in like manner, for experiments made with lime, from oys- ter shells, or with crushed shells, and the third copy in like manner, for ex- periments made with lime, burnt with limestone from the upper Districts. And as the results of application of calcareous manures, even when most judiciously and properly made, can never for the first year appioach in value to the later and continuous results of years, and as still smaller must be the first year’s results from injudicious modes of application, I would desire that it be requested, thoughJnocfrf^'mZ, or made a condition of obtaining the pre- mium, that each successful competitor, or the succeeding proprietor of the land, shall again report generally, as the latest known result, once or more from five to ten years after the application. The details of the requisitions in regard to the several classes of experiments, of course are designed tc be left to the discretion of the Society. Very respectfully, EWD. RUFFIN. On motion of Major Felder, Agreed to. An Essay on Malaria, and or.e on ins History, culture, Ac., cf (he cottc:: plant, was presented. Major Felder moved that each be read to the Society. This mot'on was opposed by the Hon. J. B. O’Neall and lost. On motion of Hen. J. B. O’Neall, it was ordered that these Essavs be published by the Secretary. Mr. Rivers moved that our State Agricultural Surveyor, be invited to take a seat in the Society, which was unanimously agreed to, and Mr. River? appointed so to inform him. PROCEEDINGS. 53 .Mr. McCarthy moved that a committee of nine be appointed to consider and report what measure it is desirable should be adopted to extend the use- fullness of this Society ; which was agreed to, and [the following gentlemen appointed: P. S. McCarthy, E. G. Palmer, J. M. Felder, James Rhett, J. Brown, Dr. Douglass, Jas. Chesnut, General Buchanan and R. F. W. Allston. On motion it was agreed that the President, Hon. W. B. Seabrook, be added. On motion the Society adjourned till seven o’clock to-morrow evening. J. B. DAVIS, Recording Secretary. November 28 — Tuesday Evening, 1843. The minutes of the last evening were read and the following letter read from Mr. B. F. Taylor: My Dear Sir : The articles of silk fabric herewith sent, have been sent me, by Miss Fleming of Spartanburg District, for exhibition at the meeting of the State Agricultural Society. The state of my health will prevent my attendance, and I must request you to place them in the hands of the com- mittee which may be appointed to award premiums for domestic fabrics of the kind. The silk fabrics sent you were made and spun and wove by Miss Fleming’s own hands, and consist of two vest and two coat patterns. Yours, &e. B. F. TAYLOR. November 28, 1S43. Mr. M’Carthy moved a reconsideration of the motion of Hon. John B. O’Neall, to print the Essay of Dr. Dickson, on Malaria, and that of the Hon. VV. Seabrook, on the cotton plant, without reading, which was agreed to, and the Essay on Malaria, was ordered to be forthwith read, and that of the Hon. W. B. Seabrook, on to-morrow night. On motion of Mr. Felder, it was agreed to, and a vote of thanks be ten- dered to Dickson. Mr. M’Carthy, chairman of the committee of nine, presented the follow- ing : Resolved, That the competition for premiums in this Society, shall be con- fined to the following classes of specimens, and upon the following terms ; and it shall also be confined to the successful competitors in the local societies, for the same benefit in cases where there is no local Society, in which event the competitor may send his certificate to this Society, to "contend for the premium. 54 AGRICULTURAL Resolved, That the following premiums be offered for the next year : 1. A silver cup for the best managed Farm, . . 20 00 2. A do do for the greatest production of Corn to an acre, 10 CO 3. A do do do do short Cotton to the acre, 10 CO 4. A do do do do Sea Island Cotton, 10 00 having reference to quality and valuation. 5. A silver cup for the best Wheat to an acre, 10 00 G. A do do do Rice, do . 10 00 7. A do do do Potatoes, do ... 10 00 8. A do do do for the best specimen of silk fabric, 10 00 9. A do do do Domestic fabric, 10 00 10. A do do do Domestic Cotton Bagging, 10 00 11. A do do do Rope, ..... 10 00 In order to disseminate and procure useful agricultural information, it is essentially important, that an Agricultural Journal, under the charge of an efficient editor, be. established and maintained, and that the editorial depart- ment should be separate from the printing business. Thereupon, Resolved, That the members of this Society do agree to use their best efforts, to raise in their respective Districts and Parishes, a sum equal in the general aggregate, to two thousand dollars, for two years services of an editor. That the amount subscribed by each individual, shall be limited to one dollar, which shall be considered as an offering on the part of the sub- scribers to promote the agricultural interests of South Carolina, and the amount collected bo forwarded to the Secretary, as soon as collected. Resolved, That the members of this Society, do further engage to pro- cure, if possible, eight subscribers, for two years, to said Journal, for every member of the State Legislature, to which his District or Parish is constitu- tionally entitled. Resolved, That the Sccrelaryof this Society, communicate a copy of these resolutions to each local Society, in the State, with a request that they com- municate to this Society all information necessary or desirable to a correct judgment between the competitors from each, and any other matter that mav be thought calculated to aid the objects of this Society. The above resolutions were separately put to the vote of the Society and agreed to. Col. Edwards moved that the Secretary do prepare an alphabetical list of the members of this Society, and have the same printed with the proceedings of the Society, which was agreed to. On motion of E. G. Palmer, the Secretary was required to make out the indebtedness of each member of the Society, and cause the same to be paid forthwith. PROCEEDINGS. On motion it was Resolved, That the propriety of reorganizing this Society upon a more permament basis, be submitted to the “ Committee of nine,” to report as soon as possible. Agreed to. Col. R. F. W. Allston, chairman of the committee on Puce, presented and read the following report : The Committee on Rice, in their last report, prepared the members of the Society, to expect some account of the origin and preservation of the large grain Rice from the judicious and very eminent planter, who has so success- fully cultivated it, and whose “ brand” the remarkable qualities of this rice, so admirably illustrated and so substantially recommend. They are gratified in being enabled by the attention of the planter of Brook Green, to meet the expectation of the Society. Together with specimens of the rice, both in the rough and clean, as pre- pared for market, they beg leave herewith to lay before you a copy of a letter on the subject, from Col. Ward, to a friend of his ; showing how the grain came first to be noticed ; how it was most carefully preserved and patiently reared till the harvest of this year. The seed will be on sale during the season, at the counting house of Messrs. Robertson and Blacklock, in Charleston. The committee also alluded to some experiments of Dr. E. T. Heriot of Winyaw, in manuring rice land with straw and tailings. They are pleased at having it in their power to present, to the Society, an account from Dr. Heriot himself, of his experiments in this regard, together with interesting specimens of the superior growth of the soil, so manured, namely : 1st, some samples of arrow rool, remarkably large and succulent. 2d, a cluster of from seventy to eighty stems of rice, produced under the Doctor’s eye from one grain. It is with the highest satisfaction and pleasure that your committee observe the lively interest which the planters of the lower eountry are now taking in the improvement of their lands and their culture ; the substantial benefits as well as the pleasure, derivable from the practice of scientific agriculture, will give rise, they trust, to new and ever increasing interest. The committee cannot close this report, without taking the liberty to re- commend to every young man who is turning his attention to planting, to de- vote a given portion of his time, weekly, to the study of agricultural chem- istry. This would be done with better effect and more satisfactory progress, if he would attend for one or two years successively, a course of lectures, from a gentleman of practical ability in that branch of chemical study. Respectfully submitted, R. F. W. ALSTON, Chairmen. 56 AGRICULTURAL Letter from Col. Ward, on the Big Grain Pace. Brook Green, Nov. 16, 1843. Bear Alls ton, The following brief remarks, relative to the big grain Rice, I send you, in compliance with your request. In 1838, my overseer, Mr. James C. Thompson, a very judicious planter, residing on my Brook Green Estate, accidentally discovered in the Barn yard, during the threshing season, a part of an ear of Rice, from the peculi- arity of which, he was induced to preserve it, until he had an interview with me. It was so very different from any other Rice I had attentively examined, in point of size, that I requested him to take care of, and plant in the Spring on one of the Rice-field margins, which had not been cultivated for several years. This, however, proved to be an unfavorable spot : for in long watering, the trash settled on and about the experiment Rice — and after the “ long water,” the rats also injured it no little. The causes reduced the number of plants which matured to only six, the grain of which appeared the same as that which was planted. Our want of success in procuring the quantity of grain expected, induced us in the Spring of 1839, to plant the Rice in a large tub, filled with swamp mud, and placed in Mr. Thompson’s garden, where it could be watered and at- tended to every day. But here another misfortune betel it. The careless servant who had it in charge, left the garden gate open, and a hog getting in, destroyed the greater part of the rice. The remaining shoots were carefully taken up and transplanted in a pond : from which we obtained three pecks of rotten light rice — the fact of its being light was attributed to the want of wa- ter at the critical time of its maturing. In the year of 1840, we planted with this seed not quite half an acre of new land, at “ Long Wood,” which yielded in the Autumn, forty-nine bushels and a half of clean winnowed rice. In the year 1841, this product was sown in a twenty-one acre field, at Brook Green, which yielded in the Autumn, one thousand one hundred and seventy bushels of sheaf rice, clean winnowed. Of this quantity, from one hundred and fifty to two hundred bushels were milled, and sent to market. My Factors disposed of it at a considerable advance beyond the highest mar- ket price. In the year 1842, I planted four hundred acres with this seed, and being so perfectly satisfied with both the product and the improved quality of the same, I was induced in the succeeding year, (1343,) to sow with it my entire crop. The first parcel, when milled, consisted of eighty barrels, netted fifty cents per cwt. over the primest new rice sold on the same day. PROCEEDINGS. 57 Such is a hurried account of the origin of the big grain Rice, which I have been solicited to furnish. I earnestly trust that this improvement in the seed, will be of incalculable benefit to the entire Rice-growing region. Sincerely yours, JOSHUA JOHN WARD. To Col. R. F. W. Allston. Mount Arena, Nov. 8, 1843. Col. R. F. W. Allslon, Your queries respecting the varieties of Rice, &c. reminds me of my promise to give you the result of some of my experiments with rice-straw and tailings, as manure to rice land. Wherever they have been put upon my field's, which had been making small crops, the effect has been satisfactory, and it has become a part of the system of my plantation. In the month of November, 1839, I caused the stubble of two fields, one 15 the other 10 acres, to be listed four feet apart, and parallel with the drains, after which a furrow was made on each side with a large plough : the land unbroken in the centre was then drawn upon the beds with hoes. During the time of thrashing, the straw and tailings were carried off in a large flat, and each load u as distributed between the beds of one acre, until the whole was covered — in this state they were left until the last week in June, when all the volunteer rice and grass was hoed down, and the beds reversed with ploughs and completed with hoes — the ditches and drains were then cleaned, and the fields were planted in peas, set in chops about a foot apart — the land was in good order, and the peas grew luxuriantly, and made a fine crop — no volun- teer rice, and as little grass as possible was allowed to go to seed. In the first week of April the vines were cut down, and the beds were level- ed with ploughs and hoes — this was very easily done, as the land was dry and remarkably loose — they were then trenched in the usual way 13 inches, from centre to centre — two bushels and twelve quarts of rice were planted to each acre, and the seed was well covered with earth — during the cultivation, the common plan was pursued, (:. e.) sprout, point, long and lay — by flow — two hoeings between point and long flow, two after and one picking in the wa- ter. The crop was well saved, and produced within a fraction of 73 bushels to the acre — the straw and chaff of this rice was of a much lighter colour than any other made upon the plantation, and the grain was of a superior quality — 1979 bushels of rough rice, made from land treated in the manner described, was pounded in the Georgetown Steam mill last winter, and turned out (tierces 600 lbs. net.). 58 AGRICULTURAL 93 tierces, and 157lbs. prime Rice. 5 do. middling, and •3 do. small, and 193 bushels flour. I cannot say, what had been made upon/these fields for the three or four previous years, but on reference to the plantation book where an account had been kept, I found the average crop from them to have been thirty-three bushels and a fraction to the acre. in some of my fields I have planted oats upon the beds, one and sometimes two rows, and these have in some instances been followed by potatoe slips, which succeed remarkably well, and it may be worthy of notice, keep fully as well, if not better than those made upon high land. Although the rice thus made received as much work as is usually bestowed under the best cultivation, yet it was not bestowed from its seeming to require it, but from the fact of its being convenient to do so in turn with other fields of the plantation. I believe as much might have been made with two work- ings, as the grass had been so completely destroyed, and the land so thorough- ly opened previously, that but little remained to be effected by the hoes — from subsequent observation this land is much more easily cultivated, and with proper care some years must elapse before the volunteer rice, and vari- ous grasses regain their standing. o o o Which of the three means in this plan is of most importance is to be de- termined — thoroughly breaking the soil, with the destruction of volunteer rice and grass seed, change of crop and culture, or the application of the rice straw. The work laid out in this manner ought not to be considered as altogether additional, but very much is given in advance ; and at a time well suited to it — as when the rice planting season arrives it will be found, as before re- marked, to require very little more; alter which its state of preservation, for a good crop, will far exceed any condition that could be brought about by the means at commai d during the winter season. From the observations which I have made since my attention was first drawn to this matter, it appears that it would be profitable for such persons as plant weak or impoverished land to subject one fifth of the quantity annually planted to this mode of treatment. From the increase which might be ob- tained in the first crop, a considerable return, if not all, would be made for the loss of a rice crop on the land for one year, and the balance, if any, would be soon made up by the succeeding crops — besides the advantage gained from the increased fertility of the fields for some years, the enhanced value of their production from the superior quality of the grain, and the diminished labour during the cultivation of the succeeding crops. PEOCEEDINGS. 59 Impoverished rice land is particularly susceptible of improvement from manure — as may be often seen where fields are so situated as to receive the washings by rain of adjacent corn or potatoe fields annually manured with rice straw, and it is more lasting in its effects than might be supposed, as is proved by the marked difference in rice growing in fields where cattle pens or feeding troughs had been placed, often many years before. With great regard, EDWARD T. HERIOT. Wednesday, Nov. 29, 1843. The Society convened, the following letter was read to the Society by the President : Charleston, Nov. 27th, 1343. Dear Sir, At the suggestion of several planters, I have partly concluded to de- liver a few lectures on Agricultural Chemistry, beginning with familiar in- struction in these general chemical principles, which it is necessary to under- stand, in order to appreciate fully the science of agriculture, and the various changes that take place in plants during their growth, I now address your Society, through you, to ascertain what success such an undertaking might meet with, and during what month it would be advisable, to deliver the lec- tures. The month of February has been proposed. Yours repectfully, J. LAURENCE SMITH. To the Hon. W. B. Seabrook. E. G. Palmer, in the absence of the Chairman of the committee of nine, presented the following report : The committee, to whom was referred Mr. Palmer’s resolution to reorgan- ize this Society upon a more permanent basis, beg leave to report that they' have had the same under consideration, and do recommend, that, in future, the funds of the Society shall be raised by the annual subscriptions of its members ; and by an annual contribution of five dollars by each of the Dis- trict and Parish Societies — and that the Secretary of this Society, be instruct- ed to communicate a copy of this resolution to the local Societies throughout the State, and requesting their concurrence. Resolved, That if the funds of this Society will permit, the President be authorized to offer premiums for stock for the ensuing year. 60 AGRICULTURAL These resolutions were sustained by Mr. Palmer, Dr. Davis, Mr. Rhett, Col. Davis, Mr. Brown, and unanimously agreed to. On motion of Mr. Rhett, the President was called on to read his essay on the Cotton plant ; which was forthwith read. After which, Mr. Roper, of Charleston, moved, That the thanks of this Society be tendered to the President of this Socie- ty, for his able and interesting history of the Cotton plant, and its introduction into the State — displaying much classic lore and great literary and statistical research ; and that the report be printed in Pamphlet form, for general infor- mation. Agreed to. The committees appointed to make the awards on the stock exhibited fur premiums, were now called on, and made the following reports — on Horses : The committee or Horses, beg leave to report, that, after minutely examin- ing the largest and finest selection of Horses ever before presented to this Society, that they award as follows : For the finest Stallion, for Saddle purposes, they award the premium to Col. W. Hampton, for his Imported Bay Horse, Monarch. For the finest Mare, for Saddle purposes, to Col. Hampton, for his Ches- nut Mare, Fanny. For the finest male or female under 3 years old, for Saddle purposes, to Col. Hampton, for his B. Bay Filly, by Monarch. For the finest Stallion, for Harness purposes, to Col. Hampton, for Mon- arch. For the finest Mare, for Harness purposes, to Col. Hampton, for Fanny. For the finest male or female, under 3 years old, for Harness purposes, to B. F. Taylor, tor his Chesnut filly, by Monarch. Apart from the high estimation in which several competing animals were held, particularly Mr. Gamble’s Emancipation and Dr. Toland's Mare, had some hesitancy in deciding against them. Respectfully, J. WRIGHT, Chairman. The committee on Mules, ask leave to report that there were 27 Mules exhib- ited, which were raised in the Slate, another foaled in Kentucky, reared and broken in Carolina, was driven on the ground by Mr. Cochrelle, of Fairfield. This although an animal worthy of special notice, was^eemed as not enter- ing the list of competitors, not being strictly a native of this State. To Col. Jonathan Davis, of Fairfield, has been awarded the first premium for exhibiting the best Mule over 3 years old. To Hon. J. M. Felder, of Orangeburgh, for the best Mule under 3 years old. PROCEEDINGS. 61 This exhibition was a very creditable one. Coi. Davis had a R.oad Wagon on the ground, to which was hitched an entire Team, (5 in number,) of his own raising. Major Felder exhibited 19 Mules two years old, 3 of which were very good, 3 yearlings and 9 sucklings. Respectfully submitted, R. F. W. ALSTON, Chairman. The committee on Cattle beg leave to report, that, after a thorough examb nation of the stock exhibited, they award the premiums as follows : To Col. Hampton, for the best Miicli Cow. To Col. Cockrelle, for the second best Cow. To Dr. 'Poland, for the best Heifer under three years old. To Col. Hampton, for the second best Heifer, under three years old. To Col. John Davis, for the best Bull. To B. F. Taylor, for the best Bull under 3 years old Respectfully submitted, THOMAS STARK, Chairman . The committee on Sheep, report that Col. W. Hampton was the only compet- itor for the premiums for Sheep; but that the stock exhibited by him sustained the high character of the Bakewelis, and, in every respect, merited the pre- miums awarded for the best Ram, best Ewe, and best pair of Lambs. Respectfully submitted, E, G. PALMER, Chairman. The committee on Hogs beg leave to report, that there weie exhibited, by Col. Hampton, Dr. Parker and Col. Cockrelle, several fine specimens of the Berkshire, and one of the most extraordinary size by Mr, Gamble, of Fairfield, To Col. Hampton is awarded the premium for the best Buar, To Col. Cockrelle, for the best Sow. To Dr. Parker, for the best pair of Pigs, Respectfully submitted, W M, J. ALSTON, Chairman ,,- All of which were received. Mr. A. H. Boykin moved, That a committee of nine be appointed to nominate Officers for the ensuing AGRICULTURAL year, and report to-morrow evening to this Society. Agreed to, and the fol- lowing were appointed: A. H. BOYKIN, J. B. GRIMBAL, j. McCarthy, Gen. BUCHANAN, R. W. ROPER, J. G. BROWN, , R. F. W. ALSTON, J. M. FELDER, Dr. DOUGLAS. Dr. Douglas moved, That the Secretary be requested to publish, in the Temperance Advocate and the Southern Agriculturist, the Constitution of the State Agricultural So* ciety. Agreed to. The Society adjourned till half past six to-morrow. J. B. DAVIS, Secretary. Thursday, Nov. 30, 1S43. The proceedings of the last meeting were read, and a letter from his Ex-* cellency James H. Hammond, was read ; also one from R. Russell. Mr. A. H. Boykin, Chairman of the committee appointed to nominate Of* fleers for the ensuing year, made the following nomination : Hon. WHITEMARSH B. SEABROOK, President. Chancellor B. F. DUNK1N, 1st Vice President. Chancellor HARPER, 2d V. P, WHITFIELD BROOKS, 3d V. P. Hon. J. B. O’NEALL, 4th V. P. Gen’l J. GILLESPIE, 5th V. P. Hon. J. M. FELDER, 6th V. P. Dr. R. W. GIBBES, Corresponding Secretary. Dr. JAS. B. DAVlS, Recording Secretary. R. W. ROPER, of Charleston, Anniversary Orator, Which was unanimously received. The Hon. W. B. Seabrook addressed the meeting at some length, and again took his seat, as the presiding Officer for the next year. Hon. F. II. Elmore moved, That the President of this Society is requested to prepare, at his leisure, PROCEEDINGS. and as his health and other pursuits will permit, a memoir on the subject of our institution of slavery-giving a history of its introduction and progress down to the termination of the slave trade under the Constitution, and its do- mestic bearings, down to the time he concludes his memoir, with the changes and ameliorations, in its condition : its influence and effects on our agricultural, mechanic and manufacturing interests; also, upon our domestic, social and political relations. Mr. Elmore sustained this with much earnestness; and, when put, was unanimously adopted. Mr. Rhett moved, That the thanks of this Society be returned to Wm. J. Taylor, for his able ami eminently practical address, Resolved, That he be requested to furnish the Society with a copy for pub- lication. Agreed to. The awards were made to the successful competitors, in the usual imposing manner by the President. Several specimens of domestic Silk were exhibited. One from Miss Flem- ing, of Spartanburgh, and another from Mrs. Baskins, of Abbeville District : to each of whom, by motion of J. G. Brown, the Secretary was ordered to furnish a Silver Cup, of the value of five dollars, suitably inscribed. The Hon. J. B. O’Neail moved, That a semi-annual meeting of the State Agricultural Society be held on the 2d Wednesday in September next, at Greenville, (S. C.) That the Pre- sident be requested to call the attention of the local Societies to the subject and request them to send their delegates ; and that, at that meeting, premi- ums be offered on all the subjects heretofore giyen. Hon. J. B. O’Neall sustained this resolution at length, advocating it as not in contemplation to be partial ; but if the experiment be successful, to go on throughout the State, &c. The resolutions were flatteringly sustained by several, and unanimously adopted. Dr. Davis then moved, That an executive committee of nine be appointed by the President, to ar- range the premiums, at the Greenville exhibition, in consonance with the re- solutions proposed and adopted by the committee of nine, on the evening of the 28th, as nearly as practicable. Dr. Davis stated, that the awards proposed by that committee, to be dis- tributed at our next exhibition, would not suit but one or two productions of this year, and the Domestic Fabrics with stock. This was agreed to, and the President, on motion of Mr. Allston, appoint- ed the nine Officers of the Society. 64 AGRICULTURAL The Society then adjourned to meet in Greenville, ’on the second Wednes- day in September, 1844, JAS. B. DAVIS, Secretary. The following are the committee for next year: ON COTTON. Whitfield Brooks, Edgefield; Gen. J. FI. Means, Fairfield; Wm. K- C-lowney, Union; Paul Grimbal, Colleton; J. Douglas, Chester; A. H. Boykin, Kershaw ; J. Fielding, St. Lukes. ON COEN. Wm. K, Davis, Fairfield; J. M. Felder, Orangeburgh; B. F. Taylor, Richland ; Gilbert Geddes, St. Andrews; J. G. Brown, Barnwell. ON RICE. R. F. W. Allston, Winyaw ; J. B. Grimbal, St. Pauls ; J. Ferguson, S'.- John’s Berkly ; Joshua Ward, All Saints; lion. B. F. Dunkin, All Saints. ON SMALL GRAIN. Hon. J. B. O’Neal], Newberry ; Gen. J. Gillespie, Marlborough; E. G Palmer, Fairfield; Dr. Douglas, Chester ; Judge Butler, Edgefield. J. B. DAVIS, Secretary. On motion, it was Resolved, That the Hon. J. B. O’Neall deliver an address at the Greenville meeting. The following are the Presiding Officers of the several Agricultural Soci- eties iu the Districts and Parishes: 1. Agricultural Society of St. Johns Colleton, Wm. G. Barnard, President. 2. Fairfield Agricultural Society, at Winsborough, E. G. Palmer. 8. Monticello Planter’s Society, J. H. Means. 4. Barnwell Agicultural Society, Hon. A. Patterson. 5. St. Lukes Agricultural Society, Dr. J. Fickling. 6. St. Andrews Ag. So., W. Lawton. 7. Stono and Ashly Ag. So., St. Andrews, Wm. Brisbane. 8. Indian Land Ag. So., York, Dr. A. Barron. 9. Winyaw and All Saints Ag. So. John H. Tucker. 10 Wateree Agr. So. 11. Peedee Ag. So. 12. Chester Ag. So. 13. Fishing Creek Ag. So- 14. Cambridge Ag. So. PROCEEDINGS. 65 Greenville, So. Ca. ) Sept. 10, 1844. $ The State Agricultural Society met at Greenville, as ordered by the meet- ing of December last- The President called the meeting to order, and the Society being organ- ized, Col. Allston introduced the following resolution : Resolved, That the Resolution, passed in Nov. 1840, requiring the pay- ment of an “ entrance fee,” on the part of competitors for the premiums of the Society, not being members, be, and the same is hereby annulled ; and that the premiums of this Society shall hereafter be held open to present competitors. This motion was discussed by Mr. Allston, Col. Brooks, Dr. Gibbes, Mr. McBee and Gen. Thompson, and was finally adopted, with the following amendment, proposed by Gen. Thompson: That the premiums of the Society shall be free to all members, either of the State or local Society. All others shall pay one dollar for the privilege of competing for said premiums. Mr. Roper then introduced the following resolutions: 1. Resolved, That a combined system of Agriculture, Manufactures and Commerce, are essential in promoting the prosperity and happiness of a com- munity. 2. Resolved, That the large extent of country opened and preparing for the culture of Cotton, in the Western and Southern States, and the superior adaption of the soil to Cotton, and other motives, render it imperative for the Farmers of South Carolina to resort to a more varied means of promoting their individual and the general welfare. 3 Resolved. That to accomplish this purpose, we recommend a system of Household Manufactures in every article, where domestic skill can be made available. We recommend the raising of our own Flour, Bacon and Stock, with an abundant Grain and Hay crop, for the purpose of sustaining them, together, with provisions and supplies of all kinds. 4. Resolved, That a scientific mode of culture, with the application of manures, which in all civilized countries have become objects of national di- rection, will greatly advance our prosperity ; and that a memorial be sent from this society to the Legislature, praying a continuance of the system of Agricultural and Geological surveys, till the whole State be scientifically ex- plored, and the domestic resources of the country fully developed. And further, we recommend to all Farmers the advantage of consulting the Agri- cultural and Geological surveyor, as to the nature of their soils and best means of increasing their fertility and adaptation to raising a greater variety of products than are, at present cultivated. 5 66 AGRICULTURAL These resolutions were discussed by Mr. Roper, Gen. Thompson, Dr. Gibbes, Hon. J. R. Poinsett and Col. Perry, and adopted; and the following committee appointed to petition the Legislature accordingly, viz : R. W. ROPER, Dr. GIBBES, V. McBEE. Col. R. F. W. Alston introduced the following as alterations of the Constitu- tion ; which he wished laid on the table for the present. 1st. The objects of this Society shall be, to improve the condition of ag. riculture, horticulture, and the household arts. 2d. The Society shall consist of such citizens of the State, as shall signi- fy, in writing, their wish to become members ; and shall pay, on subscribing, the sum of three dollars, and annually thereafter three dollars ; and also of honorary and corresponding members. 3d. The President of the District or local Societies, or a number of dele- gates, not exceeding five from each society, shall be received as members ex officio, and to have one vote. The payment of fifty dollars, or more, shall constitute a member for life, and shall exempt the donor from annual contri- butions. And in substitution of the 13th and 14th sections : The Officers of this Society, viz: the President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretaries and Treasurer, together with three additional members, shall constitute an executive committee, of whom three shall constitute a Quorum, who shall take charge of, preserve or distribute all seeds or plants, books, models, &c., which may be transmitted to the Society ; and shall also have charge of all communications intended for publication ; and, so far as they may deem expedient, shall collect, arrange and publish the same, in such manner and form as they shall deem best calculated to promote the objects of the Society. The executive committee shall designate the time when, and the place where, in the several sections of the State, the annual Cattle Show and Fair of the Society shall be held, and shall make the necessary arrangements therefor. On motion, it was agreed that the exhibition should take place at ten o’clock on to-morrow, and the Oration at one o’clock. The following were appointed as the committees to make the awards : ON HORSES. Dr. O. B. Irvine, Greenville; R. F. W. Allston, All Saints ; E. C. Leit- ner, Spartanburgh ; Paul Hamilton, Pendleton ; Dr. A. G. Verdier, St. Lukes; B. H. Wilson, All Saints: Isadore Lartigue, St. Peters Ag. So. ; Thos. Henderson, Newberry. PROCEEDINGS. 67 ON CATTLE. Hon. J. R. Poinsett, All Saints ; Jas. B. Davis, Columbia ; Whitfield Brooks, Edgefield; Writ. Summer, Newberry; G. R. McCullough, Abbe- ville ; Hon. J. B. O’Neall, Newberry. ON MULES. Dr. R. W. Gibbes, Columbia ; Henry Parr, Fairfield ; B. Statham, Green- ville; Wm. Walker, Spartanburgh ; R. W. Roper, Charleston. ON HOGS. George Seaborne, Pendleton; Col. John Glenn, Newberry; V. McBee, Greenville; Sam’l Earle, Greenville; George Nicholls, Spartanburgh; S. M. Wilson, Pendleton. ON SHEEP. B. Dunham, Greenville; John Rivers, St. Andrews; B. F. Perry, Green- ville; Rev. Wm. Potter, Pendleton; Samuel Clark, Edgefield; James A. Black, York ; M. Suber, Newberry. Wednesday, Sept. 11, 1844. The Society met at ten o’clock, and the meeting being organized by the President, the Secretary read the proceedings of the meeting of the 10th. The Hon. J. B. OINeall introduced the following resolution ; which was unanimously adopted : Resolved, That the President of the State Agricultural Society be request- ed to present to Mr. Edmund Ruffin, late Agricultural Surveyor of the State, the thanks of this Society, for the able and efficient discharge of his duty. Col. Brooks, of Edgefield, introduced the following: Resolved , That the Agricultural Societies of Greenville, Pendleton and Spartanburgh, be respectfully requested to reply to the following queries at the next meeting of this Society in Columbia, on the fourth Monday in No- vember : 1st. What is the nature and kind of soils in your respective Districts? What are the principal products ? What modes of cultivation are in use? 2d. What are the usual rotations of crops in practice ? What manures are in use, and in what way applied — whether broadcast, in checks, or drill ? 3d. What agricultural implements are in general use ? What kind are used in seeding small grain, what in the preparation of lairds, and what in the cultivation of Corn and Cotton. 4th. What are the favorite breeds of Horses, Cattle, Sheep and Swine, 68 AGRICULTURAL and how is the district supplied with these domestic animals? How are they wintered, and what grasses are used for hay? 5th. What fruits are cultivated, and what is the condition of the Ilorticul- lure of the District ? 6 th. Are there any Dairy and Grazing Farms in the District, where Cheese and Butter are made for Market? 7th. What effect is produced upon the Agriculture of the District by the practice of leasing land upon shares, and what agricultural changes are ne- cessary to advance the prosperity of the District? 8th. Are root crops for stock cultivated? And if not, be pleased to state the cause. 9th. State the average annual crops of Cotton in each District, and the probable average per acre ? 10th. If there be any manufactures in your District, communicate the num- ber and kind, the number of hands employed in each, the quantity of the raw material used in the Cotton Factories, and, especially, the profits of each es- tablishment of whatever kind, and such other information as it may be con- venient to furnish, or, important to the Society. 11th. Is there Marl or Lime in your District ? If so, is it used for agri- cultural purposes, and what the cost per bushel to the Farmer? These resolutions were advocated by the mover, and agreed to. Col. R. F. W. Allston’s proposed amendments to the Constitution were now called up, separately put, and agreed to by the constitutional majority. A Silken Flag, manufactured by the Misses Flemming’s, of Spartanburg!), and painted by a native Artist, (Mr. Wm. K. Barckley, of Columbia,) lately presented to the 36th Regiment, was exhibited to the Society. Two specimens of coloured and figured Silk, manufactured by Mrs. Dantz- ler, of Spartanburgh, were exhibited. Mrs. Belcher presented a Straw Bon- net and Hat, made by herself. On motion of Hon. J. B. O’Neall, it was unanimously agreed, that the thanks of this Society be tendered to each of these Ladies, for the skill, taste and elegance of their several specimens, and to Mr. Barckley for his skill as an artist. Mrs. Poinsett presented, through the Hon. J. R. Poinsett, to the Society, some Baskets of Grapes, grown in her Garden ; which, on motion, a commit- tee was nominated, of venerable Bachelors, consisting of Messrs. Dunham, Stone and Goodlett, to hand around for distribution to the Ladies in the Gal- lery, and return thanks to Mrs. Poinsett. Dr. R. W. Gibbes, ..brought the attention 'of the Society to a resolution, adopted some time*since by the State Agricultural Society, to sustain an Agri- cultural Paper, proposed to be issued by Mr. Morgan, publisher of the Tern- PROCEEDID'IS. G9 perance Advocate, in Columbia. He stated the necessity of this Paper, its remarkable cheapness, and the advantages likely to result from its support. -Mr. Smith, of Laurens, exhibited a Plough, called a labour saving plough, and the following committee were appointed to examine its advantages : — Chancellor Johnston, W. Statham, Col. Glenn, W. Banks and B. Dunkin ; and the Chairman reported favorably of it. The committee having examined minutely all the stock, which was highly encouraging to the Society, were now ready and called upon, reported their awards as follows : The committee on Horses beg leave to report, that the exhibition of Horses was highly creditable and gratifying, giving promise- of an extensive and material improvement in the stock, of this section of the State. Your committee award the premium, For the best Stallion over 5 years old, for saddle purposes, to J. T. Whit- field, of Pendleton, for his bay horse, by Bertrand, dam Blackburn’s Whip, (bred by himself.) For the best Stallion under 5 years old, to Samuel Earle, for his yearling, by Monarch, dam by Nullifier, (bred by himself.) For the best Mare or Filly under 5 years old, to Gen. Thompson’s Ches- nut Mare, 4 years old, by John Bascom, darn by Red Guantlett, (bred by him- self.) Your committee particularly recommend Mr. Leverett’s Filly. Fanny Els- ler, as an animal next to that taking the award. O. B. IRVINE, Chairman. The committee on Cattle, having examined the many fine animals submit- mifted to their inspection, have unanimously agreed to the following awards : The premium for the best Bull, over 1 year old, to Dr. Stone, of Green- ville, for his Durham, bred by himself. At the same time, the committee are of opinion, a Bull, exhibited by Mr. Moore, deserves a favorable notice. The premium for the best Bull, under one year old, is given to Col. E. C. Leitner, for a Durham, bred by himself. For the best Milch Cow, to V. McBee, fora native Cow, bred by himself. For the best Heifer, under one year old, to Samuel Earle, for a Durham, bred by Col. Hampton. J. R. POINSETT, Chairman. The committee on Mules, respectfully report, that they have considered the merits of the Mules offered for the premiums, and have unanimously awarded it to Mr. E. Earle, of Greenville, for his Mule, one year old and four months. R. W. GIBBES, Chairman. The committee on Hogs, respectfully report, that they have diligently ex- 70 AGRICULTURAL amined a very large number of various breeds of Hogs, and most highly creditable to any country. For the best Boar, over one year old, they award to Maj. J. M. A. Tur- pin, for a Berkshire and Lancashire cross — not without a most favorable no- tice of a strong competitor in a Berkshire, the property of Hon. J. R. Poin- sett. For the best Sow, over one year old, to Dr. Stone, Berkshire. For the best Boar, under one year old, to Dr. Crook, Berkshire. For the best Sow, under one year old, to Col. Ploke, Berkshire. GEORGE SEABORNE, Chairman. The committee on Sheep, make the following report : They have examined three pens of Sheep, belonging to Dr. Crook, Mr. Earle and Mr. Stone ; whilst they would recommend, most favorably, all ex- hibited. They award as follows : For the best Ram, to Dr. Crook — Bakewell and Southdown, (bred by Col. Hampton.) For the best Ewe, to S. M. Earle — Bakewell, (bred by Col. Hampton. B. DUNHAM, Chairman. These reports were severally received, and the President made the distri- butions. Plon. J. B. O’Neall was new culled upon, and made his address, and, on motion of Gen. Thompson, the Society returned him thanks for its ability, and requested its publication ; which was so agreed. On motion of Hon. J. B. O’Neall, Hon. J. R. Poinsett was requested to take the Chair of the President, and, Col. Brooks introduced the following resolution : Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be returned to the President, for his ability and impartiality in the discharge of his duties, and to the Secreta- ry, for his diligence in the discharge of his labours. The President, resuming the Chair, responded to this compliment with much feeling, and took his Chair. The Secretary added, “ That he would only say, no occupation in Ins life afforded him so much pleasure, as the dis- charge of his duties as Secretary. On motion of Hon. J. B. O’Neall, Resolved , That the thanks of this Society be made to Mr. Smith, for his labour saving Plough, and that it be recommended to the favorable notice of the Farmers. Dr. Gibbes moved, That the thanks of this Society be returned to the Methodist Church, for the use of their building. JAMES B. DAVIS, Secretary. PROCEEDINGS. 71 Columbia, November 25, 1844. The delegates having enrolled themselves, the Society was organized by the Presidant, and proceeded to business. The alteration of the Constitution, requiring the formation of an Execu- tive Committee, composed of the officers of the Society and three members, was called to the attention of the Society, and on motion the President ap- pointed Hon. J. B. O’Neall, Hon. F. W. Pickens and R. W. Roper, as the committee, with the officers. The following documents were presented to the Society, and respectively referred to the Executive Committee, and the committees appropriated for each. The Black Oak Agricultural Society, forwarded a report of one of their committees on Manures. A report of the officers and members of the Cambridge Agricultural Society. The YVateree Agricultural Society, sent a report on Potatoes, also one on Corn, to be referred to the committees of awards, on Potatoes and Corn. From the Newberry Agricultural Society, praying that the next meeting of the State Agricultural Society, be held in the village of Newberry. A document containing marling facts and estimates from Edmund Ruffin, late Agricultural Surveyor of South Carolina. The entire proceedings of the New York State Agricultural Society, was forwarded through Col. A. G. Summer, together with sundry documents rela- tive to the diffusion of agricultural knowledge. Mr. M’Carthy moved, That the thanks of this Society, be tendered to the officers of the State Agricultural Society of New York, for the volumes and documents relating to agricultural subjects which they have presented to this Society, and that the Secretary, be hereby instructed to present copies of similar publications and documents of this Society, to the officers of the aforesaid State Agri- cultural Society of New York. A communication was presented from F. D. Quash, Corresponding Sec- retary of the South Carolina Society, asking the aid of the State Agricul- tural Society, in petitioning the Legislature for the continuance of the Agri- cultural Survey of the State. Also, a letter from Edmund Ruffin, in reply to one from the President re- turning the thanks of this Society to him, for his services as Agricultural Surveyor of the State. Also, a letter from R. W. Alston, concerning the account of an experi- ment in the culture of rice, and the production of an acre. Also, one from A, H. Seabrook, one of the competitors for the premium 72 AGRICULTURAL for the greatest amount of Sea Island Cotton, having reference to quality and valuation. Also, one from W. Wright of York, a competitor from York, for the pre- mium for the greatest amount of Wheat per acre. Also, one from D. J. Mesuain of York, for the premium, for the greatest amount of Corn per acre. The Hon. J. B. O’Neall, presented the following, as an amendment to one of similar purport, offered by Mr. Roper. Resolved, That an application be made by the President to the Legisla- ture, requesting them to make an appropriation equal in amount to the sum contributed by the members and delegates of the State Agricultural Society, to be by the State Agricultural Society, expended in premiums at its semi- annual and annual meetings, and for such other agricultural purposes, as they may think proper. This motion was discussed by Col. Edwards, Hon. J. B. O’Neall, Mr. M'Carthy, and agreed to. Dr. Gibbes communicated that the committee appointed at the last meeting of the Society, for the purpose of memorializing the Legislature for the con- tinuance of the Agricultural and Geological Survey, respectfully report that they have discharged the duty, and. that the memorial is prepared and ready to be presented to the Legislature. The President called the attention of the Society, to a communication ad- dressed to the Hon. George McDuffie, W. McWillie and W. B. Seabrook, from Col. F. W. Davie. Lion. J. B. O’Neall moved That a committee of five be appointed with the President as chairman, to to report upon this communication at the semi-annual meeting of this Society. The following were accordingly appointed : George McDuffie, W. Me Willie, J. B. O’Neall and William J. Alston. The Society adjourned till seven o’clock, Tuesday evening. JAMES B. DAVIS, Secretaiy. Tuesday Evening, Nov. 25, 7 o’clock. The Society convened as ordered, and the proceedings were read by the Secretary. The President announced the following committees : FOR THE BEST CULTIVATED FARM. J. B. O’Neall, Newberry ; L. A. Beckham, Chester ; E, G. Palmer, Fairfield ; Wm. Cain, Black Oak ; J. Lartigue. PROCEEDINGS. 78 SHORT STAPLE COTTON. John FI. Means, Fairfield; Joel Smith, Abbeville; Thomas FI. Pope Newberry; Wm. J. Taylor, Kershaw. LONG STAPLE COTTON. John Rivers, St. Andrews; J. Fielding, St. Lukes; Dr. P. Palmer St John’s Berkley ; Wm. M. Murray, St. John’s Colleton. ON RICE. R. W. Roper, St. Philip and St. Michaels; P. W. Frazer, Prince George ; John Plarleston, St Johns Berkley. CORN AND OTHER GRAIN. R. F. W. Allston, Prince George ; Edward Plarleston, Anderson ; W. McWillie, Kershaw; J. M. Felder, Orangeburg; A. Ilibbin, Christ Church. P. 8. Brooks, Edgefield. POTATOES. Dr. P. Palmer, St. John’s Berkley; R. A. Maxwell, Anderson ; A. G. Summer, Newberry; A. L. Griffin, Edgefield, Paul Grimball, St. John’s Colleton ; B. B. Porter. SILK. Wm. Summer, Newberry; Samuel Earle, Greenville; W. G. Simms, Barnwell ; W. Giles, York ; E. P. Smith, Spartanburg. DOMESTIC FABRICS. Dr. R. W. Gibbes, Columbia; B. F. Perry, Greenville ; W. J. Alston, Fairfield; F. W. Pickens, Edgefield; Dr. Guilliard, Anderson. MARL. Wm. M. Murray, Dr. R. W. Gibbes, R. W. Roper. The communications were then respectively referred to the committees, together with the certificates for premiums. Mr. McCarthy moved the following : Whereas the opinion has become impressed upon the public mind that all usefitl advancement in agricultural improvement, and in the arts of rural economy, mainly depend upon the collection of the numerous facts which are furnished by observation and experiment and by the discoveries of prac- tical science. And in as much as many of the States of this Union are, in advance of our own in both, experimental and scientific knowledge in all the branches of industrial labor, through the instrumentality of local and state societies, aided in many instances by the encouragement which is afforded by Legislative assistance, 74 AGRICULTURAL And whereas, it is expedient that this Society should avail itself of all the lights and information which have been obtained elsewhere, by means either of individual or associated experiment, or by scientific discovery ; and an object of special interest at this time, to ascertain from indubitable sources what has been the experience of those States in reference to the benefits re- sulting from Legislative assistance, in which appropriations in aid of Agri- culture have been made. Be it therefore Resoh-ed, That a committee of five members, be hereby appointed, (of whom the Corresponding Secretary shall be chairman.) who shall be charged with the duty of instituting a correspondence with such of the States as they shall think proper, by communications, addressed to the Governors, Secretaries of States, or to the Presidents of local or State So- cieties, for the purpose of acquiring such information, and will enable them to present to this Society, at its next meeting, a full and authentic report upon the following points : 1. What assistance has been afforded by legislation, in the States, to the advancement of Agriculture and the arts ot Husbandry ? 2. In what manner and under what regulations and restrictions has this assistance been rendered ? 3. What benefits to Agriculture have been derived from Legislative ap- propriations, and in what way has their application proved most available? 4. Has the apparent and practical benefit, derived from the fostering aid of government, afforded sufficient encouragement to induce the States to con- tinue its appropriations for a succession of years ? 5. Have the States, or any of them caused Agricultural or Geological Surveys and Reports to be made, and to what effect? And what benefits have resulted to Agriculture from these services ? These resolutions were sustained by the mover and carried, and the follow- ing committee appointed thereunder : Dr. R. W. GIBBES, ED. G. PALMER, WHITFIELD BROOKS, W. G1MMORE SIMS, A. H. BOYKIN, R. W. ROPER. Major A. G. Summer moved that a sufficient portion of the Hall of this House be appropriated for the accomodation of the Ladies on Thursday eve- ning, at the Anniversary of this Society — which was agreed to. The Secretary moved that a committee be appointed by the President, to PROCEEDINGS. 75 enquire into the means of this Society, and report at its next meeting, and the following gentlemen were appointed. WM. J. ALSTON, J. LARTIGUE, J. DUBOSE. The Society adjourned til! Thursday evening, at seven o’clock. JAMES B. DAVIS, Secretary. Thursday Evening, 7 o’clock. The Society convened as appointed, and being organized, the Secretary read the proceeedings of the last meeting. The reports from the several chairmen were now offered as follows : The committee to whom it was referred to award the premium for the best conducted farm, beg leave to report, that the o. ly claim presented to them, was that of Whitfield Brooks, Esq. On examining the description given of it by the officers and members of the Cambridge Society, your committee are of opinion that Col. Brooks has not only most fairly and fully entitled himself to the premium, but also, that the description of his plantation should be published, as an example worthy of imitation. JOHN BELTON O’NEALL, Chairman. The committee on Potatoes, respectfully report, that but one individual came forward to compete for the premium on the crop. Mr. R. Cameron, of the Wateree Agricultural Society, who presented a certificate of the crop raised by him, from the Wateree Agricultural Society. His crop was four hundred and thirty -six and three-eighths bushels per acre. Your committee accordingly recommend that he receive the premium, offered by this Society. They would particularly notice, the fine specimens exhibited to the State Agricultural Society, by Col. R. F. W. Alston, and regret that he did not furnish the Society with an estimate of his crop. PETER P. PALMER, Chairman. The committee on Corn and other grain, beg leave to report, that for the premium on Corn, there were two competitors, one showing a production of eighty-six bushels and nineteen and a half quarts from one acre, duly attest- ed by the Secretary of the Agricultural Society in Kershaw District. The other shewing a production of one hundred and five (105) bushels and eighteen 76 AGRICULTURAL quarts, from one acre, but unaccompanied by any certificate of any officer of the Agricultural Society of York District. Under the circumstances, your committee are unable to award any pre- mium. They take occasion to suggest, that the Society, in future, should require of applicants for the premiums of this Society to produce a statement of the culture used by the proprietor or overseer. A statement certified by the President or Secretary of the local Agricultural Society, of the measured quantity of land, (45,000 square feet to the acre) also the measured quantity and weight per bushel of the grain. There was but one applicant for the premium on Wheat. The committee does not regard the production as very great, but were pleased with the evidence afforded of the enterprize and perseverance of the farmer, in ma- nuring his land and cultivating his grain. His treatment is given during O O O DO three years, and the whole is duly certified. The committee recommend the premium for Wheat, be awarded to Col. Wm. Wright of York District. Your committee further recommend the very interesting letter of General Jamieson, on Millet, to the Society, be published with the proceedings of this meeting. R. F. W. ALSTON, Chairman. The committee on Rice, have received but one communication upon its mode of culture, and from the facts and results detailed in the report, con- sider the means employed in the culture, scientific and useful. The result of the quantity of land planted and tended according to the statement ren- dered, was at the rate of 7S^ bushels per acre. This although by no means an unprecedented quantity is yet .very large, and from the quality of the Rice, entitles the grower, R. F. W. Allston, to the premium. The sugges- tions of Mr. Allston, as to the propriety of offering a premium for the dicov- ery of the cause of rust and chalk in Rice, is left by the comn\ittee to the wisdom of the Society, to determine. All the facts contained in the docu- ments upon which this report is predicated, are so fully detailed, that your committee deem it unnecessary to enlarge further upon the subject. All which is respectfully submitted. R. W. ROPER, Cha'rman. The committee on Long Cotton regrets there was no competitor for the pre- mium for Long Cotton, one sample only has been submitted to their inspection by Mr. Archibald Seabrook of Edisto Island, of very superior quality, both in length and fineness of staple, grown from selected seed. It appeared that Mr. Seabrook raised 5440lbs. of cotton in the seed, to eight acres, which was designed for the premium. Upon this land, one hundred and sixty piled PROCEEDINGS. i i single horse cart loads of marsh were put in August, 1843, immediately after being cut and partly listed in, merely to prevent the depredations of cattle, and, (as he expresses himself,) “ to allow the marsh to rot on the ground intended for cultivation.” In this way the saline and other ingredients not evaporable were preserved. By exposure, too, for several months to the combined action of the air, light and moisture, the process of decomposition in the spring is regular, and the matter becomes food for the plants early in the season. It requires of this quality of cotton ISOOlbs. in the seed, to make 3001bs. of clean ginned cotton. At this rate, if the cotton commands the lowest price at which it has been valued by two disinterested factors in Charleston, it will realize in money ninety-five dollars to the acre. Your committee therefoie recommend that the premium to be awarded to Mr. Archibald H. Seabrook, cf Edisto Island. JNO. RIVERS, Chairman. The committee on Silk, respectfully report, that they have examined the specimens presented to them, and would recommend that the premium be awarded to Mrs. Mary W, Dantzler, of Spartanburg District, for the white Silk Vesting, manufactured and presented to the inspection of the Society. Her lot consisted of Vesting, Cloth, and a fine net shawl, of single silk, beautifully made. They would notice favorably a net shawl, from Miss Cassandra Poole, of Spartanburg District, of equal beauty with the one mentioned above, which was the work of her own hands from the feeding of the worms, to the net:ing of the shawl. Also, from Miss Harriet D. Davxs, of Abbeville, a net shawl of sewing silk, which displayed great care in its manufacture — also, a silk pocket from Miss S. M. Davis, and a pair of silk Hose — and from Mrs. Samuel Reid, a pair of silk half Hose — from Mrs. P. H. Baskin, of Ab- beville, a beautiful plaid Shawl of wove silk. From Wji. B. Villard of Aiken, forty net Shwals, of various patterns, the work of his daughter, Miss P. H. Villard. From Mrs. and Miss Crosby, of Lowndesville, Abbeville District, a few specimens of silk cloth, mixed with wool, and from Mrs. Reid, a piece of cloth of the same kind. Your committee are sorry that the limited means of the Society, prevent their bestowing premiums of a secondary value to others of those who have favored the Society, with their beautiful articles of domestic industry and dell" cate handiwork. WM. SUMMER, Chairman. The committee on Domestice Fabrics, report that they have examined carefully the specimens submitted to them, and recommend for premiums the following articles : A specimen of Cotton Bagging, of manufactured cotton, from the Pendleton Factory, which the committee considers the best and AGRICULTURAL most substantial article of the kind ever seen by them ; a specimen of Wors- ted Cloth, manufactured by Mrs. Baskin, of Abbeville ; and one of Checked Cotton Homespun, by the same Lady ; both of which are highly creditable to the skill and industry of that Lady. ROBERT W. GIBBE8, Chairman. The committee on Marl, to whom were referred several communications, viz:— Mr. Edmund Ruffin’s “Marling facts and estimates,” — Mr. Ravanel’s account of the number of acres marled, and certain experiments in his neighborhood— Mr. Brisbane’s and Mr. Holmes’ experiments — report that they find all these papers of great value, and recommend that they be pub. fished in the Planter. They also report that they have awarded the Ruffin premium to Mr. Plolmes, of St. Andrews, for his well conducted experiments in Marl, as ap. plied to Cotton, Corn and Potatoes. WM. M. MURRAY, Chairman. These awards were made, and the cups awarded, and, On motion of Major Felder, It was ordered that a ten dollar Silver Cup be awarded at the next Anniver- sary, to the Lady who displays the best Silk Dress of her own manufacture. Hon. Judge Butler was appointed to address this Society, at its next se- mi-annual meeting, at Newberry C. H., on the last Wednesday in July. At the instance of an invitation extended from the Newberry Agricultu- ral Society, it was agreed that the semi-annual meeting in July, of this Socie- ty, be held in Newberry village. The following were the Officers appointed for the next year : Hon. WHITEMARSH B. SEABROOK, President. Hon. J. R. POINSETT, Anniversary Orator. Chancellor B. F. DUNKIN, 1st Vice President. Chancellor HARPER, 2d V. P. WHITFIELD BROOKS, 3d V. P. Hon. J. B. O’NEALL, 4th V. P. Hon. P. BUTLER, 5th V. P. Hon. J. M. FELDER, 6th V. P. Dr. R. W. GIBBES, Corresponding Secretary. Dr. JAS. B. DAVIS, Recording Secretary. The President returned thanks for the continuance of his seat. On motion of Dr. Gibbes, it was, Resolved, That the Society recommend to its members, and to the local Societies of the State the necessity of sustaining the Southern Agriculturist, published in Charleston, and the Carolina Planter, published in Columbia. PROCEEDINGS. 79 R. W. Roper, Esq., now delivered an address; which, after a motion of thanks, was ordered to be published. Thanks were returned to Mr. Russell for his display of Flowers at the ex- hibition. The Society now adjourned, to meet at Newberry village, on the last Wednesday in July. J. B. DAVIS, Secretary. Newbury C’t House, Wednesday, July 30, 1S45. The State Agricultural Society met at Newberry C’t House, as appointed by the meeting in December last. The President, W. B. Seabrook being absent, Hon. J. B. O’Neall, (Vice President,) took the Chair, and organized the meeting. The President then read the following letter from the President : Edinqsville, June 18, 1845. Dear Sir, It greatly grieves me to acquaint you that I shall be unable to be pre- sent at the Newberry meeting. From my illness in the Spring I have not re- covered, nor is there hope of any material amelioration of my ailment, until I shall have tried the influence of a colder and purer atmosphere. While therefore, for many reasons, I deplore the existence of the cause that will prevent me from presiding over your deliberations in July, I confidently look to the future, when, with a renewed constitution, I shall have it in my power to devote more of my time and energies to the discharge of my du- ties as a member of your body. At any rate, of one thing you may be as- sured, that, during my absence frem the State, 1 shall collect all the informa- tion that feebleness of health will permit, having reference to the improvement of Southern husbandry, with which it may be important or interesting for the agriculturists of South Carolina to be acquainted. As at our December meeting in Columbia, no answer was received from the local Societies to which questions were propounded, I recently addressed a letter to their respective Presidents, asking their attention to the subject, and expressing a hope that the information asked, may be ready for communica- tion at the approaching meeting at Newberry. Allow me respectfully to request of the Society attention to the following topics: If the committee faithfully perform the duties assigned them much benefit will result; otherwise, positive injury from the influence of example may accrue. Working members in every agricultural Society are needed, and to such only 80 AGRICULTURAL should the high trust of collecting information be confided. With the reite* ration of my sorrow that I cannot be with you next month, thereby losing the best opportunity I shall perhaps ever have of becoming personally acquainted with the Farmers of Newberry and the neighboring Districts, I remain very respectfully, Your obedient servant, W. B. SBABROOK. 1. Committee to be appointed to ascertain and report the quantity cf cotton and provision land marled and limed in ’44 and *45, and the success of the application 2. A committee to report the best manure for cotton and provision crops, and how to be applied ; also to report the actual practical difference between planting largely and manuring lightly, and planting less and manuring higher. :3. A committee of enquiry as to the best grasses that the fitness cf our cli- mate will admit of, for black cattle, horses and sheep, and whether a large por- tion of the upper District may not profitably be converted into sheep pastures. 4. A committee to report on the quantity of bagging and roping, Osna- burgs and other fabrics used by the planter, manufactured in South Carolina ; and the quantity of each, which the necessities of the State reqaire. 5. Questions similar to those propounded to the Agricultural Societies of Spartanburg, Greenville and Pendleton, to be put to the Newberry and adja- cent District Societies. 6. Would it not be advisable to hold the extra meeting of the State Socie- ty, in April or May, instead of a later period. W. B. SEABROOK. The Secretary then read a summary extract of the proceedings of the meeting in December last, referring to this meeting — the following, to wit : “On motion of Hon. J. B. O’Neall, it was agreed that a committee of five should be appointed to report at the Summer meeting, upon the communication of F. W. Davie to Hon. George McDuffie, W. Me Willie and W. B. Sea- brook.” The following committee were appointed : GEORGE McDUFFIE, W. Me WILLIE, J. B. O’NEALL, WM. J. ALLSTON. The above being read, the Hon. J. B. O’Neall read sundry reports : which were unanimously received. A Lamp Matt, peculiarly and most beautifully constructed, was exhibited, by Miss Higgins, (a little girl of 11 years of age,) of her own work. PROCEEDINGS. 81 The following committees were now appointed to make the awards on stock to-morrow : ON HORSES. Hon. A. P. Butler, Col. Richard Griffin, John Gaskins, Jas. M. Taylor^ P. Ludlow Calhoun, B. F. Griffin, M. T. Mendenhall. ON JACKS AND MULES. Maj. Wm. Eddins, Wm. E. Hardie, J. T. Whitfield, Dr. Harrington, Geo. Boozer, .1. M. Young. ON CATTLE. Dr. J. B. Davis, F. B. Higgins, David Hunts, W. H. Griffin, Ed. Means, George W. Taylor. ON SHEEP. Jas. Creswell, Micajah Saber, J. H. Hunt, R. A. Griffin, Col. Wm. Counts. ON SWIN*E. Dr. Geo. W. Glenn, Wm. Summer, Dr. Peter Moon. Gen. Kinard, Thos. H. Pope. Thursday Morning, July 31, 1845. The Society met at 10 o’clock, by appointment. The proceedings of the meeting of Wednesday being read, the meeting adjourned to the inspection of the stock. In this there was no apparent improvement, in the usual exhibitions of the Society, except in Horses and Mules. The display of Horses surpassed considerably any former exhibition. The extraordinary distress of the farm- ers, was represented as the cause of failure in Hogs and Sheep — that of Cattle being respectable. All being minutely inspected, and great difficulty and delay on the part of the Committee on Horses, they finally re-assembled, and when organized, the following reports were read : The Committee on Horses beg leave to report that the superiority of the animals exhibited for premiums, caused much hesitancy in deciding, but agree upon the following awards : For the best Stallion for u Harness purposes,” we make the award to Col. Whitfield’s bay Stallion, Waverly, by Bertrand, dam by Blackburn’s Whip — Judge O’Neall’s ch. Stallion, Tetotaller, by John Gidron, dam Rob Roy mare, the most formidable competitor. 82 AGRICULTURAL For the best stallion for “ Saddle purposes” to Maj Eddies’ chesnut horse, Chrichton, by Bertrand, dam by Phenomenon — the most favorable competit- or, T. H. Henderson’s Woodpecker, by W oodpecker. For the best Mare for Harness purposes, to Washington Floyd’s mare. March, by Murat, dam by Bedford — A jap Eddins’ Ajarah Harrison , the most formidable competitor, by Eclipse, dam by Gallatin. For Saddle purposes, we make the award to Maj. Eddins’ mare Ajarah Harrison — the most formidable competitor, Mr. Levcrett’s mare F. Ellsler by Sumner, dam by Timoleon. For the best suckling, we make the award to John II. Pearson’s colt, by Wilgo, dam by Bertrand. Your Committee might notice appropriately, several of the animals exhib- ited, but not wishing to consume time, respectfully report as above. R. GRIFFIN, Chairman. The Committee on Cattle beg leave to report that they have carefully ex- amined th ejine specimens of cattle presented for their inspection, and recom- mend the following awards: For the best Bull, over 3 years of age, to Dr. P. Moon, for his Durham, bred by Col. Hampton. For the best Milch Cow, to Maj. Eddins, for his Durham cow, bred in Kentucky. For the best Heifer under 3 years old, to Russel Gibson, for his Durham Heifer, bred by himself. For the best suckling Calf, male or female, to Washington Floyd, for his Durham calf, bred by himself. Your Committee, had some hesitancy in making the above selection, over the specimens exhibited by Mr. Hunt, Suber, Dr. Bobo, and Air. Scott, but agreed upon as reported. Respectfully, J. B. DAVIS, Chairman. The Committee on Sheep, beg leave to report, that they make the following awards : For the finest Ram, to Maj. Eddins, for his Bakewell Ram, bred by Col. Hampton. For the finest Ewe, to Maj. Eddins, for his Bakewell Ewe, bred by Col. Hampton. For the finest pair of Lambs, to Col. A. G. Summer, for his Bakewell pair, bred by Col. Hampton. J. CRESWELL, Chairman . PROCEEDINGS. The Committee on Hogs beg leave to report, that they award : To John Gaskins, for the best Boar, (Berkshire.) To G. T. Scott, for the best pair of Pigs, (Berkshire.) G. W. GREEN, Chairman The Committee on Jacks and Mules beg leave to report, that they have ex- amined these, and were delighted with the excellence of all, but award : For the best Mule, to David Heats, bred by himself. For the best Jack, to J. Hunt, (Imp.) Respectfully, W. EDDINS, Chairman. These reports being concurred in, his Honor Judge Butler, was invited to deliver his address, which he did much to the gratification of the Society, and on motion of Cel. Fair, the thanks of the Society were returned to Judge Butler for his able and instructive address-, and that he be requested to fur- nish a copy for publication ; which was unanimously agreed to. Col. A. G. Summer moved that the President be requested to appoint a Committee of nine, whose duty it shall be to collect information, and re- pert through the public prints, such facts and opinions as will lead to the be- stowal of more than ordinary attention cn such fall and winter crops as may render the citizens of the State less dependant for subsistence on the present unpromising crop. Agreed to. Resolved, That this Society deeply regret the dispensation of ill health which has deprived them of the valuable services of the President, Mr. Sea- brook, and the third Vice President, W. Brooks, Esq. They have, however, been highly gratified with the interest which, in their letters, they have dis- played in this meeting ; and they hope that, by the blessing of God, the cause which prevented their attendance here may be removed, and that they r will be restored to their accustomed places of usefulness in South Carolina. Agreed to. On motien, the Society adjourned. J. B. DAVIS, Secretary. Columbia, Monday, Nov. 24, 1845. The State Agricultural Society- had its preliminary meeting this evening, at 7 o’clock. The President called the meeting to order. The members and delegates having enrolled themselves, the Society then- proceeded to regular business. 84 AGRICULTURAL Hon. John B. O’Neall offered the following resolution : Resolved, That a committee of five, of whom the President shall be Chairman, be raised, for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of corn necessary to supply the wants of the people of the Slate, the minimum prices at which it can be obtained in Charleston, Hamburg, Columbia and Camden, and the time when it can be most conveniently obtained. Agreed to, and the following were the committee appointed : F. B. HIGGINS, Newberry. JAMES A. BLACK, York. WM. J. ALL3TON, Fairfield. B. F. PERRY, Greenville. it was then moved, that an appropriation be asked from the Legislature, for the publication of the proceedings of this Society, the Addresses, Reports and Essays which the Society may select for publication, and also for such prizes as may be annually awarded. Agreed to, and the following appointed -as the committee to petition : Hon. J. B. O’NEALL, Dr. THOMAS LEGARE, J. H. MEANS, JAMES RHETT, J. C. CHESNUT. The Secretary then stated, that it was proper to remark, as one of the executive committee, that the committee could make no awards for any thing but stock — the means of the Society not being sufficient. The following are the committees, appointed by the President • ON DOMESTIC FABRICS. Dr. R. W. Gibbes, Richland; J. C. Chesnut, Kershaw; John Rivers, St. Andrews ; J. Y. Mills, Chester; P. E. Ware, Greenville. ON CORN. Edward G: Palmer, Fairfied ; J. M. Felder, Orangeburgh ; P. S. Brooks, Edgefield ; Wm. Summer, Newberry ; James Gregg, Richland. ON RICE. R. F. W. Allston, Prince George ; B. F. Dunkin, All Saints ; James S. Rhett, Christ Church. ON SHORT STAPLE COTTON. Wm. J. Allston, Fairfield; J. P. Neel, Newberry; L. A. Beckham, Chester. PROCEEDINGS. 85 LONG STAPLE COTTON. W. M. Murray, St. Johns; John Rivers, St. Andrews ; J. Fielding, St. Lukes. ON SMALL GRAIN. J. B. O’Neall, Newberry; P. E. Dunkin, Greenville; Joel Smith, Abbe- ville. ON MARL. J. H. Hammond, Barnwell ; W. T. Ellerbe, Pcdee ; Dr. P. Palmer, St. Johns Berkley. ON POTATOES. A. G. Summer, Richland ; Dr. Pickling, St. Lukes ; J. PL Means, Fairfield. The following communications were read by the President : Greenville, C. H. Nov. 17, 1845. To the Honorable W. B. Seabroo!:, President of the Ag. So. of the Slate of So. Ca. Inasmuch as the undersigned has, by unforeseen contingencies, been denied the pleasure of attending the meeting of the Society, he begs most respect- fully, to offer through you, the following resolution for the consideration of the Society : 1. Resolved , That, hereafter, all competitors for the premiums offered by this Society lor live stock, shall, in addition to the age and pedigree of the animal so offered, report the general management of the animal, manner of feeding, articles used, &c &c., with such other remarks pertaining to that kind of stock as the applicant may see fit to offer, and the premium shall be awarded to the competitor who shall offer the animal and report, which, taken together, are best calculated to promote the objects of tins Society. 2. Resolved, That hereafter, all competitors for the premiums offered by this Society, for the best crops, shall, in addition to the amount of the crop for that year, report as near as he can, the crop of the previous year, the condition of the land, manner of improving, preparing land for planting, culti- vation of the crop offered for competition, and such other remarks pertaining to the improvement of land and the culture of that particular crop, as he may think fit ; and the premiums shall be awarded to the competitor, whose crop and report, taken together, are best calculated to promote the objects of this Society, The importance of adopting the above resolution, is, to the undersigned, obvious ; but as others may not think so, on first presentation, a few words of explanation will be offered. The economy of raising fine animals, and improving land, are matters as 86 AGRICULTURAL interesting to this Society as any others. One class or variety of domestic ani- mals may suit the particular circumstance of one individual or one neighbor- hood, better than any other. Different soils and localities require different means for their increase of fertility. The adoption of the resolution offered, would, no doubt, bring out a large number of facts, well calculated to eluci- date both these classes of subjects and speculations that would lead to further useful investigations and experiments. Competitors would take more notice of what they did, and keep more accounts, so that the expense and profit of each agricultural operation would be better known. This is something much needed. In this way, a large amount of desirable information would be col- lected by the Society, and diffused among the farmers ot the State. Premi- ums could not then be awarded to any one, who, by accident, had a large crop or a fine animal, but be bestowed, as they ought to be, on those persons, who had, by their industry, talent and capital, done most to promote the great and good cause. The contest for premiums would not be merely who should have the fatest animal or the largest crop, but turn on the important ■ principle of who could accomplish most al least expense. A spirited competition, conducted on those principle, would, in the estima- tion of the undersigned, increase vastly the benefit, the farming community have received from the plan heretofore adopted. With a feeling of deep interest in the welfare and success of the Society, I am, most respectfully, A. B. CllOOK. To the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina, In the United States of America. The Russian Imperial Economical Society, established in St. Petersburg, in the year 1765, having for its object the improvement of different brandies of Rural Economy and National Industry, desire to enter in correspondence with your honorable Society, for mutual exchange of different experiments, obser- vations and discoveries, in order to promote the National welfare of both countries. The Almighty having blessed the United States and Russia with immense tracts of fertile lands, has pointed out to us that the principal occupa- tions of both countries should consist in rural pursuits. Therefore, we feel real sympathy towards your great Nation — and the more so, because our Society has the honor of counting amongst its active and useful members, one of your distinguished citizens, the Hon. Mr. Todd, the Representative of your country in Russia. The Russian Economical Society has, for a long time, expressed the wish of communicating with the Agricultural Societies in other countries; but as the transactions of our Society are published in the Russian language, which is very little known abroad, the Society commenced publishing extracts of the PROCEEDINGS. 87 anti a a-! reports and of the transactions in the German language, which is gen- erally understood in civilized countries. The Society conceiving that these publications will be the means of communications between the two countries, has, therefore, charged me as ils perpetual Secretary, to forward to you a copy of our transactions, published in German. I take this opportunity to add, that I am very happy to be the organ of expressing the sentiments of our Society towards your enlightened Nation. St. Petersburg, Russia, 30th August, 1845. ALEXANDER DJUNKOOSKY. Perpetual Secretary of t ie Russian Economical Society, Actual Counsellor of Stale of IP. I. M., the Emperor of Russia. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 1845. The Society met at seven o’clock this evening. The President having organized the meeting, several communications were read from individualscontending for premiums. lion. A. P. Butler moved, That the next Annual Fair he held at old 96, in Abbeville District., Cam- bridge ; which was agreed to, and the 3d Wednesday in July appointed. On motion of the lion. J. B. O’Neall, R. F. W. Allston was appointed to deliver the address at the Cambridge meeting. It was then moved, That the sum of one dollar be forthwith contributed by each member, for the purpose of providing premiums for the domestic Fabrics. Agreed to. On motion of Mr. J. Allston, a committee of live was appointed to nomi- nate Officers of this Society for the ensuing year, and that the committee re- port on Thursday evening. The following were appointed : W. J. ALLSTON, A. G. SUMMER, J. C. CHESNUT, Jr., F. B. HIGGINS, R. F. W. ALSTON. Col. M’Carthy then mored, that the Ladies be invited to seats on the floor of this Hall, on Thursday night, the 27th instant, to hear the address of the Hon. Joel R. Poinsett. Agreed to. 88 AGRICULTURAL The following report from the Chairman of the Committee on Rice, R. F. YV. Allston, was read : To the State Agricultural Society of So. Ca. The Committee, to which was assigned the duty to report on Rice, have to regret that they have not been furnished as they desired with the results of the experiment in the culture of this grain, which was simply mentioned the last year, namely, the planting on beds or pea-ridges, at some three feet distant from each other. This method they considered as peculiarly applica- ble to inland plantations, which are liable to be sobbed by heavy rains ; and the soils of which are compact, admitting the free use of the plow ; and by this implement, the beds may be thrown up and almost completed. They deem it applicable also to very old lands, situated high up the rivers in the tide water region, which are generally too compact in texture, and frequently when the rivers are full and swollen by rains in the interior, sobbed in conse- quence of insufficient draining. These lands, worn and sunken by incessant cultivation, are almost universally polluted with “ Goose Grass,” or “ Blanket Grass,” as it is often called, which it has been often found is a good deal enfeebled by being bedded in with the stubble of the preceding year. The undersigned, last year, planted a portion (lower than the remainder) of two irregular fields in this way, throwing up with the hoe, beds, at the distance of twenty-eight inches from each oilier, and sowing the grain broad- cast, on the top of the bed, at the rate of 1 bushel of seed per acre. The result of this imperfect attempt to equalize and level the surface of an irregu- lar field, although the product differed but slightly from that of the year before, is, on the whole, considered satisfactory. One measured acre, on which was sown one bushel of grain, yielded, on the product being thrashed, thirty-seven and a half bushels of sheaf Rice, which is equivalent to near 40 bushels per acre. The whole field produced at the rate of 50 bushels per acre — the remainder of the field (not in beds,) being trenched at the distance of 14 inches from row to row, and planted at the rate of 2^ bushels of seed to the acre. The year preceding, the same field produced a little over 4S bushels pet- acre., and the portion in question did not produce more than 3d bushels per acre. The last was an uncommonly dry season — the tides m the early' portion ot it being short. The same method will be pursued, on the same land, next year. It is known how universal was the drought, last season, throughout the State. The tide lands, on which Rice is cultivated, ivere affected higher up the River Waccamaw and Pee Dee, than was ever known by the oldest resi- dent on them. On the former, the salt water affected the crops, either ii. PROCEEDINGS. 89 quantity and quality, as far tip as Butler’s Island, on the latter, as far or high up as the plantation of Chancellor Bunkin’s, or a little below Schooner Creek. Cooper River, Sampit, Pon Pon, Combabee, Black River, and Asbepoo, were affected in even a greater degree. In consequence of the unprecedented droughts, the effects of which are thus indicated, it is estimated that one fourth of the lands planted in Rice namely, about 22,000 acres will prove to have been unproductive or nearly so. The crop of 1S43-4, was a little short of 130,000 barrels — 1844-5, was about 117,009 barrels. The crop of 1345—6. will be about 100,000 barrels. It has been estimated at even less than this. It is confidently believed the crop will not exceed the estimate herein made. Respectfully submitted, R. F. W. ALSTON, Chairman. On motion, the above report was submitted to the Executive Committee. The Society, on motion of General Means, adjourned till half past seven o’clock, on Thursday evening. J. B. DAVIS, Recording Secretary. Thursday Evening. The Society convened as appointed on the previous evening. The Pre- sident called for the Reports. The committee appointed to ascertain the amount of provisions wanted in the State, reported. The Executive committee to whom was referred a letter from A. D’Jun- koosky, Secretary to the Russian Economical Society ; communication from E. Ruffin, on Marl, and the report of the committee on Rice, respect- fully report the fallowing resolutions for the adoption of this Society : Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary, be requested to present to the Russian Economical Society, the thanks of this body, for the two volumes of translations presented them, and that he forward to tiiat Society, through 1 he Hon. Alexander D’Junkoosky, perpetual Secretary of the same, so much of our proceedings, from the organization of the Society, as may be useful or interesting to the Russian Society. Resolved. That the Corresponding Secretary, be also requested to tender to Mr. Ruffin, the thanks of this body, for his valuable communication, and that the same with the report of the committee on Rice, be published in the South Carolinian and Temperance Advocate. Agreed to. 90 AGRICULTURAL The committee to whom was referred the resolution asking an appropriation irom the Legislature, for the printing of the proceedings of this Society, from its organization, with the addresses, reports, &c., thereof, as well as for the prizes that may be awarded at the annual meetings, report that they have con- sidered the same, and would state, that it appears to them extremely desirable both for our own sake and that of the people of the State in general, that the documents alluded to, should be preserved. it is also of great con- sequence, that we should be able to meet the kind offeringfannually made to us, by the Agricultural Societies oi their proceedings, by presenting to them our own. To do this vve have no funds : and hence we must ask the aid of the Legislature. So too, at this meeting, premiums are to be offered on Domestic Fabrics, and on crops. The want of means, may hereafter prevent this, unless the Legislature will make a small appropriation. Believing that these objects are essential to the Agricultural interests of the State, and that the Legisla- ture can do nothing more acceptable to their constituents, than to contribute to them, by making such an appropriation as that contemplated, your com- mittee recommend that the President be requested to address the Legislature by letter or memorial, asking an appropriation of five hundred dollars, for the objects pointed out. JOHN BELTON O’NEALL, Chairman . The above report was sustained by the chairman and Mr. Rhett, and opposed by Major Felder, but agreed to. Mr. James Rhett introduced the following resolutions : Whereas, from the accounts rendered by Captain Charles Wilkes of the United States Exploring Expedition, it appears there are eight kinds of Rice, cultivated at Manilla, in the Philipins Islands — forming the chief articles of food and profit to the inhabitants — the different varieties being distinguished by the size and shape of the grain — three belonging to the low lands and five to the high land culture — and as it is important that they be procured for the purpose of testing their value, as staples in this State ; Resolved, That the chairman of the committee on Rice, be authorized and requested to apply to the proper authorities at Washington, in the name of the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina, to procure for us, from the these Islands the seeds of the various kinds of Rice, above referred to, so soon as the same can be effectively done. Resolved, That the members of Congress from this State, be requested to lend their aid in promoting the objects of this application. Agreed to. Mr. Wm. Summer moved That this Society memorialize the Legislature upon the propriety of laying a tax on dogs, for the purpose of protecting the sheep growing interest in PROCEEDINGS. 91 South Carolina. Wm. Summer, Win. J. Murray, and W. J. Alston, were appointed to carry out this resolution. The time now arriving, the Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, was called, on to deliver the Annivesary Address, which lie did to the great delight of a nume- rous and attentive audience. At the conclusion, it was unanimously resolved on motion of Mr. Rhett, that the thanks of ihe Society, be tendered to the Hon. Mr. Poinsett, and that his address be published. The committee appointed to nominate officers, reported the following for the ensuing year : Hon. WHITE MARSH B. SSABROOK, President. Chancellor B. F. DUNKIN, lsi Vic e President. Chancellor HARPER, 2d V". P. Hon. J. B. O’NE ALL, 3th V. P. Hon. A. P. BUTLER, 4th V. P. Col. R. F. W. ALLSTON, 5 th V. P. Hon. J. M. FELDER, 6th V. P. Dr. R. W. GIBBES, Corresponding Secretary. Dr. JAS. B. DAVIS, Recording Secretary. Hon. JOHN C. CALHOUN, Anniversary Orator : which report was unanimously agreed to. The President returned his thanks, and at considerable length, congratu- lated the Society, upon its success, and detailed the interest to result from the efforts of this meeting, &c. It was moved and agreed to, that the Executive Committee, invite delegates from other State Agricultural Societies, to attend the meetings of this. The Secretary called the attention of the Society to an omission, (to wit,) that three members were to be appointed by the President, as forming with the officers, the Executive Committee, and A. G. Summer, Wm. J. Alston and Wade Hampton, were appointed. The Secretary then moved that the Executive Committee, be required to investigate the pecuniary condition of the Society, and report in full at the summer meeting. Agreed to. The committee on Domestic Fabrics, report to the Society, that a number of beautiful and useful specimens of silk, cotton and worsted articles, have been submitted to their examination, among which they would specify the fol- lowing : By Mrs. and Miss Gilliard of Pendleton, a piece of woolen and cotton goods, a coverlet of wool and cotton, and several specimens of vestings. Bv Col. J. Martin of Pendleton, a fine fur drat, of neat and durable appear- ance. By Mrs. Frances A. Dickson of Abbeville, a fine piece of worsted doth. AGRICULTURAL By Mrs. Spear of Abbeville, two pieces of coloured cotton cloth, suitable for ladies’ dresses, and a specimen of worsted. By Mrs. Murphy, (sixty. eight years of age,) of Union, two large worsted shawls. By Miss Hamilton of Pendleton, a vest pattern. By Miss M. Lee of Anderson, a specimen of silk for ladies dresses. By Miss Mary Ann Evans, of Charleston District, two large silk shawls, three small silk shawls, one pair of silk gloves, two pair of silk mits, one pair of half hose, 100 skains of sewing silk, and a silk purse. By Mrs Elizabeth Dantzlcr of Charleston District, a very handsome white silk shawl. By the Misses Fleming of Spartanburg, a fine silk banner. By Miss E. .1. Harkness of Anderson, a pattern of coloured cotton, for ladies’ dresses. By Mrs. Perry of Greenville, a pair of handsome worked slippers. The committee respectfully recommend to the Society, the following ladies as entitled to premiums, for their fabrics, and regret that the finances of the Society, will not allow of a more extensive award. The various specimens of the skill and industry of our fair country women, are deserving of the high respect and thanks of the Society. To Miss Evans, for her several articles of silk, a cup, valued at seven dollars. To Miss Gdliard of Pendle: on, for her vesting, a cup, three dollars. To Mrs. Murphy of Union, for her shawls,, three dollars. Mrs. E. Dantzlcr of Charleston District, for beautiful specimen of a silk shawl, a cup, three dollars. To the M sses Fleming, for the silk banner, a cup, four dollars. ROBER.T W. GIBBES, Chairman. The following was read by W. Gilmore Simms : The three specimens of domestic wine, herewith submitted to the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina, was made by Mrs. R. C. Roberts of Barnwell District, and belongs to three several vintages, as labelled. It is produced from the grape called the Scuppernong, according to a receipt found in the periodical called the *• Silk Grower.' 5 A fourth specimen herewith submitted is made from the native wild grape, of the kind so common with us in the middle Districts. It is of a darker color, than the other specimens. A single bottle of sweet oil, drawn from the rich seed of the Benue, native and well known plant, is also submitted. This plant will grow in our poorest soils, and is well worthy of our culti. vat ion. Four bushels of seed are found to yield about three gallons of oil. AGRICULTURAL &3 The sample submitted is now twelve months old and will be found to retain all its original sweetness. The process for extracting the oil from the grain, is a very simple one, Tiie reeds were crushed in a common mortar, then thrown into boiling water — -after being sufficiently boiled, the oil was skimmed off*, transferred to another vessel, and put to simmer upon the fire, until every particle of water had evaporated. It was then bottled, suffered to settle, and was subsequently clarified by rebottling and by age. The experiment was worth making by every family, who, by this easy method, may obtain a sufficiency for home consumption, of an oil which is really preferable to the oil of olives. The above was accompanied by a very entertaining address from Mr, Simms, and after farther complimentary addresses, in honor of Mrs. Roberts and ladies generally, the specimens were handed around to the ladies and gentlemen, and an award made to Mrs. Roberts, of a silver cup, valued at ten dollars. With this, the Society adjourned to meet by a subsequent alteration of the appointment of Tuesday Evening, at Aiken, on the 3d Wednesday in July — - instead of Cambridge. JAMES B. DAVIS, Chairman . . . ■ ' . ORATIONS, REPORTS, Ac. REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATE AG F; ICC LTD R AL- SOCIETY OF SOUTH CAROLINA. , ANNIVERSARY ORATION, CF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIF.TY OF SOUTH CAROLINA j BY GEX. GEOKG1E McDUFFIE: Read before the Society, on the 26th November 1840, at their annual meeting, in the Hall of the House of Representatives. Gentlemen of the State Agricultural Society of So. Carolina : I enter upon the performance of the task you have been pleased to assign me, with a due sense of its importance, and a corresponding regret that I shall not be able to fulfil either my own wishes or your reasonable expecta- tions. I may confidently trust, however, that this unpretending contribu- tion to the cause of agricultural improvement, will be received in the spirit in which it is offered : and that the partiality to which I am indebted for the honor of now addressing you, on the greatest and most neglected of all the sources of public prosperity, will insure, for the unavoidable imperfections of such a performance, your liberal and indulgent consideration. The art of cultivating the earth, and of increasing and perpetuating its productive powers, while it has been the first to indicate the dawn of civiliza- tion among men, is probably destined to be the last to mark, by its own ad- vancement, the final stages of human improvement. For of all the arts that contribute either to supply the physical wants or promote the intellectual development and moral refinement of the human family, none are more deeply and essentially founded in the principles of inductive philosophy, or are capable of extending their achievements over a wider field of usefulness and true benificence. It is scarcely possible, indeed, to assign any limits, either to the aggregate amount, or to the number or variety of useful pro. ductions, with which the fostering bosom of mother earth is ever ready to reward the researches and the labors of her children. And yet, so strange 98 AGRICULTURAL a paradox is man, that philosophy has stood gazing at the wonders or' the heavens, entangled in the mazes of vain conjecture. Enterprize has travers- ed and vexed the earth, and seas, in the vain pursuits of golden visions— and even avarice, calculating avarice has wasted its efforts in wild and gam' bling speculations, contributing nothing to the common stock of national wealth and human comfort, while millions of our race haye been literally per- ishing for the want of nourishment, and the whole surface of the earth has presented one boundless and inexhaustible mine of wealth and abundance, which haughty science has scarcely deigned to exploie, leaving sober indus- try to group its toilsome way amidst darkness and discouragement As cultivators of the soil, and as members of a community whose prosperity depends almost exclusively, and I may add, unalterably, upon its productions, it is high time that we should free ourselves from our share of this common reproach, and make one united and vigorous effort to redeem our agriculture from the shackles which ignorance, prejudice, evil habits, and the blind and fatal thirst for the sudden accumulation of large fortunes, have but too firmly fixed upon it. To aid in the accomplishment of this great reform, an achievement, in all respects, worthy of the highest aspirations of patriotic ambition, I shall pro' ceedto point out some of the prominent and piactical errors most prevalent in our agricultural system — 'if system it may be called— --and to lay down some of the fundamental principles and cardinal rules, which must form the basis of all substantia! improvements in our agricultural economy. The greatest, most prevailing, and most pernicious, of all the practices- which distinguish and deform the agriculture of this and the other cotton planting States, is the almost exclusive direction of the whole available labor of the plantation, to the production of our greatest market staple, and the consequent neglect of all the other commodities which the soil is capable of producing or sustaining, and which are essential to supply the wants of the establishment. No scheme of reform or improvement can produce any great any salutary results, which does not lay the axe to the boot of this jadical vice in our husbandry. It should be, therefore, an inviolable rule in the economy of every planta- tion, to produce an abundant supply of every species of grain, and of every species of live stock, required fur its own consumption. I am aware, that in peculiar localities, when the price of cotton has been high, examples may be found of successful planting where this rule has been disregarded. But this serves only to prove, that even a bad system prosecuted with great energy and under favorable circumstances, may be crowned with a considerable share of the success which would more certainly have rewarded a good one. Such examples, if they constitute an exception to the rule I PROCEEDINGS. S9 have laid down, by no means impair the force or disprove its general expe- diency. The economy of a plantation should be founded, not upon the tem- porary and mutable expedients, but upon general and permanent rules, adapted to all the probable vicissitudes of trade and of the seasons, and all the fluctuations of prices of the currency. We have surely seen enough of these fluctuations, and sufficiently witnessed, if not experienced, their disas- trous influence, to warn us against the fatal policy of yielding up the lessons of experience to the temptations of high prices and prosperous seasons. It is, indeed, one of the greatest evils which these fluctuations habitually pro- duce among us, that we are but too successfully tempted, by the temporary allurement of high prices, to abandon all the maxims of wisdom and all the rules of sound economy, which have be^n imposed upon us by painful expe- rience, in periods of depression and adversity. Let us, then, each one for the sake of his own interest, and all for the common welfare of South Caro- lina, solemnly and deliberately resolve, that we will never again, under any temptation incur the just reproach which must attach to our character as planters, if we should be induced to rely upon distant communities for those essential supplies, which our own plantations are so capable of producing. And to the end, that this high resolve may be more firmly adopted and per- severingly maintained, I shall endeavor to shew, that it is the dictate not less of an enlightened self-interest, than of an enlarged public spirit. We are, then, to consider and decide upon the comparative cheapness and economy of producing ourselves on the one hand, and of purchasing from abroad on the other, the hogs, horses, mules and other live stock, required for the use and consumption of our plantations, during an average series of years. A stranger to our wretched habits of economy, would be startled at tiie mere propounding of such an inquiry. He could not comprehend the economy of importing from Kentucky, what our own soil and climate are so eminently adapted to produce. However plausible, it is most assuredly a false economy, founded upon false reasoning. A man who will assume that our bogs and horses must be raised exclusively upon corn, and will gravely sit down to calculate the cost of so many bushels at seventy-five or even fifty cents per bushel, will certainly come to an erroneous conclusion. But those of us who systematically pursue the business of raising live stock, can testify that the quantity of corn necessary to raise hogs, horses or mules, is extreme- ly inconsiderable. Oats, whether harvested for the work horses and mules, or used as pasturage for stock hogs and stock horses and mules, is an invaluable crop for a cotton planter. That which is used as pasturage, while it will cost only the labor of preparing the ground and seeding it, will keep all the stock in fine order, from the middle of summer until the open- ing of the pea fields, and these, which cost scarcely any labor, will keep them 100 AGRICULTURAL in like order, with very little aid from the corn crib, until December. Frefn this time regular feeding will be required for about four months, and after that, very little will suffice till the oat pastures are again ready. In this view of the subject, 1 have omitted many useful auixilia ries, such as pota- toes, pinders, peaches and apples, the two latter of which are often permitted to rot on the ground, though excellent food for hogs, and perhaps the least expensive of all. Nor have I embraced in it the artificial grasses, though I am quite sanguine from an experiment I have now in progress, that in most of the strong soils of the upper country, blue grass and herds grass will suc- ceed very nearly as well as they do in Kentucky. Upon the whole, then, it is my deliberate opinion, founded upon my own experience and observa- tion as a planter, that in South Carolina, and particularly the upper country districts, it would be true economy for the planters to raise their own stock even if they could always buy Kentucky pork at three dollars a hun- dred, and Kentucky mules at fifty dollars a head. But let it be remem- bered that to accomplish this, they must devote themselves to it as an essential branch of their business. A regular system must be adopted, and a competent person be charged with its execution ; and overseers must be made to know, that it is as much their duty to superintend it, as the cultivation of the cotton crop ; for hogs and horses can no more thrive without proper attention, than corn and cotton can grow without attention. And it is worthy of remark, that when hogs are fat or in good growdng order, it requires not half so much food to keep them in that condition, as it would require to sustain poor hogs and prevent them from growing poorer. It is, therefore, a most obvious rule of economy, never to permit stock hogs to sink below w'hat we denominate a growing condition. The corn that will be required to keep them in that condition during four or five months in the year, will be less than that which would be required in extra feeding to pre- pare poor hogs for the slaughter pen ; and at the same age, their weight will be fifty per cent., greater, and their flesh wdl be much more firm, than those of hogs brought up in poverty and suddenly fattened. I am now speaking the actual result of my own experience, and I have been astonished to per- ceive how little corn is required to prevent fat hogs from getting poorer. As an important part of the branch of economy we are now considering every planter should keep as large a stock of neat cattle, and of sheep, as his pasturage and the offal of the plantation will support. To this extent, there is no description of stock so valuable in proportion to the expense of maintaining them. Their flesh is much cheaper than that of hogs, and be- sides supplying the table of the planter with an abundance of gool beef, but- ter and mutton, the former will advantageously supply one half of the plan- tation ration of meat during the autumnal months : and the latter, all the PROCEEDINGS. 101 wool required lor clothing the negroes in winter. In addition to all this, it is the opinion of the most experienced planters, in which I fully concur, that where cattle are penned ever}' night on grounds properly covered with litter, the manure they will make in the course of the year, will very nearly defray the expense of maintaining them. I have thus attempted to shew that it is the true interest of every planter to raise all the live stock required for his own use, and for the use and con- sumption of his own plantation, though no one else should pursue the same policy. I now propose to consider the subject in a still more interesting point of view. I propose to enquire what would be the effect of this system upon the general prosperity of the cotton plaining States, assuming that it should be universally adopted. It is not extravagant to estimate the annual expense which a planter would incur in purchasing his supplies of stock, at one tenth ut the net proceeds of his cotton crop, as exhibited on the books of his factor. Assuming then, that the labor diverted from the production of cotton, in order to raise these supplies, would diminish the cotton crop in the same propor- tion, it would follow that each individual planter would derive as large a net income from his diminished cotton crop, as he would have derived from a one tenth larger, if he purchased his s'oek, even supposing that the diminished cotton crop brought no higher price than could have been obtained for the larger one. But here we realize the grand result of the proposed reform in our agricultural economy. It is a well established principle of political economy, confirmed by the unifoim experience of the cotton planting States, that when the supply of a commodity exceeds the effective demand, the price is diminished, nut only in proportion to the excess, but in a still greater proportion. If, then, v r e assume that the proposed reform would reduce the annual cotton crop from two mil- lions of bales, to one million eight hundred thousand, and that the effective demand of the world would not exceed the latter number, it would clearly follow from the above stated principle, that the smaller crop of one million eight hundred thousand bales, would yield a greater aggregate income than the larger crop of two millions of bales. In the habitual state of our cotton trade, with a constant tendency in the production to exceed ihe demand, such would always be the result of diminished production, where no extraordinary cases existed to check consumption. It results from this reasoning, that the planting States would realize from the universal adoption of the proposed re- form, a clear aggregate saving of the sum now annually expended in purchas- ing live stock ; and that each individual planter, besides greatly increasing the comforts of his establishment, would add ten per cent., to his clear an- nual income. Entirely satisfied, os I am, of the soundness of this reasoning 102 AGRICULTURAL and the justness of the conclusion to which it leads, 1 am aware that it is ex- posed to an apparent objection. It may be very naturally asked, how it hap- pens that the planters, a class of men sufficiently intelligent to understand their own interests, should, generally, pursue a course so little calculated tu promote it. A sufficient answer will be found to this question, in the force of established habits, the mistaken ambition which makes the point of hon- orable distinction consist in the number of cotton bales, and above all, the un- fortunate habit so generally prevalent among planters, of neglecting their own business, and confiding it to the exclusive management of ovei seers. It is a duty which every planter owes, not only to himself, but to his country as a matter of example, to give his personal superintendance to his business, and make himself master of all its details. He can scarcely deserve to own an estate, who from false pride or indolent self-indulgence, remains in vol- untary ingnorance of the various operations upon which its productiveness depends, and relies exclusively upon agents who are practically irresponsible and in general, grossly incompetent. Certain it is, that no general reform or improvement in our agricultural economy, will ever be made by overseers — agents who are employed from year to year, who have no interest in any permanent improvement, and who are generally actuated by the motives of a tenant at will, which prompt them to aim at a large cotton crop the pre- sent year, without any regard to the future, or to the subsidiary branches of a sound system of economy. Every planter who has attempted such re- forms or improvements, as I have suggested, can testify how utterly impossi- ble it is to make overseers, generally, realize their importance, or bestow upon them sufficient attention to insure their successful execution. Let it, then, be regarded as the point of honor with every planter, to aitend per- sonally to his own plantation, and make himself master of every branch of of its operation and economy. This is an indispensable preliminary step to all useful improvements in our agriculture, and is equally demanded by every consideration of private interest and public duty. Another mischievous error in our planting economy, proceeding partly from the mistaken ambition of making a large count of cotton bales, and partly from the uncalculating habits acquired during high prices, is exhibited in the general carelessness with w'hich cotton is picked out of the field and prepared for market. It has been fully demonstrated by experience, that those planters who have their cotton properly handled, and sent to market free from the contamination of trash and stain, can habitually obtain in our own markets, one cent a pound more than can be obtained for cotton pre- pared in the usual way; and I can personally testify, as the result of my own experience, that the difference made in foreign markets is much greater. Now, I invite your serious attention to a few plain and obvious reflections on PROCEEDINGS. 103 this subject. A diminution in price of one cent a pound, at the present mar- ket rates of cotton is equal to ten per cent., discount upon the gross amount of the annual income of the planter, and a still larger percentage upon the amount of his net income. It follows, that by the careless operations of four months in gathering the crop, one tenth of its value is destroyed, and one tenth part of the labor of the whole year is absolutely nullified. The labor of one hundred hands is reduced in value to that of ninety, and five hundred btlcs of cotton are reduced to four hundred and fifty. Now I confidently put it to every practical planter, as a plain question of economy, what possi- ble advantage there can be in carelessly picking out a cotton crop, that will compensate the planter for tiiis sacrifice of fifty bales of cotton, the product of the whole annual labor of ten hands? Let it be admitted, and it is an ex- trerne supposition, that hands will pick out one tenth more in the one mode than they will do in the other. Even on this hypothesis, one tenth of the labor of the whole year would be sacrificed for the sake of one tenth of the labor for four months, and to this sacrifice we must add that of the additional expense of the horse power required to make the additional bales of cotton. Does not the conclusion., then, irresistibly follow from these premises, that every cotton planter should lay it down as a cardinal rule, in pitching his crop, to plant no more than he can pick out with proper care, giving due at- tention to the other interests of his plantation. This rule, like that relating to live stock, comes recommended by the twofold consideration, that it not only promotes the individual interest of each planter, but still more exten- sively, the general interest of the entire class. If it will cause a diminished quantity of cotton to be produced, it will cause the price of that diminished quantity to be proportionally increased, by its superior quality, and still fur- ther by the very circumstance of its diminished quantity. It is not to be doubted, therefore, that the general adoption of the two plain and practical rules, so perfectly in the power of every planter, of raising his own supplies instead of buying them, and picking out and preparing his cot- ton with proper care and attention, would do more to promote the prosperity of the cotton planting States, than all the morus multicaulis speculations and political paper nostrums that ever deluded a people with visionary hopes, while they afflicted them with real disasters. And here, gentlemen, it may not be unprofitable to indulge in a few cau- tionary reflections on that wild and extravagant spirit of speculative adven. ture, with which almost all classes of our countrymen havebeen smitten, and infatuated for several years past, and which has exerted a most pernicious influence, even upon agricultural economy. It has unfortunately inspired our planters, in too many instances, with a sort of contempt for the “dull pursuits, 1 ’ of sober industry, and taught them to look upon every visionary 104 AGRICULTURAL and ephemeral humbug as an El Dorado of sudden and unbounded wealth. Now, if any one anticipates, from the deliberations of this Society, the dis- covery of some new process by which wealth is to be accumulated without labor, the sooner he dispels such a delusion the better. There is no royal highway to wealth, any more than to learning. As labor is the only true and ultimate measure of value, wealth is neither more nor less than the accumulated results of labor ; and wherever one man becomes rich with- out labor, it follows as a necessary consequence, that by some specula- tive juggle, he has managed to transfer to himself the labors of other people. Though individuals, therefore, may become rich by unproduc- tive processes, it is impossible, in the very nature of things, that com- munities ever can. Let us, then, realizing these great principles of indus- try and sound economy, and discarding all visionary schemes, steadily pur- sue the beaten track of honest industry, consoled by the patriotic reflection, that every dollar we thus add to our own fortunes, is so much added to the wealth of the State, and that the losses of others constitute no one of the elements of our prosperity. As intimately connected with this view of the subject, 1 may venture to offer a a few suggestions, calculated to show that in a planting community, habitual indebtedness is the almost certain cause of pecuniary embarrass- ment, and is palpably opposed to every maxim, of genuine economy. Of ail classes of the community, the’planters can best plead the excuse of necessity for going in debt, and fatal experience has but too clearly demonstrated the disastrous results of such a policy. As this is lhe t bese1ting frailty of the times which so many lessons of experience have entirely failed to cuie, I consider it worthy of the grave and solemn consideration of this association. For if there be any question in the whole circle of our general economy, in rela- tion to which a sound public opinion should be brought to bear upon indi- vidual imprudence, this, in my opinion, is that very question. If we consult the experience of other States, we shall find that all the ad- vantages of a fertile soil and genial climate have been blasted by the mis- taken policy of which I am speaking ; and that w hole communities, which industry and prudence would have caused to flourish almost beyond example, exhibit one general scene of pecuniary embarrassment, bankruptcy and ruin. The experience and observation of every planter will sustain me in the asser- tion, that we pay for credit, in the mode in which it is usually obtained in the purchase of property, from ten to twenty per cent., interest. Every one who is accustomed to attend administrator’s and other public sales, must have been struck by the extravagant prices men are tempted to give by a x ear’s credit ; and not less by the fact that such men are perpetually involved in pecuniary embarrassments, and that the very efforts they thus imprudently make to get forward in the world faster than their neighbors, keep them always in the PROCEEDINGS. 105 rear. In fact, it may be truly affirmed as a general truth, that planters who are largely in debt, are, to that extent, the mere stewards of their creditors* Life is with them an anxious and slavish struggle in pursuit of an object which always eludes their grasp. Hut there is another form of credit, fortunately net so prevalent in South Carolina as in other States, of which planters are but too ready to avail themselves, which is equally at war with sound economy and a sound currency. I allude, of course, to bank discounts. It has been so fashionable of late, to pronounce extravagant eulogies on what is miscalled the credit system, that it will probably be deemed quite heretical to say that credit, in any form, is a public and private evil. It is, nevertheless, my de- 1, berate and well considered opinion, that one of the greatest nuisances that could afflict an agricultural community, would be the establishment of agri- cultural banks, so located as to enable every planter to obtain credit to the amount of one third part of the value of his estate. The fatal experience of other States has conclusively proved that such establishments have been the invariable causes of embarrassment and ruin. Owing to the periodical fluctuations inseparable from such a system, it has generally happened that a credit obtained by a planter, to the amount of one third of his estate, in a period of expansion, has required the whole estate, to redeem it in a period of contraction. And we have been but too impressively admonished that it is the very genius and instinct, of those institutions, to grant credits in periods of expansion, and exact payment in periods of contraction. One motive for calling your attention to this subject, will be found in the public manifestation of a desire in some parts of the State, to convert the Bank of the State of South of Carolina into an agricultural Bank, and with that view, to give it a central location. Such a change, made for such a purpose, I should regard as a great public calamity. Every one practically acquainted both with planting and banking, must be aware that a mere planter’s bank can be noth- ing more nor less than a loan office. The planter realizes his income an- nually and periodically ; and it follows, that a discount granted to him, ex- cept in rare cases, must be virtually a credit for a year. In practice it would he more generally for a longer than for a shorter period. It is self-evident then, that such a bank could not maintain the character of a specie paying bank fora single month. Now. if there is anyone measure which the pub- lic opinion and the true policy of the State concur in demanding, it is the rigid enforcement of specie payments by all the banks. Let me warn my brother planters, therefore, against involving themselves in a state of tilings by wliish they would either be i he means of defeating this measure of saluta- ry State policy, or become themselves the victims of it. I cannot, therefore, lecommend a more important reform in our planting community, than to get out of debt with al! practicable despatch, if already 106 AGRICULTURAL involved in it, and resolve for the future never to be involved in it affian. Such a resolution, generally adopted and firmly maintained, would do more to promote the independence and substantial prosperity of an agricultural State, than all the quackeries of legislation united. Imagine for one moment the great moral and political change which would be produced, if it could be truly announced at this moment, that every cultivator of the soil, within the wide limits of South Carolina, was entirely free from the shackels of debt. It should be a glorious day of jubilee. The fatal spell of pecuniary influence would be dissolved at once, the shackles of dependence would fall from the arms of the indebted, and every citizen would walk abroad in the majesty of genuine independence and freedom. But let us consider the effect which this general and habitual freedom from debt, would produce upon the progress of individuals in accumulating wealth, and upon the aggregate prosperity of the whole class of planters. Taking experience for our guide, it can scarcely be doubted, that those who have uniformly kept out of debt, and have never purchased property till they had the money in hand to pay for it, have generally accumulated fortunes more rapidly and much more certainly than those who have pursued the op- posite policy. Every step they take is so much permanently gained. They are exposed to no backsets ; they are affected by no vicissitudes in trade ; and stand firm and unmoved amidst those great, and now frequent and peri- odical convulsions, by which those who arc in debt are always shaken and often overwhelmed. Instances will no doubt occur to everv one who hears me, of men who have habitually made smaller crops than their neighbors, and who have yet, in a series of years, grown wealthy much faster, by this very simple rule, which I once heard laid down by a friend. Fie never made large cotton crops, and was regarded as a bad planter. And when asked how he got rich so much faster than his more energetic neighbors, he replied : “ My neigh- bors begin at the wrong end of the year. They make their purchases at the beginning of it, on a credit ; I make mine at the end of it, and pay down the cash.” And here I am reminded of a saying of John Randolph, of Vir- ginia ; a man not more remarkable for his genius and eccentricity, than for the profound philosophical truths, which sometimes escaped from him, like the responses of an inspired oracle. In the midst of one of his splendid rhapsodies in the Senate of the United States, he suddenly paused, and fixing his eye upon the presiding officer, exclaimed, “ Mr. President, I have dis- covered the philosopher’s stone. It consists in these four plain English monasyllables : “pay as you go.” Now, I will venture to say, that this is a much nearer approach than alchemy will ever make, to the great object of its visionary researches. And in recommending this maxim to the cotton PROCEEDINGS. 107 planters of the State, I have still kept in view, not only the individual interest of each planter, separately considered, but the common interest of the whole community of planters. For this reform, like the others I have suggested, independently of the direct benefit it will confer on each individual planter, will benefit the whole, as a class, by checking over-production. One great cause of the incessant struggle to make large cotton crops, to the neglect of every other interest, is the reckless habit of contracting debts, which I am deprecating. Negroes are purchased upon credit, and the planter is thus furnished both with the means and the motives for unduly and disproportion- ately enlarging his cotton crop. As cotton is the only crop that will command money, and as money is the most pressing want of a man in debt, every thing is directed to that object ; so much so, that it is the standing apology for neglecting to pursue a sound system of economy. The saying i.as, indeed, become proverbial among planters, “if I were not in debt, 1 would not strive to make such large cotton crops, but would devote myself to raising my own supplies, and making permanent engagements.” Let me, therefore, advise, admonish and beseech all our planters, as they regard their own peace of mind, their own true interest, the dignity and honor of their vocation, and the substantial welfare of the State, to avoid the en- tangling embarrassments of debt. Let them regard those who may offer them eredit with no friendly eye, but. as enemies in disguise, who seek to lead them into temptation. If they have contracted the hub t of anticipating their incomes, even for a single year, let them reform even that. Yes, re- form it altogether. Then will their prosperity be placed on immoveable foundations. Then will they stand unshaken and unterrified amidst those periodical storms and convulsions which are the inseparable concomitants of a false and artificial system of fluctuating credit and currency. Then will South Carolina find it an easy task to perform lhe high and solemn duty of preventing those convulsions, by reforming that currency. There is another reform in our agricultural economy, to which eveiy planter in South Carolina is invited by the most pursuasive considerations, public and private. It is to adopt and steadily pursue a system of perma- nent improvement, not only in the soil, but in the buildings and fixtures of bis plantation, and to abandon the improvident policy hitherto generally pur- sued, of exhausting the soil in the too eager desire to realize a large present income, without any regard to the future. It is absolutely distressing to contemplate the memorials of this wretched policy exhibited in every part of the State — a policy which, while it denies to the present generation almost all the rational comforts which alone to make wealth desirable, leaves to posterity an exhausted soil, ruinous mansions, and a barren inheritance. Now, it would not be too strong an expression to soy that every dollar 108 AGRICULTURAL judiciously invested in the permanent improvement of his estate by a planter, would be worth more to his children than two dollars invested, as is usual, in the purchase of more negroes to cut down the forest and destroy the soil. — We have reached a point in our agriculture, which imperiously demands a fundamental change in this respect. However the virgin soils of the South west may palliate the folly of such a course, the alternative is distinctly pre- sented to us, of permanently improving our estates, or deserting them. We cannot contend with the planters of Alabama and Mississippi, in a wild and destructive system, by which even they have sunk under embarrassment and ruin, with all their advantages of soil and climate. We can make up for our comparatively inferior soil and climate only by a superior system of hus- bandry. While they are exhausting their soil and preventing the natural increase of their slaves by a reckless system of pushing and driving, let us improve the fertility of the one, by resting and manuring it, and increase the number of the other, by moderate working, and by providing every thing necessary for their health and comfort. And I have no doubt that a South Carolina planter who shall limit his cotton crop to five bales to the hand, and rely mainly upon the natural increase of his negroes, will leave a larger es- tate to his children, at the end of ten or twenty years, than a South Western planter who follows the system generally pursued in that quarter, though he should make eight bales to the hand, and annually apply his surplus incumc to the purchase of land and negroes. Though they are real ly r struggling for the benefit of their children, there is no class of men who do so little for posterity, and will leave so few monuments behind them, as the cotton plan- ters of the South. What sort of an estimate must be placed upon wealth, and to what rational end can he desire it, who, with an income cf ten or twenty thousand dollars a year, brings up a family of children imperfectly educated, in a log cabin, with scarcely the ordinary comforts of such a dvvel'ing? A stranger travelling through our country could not be persuaded that it was inhabited by a race of wealthy, hospitable and enlightened plan- ters, so few of the monuments and improvements that indicate a wealthy and prosperous community would meet his eye. And if. by one of those great political revolutions which overwhelmed the ancient Greeks and Romans, our race should be merged in a race of conquorers, and our name only descend to posterity, what classic memorial, what substantial monument, would bear testimony that this “delightful region of the sun,” had once been inhabited by a civilized and enlightened people, eminently distinguished for their indus- try, their wealth, and the freedom of their institutions? In thus urging a more provident regard to the future in our general econo- my, it will be perceived that I have still kept in view the important object of diminishing the aggregate cotton crop of the country, by giving a more use- PROCEEDINGS. 100 i’al direction to a portion of the capital and labor devoted too exclusively to its production. It will be also perceived that I have made no disclosure or recommendation of any improvement by which large cotton crops may be made. 1 have intentionally abstained from any suggestion of this kind, be- lieving that every one may be safely left to his own impulses and his own re- sources on this point and regarding over production as one of the greatest evils to which the cotton planting interest is exposed. Indeed, if I could now reveal a process by which our common sods could be made to produce two bales of cotton to the acre, I should have great doubt whether the revo- lution would be a blessing or a curse to that great interest. I am aware that as 1 have obtained some reputation for making large cotton crops, it may be supposed that I preach one doctrine and practice another But such a supposition would do me injustice. With the largest cotton crop lever made — that of 1839 — I combined all the other branches of economy I have hero recommended. I have now a surplus of fifteen hundred bushels of corn made that year, hogs sufficient to supply my wants, that have been fat enough to slaughter since July, and very large stocks of cattle and of sheep, the lat- ter of which supply all the wool required for the winter clothing of my negroes ; and a stock of young hoises and colts fully adequate to meet the exigencies of my plantation. After making due provision for all these objects, it is of course the true interest of every planter to make as lar^e a cotton crop as he can without over-working bis operatives. In doing this { however, he should never lose sight of the great object of improving the productive power of his estate, instead of exhausting it. To this end, it should be bis constant effort, by manuring and resting the soil, and by superior cultivation, to produce a given result from the smallest possible number of acres. It is scarcely possible to over estimate the value of this rule in the actual condition of the old planting States. Every resource for making manure should, therefore, be improved to the uttermost, without begrudging the necessary labor and attention. No labor exerted on the plan- tation is half so well rewarded. Every description of stock should be reg- ularlarly penned every night in yards constantly covered with straw, leaves or other litter. The quantity "of manure that can be thus made in a year is quite inconceivable to those who have not made the experiment. Corn should be habitually planted in old land, of a quality least adapted to cotton, and every hill should be thoroughly manured, scrupulously avoiding the misera- ble economy too often witnessed, of loseing one half its utility, to save the inconsiderable labor required to apply it properly. I can bear personal testi- mony that by these means the crop per acre can be invariably doubled on soils originally strong. My corn is principally produced on level lands that were considered to be exhausted when they came into my possession, and yet 110 AGRICULTURAL by thorough an ! careful manuring, I have reduced the number of acres cul- tivated in corn fully one half, making more certain and abundant crops than I did before with double the number of acres and more than double the labor of cultivation. All the manure not required for the corn crop, should be ap- plied to the most exhausted of the cotton lands, and it should be made an in- variable rule, both in regard to coiton and corn, to list in and bury all the stalks and vegetable matter found upon the soil. My experience justifies the belief that this process alone, if commenced before the soil is too far ex- hausted, will perpetuate if not improve the fertility of originally strong and level lands, though constantly cultivated in cotton. In fact, vegetable matter, as it was the principal element in the original formation of soils, so it must be in their restoration and preservation. Nature beneficiently provides it to our hands ; but we too often destroy it as if it were a nuisance, while we vainly employ our speculations and direct our researches as to find out some more scientific means of improvement. 3n proportion as the quantity of land required for cotton and corn is diminished by the means proposed, will that be increased which is left fallow, and for small grain. These, after one year’s rest in good soils, and always before they become covered with broom sedge, should be fallowed in the autumn, carefully turning in all the stubble and weeds, with two horse ploughs adapted to the purpose. On the process of cultivation, one or two remarks may not be unappropri- ately made in this connexion. One of the most prominent obstacles, both to a system of good cultivation and to a 9yst m of permanent improvements, is the common practice of over-planting. It may be not unaptly denominat- ed a sytem of wear and tear , in regard to land, negros, horses and mules. As one of its inevitable consequences, a planter almost certainly finds him- self, wh ;n the seasons are in any degree unfavorable, in that uncomfortable condition usually expressed by saying “ he is desperately in the grass.” No man deserves the name of planter who gets into this predicament, except in very extraordinary seasons, any more than he deserves the name of general, who carelessly permits himself to be surprized and surrounded by an enemy. For, though the one may work his way out of the grass, as the other may cut his way out of the toils of his adversary, yet it is the hard knocks and sweat of the laborers in the one case, and the valor and blood of the soldiers in the other, that imperfectly atone for the incompetency of the manager and of the commander. It is tny confident belief that when even one half of the crop is permitted to become grassy, the future cultivation of the whole will require double the labor that would have been otherwise necessary, and with all that, it will be impossible t > make a full crop, especially of cotton. In our climate and soil in the upper country, the only means of avoiding an immense destruction of immature bolls, by the autumn frosts, is to push the growth of PROCEEDINGS. Ill the cotton from the beginning, by thinning and preparing it to mature as early as it can be safely done, arid never permitting its growth to be delayed for a single day by want of working. Fur what is lost in this way can nev- er be recovered ; and I have no hesitation in saying that six acres of cotton to the hand, properly cultivated, will produce a greater result with one half the labor than ten acres to the hand, cultivated in the rough and imperfect manner but too common even in this State, and generally prevalent in some others. In adopting it as a rule, therefore, to plant no larger crop than he can cultivate in the most perfect manner, a planter will best consult every view tit sound economy, and even the predominant desire to make a large cotton crop. In the cultivation of a crop, I know no rule more important, and which is more generally violated, than that of doing your work thoroughly well, cog what labor it may. More labor is unprotitably wasted, and more crops injur- ed, by bad cultivation, from neglecting this rule, than from any other cause. The last strokes of labor required to complete any operation, are doubly, often ten times as valuable, as those used in the previous stages of it ; and yet these are the very strokes usually omitted, in an improvident haste to ‘get over the crop,’ as it is expressed. The very causes which generally tempt managers to slight the work — wet weather and grass for example — are those which most imperiously demand the strict observance of the rule I have laid down. One of the consequences of over-c roping and bad working which is most to he deprecated, is the necessity they create, and the apology they offer, for permanently injuring the soil by excessive ploughing, and what is still worse, ploughing in improper seasons. 1 believe that it may be truly said that in the upper country at least, double the quantity of ploughing is done in culti- vating cotton, that can be justified by any sound theory. Every ploughing which turns up fresh soil to the burning rays of a summer sun, must tend to exhaust its fertility. But it is more important to remark, that nothing which folly can inflict on the soil, will so certainly reduce it to a mere caput mortuum, as the murderous practice of ploughing it in wet weather. There is but one way for a planter to avoid these evils, and that is by so planning and so con- ducting his operations, as to he habitually ahead with his work. I have thus, gentlemen, drawn up a hasty and imperfect sketch, presenting for your consideration the most prominent of those measures and maxima which I deem to be essential for accomplishing that reform in the agricultural economy of South Carolina, so imperiously demanded by the circumstances in which she is now placed. Our cultivated lands are in a course of exhaus- tion, and we have scarcely any forest lands to clear. Though these seem to he public misfortunes, they may In converted into blessings if we will but re- alize our true condition, and properly improve the occasion. By a law of ACRlC't-LTUKAL * our nature — expressed by a proverb of immemorial antiquity— necessir. is the stern parent of almost every great and useful improvement. No author- ity less imperious could have drawn mankind from the comfortless caverns of savage brutality, to the happy mansions of social and civilized life. While Providence seems to have ordained it as a law of human improve- ment, that communities should not go forward much in advance of their ne; cessities, he has benevolently endowed them with moral and intellectual fac- ulties always equal to the emergencies in which they may be placed. May we not confidently hope, therefore, that the planters of South Carolina, under the awakening influence of the great law to which I have alluded, will sum- mon up all their energies to carry our agriculture to a point of high perfoc* tion, that will fulfil all the requirements of our actual condition ? Gentlemen, I sincerely hope and devoutly pray that some of us, at least, may live to see the day when this ardent hope of every patriotic citizen will be fully realized, and when South Carolina will be as proudly distinguished by all the enduring monuments of a prosperous agriculture, as she ever has been by an enlightened population sincerely devoted to the principles of con stitutional liberty, and unconquerably resolved to defend them* MEMOIR ON THE COTTON PLANT, AST THE HON. WHITE HARSH B, SEASROOK. Read before the Stale Agricultural Society, or. the 6th December, 1843. Cotton,* from the Arabic word Koton, is the spontaneous production oi all the intertropical regions. Of the four great materials designed by Provi- dence for human clothing, it is believed that none were assigned to Europe. To Asia was given all— cotton, flaxf, the sheep, £ and silk worm;§ and to Africa and America, cotton and flax. It is remarkable, too, that of these, the one which was obviously designed to be the most extensively useful, was the last to be generally diffused. For many centuries the growth and man- ufacture of cotton were confined exclusively to India. The total silence of the Hebrew writers, and the very slight notices to be found in Greek and ^German Kallanwolle, Baumicolie Dutch, Ketoen , Boomicol ; Danish, Bomald ; Swed- ish, Bomidl; Italian, Cotone, Bombagia; Spanish, Algodon; Portuguese, Algodno, Algo- deiro ; Russian, Chlobts-chataza bumbga; Polish, Bc.wd.na ; Georgian, Bomby , Bamba; Latin, Gossypium; Greek, Bombyx Yylon; Mongol, Kobung; Hindoo, Ruhi; Malay, Kapas; Indian, Kopa; Chinese, Gay-Utiung , iJoa-Aftsn.— Skinner, the etymologist, says that cotton is so called from its similitude to the down which adheres to the quince, mails cydoniis, which the Italians call cotogni, and entire manifestly a cydonis. Gossypium, or cotton, a genus of the polyandria order, belongiug to the monodelphia class of plants; and in the natural method of ranking under the 37 th order, Columnifera. Encydopaedia Britannia, tot. 8, p. 21. tFlax is indigenous in Egypt, and also in America. — Clavigero’s Mexico, pp. 25, 26. fThe sheep fOvisJ the Argali ol Siberia. This animal inhabits the mountains or al l Asia, and becomes as large as a fallow deer. It is from the Mouflon, or, the Argali, that we are supposed to derive the numerous races of our woolly animals, which next to the dog. seem most subject to vary. — Cuvier s Animal Kingdom, tot. 4 th, pp. 26, 27. § Silk was first made in China. Silk worms with the art of manufacturing their pro duce were brought from China to Constantinople by two Persian Monks, in the reign of Justinian, A. D. 552. 8 114 AGRICULTURAL Roman* literature concerning the wool-bearing shrub, + are to be ascribed to the utter unacquaintance of the nations bordering on the Mediterranean with the populous countries beyond the Indus. Even after a considerable traffic had grown up between Rome and the East, cotton, as a textile ma- terial, excited no particular interest, nor more than a passing remark by the scientific inquirer. In the omission also of the writers of the middle ages to mention cotton stuffs, while enumerating the vestments in common use, it is to be inferred that woollen, linen, and silk, of which they continually speak, then constituted the customary wear of the people. We learn from Nearchus, Alexander’s Admiral, who (327 B. C.) descended the Indus, that 64 the Indians wore garments, the substance whereof they were made grow- ing upon trees; and this,” he says, “is indeed flax, or rather something much whiter and finer than fiax.” Herodotus, (445 B, C.) the father of his- tory, evidently supposed that the cotton plant was limited solely to India. “ The inhabitants of that country,” he states, “ make their clothes of the product of a certain plant, which, instead of fruit, produces wool, of a finer and better quality than that of sheep ” On the authority of Strabo, who was cotemporary with our Saviour, cot- ton grew in the Persian province of Susiana. We are informed by Plinv, who lived about A. D. 75, that in the earliest ages, when cotton fabrics were worn only by the Indians, the dress of the Babylonians was of linen and wool, and of the Egyptians, linen4 It was not until the Christian era that the in- troduction of the cotton plant into the country of the latter took place.§ “ In Upper Egypt towards Arabia,” he says, “there grows a shrub called gos- sypiuro, by others oxylon, from which the stuffs are made that we call xyli- na. It is small, and bears a fruit resembling the filbert, within which is a downy wool, which is spun into thread. There is nothing to be preferred to these stuffs for whiteness or softntss: beautiful garments are made from * Virgil, in the second Georgic, clearly alludes lo the cotton plant in the following lines: “ Shall I sing of the groves of Ethiopia, hoary with soft wool ; and how the Seres,” (a people of India,) “ comb out the delicate fleece from among the leaves?” tFrom its resemblance to the fleece of sheep, the first material probably made into cloth, it was called the “ wool of trees.” In the markets of the world, it is designated “cotton wool.” JThe microscopic examinations of Lewenhoeck conclusively show, that the tnumtny cloth of Egypt was composed entirely of linen. §The cultivation of cotton had long been discontinued in Egypt, when Mebemet Ali r about the year 1823, renewed the enterprize with a spirit indicative of a vigorous and sa- gacious mind. The first year, 60 bags were produced; in 1836, as high as 180,391 b3gs were exported to Europe. Oflate years the quantity grown has been inconsiderable, and as the culture of the crop depends on the capricious determination of the Pacha, no judgmentcan be formed of the future supplies from that country. (See Tables 3 and 4 in the Appendix.) PROCEEDINGS. 115 them for the Priests of Egypt. ’ The same writer enumerates, among the productions of the Island of Tylos, in the Persian Gulph, “ wool-bearing trees that bear a fruit like a gourd, and of the size of a quince, which, bursting when it is ripe, displays a ball of downy wool, from which are made costly garments of a fabric resembling linen.” It is probable, remarks a late wri. ter, as the soil of Arabia is unadapted to the raising of flax, and the climate too hot for the fine fleece of sheep, that cotton was applied to clothing pur- poses in the infancy of the human race. It is certain, however, that, at the time of the Hegira, A. D. 622, cotton cloth was a common material of dress. The next authentic account of the cotton plant is derived from Mar- co Polo, who visited many countries of Asia as the confidential agent of the Tartar conqueror of China. He saw cotton growing abundantly in Mosul, opposite the ancient Ninevah, in Persia, and at Guzzerat, in which latter place it was produced from a tree “ six yards high, which bore twenty years.” After the time of the Venetian traveller, but before the 14th century, the evidence is satisfactory, that the wool of the gossypium was the staple man- ufacture of Arabia, Persia, and all the Provinces on the Indus. Notwith- standing the proximity of China to India, and the commercial intercourse between them, it was not until the 1 1th century, that the herbaceous cotton, which four hundred years before had been raised in gardens for the beauty of its flowers, was grown for domestic use. So slow was its progress among the industrious and skilful people of that Empire, then distinguished for their knowledge of the arts,* that two centuries elapsed before it constituted one of the staple crops of the country. China is now an importer of the wool. About 70 years ago, the lands cultivated in cotton, in consequence of the alarming scarcity of provisions, were appropriated to the raising of corn by command of the supreme authority. Although cotton is indigenous in Africa, and grows luxuriantly and plen- tifully, especially in its central and western parts, yet there are strong reasons for concluding that the knowledge of its husbandry was spread among the people of that Continent, north of the Equator, by the early followers of Mo- hammed. No authentic notices of the progress of its tillage exist until the 15th century, when it was not only extensively grown,, but the fleece was manufactured, by the Caffres, by the Moors at Cofala, by- the- inhabitants of the coast of Guinea, and along nearly the whole northern shores- of the Med- iterranean. Spain was the first nation in Europe that cultivated the cotton plant, and manufactured clothing from its produce. Both occurred in the lOthieentu- *The Chinese were the original manufacturers of silk, paper and sugar. They, too; first practiced the art of printing, and were the first acquainted with the properties of the- magnet, and the composition of gun-powder.J 116 AGRICULTURAL ry. The Moors who were mingled with the Arabs at the Spanish conquest, says De Maries, brought with them the husbandry of rice and cotton, of the mulberry tree and the sugar cane. In the year 1050, the Priests of San Adveno were authorized to let their church lands for its cultivation. Soon afterwards it appeared in Italy, particularly along the shores of the Gulph of Taranto. It was then gradually extended to Greece, and the adjacent coun- tries. In the 16th century, it was produced in the vicinity of Hyeres, and elsewhere in the southern parts of France. Columbus, Magellan, Drake, Cavendish, Dampier, Van Noort, and indeed all the earlier voyagers, with one exception, concur in representing that, in the decoration of their persons, or where, from the coldness of the climate, some covering to the body was necessary, the aborigines of the Western Continent, among other materials, used cotton. Several of them moreover •saw “cotton growing wild and in great abundance” in the West India Islands and on the continent. The Patagonians tied up their hair with “ cotton lace,” and so plentiful was the vegetable wool in Brazil, that the inhabkants made theirjbeds of it. In St. Salvador, where Columbus first landed, the Spaniards, who describe the women as dressed in short “cotton coals,” exchanged caps, beads, and other toys for “cotton yarn.” On this Island cotton was seen “ growing of itself.” In the fabrication of cotton and other cloths, the Mex- icans displayed so much ingenuity and neatness, as to create a doubt in the minds of their 'conquerors, whether the European artists could surpass or even equal them in that branch of industry. Among the presents sent to Charles V. by Cories, were cotton cloths of exquisite fabric, dyed in various colours. Even as far north as the Mes-chacebe, or Mississippi, the earlier explorers of that river and its tributary streams, saw “ cotton growing wild in the codd and in great plenty.”* These facts, and they might be almost indefinitely multiplied, are introduced to rebut the opinion, founded on the negative testimony of Capt. Cook, that lhegossypium is not a native of the Western Hemisphere. That celebrated voyager found no cotton between New Zealand, 36 deg. South., and the Sandwich Islands, 20 deg. North. In addition to flax and the bark of the mulberry tree, in which Capt. Cook says the inhabitants of those regions were habited, the natives nearly all over the continent certainly used, as articles of dress, besides cotton, feathers, the wool of rabbits, the maguei, a fibrous plant, and silk grass. TheGossypium was cultivatod by the Dutch in Surinam in 1733. The precise time of its existence, as a staple commodity, in the West Indies is uncertain, though it probably occurred early in the 17th century. The presumption is against its having been the produce of Hispaniola as early as *A description of the English Province of'Carolina, by the Spaniards called Florida, and by the French, La Louisiana, by Dan. Coxe, pp. 81. 62, PROCEEDINGS. 117 1562, as William Hawkins, the Englishman, who carried to that Island a car- go of negro slaves, the first ever brought to the Western world, received in exchange for them only “ pearls, hides, sugar and ginger.” From a few of the tables of exports, to which alone on this head access has been had, it ap- pears that, in 1726, cotton was one of the staple crops of Hispaniola, and[l] that, in 1753, Jamaica exported 2000 bags, and, in 1769, to Great Britain and Ireland, 2211 bags of 200 pounds weight, and to North America 252[2] bags. On an average of eight years, from 1740, 1748, among the exports of Barbadoes 600 bags of cotton are included. In 1787, the Islands of St. Domingo, [3] St. Christopher, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua, Montserrat and Nevis, and the Virgin Islands, were exporters of this commodity. Before 1803, in which year Jamaica did not grow one bag for exportation, there were five varieties ofgossypium planted in the West Indies, viz. — the com- mon Jamaica, the brown bearded, the nankeen, the French or small seed, and the kidney or Brazil cotton. [4] The interest on capital in the raising of the lowest priced cotton in the British West India Islands in 1785, ’86, and ’87, was 14 per cent., [5] but in St. Domingo, where finer cotton was pro- duced, applying the same calculations, it was 24 per cent. [6] The materials forobtaming a correct knowledge of the ancient general his- tory of cotton are so meagre, that the short account just concluded, embraces substantially all that is known on this interesting subject. Of the two kinds cultivated in the United States, the green seed or short staple cotton[7] is derived from the Herbaceum or herbaceous cotton, and the 1 Burke’s Account of the European Settlements in America, p. 15. 2 Edwards’ West Indies, vol. i. p. 257. 3 On an average of the years 1787, ’83, and ’89, the exports of cotton from the French part of St. Domingo, were 6,793,858 lbs. 4The first import ofcotton into England from the Brazils, was in 1781. 5 Edwards’ West Indies, vol. iii. p. 95. This large interest was the result of the prices, viz: Is 3 d. sterling per pound, and not the production, which averaged only aboutlOOlbs. per acre. 6 Ibid. The price of cotton wool of St. Domingo was 2s per lb. 7 It should be called, says Dr. Ure, fiuticosum, shrubby, because its stem is woody and not herbaceous. It is distinguished from the other species of gossypiumby having the five lobes of its leaves rounded and terminated with a sharp point. Its capsule is three or five celled ; each cell contains about five seeds of an ash colour. The stems, which increase in hardness and size with the heat of the climate, are somewhat reddish near their lower part, velvety or hairy towards the top, and variegated with black points. The branches are short; the leaves green, soft, pretty large and divided into five short lobes. The axillary peduncles towards the extremity of the boughs end in a large beautiful yellow flower; the three leaflets of the flore, or cup, are large, and deeply toothed on their edges. Urt, pp. 63, 64. 118 AGRICULTURAL Hirsutum or hairy American cotton ; the long staple or black seed cotton [1] is derived from the Arboreum or tree cotton. The former was certainly grown in Virginia, in a limited way, at least one hundred and thirty years before the Revolution. Several of the early Governors of that Colony used diligent efforts to secure the fabrication of certain articles, which, it was be- lieved, it could profitably raise ; and the introduction and culture of new crops, among which was cotton ; but their designs were thwarted, as well by the unjust and tyrannous conduct of the mother country, as by the op- position of the tillers of the soil, who, in a matter so important to themselves? had the boldness to consult what they held to be their true interests. Sir William Berkley, his Deputy, Francis Morrison, and Sir Edmund Andros, were particularly prominent in not only advising the people to diversify the products of the field, but to engage in the manufacture of hemp, flax, salt and potash. [2] Resolved to make a commercial profit of the plantations, Cromwell, by his celebrated navigation act, prohibited them from receiving or exporting any European commodities, but what should be carried to them by Englishmen or English built ships. They were absolutely forbid corres- ponding with any nation or colony, not subject to the crown of England. These restraints proving ineffectual, another act in the reign of Charles II. was passed, by which the Colonies could have no foreign goods, which were not first landed in England, and carried directly from thence to the planta- tions. As the effects of these edicts was to raise the value ot European goods, and depress that of tobacco, several abortive attempts were made by the Assembly of Virginia to prevent the planting of that crop for one year, and during that time to invite the people to turn their thoughts to manufac- tures, and the cultivation of other crops, cotton included. Land being abun- dant, and obtainable on easy terms, and the belief prevailing that the mother country would soon remove all unnecessary restrictions on trade, and pro- mote in a more certain and permanent form the culture of tobacco, they per- tinaciously refused to divert their capital into a new channel, and saw' no ne- cessity for adopting the last recommendation of the local government. The “ paternal command” of Charles I., that the planters should make no more than 100 lbs. of tobacco per man, on the ground that he could not afford to give them above 3s. the pound for it, they had affectionately resisted so far as the obstacles in their way permitted them : it was not therefore to be sup- posed that they would now curtail their field labours in relation to their ICalyx cup-shaped, obtusely five-toothed ; inclosed in a three-cleft exterior calyx ; the leaflets united at their base, of a heart shape, and toothed; stigmas three to five; capsules three to five-celled, and many seeded ; seeds bearing a downy wool. Ure, p. CO. 2 History of Virginia, by a native and inhabitant of the place ; published in 1722.— pp: 50, 90,92- PROCEEDINGS. 119 favorite product, the foreign demand for which was annually increasing. When, however, necessity constrained them to try the expedient of fabri- cating cloth, other than hemp and flax, for family use, strong opposition was quickly manifested. Francis Nicholson, Governor of Virginia in 1698, “ recommended to Parliament to pass an act forbidding the plantations to make their own clothing; in other words, that the planters shall go naked. ”[1] In reference to Carolina, the conduct of the Colonial authorities to the plant- ers was perhaps unexceptionable. From physical causes, their labour, it was foreseen, could never come in competition with that of Britain. From the inaptitude of Europeans for the labour requisite in such a climate, and more especially for the crops suitable to the soil of an uncleared and heavi- ly timbered country, added to the utter ignorance of many of the emigrants in the art of agriculture, and the unacquaintance of all with the productions most likely to reward their labour, the earlier settlers, though living in a higher latitude, continued to cultivate the same crops in Carolina that they had done in England ; and thus, by exhausting their strength in fruitless struggles, continued poor, whilst the best lands were procurable at the rate of one thousand acres for twenty pounds sterling. Insensibly, however, they engaged in that department of husbandry, which, while it required little ex- posure and personal strength, served to supply England and the West Indies with such articles as they respectively needed, in exchange for what the Colony was unable to produce. [2] The raising of silk was introduced into the country by Sir Nathaniel Johnson about the year 1703. The mulberry be- ing an indigenous tree, and the great demand for silk in England, concurred to render this an encouraging branch of industry. In 1759, 10,000 lbs. of silk were produced in this State. [3] The growing of rice[4] followed the busi- ness of making tar, pitch and turpentine, that had long been one of the prin- cipal employments of the land-owners. To this, about forty years after- 1 Idem, p. 92. 2 To Great Britain were exported furs, deer skins, rosin, tar, pitch, and raw silk, in ex- change for woollen, cotton and silk goods, arras, ammunition, and agricultural imple- ments; to the West Indies, beef, pork, butter, candles, soap, tallow, myrtle wax candles, pitch and tar, cedar and pine boards, shingles, hoops, staves, and heads for barrels, in re- turn for rum, molasses, sugar, cotton, chocolate made up, and cocoa nuts. 3 To a very rich satin damask, now in the possession of Mrs. F. Rutledge of Charleston, the following memorandum is affixed : — “In 1753, Mrs. Pinckney took with her to Eng- land a quantity ofsilk spun from worms of her own raising at Belmont, near Charleston. It was considered by the manufacturers equal to any imported from Italy. The quantity was sufficient to be woven into three dress patterns ; one of which Mrs. Pinckney pre- sented to the Princess Dowager of Wales, mother of George III. ; another to Lord Ches- terfield, the third she brought back to America.” 4 A bag ot rice was given to Landgrave Smith, in 1695, by the Captain of a Brigantine from Madagascar, that touched at Charleston on her way to Britain. The Governor di- 120 AGRICULTURAL wards, was added Indigo,* which was soon extensively grown in certain lo- cations, where it continued to be the sole staple commodity until the tobacco culture began to be attended to. Although the climate and soil were ex- perimentally known to be well adapted to the cotton plant, yet, as before the introduction of negroes, other crops had employed the time of the planters, when that event occurred, rice proved to be so lucrative a business that, from 1703, it engrossed their whole strength and attention. In the infancy of the Colony, the advice of the Trustees of Georgia to the planters to cultivate the vine and mulberry to make wine and silk, because in work of that light kind, poor women and children might be usefully and advantageously employed,” was generally unheeded. Like their more nor- thern neighbors, they obeyed the dictates ol their own will, in the belief that their sagacity would soon discover the shortest way of arriving at the goal of their desire. They continued, therefore, in the vocation of growing rice and indigo, and providing naval stores for the West India and English trade un- til the breaking out of hostilities with the mother country. In that year, while a cotton patch was no unusual spectacle, Col. Delngall of South Caro- lina, who had joined Gen. Oglethorpe, as Lieut. Delagall, cultivated thirty acres of the green seed kind, near Savannah. In a pamphlet of the date of 1666, entitled “ A brief description of the Pro- vince of Carolina on the coast of Florida,” the writer in speaking of the Cape Fear settlements, made only two years before, says, they have “indigo, to- bacco, very good, and cotton wool.” Dr. Hewitt, in his historical account of South Carolina and Georgia, while commenting on the introduction of silk into the former, and the products of the earth for which premiums ought then to have been given to those who should bring to market the greatest quantities of them, alludes particularly to cotton, and after detailing the man- ner of planting it, remarks that this article, “ though not of importance enough to have occupied the whole attention of the Colonists, might, nevertheless, in vided the rice between Stephen Bull, Joseph Woodward, and some oilier friends, who planted their small parcels in different soils. — Hcicitt’s Historical Account of South Caro- lina and Georgia. *Inl74l or ’42, George Lucas, Governor of Aniigua, sent to his daughter Eliza, after- wards Mrs. Pinckney, the distinguished lady alluded to in note p. 119, some seed, as an ex- periment. From its produce was made the first indigo that was grown in South Caro- lina. In 1745, this plant was discovered growing spontaneously in the woods. Two years afterwards, a large quantity of indigo (from imported seed principally) was sent to England, which induced the merchants trading to Carolina to petition Parliament for a bounty on Carolina indigo. — Heicitt. The East is indebted to the Western continent for this plant. — The high bounties of the British Government, assisted by the knowledge of a Mr. Gray, once the overseer of John Bowman of Charleston, who carried to Bengal the American mode of manufacturing the produce, extended its growth in India. PROCEEDINGS. 121 conjunction with other staples, have been ren lered profitable and useful. ”[1] In Wilson’s account of the “ Province of Carolina in America,” published in 1682, it is stated that cotton of the Cyprus and Malta sort grosvs well, and a good plenty of the seed is sent thither. ”[2] In Peter Purry’s description of the Province of Carolina, drawn up in Charleston, in 1731, “flax and cot- ton” are said to “ thrive admirably. ”[3] In the Journal ot Mrs. Pinckney, the mother of Gen. Thomas and Gen. Charles C. Pinckney, [4] — who, as Miss Lucas, when only eighteen years of age, was intrusted with the management of the planting interest of her father, the Governor of Antigua, is the follow- ing memorandum : — “ July 1, 1739, Wrote to my father to-duy a very long letter on his plantation affairs — on the pains I had taken to bring the indigr* ginger, cotton, lucerne, andcasada to perfection, and that I had greater hopes from the indigo than any other.” “ June, 1741, — Wrote again to my father on the subject of indgo and cotton." It is a well authenticated fact that, in 1736, as far north as the 39th degree, co;ton on “the garden scale” was raised in the vicinity of Easton, in the county of Talbot, on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. [5] About forty years afterwards, it was culti* vated in St. Mary’s county, Maryland, and in the northern county of Cape May in New Jersey — also in the county of Sussex in Delaware. Mr. Jeffer- son, in his Notes on Virginia, written in 1781, says, “ during this time we have manufactured within our families the most necessary articles of clothing. Those of cotton will bear some comparison with the same kinds of manufac- ture in Europe; but those of flax, hemp, and wool, are very coarse, unsight- ly, and unpleasant.” A short time before the Revolution, a few of our plant- ers by growing patches of cotton, some of which were of the black seed kind, succeeded in clothing not only their families, to which they had been accus- tomed, but also their slaves. The necessities of the war, and the state of things existing for sometime after it, greatly increased the number of the domestic fabrications of the wool until about the year 1790, when the prac- tice of using homespun for plantation purposes became very common in the districts and upper parishes. The yarn was spun at home, and sent to the 1 Carroll’s Historical collections ofSouth Carolina, Vol. i. p. 141. 2 Idem, vol. ii. p. 84. 3 Idem, vol. ii. p. 133. Peter Parry was a native of Switzerland, and the founder of Purrysburg. In the reign of George I., he presented a memorial to the Duke of New- castle, then Secretary of State, in which he sets out with this postulate, that “there is a certain latitude on our globe, so happily tempered between the extremes ofheat and cold, as to be more peculiarly adapted than any other for certain rich productions of the earth,” among which he enumerates silk, cotton, indigo, &c., and he fixes on the latitude of 33 deg., whether north or south, as the identical one for that peculiar character. — Rees' En- cyclopaedia, vol. x. — Article Cotton. 4 See Notes, p. 119. 5 American Farmer, pp. 8 and 9. 122 AGRICULTURAL nearest weaver. Among the manufacturing establishments, the one in the vicinity of Murray’s ferry in Williamsburg, owned by Irish settlers, supplied the adjacent country. The cotton for the spinning process was prepared in general by the field laborers, who, in addition to their ordinary work, picked the seed from the wool, at the rate of 4 lbs. per week. At the Convention at Annapolis, in 1786, Mr. Madison in a conversation with Tench Coxe, concerning the cotton husbandry, remarked that, “ from the garden practice in Talbot, and the circumstances of the same kind abounding in Virginia, there was no reason to doubt that the United States would one day become a great cotton producing country.” The evidence then existing on this subject, especially the interesting fact, that during our struggle for Independence, Philadelphia had been furnished with native cot- ton, worth two shillings sterling per pound, enough for the limited home con- sumption, and the information communicated to Gen. Thomas Proctor of that city by Richard Leake of Georgia, removed all doubt in reference to the practicability of raising the gossypium, as a crop on a large extent of the At- lantic coast. This conviction of the public mind soon insensibly led to the be- lief, that the United States could also card and spin its fleece, and probably weave it by water power. The result was a mission to Great Britain, at the expense of Tench Coxe, to obtain the machinery, and all the information which it was important the parties should possess. The influence of a man- ufacturing society, established in Philadelphia, in 1787, and the prevalent opinion, that the raw material might be made a profitable source ofrevenue, induced Congress, at the first reformation of the Tariff, to impose a duty of three cents a pound on foreign cottons, [1] with which the United States were at that time supplied from the West Indies and the Brazils. That, in 1792, the growth of cotton in this country was unknown to Mr, Jay, or that as a commercial article it was deemed of little value, is obvious from the fact, that, in the treaty negotiated by him, it was stipulated, that no cotton should be imported from America. The object of that diplomatist being to secure to the English the carriage of the West India cotton to its market in Europe. This is the reason why the Senate refused to ratify the 12th article of that treaty. In half a century how wonderful has been the revolution effected in the cotton husbandry of the United States! In 1792, the entire crop was 138,328 lbs.; in 1842, 985,221,800 lbs. were produced. (2) 1 Niles’ Register, Vol. xxxii.p. 332. 201 the imports of cotton into Europe from North America, Egypt. South America, the East and West Indies, in 1842, amounting in the aggregate to 2,924,463 hales, this country furnished 2.379,460 bales, or more than three-fourths.— See note A.' m and table 4, in the Appendix. PROCEEDINGS. 123 The first Provincial Congress in this State, held in January, 1775, recom- mended to the inhabitants to plant cotton, but their recommendation was al- most entirely disregarded. The whole quantity of that commodity, prior to 1795, exported from the United States was inconsiderable, but in that year it amounted to 6, 376, MOO lbs :( 1 ) of this, the proportion contributed by South Carolina was 1,109,653 pounds.(2) Among the exports of “ Charles Town” from November, 1747, to Novem- ber, 1748, are included 7 bags of cotton wool, valued at 31. 5d. per lag.(3) In 1754, “ some cotton” was again exported from South Carolina.[4] In 1770, there were shipped to Liverpool, three bales from New York, four tales from(Virginia and Maryland, and three barrels from North Carolina. [5] Before the Revolutionary war, Virginia exported, coimnunibus annis, hemp, flaxseed, and collon, to the value of $8000. In 1784, an American vesse* that carried eight bags to Liverpool, was seized on the ground, that so much cotton could not be the -produce of the United States. [6] In 1785, 14 bags; in 1786, 6 bags; in 1787, 109 bags ; in 1788, 339 bags ; 1789, 842 bags ; and in 1790, 81 bags were received in Europe from this country:(7) of these, 153 bags were sent directly, and a portion of the remainder by the way of Phila- delphia and New York, from Charleston. (3) The first bag of cotton, sold in South Carolina, was purchased in 1784, by John Teasdale from Brian Cape, then a factor in Charleston. The first bag of the wool exported from that City to Liverpool, arrived January 20th, 1785, per Diana, and was consigned to Messrs. J. & J. Teasdale & Co. (9) The exports from 1790, though very much mixed up with foreign cottons, slowly but steadily increased until 1794, when a powerful impetus was given to the cotton culture by the invention of the saw gin by Eli Whitney of Massachusetts. (10) This ingenious but unfortu- 1 The year 1795 includes some foreign cotton in the export. 2 In Ramsay’s history of North Carolina, the amount exported is erroneously valued at “ 1,109,653 pounds sterling.” 3 American husbandry, containing an account of the soil, climate, productions and ag. riculture, of the British Colonies in North America and the West Indies; published in London inl775. Vol.i. p.437. 4 Drayton’s Memoirs of South Carolina. 5 Smither’s Liverpool, p. 155. 6 Smither’s Liverpool. 7 See note B. in the Appendix. 8 Of thel4 b ;gs exported to Liverpool in 1785, ten of that number were shipped from Charleston by John Teasdale. So short was the crop of 1789, that the high prices alone induced the planters to continue the cultivation of cotton. 9 Smither’s Liverpool — Note B. lOMr. Miller of Georgia, in whose house he lived at the time of the invention, was asso- ciated with Whitney in his labours. The letters patent bear date, October 28th, 1793. 124 AGRICULTURAL nate artist, who by his machine doubled the wealth and means of employment of his countrymen, and thereby in an especial manner conferred on the Plan- tation States a benefit that can scarcely be estimated in money, (l) was re- warded by South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee only. The first appropriated $50,000 for the use of his invention within her limits ; the second laid a tax for five years of 2s. 6d. upon every saw in every gin that was mounted within its jurisdiction ; and the last imposed a tax of 37£ cents upon every saw, to be continued for four jears. Notwithstanding these liberal legislative acts, the inventor derived no pecuniary benefit from his gin. fie expended the whole amount re eived from South Carolina (from the other States he received a mere pittance,) in defending himself against arbitrary and vexatious suits, and in prosecutions for violations of his patent right. Over the grave of this distinguished benefactor of the human race, a monu- ment is erected, with this simple but expressive inscription — “ the inventor of the saw gin.” It was not the design of the writer to speak particularly of the culture of green seed cotton, as a crop, in South Carolina, but having gathered a few interesting facts concerning this great staple, he deems it his duty to present them to the Society. The history of this and the black seed cottons is in- deed intimately blended. The growing of the former in this country for ex- portation was begun but a few years before that of the latter;(2) the same ma- chine for extracting the seed from the wool was for a long while employed ; and the modes of cultivation and preparation, with one exception, (3) including the manner of packing the bag, were also the same. As a preliminary point, it may be asked, whence came the seed of this cotton, now so extensively cultivated in the United States ? This question is probably not susceptible of a positive and unexceptionable answer. That it was not brought from India is perhaps obvious. The policy of the East In- dia Company, who obtained their monopoly in the year 1600, was unques- tionably adverse to the exportation of cotton seed. Indeed, the wool itself 1 “If we should assert,” said Judge William Johnson, “that the benefits of this inven- tion exceed <$100,000,000, we can prove the assertion by correct calculation.” 2 In Georgia the long staple cotton was first planted for market; in Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina, the short staple cotton. 3 The bow string operation. A large bow, made elastic by a complication of strings, is put in contact with a heap ofcotton; the workman strikes the string with a heavy wood- en mallet, and its vibrations open the knots of the cotton, shake it from the dust and dirt, and raise it to a downy fleece. The bow, says Mr. Baines, in his history of the cotton manufacture of Great Britain, has been used immemorially throughout all the countries of Asia, and has its appropriate name in the Arabic and other languages. In this country he remarks, it was first employed in Georgia ; hence the term, still applied in commerce, “ Bowed Georgiacotton.” PROCEEDINGS. 125 was not first exported by them. This was done by the privileged merchants in 1798. Individuals would scarcely have deemed it necessary to draw from the distant East that which was obtainable much nearer home, and of a quality too greatly to be preferred. As the trade in the raw materia! during the larger portions of the periods alluded to, was confined to the Mediter- ranean, it is a legitimate inference, in the absence of positive proof, that, from that quarter, the nations of Europe, owning possessions in the western hemisphere, respectively introduced into them the new culture. This per. haps was especially true of the Low Countries and of England, as, in 1560, the former constituted the depot of cotton goods from the Levant ; and the Turkish trade, of which Smyrna was the seat, was, at the time of which we speak, the most important to the latter. Peter Purry is represented to have brought with him, among other seeds, that of cotton. This, and a pa. per of the same material, received by the Trustees for the settlement of Georgia, from Philip Miller of Chelsea, England, it can scarcely be ques- tioned, were from the Mediterranean. Mr. Wilson, already quoted, says expressly, that the Carolina sort was from Cyprus and Malta. In a pamph- let entitled “American Husbandry,” published in London, in 1775, the wri* ter remarks, that “the cotton cultivated in our Colonies is of the Turkish kind.” On the other hand, it must be supposed, from the language of their historian, that the Cape Fear emigrants, who began the growing of the gos- sypium only two years after they had established their settlements, were pro- vided with seed from Barbadoes. The vicinity of the West Indies ; the profitableness of the cotton crop ; and the varieties of the plant, which, at an early period were cultivated in those Islands— -all render it nearly certain, that from thence was drawn a portion of the supply with which the people were from time to time provided. Between 1786 and 1795, cotton from various parts of the world was in- troduced into the Southern States and Louisiana. A species of the white Siam was for some time the subject of experiment by the French in the latter country. The Nankeen came from Malta. The Bourbon was brought from that Island to Charleston, through the instrumentality of James Ham- ilton, who was a merchant, and part owner of the only India ship at that time trading beyond the Cape of Good Hope. The Purnambucco or kidney cot- ton, was sent from the Havanna to Mr. Levettof Georgia, by a Mr. Welch, a merchant of Philadelphia. These, and many other sorts, after a fair trial, were abandoned, for the reason of their inferiority to the kinds then profitably raised, viz ;the real green seed, and the Sea Island cotton ; the latter hav- ing superseded the plant that was grown at the period of the Revolution, which strongly resembled the short staple in growth and blossom, except having a dean black seed with fur at the end. The Louisiana cotton, it is 126 AGRICULTURAL thought, was derived from this species, but degenerated in the progress of tillage by intermixture with other kinds. To a cross with Sea Island cotton, large quantities of which were shipped to Louisana immediately subsequent to its cession to the United States, is perhaps in part to be attributed the de- cided superiority of the New Orleans cotton wool of the present day overall others in North America of the green seed description. From this brief notice of the quarters whence different cottons were re- ceived in this country, in connection with the progress of the plant from be- yond the Indus to the Levant, we have satisfactory reasons for concluding, that to the Mediterranean and Asia Minor we are mainly indebted for the particular species of the gossypium which has been the subject of investiga- t ion. Of the two kinds from which the green is derived, the Herbaceum is clearly of Eastern origin, and the Hirsutum also probably, though it is posi- tively asserted to be a native of the West Indies. Notwithstanding in the accounts current, published in the “Carolina Ga- zette” of 1792, the article of cotton does not appear, yet, it is certain, that even at a much earlier date, it was vended in Charleston in small parcels, varying from one to thirty pounds. In 1787, it was brought from Orange- burg, Newberry, and, it is believed, Union, and sold in the seed to the mer- chants, at two pence per pound, who resold it principally to the ladies to make “ patch work bed quilts.” In that year, or the following, two or three bags, about 100 lbs. each, of seed cotton, were packed in the store of Wads- worth and Turpin by Samuel Maverick(l) and Jeffrey, a half-blood Indian. These were shipped to England as a sample and an experiment. The an- swer of the consignees was discouraging. It is not worth producing, said they, as it cannot be separated from the seed. In 1794, Dr. James Otis Prentiss, and in the same or subsequent year, Col. William Thomson of Revolutionary memory, each planted cotton for market ; the former in Or- angeburg District, within a mile of the village, and the latter at Bell ville, in St. Matthew’s Parish. In 1796, cultivators of the crop appeared in several parts of the State ; among them were Samuel Felder of Orangeburg. It was first grown in the High Hills of Santee by John Mayrant and Asburry Sylvester in 1793. The year afterwards, Gen. Wade Hampton introduced the plant into Richland District. With the energy and sagacity that distin- guished him, he began his operations on an extensive scale, and from 600 acres he gathered over 600 bags. Although not the first person who employed 1 Mr. Maverick states, that lie was the first person who made sugar in South Carolina. About the year 1800, he planted some ribbon cane, purchased in the Havanna. in his lot to the east ofthe Present Orphan House. It yielded 300 lbs. The cane was pounded in a mortar, and the juice boiled in iron pots. PROCEEDINGS. 127 Whitney’s cotton gin(l) in South Carolina, (for, in 1795, one was erected on Mill Creek, five miles below fvlonticello, Fairfield, by Capt. James Ivincaid, and, three years afterwards, by several other planters,) still he was certain- ly the first who used water as the propelling power. His gins were furnished by an ingenious artist of Georgia, assisted by William Munson of Richland. Though of rough construction, they served as models for others made in 1801, by Wm. Munson and James Boatwright of Columbia. These were the first of the new machines of home manufacture. It does not appear that cotton was raised for market in Edgefield, and the more northern districts, until 1802, until which time tobacco was one of the staple commodities. In that year, Col. Z. S. Brooks erected a cotton-gin on the north or Saluda side of the district. With this he prepared for sale the crops of his neighbors for the compass around him of ten miles. Before concluding this branch of our inquiry, it becomes necessary to re. move a difficulty that seemingly militates against what has been advanced in reference to the exportation of cotton from South Carolina. On the highest authority, it has been already stated that, from 1785 to 1790, a period of six years, there were shipped from Charleston 153 bags of cotton ; yet, from the representations just made, it seems, that the commodity was not grown, as a crop, in this State until 1794. The solution is probably this : The cotton was either prepared by hand-roller gins, which were undoubtedly in use even be- fore the war, and sold in small quantities to the merchants, who packed it for exportation ; or it was sent in the seed to Philadelphia and New Fork there to undergo the cleaning process. The latter supposition is based on the large amount f of cotton shipped from those ports in the years alluded to, and the fact, as will bo seen hereafter, that machines to disconnect the seed from the wool were employed in Philadelphia, in 1784. Further, the condemnation of the bags subsequently exported by Wadsworth and Turpin, shows, that the previous consignments must have been of clean cotton, and not in the seed as might be conjectured. Sea-IslanJ, or black seed cotton, began to be raised in Georgia, in experi- mental quantities, in 1786. The native place of the seed is believed to be 1 “ When Whitney’s gin was exhibited in Georgia, none but women were permitted to enter the room. An ingenious young mechanic at length introduced himself into the apartment in women’s apparel, and, by a minute examination of the machine, satisfied him- self, that he could notonly imitate, but improve on, its construction, by making it more ef- ficient. This discovery was communicated to my father by Gen. Gun, who spoke so con- fidently of the capacity of this individual, that my father was induced to visit him at his residence in Georgia. This visit resulted in a contract for three gins, applicable to a large scale of operations, and they were unquestionably the first ever driveu by waterpower.’ Extract of a letter from Col. IVadc Hampton to the writer. tSee note B. in the Appendix. 128 AGRICULTURAL Persia. It is designated the Persian cotton by Bryan Edwards, (1) and is so called in the West Indies and by the merchants of England. The seed grown in this country came from the Bahama Islands, where it had been in- troduced by the board of Trade from Anguilla, a small Island in the Car- ibbean Sea, and was sent by Mr. Tatnall, then Surveyor General of the Ba. hamas, Col. Kelsell, and others, to Governor Tatnall, James Spalding, Rich- ard Leake, and Alexander Bisset— all of Georgia. Its first cultivators in that State were Josiah Tatnall, Nicholas Turnbull, James Spalding and Richard Leake. The first bag exported from Georgia was by Alexander Bisset of St. Simon’s Island, in the year 1798, or, in the opinion of some, by a Mr. Miller, who for that reason still bears the name of “Cotton Miller.’’ The Bahama seed did not give fruit the first year, but from the mildness of the winter of 1786, seed was obtained from the ratoon, and the plant became acclimatized. (2) The black seed cotton region of this State is bounded on the north and northwest by a line about 20 miles south of the line that separates Barnwell and Orangeburg from the neighboring parishes; on the north-east and east by the Santee river;(3) on the west and south-west by the Savannah riyer; and on the south and south-east by ti e ocean. The Eutaw Springs, in St. John’s, Berkley, is the extreme northern point to which it extends. Williamsburg was for many years embraced in its limits, but that district no longer furnish, esa supply of the raw material. About the year 1812, three or four plant- ers, as an experiment, introduced its culture into the southern part of Sum- ter district. The quantity and quality of the crops were sufficiently en- couraging, but as the preparation of the Wool was objectionable, the growers abandoned their enterprize for the reason of the large expenditure of la- bour and time that it required. The first attempt in South Carolina to raise a crop of long cotton was made, in 1788, by Mrs. Kinsey Burden, of Burden’s Island, St. Paul’s Parish. As early as about the year 17“y, this (1) Edwards’ West Indies, Vol. iv. p. 363. 2Thcse interesting facts, except what is said of Mr. Miller, rest on the authority of Thomas Spalding of Sapelo Island, Georgia, “While lately at Savannah, Mr. Scott brought to see me a very respectable gentle- man from the Bahamas, a merchant, but also the Speaker of their Colonial Assembly ; who stated he had been applied to from Louisiana the last winter to procure five bushels of cotton seed, and strange, what had been England’s best cotton colony a few years back, did not afford this small supply— the gentleman could not procure a seed: and what did the negroes live upon, I asked? Upon Sago, made from the Conti plant, which was growing in the woods, and which they had been taught to prepare no doubt from some op the Indian negroes from Florida— many of whom had taken shelter in the Bahamas. What a lesson upon English legislation for her Cofenies !”— Extract of a letter from Thomas Spalding of Georgia to the writer. 2 West of that line some green cotton is also grown. PROCEEDINGS, 129 atri the short staple cottons were produced by her husband, whose negroes were then clad in homespun of home manufacture. Although Mr. Burden's field, the larger portion of which w T as in corn, was manured with compost, the plants did not begin to bloom until September, and not a pod ripened. The cause of failure was subsequently traced to the seed, which was of the Bourbon kind.(l) The first successful crop appears to have been grown by William Elliot, deceased, on Hilton Head, near Beaufort, in 1790, with 51- bushels of seed, purchased in Charleston at the rate of 14s. per bushel. (2) The cotton brought lOjd. per pound. In 1791, John Screven of St. Luke’s Parish, planted 30 or 40 acres at his Montpelier plantation on May river. The product was packed in the article called Hessians, and sold in Georgia to Mr. Troup, Robert Bolton, and Mr. Miller for Is. 2d. to Is. 6d. sterling per pound. In 1792, John £?ose cultivated a small field on the Gakatee creek, from which he gathered 600 lbs.; which commanded in the Savannah market 2s. a pound. It is certain that, at this period, many planters on the Sea-Islands, and contiguous main land, experimented with long cotton, and probably it was produced by several of them for market. The season of 1793 found cultivators in other sections of the State engaged in the good work — among them James King of St. Paul’s Parish, Col. Edward Barnwell, and Capt. John Joyner of Port Royal, and Gen. Wm. Moultrie of St. Johns Berkley. The crop of Mr. King yielded abundantly, and was sold by Kinsey Burden, now of St. John’s Colleton, at 1 2d. to 13d. the pound; that of the latter, at his Northampton plantation, coveifng afield of 150 acres, was a decided failure— “the result of an unacquaintance with the proper mode of management, in connexion, probably, with an unfavorable season. In at- tempting to raise so new a product on so large a scale, and thereby en- countering the hazard of sacrificing the labour of a year, Gem Moultrie gave a signal proof of his devotion to the true interests of South Carolina, He had gallantly defended her in war ; in peace he was still her ardent friend, dil igen'.ly seeking opportunities to nourish and sustain her. But to return from this digression. The cotten culture from this time progressed rapidly. In all the Parishes the practical friends to its extension greatly multiplied. Against each other this plant and indigo struggled for the as- cendancy. In 1799,(3) the latter had very generally ceased to be grown for market. 1 All attempts to naturalize the Bourbon cotton, though it strongly resembles the green seed species, has failed. 2 The original paper, “an account Current between William Elliot and Jacob Deveaux,’ showing the purchase of the seed in 1789, was kindly put into the hands ot 4 the writer by William Elliot, Esq., of Beaufort. As cotton seed was for sale in that year, other planters, it is probable, cultivated it, as a crop in ’90, but their names are unknown. ■3 At that early period, the opinion prevailed that the simply of cotton would soon ex- 9 130 AGRICULTURAL As an evidence of the former value of this species of the gossypium, ar.d of the success of some of its growers, it is worthy of record, that Peter Gai!- lard of St.John’s Berkley, in 1799, averaged 78 pounds sterling to the hand. In that year, James Sinkler of the same Parish from a field of 300 acres, re- alized 216 lbs. per acre, for most which he received 3s. a pound. William Brisbane, deceased, at his White Point plantation, St. Paul’s Parish, was so successful in 1796, ’97, and ’98, that from moderate circumstances lie be- came, in his judgment, so independent, as no longer to engage in the toil- some task of cultivating the earth. He sold his landed estate to William Seabrook of Edisto Island, at a price held by many to be ruinous to the lat- ter, (1) and passed a few years in travelling in our Northern States and in Europe. (2) While the larger portion of the seed used in South Carolina was either purchased in Charleston, or in Georgia, a considerable quantity was ob- tained in the Bahamas, through the active exertions of friends who resided in Providence. In 1780, when England had no fine manufactories, the best cottons brought to her market were from the Dutch plantations of Berbice, Demarara, and Surinam. These then commanded respectively 2s. Id., Is. lid., to 2s. Id. 2s. (3) In 1786, Bourbon cotton, (4) remarkable for fineness, but deficient in length, was worth from 7s. 6d. to 10s. per pound. It was superseded bv Sea Islands, which in ’99 sold readily in Liverpool at 5s. to 5s. 3d. (5) per pound. Its price in this State, in the infancy of its production, was general- ly from 9d.to Is. It soon rose to Is. 4d. and Is. 6d. — then to 2s. and up- wards, (6) at which it remained until 1806, when the planter for the first time ceed the demand. A highly respectable planter of St. John’s Colleton, deceased, in look- ing at his first crop, the produce of a few acres, after it had been housed, exclaimed. “ Well, well, I am done with the cultivation of cotton ! Here is enough to make stock- ings for all the people in America.” 1 Mr. Seabrook, with the proceeds of the crops of the plantation, paid the purchase money in two years. 2 It is questionable, whether the Sea-Island planter for the last five years has realized over five percent, on his capital. 3 Edward’s West Indies, Vol.iii. p. 92. 4 Bourbon cotton was first imported into Manchester in 1783. 5 Smither’s Liverpool, p. 157. 6 From 1798 to 1809, both inclusive, a distinguished planter of this State sold his cot- ton in Charleston at the following prices : — s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. 1798 1 1799 1 4 1800 2 — 2 1 1801 2 1 — 2 —IS 3802 •2 3 — 2 1 — 2 4 — 2 7 — 2 — 1 84 3803 i ah - 19— 18 — 1 7 — 1 6 — 2 6 1804 1 6 — 2 6 1805 2 — 1 —39 - 1 64 1806 1 11 — 1 9 — 17 1807 1 8 — 1 7 — 1 — 25c. — 18c. — 33c. 1808 30 cents — 25c. - 23c. — 15c, 1809 26 cents. PROCEEDINGS. 131 experienced the baneful effect of restrictions on commerce. From the su- periority of this cotton to that raised in any other country, even from the same seed, the staple at first was objected to, as too long, and by one or two English Spinners, it is said, it was actually cut shorter.(l) On its introduction into Georgia, the cultivation of long cotton was con- fined to the warm high lands of the Sea-Islands : these portions of the plan- tation are still everywhere preferred, and almost invariably return the largest yield, though their exhausted condition would seem to invite the more general tillage of the lower grounds. A few seed were either deposited in small hills, (2) about five feet apart, each way, or in holes made in the level land, separated at that distance. The spaces between the hills or holes were kept clean by the hand or hoe — the plough then as now was but little used. From the very limited number of plants that this plan insured, it is manifest that, in despite of the natural fertility of the soil, the harvest must have been mea- gre. Except in isolated instances, it rarely equalled 100 lbs. to the acre, which, at 4 acres per hand, gave but four hundred pounds to the hand. In 1794, a Bahama planter, who was travelling for his health, arrived in Geor- gia : he advised the growers to sow their cotton much thicker. This advice was unheeded by all, except Thomas Spalding of Sapelo Island, then a young man, and who has since largely contributed by precept and example to fur- ther the agricultural interests of his native State. Fie adopted in full the West India mode of drilling his seed along the ridge, and, by leaving the plants about six inches apart, he realized from a field of sixty acres, favored by a propitious season, the remarkable product of 340 lbs. of clean white cotton to the acre. His success, with the previous adoption of the ridge- husbandry of Tull, introduced into Georgia, it is believed, by Hamilton Cow- perand James Spalding of St. Simon’s Island, annulled the doubts of the wa- vering, and soon rapidiy extended the culture of this valuable crop. In one year the revolution was accomplished, and from that time to the present the distance of the plants asunder is regulated by the natural or artificial strength of the land-— varying from eight to twenty-four inches, while the ridges, though separated in some of the Parishes four feet, and, in particular loca- tions, six feet, are in general five feet apart. These, unlike the old usage, have for many years been made and preserved of an oval form, and large and high ; first, the more effectually to subdue the grass, and to retard its early germination ; secondly, to prevent the exposure of the lateral roots and fibres during the washing rains of summer ; and thirdly, to keep the field as dry as possible : no plant probably requiring less moisture, particularly at 1 Suiither’s Liverpool, p. 135. 2 The boles made in the ridges to receive the seed are still strangely called “hills” by almost every planter. 182 AGRICULTURAL the fruit bearing season, than cotton. Although they increase the friability of the soil, which is a serious objection on very light lands, yet, the advan- tages just enumerated, the recent practice of levelling the ground, and the results of experiments showing the decided superiority of large over small ridges, in very wet or dry weather, have constituted the former an almost uni- versal expedient, at least in the lower Parishes. In relation to the early practice of depositing in the holes only three or four seeds, a practice com- mon in Spain in the 12th century, experience has shown the wisdom of using a much larger quantity. Cotton is liable to so many casualties when young, particularly in the vicinity of the ocean, where the annual injury from winds is greater than is usually apprehended, that, except by the growers of the best descriptions of that article, from a half bushel to a bushel of seed to the acre is commonly sown. The excitement concerning superfine cottons, and the ambition of the planter to excel his neighbour in price, induce annual se- lections to be made, but as this task devolves on the proprietor, and can be done only in a limited way, a parsimonious use of the seed is the necessary result : hence, less than one quart to the acre is occasionally put into the -ground. The mode .of cultivation was very various, and without method, until about the year 1802, when it assumed a regular form in this State and Geor- gia. Then the crop was worked four times — the latest hoeing being from the middle to the last of July. The hoeings now are more frequent, from five to seven being usually given, and are begun earlier and finished sooner. The point appears to be conceded that, when the plant puts out fruit freely, which may be expected early in July, out-door labour should cease, especially ■if the season be wet. It has been already remarked, that the plough was practically unknown to the first growers of long-staple cotton. This is still true, although a half century has elapsed. The ridge-system : the lcvelness of the ground, requir- ing therefore numerous drains ; the small quantity of land, from to -1 acres, cultivated to the hand,(l) which, from its lightness, is so easily and so much better attended with the hoe ; and the impossibility of gathering the cotton as rapidly as the field may demand, if, with ploughs, the tillage em- braced a larger number of acres — all seem to render the aid of this great ag- ricultural implement utterly useless in the culture of the crop. In the break- ing up of the soil, however, and, as an assistant, in forming the ridge, the plough is universally employed, except on the Sea Islands, where only, bv a few planters, is its value, in the latter operation, fully acknowledged. The task in listing was formerly half an acre ; in ridging, three-eighths of an acre, and in hoeing half an acre. The present tasks are less, except in hoe- 1 A larger quantit)’ per hand could not perhaps be manured. PROCEEDINGS. 133 ing which is the same. The beds are still changed as often as the same field is tilled. In Georgia the attempt to make them so far permanent in low' grounds as to continue for six or eight years, has in a few instances been successfully tried. (1) There is scarcely a doubt, from their depth of mould, and extreme richness in vegetable ingredients, that the experiment would succeed- in the marshe lands of South Carolina. The application of tins plan to poor soils is for, bidden by the necessity of furnishing them annually with fertilizing matter, which should be thoroughly incorporated with the earth. Excou raged by the anticipated results of experience, if not in every' in- stance by the actual product of their fields, our fathers continued to cultivate the grounds which their sagacity first selected for the new crop. After sev- eral years of exhausting tillage, a radical change in their plan of operations, it was apparent, must soon take place. Unaccustomed to imbibe informa- tion from books concerning their vocation, the plain alternative of resorting to virgin soils was adopted. This, with regret and mortification be it said, is still the popular expedient, except where necessity, that kind and blessed encourager of the arts, forces the reluctant to another, and, as experience testifies, far more profitable scheme. The land which could be the most readily prepared, was invariably chosen — the best, requiring a large expen- diture of labour, neglected. Only recently have the swamps of some of the Parishes, and the immense tracts which lie along the line where the salt and fresh waters meet, arrested the notice of the cotton grower. These alone are capable of yielding an amount of cotton wool equal to the yearly exports of the State. Whether the enterprize of the agriculturists is adequate to the task of draining and embanking them, the future will develope. To those who have been engaged in this patriotic work, the encouragement for further trials, on a more extended scale, is great, if not decisive. Notwithstanding the woods everywhere, and the marshes, furnished an abundant store of suitable aliment, still, in his early efforts, the industry of the grower did not extend beyond the narrow limits of manuring his root po- tatoe field, comprehending the one-fourth of an acre to each labourer. There were no instruments to mow the salt grass, rakes for collecting leaves, nor carts espe dally designed to convey the vegetable offal to the cattle-pen. On Edisto Island, where the system of tillage is admitted to be good, and where probably as much enriching matter is distributed over the land as in any other part o( the United States, there was, in 1322, not one plough or- 1 “ Twenty years ago,” says Mr. Spalding, in a recent letter to the writer, “ upon purchasing some river-land opposite to Savannah, I adopted permanent ridges, planting a row of corn and a row of cotton alternately: these ridges had stood nine years, when my son sold the plantation, giving, as I think, the best cotton and the best corn crops in Chatham county.” 134 AGRICULTURAL scythe — the largest plantations had not more than two or three carts, and the utility of oxen, in practice, was absolutely unknown. Now, a cart and mule, or a yoke of oxen, to every six workers, is common; labour-saving machines abound ; and every acre of cotton, and generally of provisions, is provided with, what at least is supposed to be, a proper quantity of appropri- ate pabulum. This salutary reformation in the husbandry of this small section of the State, was effected mainly by the establishment of an Agri- cultural Society in the year just alluded to. All that has been said in refer- ence to Edisto, is applicable to most of the Sea-Islands, and, in a more lim- ited sense, to a majority of the Parishes. The first person in South-Carolina who directed the planters’ attention to the subject of manures, was Col. Thomas Shubrick. In a series of essays, published about the year 1800, he recommended the drifted wreck that is thrown up by the tides. From its use, perhaps improperly employed, no essential benefit was derived, but it accomplished the object of creating re- flection and a free interchange of views among those, who were most likely to lend their aid in furthering the design of this patriotic citizen. From that time, ephemeral communications on the proper food of plants, and its kindred questions, occasionally met the public eye. However liberal were the con- tributions of the Agricultural Society of South Carolina to this branch of ag- ricultural improvement, it is certain, that the almost simultaneous movement made by a large portion of our planting interest concerning the renovation of land by animal and vegetable matter, is unquestionably to be ascribed to the writings of“Arator”by John Taylor of Virginia. The letters over that signature originally appeared in a newspaper. In pamphlet form they were circulated in this State in 1803. The number of subjects discussed ; the important facts developed; the well-digested reasoning in support of the practices recommended for adoption ; added to the high and intelligent source whence the essays originated — all concurred to render “ Arator” an in- structive and popular treatise. The advice of the writer on several points was not only promptly followed, but to this day many of his propositions are considered agricultural axioms. In relation to this State, it was not until about 1825, that manuring may be said to have been systematized. By the force of circumstances, the sea-board set the example, (1) which though strongly urged by the slender returns of their fields, is still apparently' un- heeded by many of the Parishes and districts. Of all the fertilizing materials for the black seed cotton, marsh mud is held in the highest estimation ; not for the reason of its abundance and con- 1 In JS05, nearly all the materials now used as manure, were then employed on the Sea-Islands, though in a very limited way. PROCEEDINGS. 135 tiguity to plantations, but because, if the proper kinds[l] be judiciously used, it is the most profitable, and certain in its results. It contains more nutri- tive and other valuable properties than any other natura)[2] compound, and is specially adapted to light sandy soils. Salt mud, as a garden manure, was employed in South Carolina in 1801. Judge William Johnson states that, in that year, he commenced his experi- ments with it, and, after repeated trials, arrived at the conclusion, that it was a great meliorating agent.[3] It is said that, as far back as 1797, the late Gen. Vanderhorst was practically acquainted with its value. [4] The merit of its discovery, however, as a fertilizer for cotton lands, seems to be due to the late James King of St. Paul’s Parish. By him it was freely used before the last war with Great Britain. [5] Until within a few months, the agriculturist of South Carolina was ignor- ant practically, and it might be added theoretically, of the efficacy of calca- 2 'eous manuies. It is true that lime as an improver of the soil has been long known to a few of our cotton planters. In 1800, and again in 1803, it was used by Kinsey Burden, then of St. Paul’s Parish. Though his efforts with a new enriching ingredient were attended with the most signal success, it does not appear that the same gentleman ever afterwards resorted to it. A new era fortunately has commenced, and before another year have passed, lime and marl(6) will be the most common, and the most extensively em- ployed, of all the natural means for resuscitating exhausted lands. To Ed- round Ruffin of Virginia, late editor of the Farmer’s Register, and now by the authority of the Legislature, Agricultural Surveyor of South Carolina, [7] all 1 That on which the tall marsh grows is greatly to be preferred to all other kinds. 2 See note C.ia the Appendix forthe analysis of K. 3 Southern Agriculturist, vol. ii. p. 483. 4 Ibid. p. 547. 5 Ibid. p. 399. 6 The antiquity and advantages of marling may be gathered from the following passage, which occurs in Fitzherbert’s treatise entitled Surveying, first printed in 1539. Speaking of the improvement of bushy and mossy ground, he says, “And if there be any marie pyttes that have been made of old time within the said close, than whan the landes be- gyn to weare, if he have not sufficient of such bushy and mossy grounde to breake up and sowe, than there woulde be newe marie pyttes made, and the landes new marled, the which is moche better than outher donge, mock or lyme, for it will last twenty years to- gether, it it be welle done, and shall be the better while it is land. And I marvayle great- ly, that in the common felde, where of old tyme hath been made many great marie pyttes, the which hath done moche good to the landes, that nowe a dayes no man doth occupye them ne make none other, and they nede not to doute, but there is marie now as well as was then. 7 Mr. Ruffin was appointed Agricultural Surveyor with a salary of $2,000, at the Decem- ber Session, 1842. To R. W. Roper of Charleston, Chairman of the Committee to whom the question of an agricultural survey of the State was referred, the success of the measure is mainly to be ascribed. 136 AGRICULTURAL the benefit which shall accrue to individuals and the community by their ap- plication will have to be ascribed. His discoveries show, that marl exists in inexhaustible quantities throughout the lower country, and that calcareous matter in some form is widely distributed over the State. Without an acquaintance with the component parts of soils, and our great staple crop, the appropriate pabulum to' the one for the support of the other, it is manifest, cannot understanding!}' be .applied. The first effort in this State, emanating from a public body, to obtain light on one of these interesting to- pics, was made by the Agricultural Society of St. John’s Colleton. In 1840, at their instance, eight specimens of the soils of Edisto-Islana were analyzed ’ by Professor Shepard. [1] The report of the Committee ’to whom was re- ferred the valuable communication of that skilful chemist, is replete with highly useful matter, especially in relation to manures. [2] Full information on the other subject, may shortly be expected from a very intelligent quarter. At the Agricultural Convention, held at Monticello, Fairfield, on the 5th of July last, it was resolved, “ to request the Agricultural Societies of the State to unite in a contribution to procure a perfect analysis of the long and short staple cotton stalk, seed and lint, in the perfect state, and also when affected by disease.” When this is done, a great object will have been attained. The planter, aided by the knowledge on other points equally important to be ac- quired, will no longer tread the path of doubt and uncertainty. The ma- terials for restoring the constitution of the soil, and impairing health and vigor to the cotton plant, have long been iu his possession, but for the first time he will then know how to use them, and where necessary, how, and in what proportions, to unite them. The Sea-Island cotton fibre was analyzed in England, in 1S25, by one well qualified for the task. 100 parts of the ashes, says Dr. Ure, yielded as follows : — 1. Matter soluble in water, sixty-four parts, consisting of Carbonate of potash • 44.8 Muriate of potash 9.9 Sulphate of potash 9.3 2. Matter insoluble in water, Phosphate of lime, 9-0 Carbonate of lime, 10.6 Phosphate of magnesia, - 8.4 Peroxide of iron, 3.0 Alumina a trace, and lass, 5.0 100,0 1 See note C. in the Appendix. — Southern Cabinet, vol. i. p. 405. 2 Southern Cabinet, vol. i. p. 449- PROCEEDINGS. 187 i: These results,” remarks the analyzer, “ seem to throw considerable light on the predilection of the cotton plant for the neighborhood of the sea, which supplies plentifully the saline substances requisite to the perfect de- velopement and constitution of its woolly fruit. It may hence be inferred, that the compost or manure best fitted for cotton plantations shouldcontain neutro-saline matter with alkaline, calcareous, and magnesian bases. The presence of magnesia deserves notice, as it indicates marine food.” The subject of a rotation of crops is of recent interest. It was of course unmooted by the first cultivators of our great staple. In Georgia, a few planters have of late grown cotton on every alternate ridge with corn occu- pying the intermediate ones. When the field is again planted, the cotton rows are substituted for the corn rows, and those of the latter for the former. This plan might be pursued with benefit, except on the sea-board, where the high light lands, which are limited in quantity, and unfit for corn, are alone considered safe for cotton. In a small way, potatoes,(I) rest, (2) and cotton, or spring peas,[3]as a crop in lieu of potatoes, designedly cultivated for the offal, rather than the product, is a good rotation. On this subject there are two theories : — 1st. That while the continuous cultivation of any one crop deprives the soil of tin; specific aliment essential to its frutification, another plant, requiring some other food, may be advantageously substituted. 2. The celebrated chemist, De Candolle, says, “ Of the nutriment which vege- tables receive and digest, they exude an inconsumable or innutritive portion by their roots. This excrementitious matter is supposed to unfit or poison the soil for a second crop of the same kind, until it is either consumed or neutralized by cultivation.” May not this be the true reason why it is so difficult to get a good stand on land planted Or three or more consecutive years. As soon as the plants recover from their sickly state, and this takes place when the poisonous substance discharged from their roots is destroyed by tillage, the crop grows as vigorously, and the product is usually as good as rested grounds, where the same amount and kind of artificial nourishment have been applied. M. Olivier, member of the Institute of France, in de. scribing the insects which devour the upper part of the roots of farinaceous plants, and which multiply to infinity, where the same soil presents to them for years in succession, plants of the same or of similar kinds, says, “ these insects perish as often as vegetables are cultivated, which cannot serve for food for their larvae.” Edmund Ruffin, in the Farmer’s Register, advances 1 Allowing one year to intervene, cotton is always advantageously grown on potato land, which, if assisted by salt mud, the benefit to the crop will be still more of a decided character. 2 Ungrazed. 3 The summer crop keeps the ground bare ol vegetable matter. The othet is succeed- ed by a heavy yield of crop grass. 138 AGRICULTURAL a similar postulate, — “ Every plant,’’ he remarks, “ is subject to be preyed on by its own peculiar tribes of insects, which are continued to be supplied by their proper food, and favored by the still continuing circumstances of the field, and therefore are increased continually in numbers, and in their de- structive ravages, as long as the crop which fed them, and the circumstances which favored them, remain unchanged; and that these insects must be de- stroyed or greatly reduced in their numbers and power of mischief, by a to- tal change of the growth, and of the t;batment and condition of the field. (1) These opinions, from high authorities, are well entitled to the attentive con- sideration ofour planters. As tne alternating system in relation to the suc- cessful culture of other crops is admitted to be necessary, its applicability to the cotton husbandry cannot reasonably be doubted. As slovenly as was Originally the tillage of the cotton plant, the prepara- tion of its produce for market was much more so. It was indeed so badly cleaned, as to be deemed suitable only to the coarser fabrics.[2] Up to about the year 1820, the gatherers took no especial pains to abstract the decayed leaves. The wool was sunned all day, and ginned frequently with the stained particles incorporated with it. These were removed in the process of moting, which was effected by women sitting on the floor where it was beaten with twigs. During the operation of ginning, no bags or boxes re- ceived the cotton, and oftentimes large quantities were thrown together un- til the meters were prepared to examine them. In packing, an old iron axle-tree, or wooden pestle, the present instrument was used. There were no re-inspectors of the cotton before it was deposited in the bag, in which the spinner would frequently find, in addition to a large supply of leaves and crushed seeds, potato skins, parts of old garments, and occasionally a jack- knife. With many, the cotton was ginned, moted, and packed in the same room. Very different indeed are the present processes, or rather the modes in which they are severally performed. Separate rooms for the seed and ginned cottons, as well as for the wool, which, after it is gathered, is never exposed to the sun, have long been considered necessary in the sea-board parishes to insure the proper after-handling of the crop. There are re- quired a room for the whipper, if one be employed, which extracts the dirt and imperfect filaments ; another for the assorters, who, provided with boxes for their clean cotton, perform their work before a long table, covered with wire, or wooden slats, the 1-8 of an inch apart ; a third for the moters, who also stand before a latticed table, and as often as a handful of cotton is pre- pared it is thrown into a wooden box, about three feet from the floor, and se- cured to the sides of the building immediately behind the moters respective- ly ; a small room for the moted cotton, and one for the packer, usually ad- 1 Farmer’s Register, vol. vii, p. 609. 2 Ure, p. 145. PROCEEDINGS. 139 joining it ; and a house or room, proportioned to the force employed, for the ginners, in which are boxes for the seed cotton in the rear of the operators, and boxes under the machines for the ginned cotton. The houses are lined on the inside with planed boards, and the windows of the assorting and mot- ing rooms, and the gin-house are glazed. All these accommodations are now to be found on nearly every plantation on the Sea-Islands and the ad- jacent country, and, it is said, in many of the upper Parishes. The amount of labour expended in a day in preparing one bag of superfine cotton of 300 lbs. weight, the produce of 1,500 lbs. in the seed, is as fol- lows, viz : — Dryer, ...... 1 Turner and feeder of the whipper, ■ 2 Assorters, 50 lbs. each, ... 30 Ginners, 25 lbs. ” - 12 Moters, 43 lbs. ” ... 6 Packer and re-inspector, ... 2 54 It will thus appear that, if the foot-gin be used in the ordinary way, which, with a few exceptions, is the invariable practice, 54 labourers, at an expense to the owner of $27, estimating their services at 50 cents per day respeci tively, are necessary to the getting of one bag of cotton properly cleaned. When the gins are propelled by steam, six persons oniy, male or female, to feed them, are required. If the wool be separated from the seed by Eave’s improved gin, to which steam power is applied, the aid of three men will be needed. In all other respects the labour is the same. The cultivation and preparation of cotton, as described in these pages, is peculiarly applicable to the southern halt only of the long staple region. In the northern portion, but especially in the Santee country, there are differ- ences in each, which it is important should be briefly noticed. Five'acres to the band, of which generally only one-third is manured, are planted. The ridges are four feet from each other, and the plants stand from 15 to 20 inches apart. In the culture ot the crop, a machine of a triangular shape, called “ the sweep,” is used by a few as an assistant to the hoe. The morning after the cotton is gathered, according to the wonted usage, it is assorted by the pickers; but, contrary to the plan of the sea-board, not afterwards ; unless one or two hands, who attend to the scaffold, may be said to perform that ser- vice. The task in moting is from 20 to 25 pounds. The material points of difference, then, in the handling of the crop, between the lower and upper Parishes, or the former and Santee growers, consist in the processes of assort- ing and moting. The labour of the first is chiefly expended in cleaning the cotton in the seed ; that of the other, after it is ginned. This probably arises 140 AGRICULTURAL from the characteristic features of the two staples. Unless-great caution be exercised in the moting of the fine cottons, the fibres will entangle, and the wool beco ne lumpy and stringy. These results do not take place when the coarser qualities are cleaned in the ginned state. Cotton in primeval times was disengaged from the seed with the fingers. Another mode of affecting that object, still common in certain parts of India* is, however, mentioned by Dr. F. Buchanan in his account of Bahar and Patna. “ A great deal of the cotton,” says he, “ is freed from the seed by the process of beating. At Arwal, the Dhunizas, who make a profession of beating cotton, are allowed sers of grain for beating one ser of cotton; and in one day a man beats four sers, equal to 4J lbs., and of course receives 64 lbs of grtin.” To the human hand the agency of the roller succeeded. The use of rollers, at first roughly constructed, is of very ancient date. Nearchus speaks of them as employed by the Hindoos for the purpose to which they are now particularly devoted. While a rude hand-mill was employed in the Plantation States, the treadle-gin, or some equally affective machine, was certainly in operation at the North. This appears from the declaration of Richard Leake of Georgia, who, in his letter to Thomas Proc- tor of Philadelphia, on the subject of Sea-Island cotton, remarks, “ The prin- cipal difficulty that arises to us is the cleaning of the seed, which I am told they do with great dexterity in your city with gins or machines made for the purpose.”* Soon after the commencement of our revolutionary struggle, Kinsey Bur- den, deceased, late of St. Paul’s Parish, constructed a roller-gin, believed to have been among the first ever made or used in South-Carolina, which enabled him to clothe his negroes in garments fabricated at home. It was composed of “ pieces of iron gun-barrels burnished and fixed on wooden rollers, with wooden screws to secure them, and wooden cranks to turn in the manner of the steel corn-mill. It was turned by one person and fed by another. Mr. Bisset of Georgia, in 1788, resorted to the “ simple plan of a bench upon which rose a frame supporting two short rollers, revolving in opposite direc- tions, and each turned by ahoy or girl, and giving as the result of the day’s work, five pounds of clean cotton.” These, and many others like them used subsequently in several parts of this State, were in part of the fashion of the cotton hand-mill of India, which consists of two rollers of teak wood, fluted longitudinally with five or six grooves, and revolving nearly in contact. The upper roller is turned by a handle, and the lower is carried along with it by a perpetual screw at the axis. The present foot or treadle-gin, first used in * Niles’ Register, vol. vi. p. 334. t In 1796, William Brisbane ,* received several foot gins from his father in-law in the *The gentleman named in page 20. PROCEEDINGS. 141 Georgia, was imported from the West Indies, and is probably unsusceptible of any advantageous alteration. To prevent the cotton from being carried round about with the rollers, Mr. Harvie of Berbice, in 1S20, obtained a patent for an improvement, which consisted in the application of a thin long brush to the posterior surface of the rollers. From the liability of these to get hot in their rotation, a patent in the United States was secured by another person, for making them hollow for the free passage of cool air, or even water. A very decided improvement on the treadle-gin, at least for many years it was so considered, especially in Georgia, was made about the year 1790, by Joseph Eaves, a native of Providence, Rhode-Island, but who then resided in the Bahamas. As originally constructed, Eaves’s machine was a double gin , and had two pair of rollers placed obliquely one above the other. By addi» tional mechanism, consisting of iron teeth and pullies, and by a little assist- ance, it was made to feed itself. The mill was worked by horses and oxen, or by water. To this succected the gin of Mr. Pottle of St. Mary’s, Georgia. He substituted two single rollers for the double ones, and placed them back to back, forming an a- gle with each other ; both were driven with the same band-wheels, which were placed above and between them. Pottle’s gins continued long in high repute in Georgia, but were used only by few planters in this State. Birnie’s, Simpson’s, and Nicholson’s gins, and many others, bearing the cognomens of their inventors, followed in quick succession. In Whitemorc’s machine, it was thought, that all the objections to the previous ones had been effectually removed. To run in the easiest possible manner, and to preserve the rollers from being heated, it was provided with friction wheels and friction-rollers. Although, therefore, from these causes the cotton received no damage, yet, it was soon discovered, that it cut the staple, and that this irremediable defect was in proportion to the velocity of the gin. It was consequently abandoned. Farris’s and Logan’s machines, which are slight modifications in the mechanism of Eaves’s invention, were by many Bahamas, which were erected under the direction of, and actually put in operation by his wile. She had temporarily resided in Providence, and being of an active and inquisitive mind, watched with interest the different processes of preparing cotton for market. By this means, she was enabled to do what no gentleman, certainly in that section of the State, could accomplish. What disposition it was proper to make of the seed of the cotton, which the gins very soon so freely furnished, was rather a perplexing question. Held to be of no value, it was first carelessly thrown on the giound ; the hogs ate of it, however, and they died. It was then put into pens, but the pigs found their way between the inter- stices of the rails, and quickly shared the fate of their elders. As a dernier resort, and with a view permanently to be rid of the “nuisance,” it was deposited in a small creek contiguous to the mansion house. There at low water it soon generated a miasmatic odour which, when the wind was favourable, was so offensive, as to create a strong feeling of prejudice against the farther culture of the crop. , 142 AGRICULTURAL successfully employed ior years, and they are still partially u cd with steam as the propelling power. Where this wonderful agent is at command, the common barrel-gm, originally worked by horses or oxen, is probably the mast unexceptionable. “ It is indeed nothing more than the foot-gin, to which greater power is applied by complicated mechanism. This consists of a large driving cog-wheel, working a small trundle wheel. This smaller wheel gives motion to a large cylinder, or barrel, round which from S to 24 sets of bands are passed, communicating with the pu 1 lies of as many cotton-gins, which are fixed in rows on each side of it.” As the young, the old and infirm, male or female, can engage at work as feeders, a very material acfvan- tage in favor of this gin, is seeured. To each labourer the daily average is about fifty pounds of clean cotton. All ol the gins subjected to examination and trial in this State, except the first of Eaves’s manufacture, are supplied only with two rollers, both of wood ; or one of cast-steel and the other of wood ; or both cast-steel, one covered with leather ; or both of wood, one also with a leather covering. Cork rollers have also been tried. The desideratum is to prevent injury to the staple, either by cutting or beating it. To accomplish these great ends, at least a half million of dollars has been fruitless 1 )’ expended by artists, incited by the expectation of the highest reward, and distinguished for skiil and perseverance in their profession. The notice of a new and improved gin* for both green-seed and black-seed cottons, recently constructed by F. M’Carthy of Alabama, has been favorably received by the public. That it is destined to supplant Whitney’s invention is probable from the fact, that the cotton prepared b) it commanded, at one time last winter, three cents more per pound in the Mobile market, than that cleaned by the latter. That it may subserve the purpose of the grower of long-cotton, is inferred from the decla- ration of an acknowledged competent witness. A few pounds of the finest description of that staple ginned by this machine, and unmoted afterwards, the property of — , was sent by him in December, 1842, to Mr. Houlds- worth, the eminent spinner of Manchester, who returned an answer, of which the following is an extract : — “We have carefully examined the sample of Mr. ’s cotton cleaned on a new ginning machine. It is remarkably clean, and in an excellent state for our purpose as respects openness.” The gin, however, may be very liable to get out of order ; may continue only for a short time to effect the desired object, and may with difficulty be repaired : in other words, the results of trial may show it to be an expensive mechani- cal agent. For the Silky cottons produced on the Sea. Islands of South-Carolina, the planter is indebted to the botanical skill and laudable perseverance of Kinsey See Note D. in the appendix. PROCEEDINGS. 143 Burden, Sen., of St. John’s Colieton. An improvement in the texture of the wool engaged his earnest attention as early as 1804 or 1805. In one of those years, he raised from selected seed a “ pocket” of cotton, worth in the English market “ 25 cents per lb. more than any other cottons at any price.” From that time he laboured zealously in this new branch of his profession until 1820, when he sold his first full crop, 60 bags at 110 cents a pound. The crop of the following year commanded 125 cents per lb. It is proper here to observe that between 1921 and 1829, the average price of common long cotton was 24 cents, and of the superior kinds from 35 to 60 cents. Mr. Burden’s extraordinary success was for many years the theme of public notice and private discussion. All means to penetrate the arcanum of which intellectual efforts were capable had proved abortive. In March, 1827, “ a report acompnied by sundry letters, on the causes which contribute to the production of fine Sea-Island cotton,” was read before the Agricultural Society of St. John’s, Colleton, by their corresponding Secretary.* The publication^ of these papers created some excitement in the Parishes. It brought the mind of the planter to bear with more intensity on the absorb, ing question which the report attempted to discuss. The remarks of the writer on the selection of seed, induced many to think, that perhaps to this cause Mr. Burden’s celebrity as a seller was indebted. Subsequently, Wil- liam Elliott of Beaufort, through the pages of the Southern Agriculturist, £ expressed his belief that the secret was in the seed ; hence, that the furred seed should no longer be cast aside. Experiments were then instituted to try the truth of the new opinion, thus, for the first time, publicly avowed by two, and in conversation by several other persons. The clean seed was rejee'ed, and that coated wholly or partially with down, retained. The result was a complete solution of the mystery which had so long enshrouded this subject. One of the experimenters obtained for the small quantity grown by him one dollar a pound. The product nevertheless was so meagre as scarcely to be remunerating. This occurred in 1829. In the year previous, Hugh Wilson, Sen. of St. John’s, Colleton, appeared on a small scale as the rival of his Parish fellow-laborer. For ten bags of cotton he realized 90 cents a pound, and for his two succeeding crops SI and SI 25 cents a pound. For two bags of extra-fine cotton, raised in 1828, 82 per pound was received, the highest price ever obtained in this or any other country from which cotton wool is exported. Mr. Burden’s discovery was held to be so valuable to the State, that he was induced to forward a memorial to the Legislature, offering to sell his secret for 8200,000 ; he resigning all his seed, except what was necessary for his own crop, and communicating the mode of perpetuating the * YVhitemarsk B. Seabrook. t Southern Agriculturist, vol. i. pp. 25, 71, 119. flbid. vol. 1, p. 151. 144 agricultural silky properties of the new cotton fibre. § The memorial, for reasons sabs-* factory to the applicant, was never presented. The further history of this sudden revolution in one of our chief staples need not be given. It is proper, however, to add, that while the quality of the wool has been vastly improved, the product of the plant has been more than proportionally diminished ;* although, therefore, the pecuniary circum- stances of individuals have been greatly meliorated, the planters generally have sustained a loss—io some instances to an almost ruinous extent. Cotton may appropriately be divided into three kinds : 1st. Herbaceous cotton 5 2d. shrub cotton ; 3d. tree cotton. f The first is the most useful, and is cultivated in nearly every country congenial to the gossypium. It exists native at Aleppo, in Upper Egypt, Arabia, and in Senegal. Of the seven varieties^; of the shrub cotton, one or other grows spontaneously in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and America. In the latter continent, the Hirsutum or hairy, (seeds greenish) and the Barbadense§§ or Barbadoes cot- ton, (a black seed) are indigenous.|| To the shrub species all the South American, and most of the West India cotton, which is long-stapled, is to be referred. The tree cotton, according to one authority, grows in India, China, Egypt, the interior and western coast of Africa, and in some parts of America ; by another, it is a native uf India, Egypt, and Arabia. Quatremere Disjouval, a prominent member of the Academy of Sciences of Paris, in speaking of the influence of climate on the texture and quality of cotton, advances the following hypothesis that the produce of the countries immediately under or nearest the Equator, is to be considered the type of § At one time, William Seabrook, a wealthy and enterprising plainer of Edisto Island, was prepared, and publicly declared his design, to offer the discoverer $50,000 for the information on this subjpct of which he Was possessed About twelve months afterwards, Mi. S. declined to purchase, because, in his belief, conjecture had yielded to certainty-- to the seed solely was traceable the fine cotton which Mr. Burden continued to grow. * Sec Note E. [n the appendix. The diminution in the exports since 1S30, when fine cottons began to be generally cultivated, compared with the eieven preceding years, is very large. t Among some of the ancient writers, says Dr. Ure, the cotton tree, bombyz pentnndrium, is confounded with the tree cotton. The former does not belong to the gossypium family. It was probably the cotton tree, “six yards high,” which Marco Polo saw growing at GuZ serat. + Gossypium Indicum, or the Indian, viti folium, or vine-leafed; hirsutum, or hairy , religiosuui, or the cotton of the Nuns— this species is very difficult to be detached from the seeds t the Nuns of Tranquebar were first employed in the operation ; iatifolium or broad, leafed; Bavbadense, Peruvianum. Called by the English in the East Indies, says Dr. Ure, the Bourbon cotton, because- about 26 years ago, it was introduced there from that Island. The seed, he further (erro- neously J remarks, originally came from the West Indies.— pp. 71, 72. H Ure. pp. 65—67. PROCEEDINGS. 145 excellence, and is distinguished by its fine silky fibre, the depth and peculi- arity of its colour, and the bight and permanency of trie plant. In propor- tion, he remarks, as- we recede from the Equator, these strong marked char- acters disappear, the fibre becomes coarse, its colour a perfect white, and, on the shores of the Mediterranean, we -toehold the lofty and flourishing tree of Hindostan, dwindled down into a stunted annual shrub. Of these broad and unqualified assertions, there is but one that rests on a tenable basis : — that the perennnial plant of the Equator becomes an annual in a higher latitude. The averment, that the finest and deepest coloured cotton, is the produce of the tropical countries is reiterated on even higher authority. [1] This is false as a general proposition, and only true concerning locations. The coarsest cot- tons known in commerce, except some from Peru, between 5 and 15 degs. south, which are of a dark hue, and as coarse as the wool of sheep, are the Bengal, 21 deg. north, and the Surat 24 deg. 10 min. north ; the finest, and in all other respects the best, cottons are produced on the Sea-islands of South Carolina, 10 deg. beyond the Tropic of Cancer. To the latter, as well as those of the Isle of France, 20 deg. 9 min. south, Dacca, 23 deg. 55 min. north, and Egypt, about 30 deg. north, the cotton of Guiana, within 5 deg. of the Equator, is decidedly inferior. The worst native cotton in the east grows in Java, T deg. south. The cottons.of South America in the hot- test region, it is true, are of a better quality than those of the Levant ; on the other hand, some of the West India kinds are lower in value than the green seed varieties of this country. These two, as is especially the case in our State, oft-times grow within a few miles of the long-staple cotton, and in certain localities side by side ; yet the best sorts of the latter are worth eight hundred percent, more than the best sorts of the former. So much for the effect of climate on the fibre of cotton, in opposition to the gradation of the French philosopher’s system. With regard to the colour of cotton, the yellowish hue of which is indicative of fineness, climate has but an incon- siderable effect. The cottons on the coasts of South. Carolina and Georgia are tinged, and some varieties deeply, with yellow, while the inland districts of those States, and their more southern neighbors, as far as the Red River, produce cotton of great whiteness, and far inferior in strength and fineness. A portion of the West India cotton is of a cream colour; and some frem India is represented to have l< a slight tinge of Aurora ” The cottons on Bengal, Madras, and Surat, of Smyrna, Cyprus, Salonica, and all parts of the Levant, are distinguished by their want of colour — this is also said of Siam, famous for its nankeen. The Dacca cotton[2] is deeply coloured, and although ] Rees’ Encyclopedia— article Cotton. Q A variety of the common herbaceous annual cotton of India, — Baines, p. 62. 10 146 AGRICULTURAL it is consumed in that Province, and consequently Unknown in commerce- still, from an examination[l] of the muslin, denominated in hyperbolical lan- guage, “ webs of woven wind,” and “ which can hardly be felt when expand- ed,” it has been satisfactorily ascertained to be of a coarser fibre than the better qualities of our cotton, grown near the ocean. While a pound of that cotton in a single thread, would extend to the distance only of 115 miles. 2 furlongs, and 80 yards, cotton yarn is spun in England, making 350 hanks to the pound weight, each hank measuring 840 yds., and the whole forming a thread of 167 miles in length. [2] Further, 420 hanks certainly, and, it is asserted, from 490 to 500 hanks, per pound, have been spun in Manchester with cotton from South-Carolinu — thus yielding a thread from 197 to over 238 miles long. The valuable properties[3] of cotton wool in their relative order are strength, fineness, length, evenness, and freedom from knots and entanglements. The superiority of our Sea-Island cotton over all other kinds, [4] is owing to their fibres being “spiral springs, singularly adapted to the spinning process, rea- dily entwining with, and sliding over, each other, during the formation of a thread with an easy elastic force. The filaments of these cottons vary from one to” two w inches, and, in breadth from 1 - 1 500th to l-3000th of an inch.”[5j 1 This was made by Sir Joseph Banks in India, who used the following language on the occasion: — “The portion of skein which Mr. Williams gave to me weighed 34 3-10t!u grains ; its length was 5 yds. 7 inches, and it consisted of 196 threads. Consequently, its whole length was 1018 yards and 7 inches. This, with a small allowance for fractions, gives 29 yards to a grain, 203,000 to a pound avoirdupois of 7,000 grains ; that is, 115 miles. 2 furlongs, and GO yards.” — Baines, p. 59. 2 The value of cotton yarn is estimated by its length, and is numbered so as to determine the number of hanks requisite to weigh erne pound. One pound of No. 100 contain? 84,000 yards. The extreme of fineness, says Mr. Baines, in his work on the Cottou Matt ufactures of Great Britain, published in 1835, to which yarns for muslins are ever spun in England ,is 250 hanks to the pound, which w ould yield a thread measuring 1194 miles. A pound of fine cotton, manufactured into the finest lace, is worth from 8 to 15 guinea?, and has been sold as high as 100 guineas. — 3 1'Cu'Joch's Com. Die. — article, Lace. 3 Unlike that of flax, which is vitreous, the lustre of cotton, observes Dr. Ure, is pearly. The flax fibre is straight and jointed like cane, but that of cotton is either twisted right and left, or coiled like a cork-screw. 4 Ten years ago, the difference between the staple of our Sea-Island cotton, and that of Egypt, Brazil, and some of the West India sorts, was about 20 per cent, in favor of the former. Owing to a more favorable climate, superior husbandry, and the raising ol super fine qualities, the difference may now be estimated at from 30 tc 50 per cent., and over, if the silkiest kinds be included. — See Note F. in the Appendix. 5 Though these cottons are so much superior to that of Dacca, yet the skilful English weaver, supported by the triumphant results of mechanical science, is tillable to compete with the feeble hand of the Hindoo in the manufacture of a certain class of goods. This i g ascribable to the remarkable acuteness of external sense, particularly of touch, and the flexibility of the fingers of the people of that region; “the high estimation in which the PROCEEDINGS. 147 But to return to the subject of our comments. Disjouval’s theory is op- posed to analogical reasoning. Nature is bountiful in all her works, but these are not bestowed with the hand of favoritism. For poverty of soil, man is blessed with health, and the uninterrupted exercise of all his faculties. Where the land is fertile, and teems with a variety of rich gifts, disease is the inseparable concomitant. If certain products grow more luxuriantly in the warmest latitudes, the quality of those products improves as you recede from the Equator, until a point is reached where retrocession takes place, and some other plant is substituted. This is especially true of cotton. In the exceptions which apparently militate against the general proposition, you still find its truth maintained in the absence of things essential to the culti- vator’s physical or moral well-being. To preserve the properties of cotton, remarkable for production or quality, annual selections, it is here necessary to repeat, are personally made by the planter. A more irksome duty, requiring, too, much experience and skill, is seldom performed. But, in surmounting one difficulty, another of his own creation awaits him. This is imputed to the ill judged manner of disposing of the seed, which is peculiarly liable to run into varieties. This last con- sideration readily accounts for the confounding of all distinctions by botanists-, and their disagreement as to the number of varieties of the gossypium. Lin- nteus reckons five, and other writers severally eight, eleven, thirteen, thirty- four, forty, and even one hundred kinds. The varieties are still more diffi- cult to be enumerated in consequence of the influence of climate, soil,, manure, cultivation, and intermixture of seeds. These causes not only tend to their multiplication, but to change the longevity of the plant. The shrub culti- vated as an annual in one country, becomes perennial in another. The arboreum continues for five or six years in the West Indies — here it is an annual. In, probably, every acre of a cotton-field several kinds of the gos- sypium may be found. The differences are sometimes minute, but even without inspection by a botanical eye, they may be detected. The select seed of the grower, by the usual practice, is carefully deposited in choice ground, which, if there be many acres, lies in many instances immediately contiguous to his main crop — sometimes a narrow path alone separating them. Hence, the pollen of the larger field impregnates the pistils of the smaller field. In this way the peculiar character of the wool is lost, and another calling of the weaver is held; and the confining of the production of peculiar kinds of cloth to peculiar districts, in which they have been fabricated from generation to genera- tion.” In former days, from 900 lbs. to 1,000 lbs. in the seed were necessary to yield 300 lbs., or one bag of ginned cotton. Now, in reference to our better qualities, it requires from 5 lbs. to 7 lbs. of the former to- make one of the latter. Although a still finer cotton, it is experimentally known, can be grown yet, from the poverty of its product, it is believed, that the point of perfection, as far as a profitable culture is concerned, has been reached- 148 AGRICULTURAL variety springs up. The operation of the farina fecundans of plants no jonger rests on surmise and conjecture. By the discovery and observation of John Bywater, of Liverpool, on animal cuti . r infusoria ?, and on the physiology of plants, we are furnished with some curious and interesting information on this subject. His examinations go- to show, that the small capsules of the farina fecundans give out when in contact with water, an abundance of ani. malcules, which are supposed to be the mysterious agents by which vegetable secretions are carried forward. The obvious expedient, then, is the rearing of varieties of the some species at such distances as to prevent the intermix- ture of the pollen of the plants. This is successfully done in Scotland with garden seeds, which, it is asserted, may be found pure in certain sections of that country. If the size of the plantation admit, unless some such scheme be adopted, specific differences cannot be maintained, and the labour of the planter will be permanent. The length to which this memoir has already been extended, forbids the introduction of many topics, which otherwise would invite a passing notice. A few remarks, therefore, only on one or two collateral points will now be submitted. A short time after cotton, as a crop, had been successfully cul- tivated in this State, it was attacked by some of its natural foes. In Georgia, the caterpillar, nociua xylinci , or cotton moth, made its appearance as early as 1793. [1] Seven years afterwards, they commenced the work of devastation in South-Carolina.[2] In 1804, the crops, which would have been devoured by than, were, with the enemy, effectually destroyed by the hurricane of that year. In 1825, [3] the visit of the worm was renewed, and its ravages were universal and complete. In 1827, ’29, ’33, ’34, ’40, ’41 and ’43, the lower Parishes[4j generally, or particular locations, suffered greatly by its depreda- tions. That the cotton-moth frequently survives the frosty season is nearly certain. An examination of the neighboring woods, especially after a mild winter, has often been successfully made for that purpose. They were seen by the writer in May last at the edge of a strip of pines, within a few yards of a cotton- field. In the winter of 1325, Benjamin Reynolds of St. John’s, Colleton, deceased, found them in the woods, principally on the cedar bush, encased alive in their cover, impervious to water, and secured to a twig by a thread. 1 “In that year,” says Mr. Spalding, “the destruction was complete. From Major Butler’s field of 400 acres, only 18 bags were made-” 2 This is accounted for by the fact, that long cotton, as a crop, was not generally groivn in South-Carolina until 1798. 3 Between 1804 and 1825 their depredations were occasional, and theu confined to par- ticular fields. 4 The Caterpillar is seldom seen in the upper parishes. PROCEEDINGS. 149 The pupse, wrapped in cotton-leaves, from their bleak exposure, invariably die on the approach of cold weather. The injury that has often been committed by the caterpillar is almost incredible. In one week they had denuded of its foliage every stalk in the largest held. The cotton plant of Guiana was very subject to the attack of the Chenille, as the caterpillar is there called. In the Bahamas, between March and September, 1738, no less than 280 tons of cotton on a moderate scale were devoured by this worm. [I] Among the causes of failure of tire crop in that quarter, as ascertained by answers of the most intelligent and experienced planters to questions proposed by the House of Assembly, the most prominent is the destruction by the Chenille. The same cause pro- duced the abandonment of the gossypium culture in several of the West India Islands. [2] It will be perceived, from what has been said, that the attack of the cater- pillar in this country is not annual. This of itself is satisfactory evidence, that the 1813 \ (War, 28,892,544 19,399,911 1842 * . t~35,211,800 *From 1784 to 1790, inclusive, the number of bags exported (Note B.) was respect- ively 8, 14, 6, 109, 389, 842, 81, which are estimated as weighing 150 pounds each ISome foreign cottons included. tThe bags from 1833 to 1842, inclusive, are estimated to weigh 330 pounds each. 156 AGRICULTURAL Note B. EARLY IMPORTS OF AMERICAN COTTON. [From Gore’s Liverpool Advertiser.] “ By referring to our import list at the period of which the following is a copy, we find the first arrival of cotton wool, the produce of the United States of America, took place at this port, '20th January, 1785, of one bag, per Diana from Charleston, to John and Isaac Teasdalc & Co. We have had this confirmed by the only surviving partner of that firm, William Teas- dale of this place, whose uncle Isaac went from Manchester to settle at Charleston to promote the trade. An account of the import of the first cotton brought to the port of Liver- pool, the growth of the United States of America, 1785. Jan. 20th, Diana from Charleston, to J. & I. Teasdale & Co., one bag; Feb. 17th, Tonyn, New York, James Kenyon, one bag; July 21st, Grange, Philadelphia, W. Ralhbone, Jan., 3 bags; Nov. 17th, Friendship, Philadelphia, J. and I. Teasdale & Co., 9 bags- Total, 14 bags. 1786. May 14th, Thomas from Charleston, Peter Marrow, 2 bags; June 21st, Juno, Charleston, J. & I Teasdale & Co., 4 bags. — Total, 6 bags. 1737. April 5th, John from Philadelphia, John Tackson, 6 bags ; June 7th, Irish Volunteer, Charleston, James Hargreaves, one bag ; June 1 4th, Wilson, New York", N. P. Ashfield, 9 bags ; June 28th, Grange Philadelphia, James Barrow, 6 bags; James App'eton, 2 bags; Peel, Yates & Co., 1 bag; Aug. 2d, Henderson, Charleston, J. & I. Teasdale & Co., 40 bags; Dec. 13th, John, Philadelphia, George Goring, 37 bags; Order, 7 bags. Total, 109 bags. 1788. January, Mersey from Charleston, Peter Marrow, 1 bag: Grange, Philadelphia, George Goring, 5 bags ; Jan. 31st, Sally, New York, Rath- bone & Benson, 4 bags ; June 26th, John, New York, Samuel Green, 30 bags; July 3d, Harriott, New York, Backhouse & Lowe, 62 bags; Dickson & Pemberton, 60 bags ; N. P. Ashfield, 29 bags ; Peel, \ ates & Co., 4 bags ; Rathbone & Co., 3 bags ; S. Newall, one bag ; Order, 16 bags : July 5th, Grange, Philadelphia James Ansdell, 63 bags; Polly, Charleston, George Goring, 42 bags ; J. & 1. Teasdale & Co., 26 bags ; Nov. 20th, Clio, Charleston, J. Douglass, 0 bags ; William, Baltimore, Warbrick & Holt, 31 bags. Total, 389 bags 1789. Jan. 8th, Grange, Philadelphia, W. Wallace, 4 bags; James Ansdell, 6 bags ; Feb. 5th, Manchester, Charleston, J. Teasdale & Co., 7 bags; John Wright, 1 bag: Feb. 29th, Aurora, New 1 ork, R.athbone & Benson, 165 bags ; Peel, Yates & Co., one bag ; Backhouse & Low, 7 bags; Order, 158 bags: May 21st, Alexander, Virginia, Thomas Moss, 4 bigs ; July ‘2d, Levant, Philadelphia, E. & R. Bent, 7 bags ; John Jackson, 25 bags; July 9th, Grange, Philadelphia, John Jackson, 17 bags ; July 23d, Manchester, Charleston, J. Coulburn, 6 bags : Oct. 1st, Lydia, New- York, James Kenyon, 10 bags ; Robert Abbott, 10 bags; J. R. Freme, 2 bags ; Dec 10th, Springvale, Maryland, Kensing + on & Co., 71 bags ; Rath- bone & Co., 30 bags; Dec. 24th, Grange, Philadelphia, Golightly & Co., 2 bags ; James Ansdell, 25 bags; S. Brown, 4 bags; Samuel Grey & Co., 43 bags; C. Weatberhead, 94 bags; J. Jackson 43 bags; J. Mickleth- waite, 100 bags. Total, 842 bags. 1790. Jan. Lady Pcnrhyn from Philadelphia, E. & R. Bent, 58 bags ; Feb. 4th, Polly, Charleston, John Teasdale & Co., 12 bags; William PROCEEDINGS. 157 Coulborne, 7 bags; July 29th, Mary, Georgia, Andrew Aikin, '3 bags; Pol- ]y, Charleston, John Teasdale & Co., 2 bags. Total, SI bags. It will thus be perceived, that the total import ot' cotton into Liverpool during the six years from 1765 to 1790, inclusive, was 1441 bags. Though the above statement shows a progressive increase, it appears that the demand was neither uniform nor extensive, the import, in 1789, having exceeded that of the following year 731 bags. From this period, however, the trade, es- pecially as regards Liverpool, has increased with astonishing rapidity. In the year 1785, the import amounted to no more than 14 bags, and, in 1789, which is the largest import shown in the above statement, it was 812,'’ Jsote C. PROPERTIES OF MARSH-MUD. When dried. Water of absorpiion. [Organic matter. Increase in weight af- ter being thoroughly [drenched in water. § C 3 £ i w c :0 ‘>1o u-.2 o ~ *-3 p 9 c C J o a a-z Siliea. C3 £ 3 Water of absorption and organic matter. Peroxide of iron with Car- of lime and phos- phate ol lime. Carbonate of lime. 6 o o a ~s, 6 -C Per oxide of iron. - — T3 ® G 3 ra — 5 d •- o '11 vj * 2 o=. A lost- B C 2.37 2.66 321. 14.0 of water 92.57 1.70 5.03 0,70 D 2.83 3.83 342. 91.64 1.70 6,16 0.50 E 2.66 1.90 305. 94.00 0.94 4,5S 0,50 F 1.66 1.75 293. 11.0 95.00 0.79 3.41 0.80 G 2.83 2.16 325. 93.00 0.81 4.99 1.20 H 2.36 2.41 315. 12.0 93.23 1.05 4,77 0.35 I 11.36 8.33 480. 28.7 K .14 9.66 605. 39.0 61 .75 9.00 23.66 0.27 .20 5.80 0,60 Pure 235. 63 Sand 158 AGRICULTURAL Note D, “ To an iron frame, 4 feet breast and 3 feet high, is attached in front, in a horizontal position, a 2 inch roller, covered with (he best kind of s ffe-leather. grooved, (say 1. 16th of *>n inch deep,) diagonally — the grooves being an inch apart. Pressing lightly against this roller, from the centre upwards, and con- fined to its place by small steel clamps, is a very thin steel plate, made perfectly smooth and bcvilled on the under side, which comes in contact with the roller. On each end of this roller is a pulley, connected with other pullies by bands. The cotton is placed on a feeding board, and drawn in by the ac- tion of the roller between it and the plate the entire length of the fibre, (the seed exposed and resting against the plate.) where it is held firmly. In the mean time a vibrator (which is a plate ot iron, 2 indies broad with square notches in the upper edge, and screwed to a piece of wood to support it.) attached to 3 upright pieces of wood an inch square, which are attached to each end of an iron shaft, (lj) inches in diameter and placed in a horizontal position,) by means of sliding cranks, which give an eccentric motion, and cause it (the vibrator) to play up and down with great velocity, just clearing the plate; pushing the seeds upwards; clearing the cotton, which, thus re- lieved, passes on (the leather or ginning roller being cleared by a smaller one resting on it. and lying just behind the plate) to art endless apron, 8 inches broad, which is made to revolve on 2 rollers of Hi inches diameter, and which is placed in close proximity to the ginning roller. The cleaning roller passes the cotton under another roller (1 inch diameter) to the apron, around which it adheres, and by this process the fibre is straightened. “The apron is cleared, after thirty revolutions, by means of a cam, which is placed over the apron, near the back part of the gin ; the edge of this cam is made to come r< gularly down to the apron by a finger attached to one end of it : a racket wheel throws this finger under a segment of a circle, attached to the pulley which drives the ginning roller, and thus holds the cam to the apron during one revolution ; the edge of the cam is then brought clear of the apron by" weights and the cotton falls to the floor in a bat. “The above is the plan of the gin as first exhibited. I have since simpli- fied it somewhat by taking off the apron, cam, &c., and substituted 4 rollers in their place — placing them immediately back of the ginning and clearing rollers, through which the cotton passes and falls in flakes on the floor.’ 1 — Extracts of a letter from H. W. Fargo, of Savannah, Mr. McCarthy's agent for Georgia, to the writer. The price of a single gin is §150. PROCEEDINGS. 159 Wole E. Number of pounds of Sea- Island Cotton exported from the United Stale Ss Year. Its. Year. lbs. 1805 o • . 8,787,659 1825 . . 9,655,278 1806 . t 6,096,032 1826 . 5,972,852 1807 , * « . 8,926,011 1327 . 15,140,798 1808 (Embargo,) 949,051 1823 11,238.419 1809 • « . 8,664,213 1829 . . 12,833,307 1310 • • » 8,604,078 1830 . 8,147,165 1811 • • • . 8,029,576 1831 . . 8,311,762 1812 ) • • 4 4,367,806 1832 . 8,743,373 1813 \ (War,) . . 4,134,849 1333 . 11,142.957 18 1 4 ) • • • 2,520,383 1834 8,085,935 1815 . . c . 8,449,951 1835 . . 7,752,736 1316 • O 0 9,900,326 1S36 8,544,419 1817 « . 8,101,680 1837 . . . 5,286,971 1318 • • • *6,035.700 1838 7,286,340 1319 , t , *11,015,070 1839 . . . 5,107,404 1820 • • • *1 1,718,300 1840 . 8,779,669 1821 • . • 11,344,066 IS41 .' . *6,752,130 1322 . • 0 11,250,635 1842 *5,010,030 1823 • « • 12,136,688 1824 r • 9,525,722 Wole F. The recognized distinctions of Cotton on the Continent of Europe ore as follows : 1. The North Ameircan ; 2. The West Indian ; 3. The South American; 4. The East Indian; 5 The Levantine ; 6. The African; 7. The Spanish: The relative value of the above Cottons is as follows : Sea Island, Bourbon, Egyptian, Maragnan, Bahia, and Pernambuco. Motril, from the Kingdom of Grenada. Cayenne, Surinam, Demerara, and Berbice- Superior West Indian, New Orleans, Upland ^Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Inferior West Indian. Levant — European and Asiatic Turkey. Italian, Madras, Surat, Bengal, * The bags estimated to Weigh 330 pounds each. Table 160 AGRICULTURAL &0 01 00 <0 1° 5 1 rf 1— 1 Cl 0 CD GO 0 d d CD X - 0 L0 1 , ; - CD 1- Cl Cl LD CO cc X LO X d -3* X "T 1 X "0- ' 1 Cl Cl o X LD Cl CD lD t- 1-H i—t Cl CD 01 0) 03 CD : h X Cl — * on •*7 CO X Cl’ CD oj X lO o CO X CO h* -L - 1 o cd i— Cl CO o CD lC CD 00 Cl Cl CO ~7^ o i- CD 01 c- r— 1 d i--( i * n t- CO f- Cl t- Cl ft-i 01 01 i Si CD d 70 d CD Cl <- Cl lO Cl o Cl d tH »o X X X ■JO -C 1 CO CD Cl d w *— i CD CO CD CO r-H CD lD CO ; £ CD CO t—H -4 ci r-H d r-H d r-H cT rjT L.0 — r q i *5> .2 ,C2 w ~ a rr> a d lO w, Q o o f-~ d co rf CO — * CO 1—1 (JO d X d rf CO d {- "k C3 d CO 1-H so j r- O -f Cl Cl CD d tt< d r- , X CD CO CD X t- |i •§ c- ci Cl co- — — Cl cD 77) »D X X X o t- a) o 01 *0; i'* cc CD t- lC — O CD CO CO x l' 01 CO Cl CD CO Cl ! ^ |! lit r- {- Cl lO * r-H X d X r_ -7 CO X X LO LO X- CD 0? 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CO r—i d CO d 01 03 1— « d co » j-r P=1 X r— < _, IN Jt LD CD c- GO Cl o r— d 20 LO CD T Cl r— ci Cl Cl ©1 Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl 00 o D C3 O O O o — — H c*- t- c- t-* t- X X X X X X X X X X X X u & — i T— 1 r=* f*H <— < r-H rH FH HH 1—1 S=| r-H i=j *“ N r—i 1— « Table I. — import continued'. PROCEEDINGS « 161 & <; e- o H 5L) NCD'NGD^CDQXOiSOTf — r h of cT cef ^ irif co erf co* co erf r*^a)hhM^ooHOh r. o GO 05 w w w o w 00 co^ ^ co^ ^ -T O* rf' I-T Tf< © r- GO © lO o "5 « 00 >— i 00 o? CO o Tf CO o? § w rf o rH w o 00 rH © rn o CO o o? CO *Tf05G0 ^O f> ^ H f> ^ ^° O <0? cT 00 cf O^cf^C'ftffofp-fi-fcr t^HTfO’I'OhhhhO- < rHrHrHrHrHO?<0}C?T* O? O O GO O CO lO ^ *H 5§ CO GO (0? O © r- rH GD rH C? © • CO rH T? iO CO lO o O? 1 o GO lO © p— (N © t" (3) (0? t- CO © CO H GO CO or- CO o Cl rH rH rf iO on V. 3 00 O co © o CO xo O rn CO co cq rH P-H rH P-H p-H r— H rH © -S* CO CO s rH o qj 0? CO lO CO o GD © o — o» CO i—4 rH p-H rH •H •— ■ rH rH o? lt: COLChGD^C 5005 if 5 Q(NC«O^^CO ^OOLOCOCDhOiOCiOOOKC'if-'HOLO COO C rr C C rH -H - cD h C rtOOC c - o ?: rf ^ h oi <:5 c" ir ^ ^ cc c ’O ao ac c « fH p- ^ W * rtWWfMJCCC^H^ i'C^C 5 -ChC? 0 C c o x o o to w ^ l': : . _ . © C> ro TT qe, c CD^ GD^ ' ^ cT cL cT o' ^ cd lo i- r- - iO 'C' ® I _ 05® 030 OC C^ CO tt X^ CD^ rf CD^ © CD^ X^ rCIvCDCD r J , S3LOCivDrCC^"^^^ ,, '™' rv, ‘'^ ^ — S 3 ^ ^ O h CD CD r— Ci-CC^^h^^OChCCiChnWDC- — X hOQO^^«-h(N(N«WOO(Nh co ^ « c d cc © ^ lo d cc — ^ co ©^ ©~ sf ^ >> o © id ^ cT iff x~ cT o' t-* c id~ C^ r-l p— ^ — OJOJC^C^COCNOJrH — cc t- r- — cc i— © O C C H c ^ X ^ CD hWCPCGCCJCDhCh CC©' 3 , ^-^X©XL.C-^^rwww--'~'v^ CC — C ^ co :S$ » "N o oo 00 iov 2 5) E 'III :||8 2 SRS gi! :1 |SS IS s 1 381 :t *S- § 1 ®IS :| iff .1 " ■ i ■ o s — 3* !>■ • CO S?S8 :§ j&gK IS ( Is I s S :§ ■ : 1 ;t i : |i CTi • • tO • — ‘ l- • ^ * 2 ;2 ; oi CO B s 1 ifh I :f i f "» • co 5 *5 • Sf :| : g •r ** -o - § I — r - — 1 ji il|i r) ,« , I Hi i 1 IJl-ikS 3 - : 11 ill 1 5 I.1P1 I <* le "& S n O f— ' CO — o 00 GO _ .CO »-■ l'- CC O'. co ; ^ m i- S- o> c QD O GD t mm 5 gs.ss llgll |g|2* S _T § - sill! 'I S g£gs;s 2 8 1 co — — nSSgg SS2S8 CM. CM mil ii ggg£& | I 55 n S 5i of g? g ac o> u.- — n — £ ct 3 5 2 n n l- — CN sscs's 3 ao CO x d* CO X ISIM g= g 1 '- 5 Or *: c't ~ ■*3' C £ £ II 1 C 3| E 5 er > _o -o > =: 11 c X CJ o = 5 • S. > — II I-- o mu 1 1 3SfS*‘5' 8' CO ~ I ^ gg O ?1 §2S? X §■ = ~ K .£ S 4i i! ill Jill* i -i Liverpool Prices Current, ‘Mst December of each year. PROCEEDINGS, 165 GO GO t- 00 o GO o GO r— I 00 CO 00 CO i— H 00 Tf ^ - 53 "a ^ * o GO C 5 o GO GO O GO O 00 o o oo *22 ~*23 *23 *23 cq ' ro ^ ^ -let -|a \D iT5 JO — ' CO * ' *•> ■>* c» — 2 C0 * 72 ~si sa “ 3 c r, •— - - - •“"< 3 J -2 £.= £ s ss ; 1 - ^- 0 aJ 2 ° ^ 3 00 a oi 00 00 c^ 00 i- r* Q 0 lO 00 00 CO Ol Z) o? 3 '.tc^ t-(o r.; o - i' C> C C ^ ; — o rr ® i' O to CO -CS^CO— o — t^c >C-t > *<3i''-OGGCC<3‘n ^2 -n rs ^ C') — •>) cr. *> C- ^ ; : x t> o — o o t'- ■^^ — 00 • — o — GO •g’f t'C > oo o c* ^ ^ -la -I* {"— GO 00 ^ CD ^ O'* ^ O) — — -TJ — ' CO 3S CO --H 3 »C 0 O <£> O ’SC 72 GGG . E.fl 3 £ _3 ® — « p-3 3^ ”5c'i3S o _ _. 3 — C r? — — r-> TT I— * o Jr o. bi c 3 - a ” 3 ccCPHfriSQ^oa Liverpool Prices Current,— continued 166 AGRICULTURAL 00 C'l rf GC Tf GO O 00 o CO GO 00 CO 00 1 - CO GC 'S C O X C O • O tJ* • O ? ’T C C O z. re ''SO^.Ct'CCCDC't a 00 T 1 0 P -C *o CO -I* -!* -> r*- 00 L-~ O tt« O* *— ' f M> c C I ; CO m ■ m ' O : CJ ' >* 3 ta M § rta «•?* «*!♦ c-*e —!i» . , > -* OC O* O CJl — OO ^ " " J $coo«nc£aot^t>o^ "^XCOOCJGCCi®^ i v o c O - X ® X i 1 *^ ’tCCOOCCCO e; -"Cl r-fci — ^ — 'c-l «-6 n O-* h O X GO h C C') "7 3 0) c: i 2 53 KH‘r-l;i r-dl I—D -^7] u c c rf - - -r r. od a cd c 0..0’ - . T0.IIIII • ;•;••••; ::::::::::::: |j "£> ••••••••••••• ^ * S ::::::::::::: V III. t IIIIIIIIIIIII t 2 |i s ::::::::::: i : o ^ i; o c r. :! c: rt ^ c i- x c c - • ^ ^ ^ Ci O O CJ ?J o cj o> CO CO I KO GOGOGCGOGCOOQDGDCOGOaC'JDQD cr CO GO L0> CO GC O JO O') t* :j ^ n m c: ^ o c; r- a c? lo — 'r-H^-COCOClSCCO r-M hccci(Nh®Hc:cccLOL': r- e* r-< i— f— • • O O ^ W C? C- CO 00 CO co GO c* CO 00 cot"»i>o$aixcct^o gS* c-Q - 2 ^ 3.5 c- 2 ® A > = II Rh H t; ^e^ffoCi-ejn^Ltst-B ^iKKiacffiiriSrcC'X cc Growth and Consumption of Cotton in the United States of America. PROCEEDINGS. 167 3 3 C/3 £ WOWQOWDO^ CO cf © o lO N I-T lO . O O ^ O? lO 1 C ^ O a .O37oo5coco^t^co H 2 ^ ^ lq^ ao^ o^ ^ ^ o ^ m'' o ^ H W 35° O^CWOOt-«GD h K ^ 7: rf 0D CO H O© w C-5 rH rH rH r— I OJ p- 1 i-h OhOOQO-^ W I I I I I I I I lOOt'GDCIC-'W COCOCOCOCO^t^tI* coaDGOGOQoaoxao £ o H co COWCOCJ'NOCJWQO 00 O LQ - c — I -I GO lo^ x)_ iO^ — ^ ao^ rt< ^ go CO* O ad CO 03~ CO «rf cd' co OOJHCJoOhOQ- • *“H rH ^H r-i pH r-H i-H 03 J * 2 •ocn'Looc^co^oD ? ^ -j i- ® od ^ ^ c: c: 2 ^r^ofi^co 22 fr-oo^ S COrHuOt-COOD^Oi-O ^ OhOC 50 c 5 C^C^ hGOCJOHfNcC^iO 03 03 03COCOCOOOCOCO I I I I ! I I I I CDt-QOC50H(MCC^ o3oao303cococococo GDXTOQOGOaOQOGOQO ”ci ,oPh ■*~c~ = 3 2 >. >>':j 2 > . ° t*- 0 ° x o V is .t: n w 55 QJ 0) C3 J= J2 H ~ -39. 0? 0? r- 03 CJ 0 w CO 0- rH — i> CO 0 iO rj< rH t- r- t rH rH 03 GD CO O — - LO 0 03 CO rH iO rn 03 00 lO 03 03 03 00 CO 1 rH 10 r- !^L -r 05 GO r- 0 -H CO — O O CO rH 00 03 CO O H 05 CO » fa Tf CO 03 CO — H (—1 0 3 O 05 03 CO GO 0- CO CO 03 rH 05 iO CO CO _< r- rft ao CO iO 0 0 O l-H co t- 03 05 CO O CO co t- CO 03 03 CO X> GO 05 00 CO CO 05 rH 03 GD 0 03 03 rH — ' -36. C5 03 lO ph t— o CO rH 03 77 iO 05 0* 00 1- -H 03 0 \o CO 05 CO O 03 05 CO r» t- CO (- CO CO CO 05 JD O ’ rH 0? 0 kO CO CO ■70 CO 03 03 03 Or I'r 03 CO GO .0 rH 03 H rH . ■lO CO CO 03 CO HJ IO *"7 7) t- GO O CO 05 CO CD rH lO rH kO ao CO CO CO 0 ITS CO CO 03 rH rH CO or. CO CO 00 rH 03 rH _. i- 03 0 03 GO OD rH l- CO 0 0 t- CO rH 00 ao 10 05 r*i O 03 CO QD CO lO 03 tO O KO 3D CO CO GO co rH 03 rH rH a* cS fa r! * _c 0 S3 c3 O * rt s CS JO rt • "5 rt 'p t 5 & 0 0 O > O N O JZ O TS rt 72 0 .2 O to^ 0 0 0 fa O irginia Z z fa *< OtB z > ♦Included in the exports from New Orleans. 168 AGRICULTURAL Table IV. East India Colton imported into Europe from 1832 to 1812 inclusive. 1 'ear. bales. Year. bales. 1832 • 149,285 1838 . 111.314 1833 . . 100,878 1839 . . 137,581 1834 . • 93,321 1840 . 226,000 1835 • . 119,591 1841 . 271,000 1836 . . . 220,067 1842 . 264,000 1 837 . . 142,326 1843 . • ....... South American Cotton imported into Europe from 1832 to 1842 inclusive. Year. bales. Year. biles. 1832 • . 137,061 1838 # . 155,664 1833 . 194,859 1 839 . . . # 126,056 1834 • . 128.289 1840 , # , . 90,000 1835 . • • 179,043 1841 . # 99.000 1836 . . . 185,154 1842 , , . 103,000 1837 . * 138,697 1843 . . *•••••• Egyptian Cotton imported into Europe from 1832 to 1 842, inclusive. Year. bales. Year. bales. 1832 . . . 160,465 1838 . , . 162,242 1833 . • . 110,976 1839 , , . 117,176 1S34 • ® . 70,068 1840 . # 96,000 1835 . • 140,956 1841 . , . . 123.000 1836 • • . 180,301 1842 . 108,000 1837 . • # 158,400 ( 1843 # • •••••• West India Cotton imported in Europe from 1832 to 1842, inclusive. Year. bales Year. bales 1832 . . . 29,348 1838 . . . , 63,920 1833 . o • 37,762 1839 . , . . 90,577 1834 • • . 39,945 1840 . , , 61,000 1835 . * 59,297 1841 . . . 75.000 1836 • • . 87,450 1842 . , . . 70,000 1837 . • 79,874 1843 • Imports of Cotton into France from 1822 to 1843, both inclusive. Year. bales. Year. bales. 1822 . 205,861 1833 • • . 305,633 1823 . • . 169,845 1834 . • . • 274,307 1824 . , 251,074 1335 . . • . 324,425 1825 . . . 204,572 1836 . • • . 199.823 1826 . , . 320,174 1837 . « . . 343,963 1827 • • . 290 617 1838 . • • • 390,978 1828 . . 206,132 1839 • . • . 342,100 1829 • • . 242.230 1840 . • « ♦ 466,318 1830 . • 282,752 1841 • • . . 458,851 1831 , , . 218.393 1842 . , , % 442,470 1832 . « . 269 159 I 1843 . . 399,165 ESSAY ON MALARIA. IS V § . II. DICKSON. M . D . READ BEFORE THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH CAROLINA. K 0 V . . y* The beautiful and fertile low country of our State is the seat of annual and endemic visitations of disease, which we are accustomed to attribute to Malaria. Whatever may be the difference of opinion elsewhere as to the source of origin of the aerial poison, the Medical Pi ofession here is unani- mous in regarding it as the result of vegetable decomposition in moist places and at a high temperature. The questions which may be urged however as to its nature, qualities and mode of action, arc not yet absolutely settled. Upon their decision, whenever they shall be satisfactorily answered, will be built up rational habits of life, customs and manners, adapted to our circum- stances, and practical efforts to lessen its influence and diminish o> - counteract its effects. To the Southern Agriculturist these are topics of the gravest interest. In the low country there are few plantations which admit of permanent resi. dence ; the whole region being pervaded by a pestilential infection, almost unfailing in the excitement of Fevers, Intermittent and Remittent, during the Summer and Autumn — followed by Dysenteries and Diarrhoeas — Hepatic Affections and Dropsies of every variety. Even in the middle country the risk is so great in many localities, and especially on the best lands, that scarcely any hope of return or actual profit to accrue from personal atten- tion to his affairs, can indemnify him for the loss of health and comfort, and the decimation of his family by disease. Nay, in the immediate neighbor, hood of the mountains and at their very foot, the rich intervals which line the water-courses, and most fully repay the farmer of the upper Districts, are often afflicted, and in fatal violence, too, with the same or similar Endemics and Epidemics. If he is the most useful member of a community “ who has caused two blades of grass to grow where one grew before,” surely he who shall suc- ceed in diminishing the annual waste of life, and the immense and incalcula- ble amount of annual suffering from the source above indicated, will at least AGRICULTURAL 170 deserve the Civic crown “ of oak leaves” which the Romans placed upon the head of him, who had in battle saved the life of a fellow citizen. I have spoken of the influence of Malaria upon the health of the Planter and his household ; this is not all. The white man, it is true, suffers most obviously, most certainly and most intensely, but the inferior race from which we draw the mass of our labourers ai}d probably even the lower animals when domesticated, are more or less directly or indirectly injured and deterio- rated in this bad air. The negro, in his native savageism, bids absolute defi- ance, we are told, to Malaria ; and so doubtless do the forest tribes : but the changes which the latter undergo by long domestication, and the establishment of artificial habits, such as constitute essential portions of every grade of civilization, in the former, induce new susceptibilities of the system, and extend widely th list of maladies to which they become liable. It is well known that a negro born and bred in the city, or even one brought up in the country and accustomed to house-work only, is specially liable to fever, if put to labour in the field, and it soems reasonable to suppose, that as we can by one definite course increase, we may by another diminish tiie acceptability of tnose exposed to the poisonous agencies of which we are speaking. Tiie three contingencies which concur to the developement of Malarious diseases are float, Moisture and Vegetable Decay. In reference to the first of these elements it is curious to observe that the mean temperature of our climate has become lower than formerly*. The frosts of Winter extend far- ther into the Spring; the extreme cold of our Winters is greater, and the extreme heat of our Summers less, if we compare periods of five or ten years in the present, with similar periods in the last century. The Orange is entirely lost to us, with its beautiful and fragrant blossom and its delightful fruit, and the Fig is far less abundant and less certain in its luscious tribute. Now, as neither the duration nor the violence of our Malaria diseases is nota- bly les sened — the contrary indeed being often asserted and apparently sup- ported by' at least plausible allegations of melancholy facts — it seems, there- fore, fairly inferable, that the other elements must have been augmented in amount or been tendered more active. It is clear also, that it is to these latter that we are to direct our attention, in the hope ef ameliorating the condition of our climate. Its temperature is beyond our controul ; but we can always get rid of some portion of our stagnant and superfluous moisture, aud place limits to the quantity of vegetable matters in the State, known to be favourable to the proceses of decomposition. By a perfect system of drainage, we might, in any region of country, hinder all accumulation of moisture there, but as this complete success is nowhere perhaps within reach of our resources, the absolute accomplismcnt of our purpose, is not to be hoped for, and we must aim at the nearest approxt- PROCEEDINGS. 171 mation feasible. I doubt not that the best system ot drainage for the Agri- cultural interest of the planter would also — with exceptions easily pointed out, be found the best for the health of his people. The cultivation of Rice, of Indigo, and of Flax perhaps, will always be tound incompatible with the salubrity of the country engaged in it, for obvious teasons. Rut in regard to all other culture, irrigation by running, waiter is the best mode of applying mois’ure for the luxuriant growth of | hints — and running waters are as inno- cent as refreshing. The improvident clearing, imperfect cultivation, and neglected diainageof land, have been the curse of our middle and lower districts. If no tract was cleared unless destined tube well tilled and drained, there would be infinitely less vegetable matter exposed to the heat of our summer sun to undergo the process of rapid decay. If the wild ar.d thick growth of our inland swamps were undisturbed by the axe, the waiters stagnant there would not be liable to the prompt and partial drying up, which exposes, as in our poisonous mill- ponds, such varying quantities of rotting mould and green mud and slime, to the sky and a;r. The rule should be to leave all low spots which cannot be perfectly drained and brought under permanent tillage, in their natural state, as to w'ood and foliage, both trees and undergrowth. Besides the injurious exposure, it is now generally agreed that there is a farther evil attendant upon the laying bare such spots. Some benefit arises probably from the action of every living vegetable upon vitiated air. We are not able definitely to indicate the mode of this beneficial influence, but it seems to vary in degree, at least, if not somewhat in kind also with the specific nature of the several trees, shrubs, or plants. Every bidy associates with the presence of the pine, tor example, some undefined lint quite confident expectation of fuvorab e influence. There are facts which go to show that something anal- ogous may be affirmed also of the hickory, and perhaps of the walnut. Dr. Car.wrigh , of Natches, contends strenuously' for the antidotal or purifying properties of the Jessienia Grandiflora, which, as he maintains, counteracts absolutely the miasmatic exhalations of the South-western bayous, and renders them perfectly healthful residences, free from our fevers, &c. If his facts are correctly stated, the plant should be brought hither, and made, if possible, to grow in all our swamps an! rice reserves and mill-ponds. A careful inquiry into the matter, may, perhaps, result in the detection of ;m opposite quality in certain plants, rendering them specially dcleteiious, and making it the peculiar duty and interest of the planter to extirpate them. This has been suggested as to several of the succulent shrubs growing in our low grounds, and as to the dog fennel, found so abundant in many old fields and other waste places. These remarks refer to the purpose of diminishing, by every reasonable 172 AGRICULTURAL and feasible effort, the production of the atmospheric poison, to which we attrioutc the Endemic Fevers, Dysenteries, dropsies, &c. of our climate. Ii behoves us, in the next place, to consider how we shall best prevent or dimin- ish its injurious influences upon ourselves and upon our slaves, when exposed to its action either transiently or permanently. The contingencies which foster and aid the development of its specific effects, are some of thcrfi suffi- ciently weli known. The location of the dwelling house and that of the negro quarter,” are important to be attended to. Good and pure water should be diligently sought for; fatigue, imperfect nutrition, and defective or unsuited clothing are obviously injurious. I have known the Dealt h of the people on a plantation promptly improved by a small addition to t[ie propor- tion of animal food allowed them. I would be disposed to make such an addition regularly, at the approach of autumn and throughout the severe cold of mid-winter. Taking for granted (what may admit however of some ques- tion) the enjoyment of better health by the populace of ancient than that of modern Rome. Broechi accounts for it by the universal use of woolen gar- ments— for which we now substitute the less perfect protection of linen, &c. ; and more than one phisician of my acquaintance declares it best in our low country to retain our winter woolens throughout the year. One point is estab- lished beyond controversy. Whatever tends to keep the animal consitution at i s highest tone and vigor, is the be-t means of preserving it from attacks of disease. The converse must be equally true ; and the wise and provident planter will avoid on the one hand a false and delusive economy, which would lead him to narrow in any way the comfortable living upon which athletic and elastic health is built up ; and on the other, will abstain from overtasking his force by engaging in enterprize to which their number is inadequate. The result in either case will be injurious, both to the individuals and to the prospect of gradual and ultimate increase, the ratio of which will, in almost every instance, furnish a correct measure ot the well being and careful man- agement of the laboring class. Finally — cn all plantations of any extent, I would recommend the erection of a Hospital, large enough to hold conveniently all the sick. Here should he brought together, under the superintendence of a proper nurse, all the invalids of the place, whose wants may, in this way, be hest supplied, and their chances of quick and perfect recovery very much nereased. It is thus made more easy too to separate the cheat, the maligner, from the really sick, than when they are allowed the seclusion of their own houses. To this Hospital, every negro, who, at the usual morning summons, feels ill or unfit for his work, should be required to repair at once and report himself. Kind- ness, and the necessities of the case, will soon reconcile a true sufferer to this transient separation from his immediate family, while the mere idler would PROCEEDINGS. 173 sOoa become Weary of the supervision, and disgusted with the discipline of the building. In the above remarks, it iias not been my object — as indeed it is not within my reach — -to offer any thing original or new ; but simply to present in a con- densed form, as I had been desired to do, some of the most familiar rules deducible from observation and experience, for the preservation of the health of the Agricultural population of the South. * ' ' . X ■ ANNIVERSARY ORATION, CP THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH CAROLINA J BY GEY. JAJSES II. KAJOIOXD : Read bejore the Society, on the 25 t'l November, 1841. A writeron Agriculture remarks that, some two and a half centuries ago, the Flemings, then considered the best farmers in Europe, were much more remarkable for the practice of husbandry than for writing books on the subject : and in another part of his essay, after bestowing great commcndn* tionon one Gabriel Plattes as an original genius and very meritorious agri- cultural author of the same period, adds that the public ungratefully per- milted him to starve in the streets of London. We have, in these two in- stances, the example and the warning which might be supposed to have fixed the conduct and opinions of most persons engaged in this pursuit in our re- gion. Those, who are here regarded as the best husbandmen, rarely put their pens to paper, and do not often take the trouble to read what others write : while a “ book planter” is by some fatality or other almost always unsuccessful. The truth is, that men of letters who embark in agriculture, besides being for the most part deficient in perseverance, have usually too many theories not to meet with an immense proportion of failures ; while men of action, however maturely they reflect, have seldom time or inclination to perform the mechanical labor of reducing their thoughts to writing. And a good planter is eminently a man of action. In fact, at the bottom of all suc- cess in planting, lies energy. Without this, no degree of knowledge^-no skill — no capital — no fertility of soil — no bcnificent dispensation of the seasons — can ensure it. Yet, situated as our planters are ; exercising, for the most part, but a general superintendance over their planting operations, I am far from thinking that they may not, without any undue neglect of their practical duties, find leisure to contribute largely and usefully to agricultural literature. It is, indeed, a matter for wonder rather, that well educated, as so many of them are, and cultivating, as we do, such invaluable staples, no planter has yet published a complete and standard treatise on any one of i:o AGRICULTURAL them : and that all the information which the books contain is evidently giVeti tit second hand, and replete with errors. Such treatises, from the hands of ‘hose fully qualified -by general infnl-mation and thorough experience in plant- inn, would be of inestimable value. And one of the chief advantages I an- ticipate from Societies like the one whose anniversary we now commemorate, is that they may stimulate some one to the task. Similar Societies in other par's of the world have, within the la.st half century or so, given birth to Voluminous and immensely Useful' agricultural writings. To us, however, these have been heretofore, in the main, of little advantage. They are arT dressed to those who farm or graze ; and there are scaicely any occupa. lions more dissimilar than these and staple plantingi It is probably owing to this fact that many of our most judicious planters hold works on agricui- lure in such contempt ; and because no one has written on the art of planting', properly so called, have hastily concluded that book learning is not for them. I trust, however, that the societies now ao rapidly springing up in our State, will turn attention more seriously to the subject ; and that the vast amount of information in regard to our staples which lies scattered throughout the im- mense region that produces them, will, ere long, be collected together, ar- ranged, digested, and placed in some tangible form within the reach of every one. To us, however, in South Carolina, such works, so far as one of our sta- ples — and the most important— =i> concerned, will soon, f apprehend, be more curious than really Valuable. For the period is probably close at hand when we shall be compelled to abandon its culture, if not altogether.- at least in n great measure. This is a matter of the deepest concern to us in every point of view. And as there is no question, at the present moment, so full of interest to the Agricultural community, and pregnant with such im- portant consequences to every portion df society, it is to this that I propose chiefly to call your attention now. The extraordinary progress of the growth of cotton has, it is well known, occasioned a series of calculations, at Various periods, from the time of the invention of the sa\V-gin, to prove that it must soon shoot far ahead of the consumption, and that competition would in u short time cmfine its culture to a few favored spots. Conti ary, however, to all reasonable expectation, cohsumption has advanced with the same wonderful pace as production; and relying on the frequent failure of past predictions, many are even vet san- guine that it Will fcontihue to do so for a long period to come. I very much fear that they are at least mistaken— that what has been prophecy for such a time, is shortly to be fact ; and that the present depression of the cotton market is neither accidental nor temporary, but the result of natural causes, and likely to be permanent. PROCEEDIN' IS. 177 The rapid increase of consumption has been owing to causes which can be explained, and to which limits maybe assigned. A spirit of improve- ment in machinery for manufacturing it had sprung up in England, some twenty years before cotton began to be cultivated in this country. The Hand-Frame, Cylinder Cards, Woof and Warp machine, Spinning Jenny, and Power Loom, followed each oilier in quick succession, and Whitt soor* taught the whole to move by steam. The quality of goods was inconse- quence very much improved, and prices also reduced, so as to recommend them at once to all classes of consumers. The raw material then furnished, as might be supposed, fell far short of the augmented demand, and production was in turn vastly stimulated. The supply increased ft om America with great rapidity after Whitney’s gin came into general use, but new inven- tions in machinery continued, and as even the home market had not yetbeen- overflowed, the demand still kept ahead of it, until the general pacification of Europe and the world, opened fresh markets to* this new style of goods,, which could never apparently be stocked. Peace, also T made money abun- dant. New and immense investments were made in manufactories, and cotton mills arose all over England. It was of no- small consequence to the result that England was the seat of this great manufacturing revolution. Her incalculable wealth, her great naval superiority, and her vast territori- al possessions scattered over every quarter of the globe, gave her the com- mand of a commerce unknown before in the annals of the world. And’ during a period of profound peace, longer than mankind have enjoyed since tire death of the elder Antonine — and happily not yet terminated — this sreat nation has devoted herself to almost the sole purpose of opening new mar- kets and filling them with cotton goods. To all these circumstances is owing the rapid stride of consumption, which has thus far out-stripped all cal- culation. But these causes have run their cycle; their utmost effects have been fully felt ; all the markets now accessible to cotton manufactures are kept, not only stocked but glutted ; and although peace should continue ; and improvements in machinery go on ; and the power of England still re- main unbroken, none of which, to say the least, are certain, it is impossible for consumption to increase in any thing like the ratio it has hitherto done. That it will increase to some extent in every given series of years, is per- haps certain. I believe that cotton goods must undoubtedly drive linen from the almost entire monopoly which it yet enjoys in the domestic uses of the continent ; that they have, sooner or later, to clothe the naked barbarians of Africa, as well as the silk-robed myriads of the Chinese empire : to ascend the Euphrates ; to break more effectually through the barriers of the Bos- phorus, and penetrate to all the nations of the Black Sea, the Volga and the Obe : while every birth in a large portion of the old world, and in the 12 173 AGRICULTURAL remotest civilized corner of the new, creates a fresh demand. But all this most be the work of time. Popular prejudices must be broken down ; the policy and the agriculture of nations now devoted to growing rival com. modifies must be revolutionized, and manufactures must spring up and gain the ascendancy where poverty and ignorance and despotism now flourish_ Years, perhaps centuries, must elapse before all this can be accomplished ; and peace and commerce must, for all the time, hold the world subject to their benignant influence. It might be thought that the great increase in the sales of of raw cotton during the last year (1840) argues an equal increase of consumption. But it must be remembered that the sales of the year 1838 were nearly equal to those of the last : that this year they have again fallen off to a fearful degree, receding to a point below those of 1839, and not much in advance of those of 1837, and that in spite of the greatest falling off in the crop ever known in one year, there has been an actual increase of the surplus on hand in Liver- pool and Havre. The large sales of the last ytar were in fact owing to the -great fall of prices, and the i educed sales of this year, to the trifling increase of them in the early part of the season, thus shewing that in the present state of the markets, the smallest advance instantL checks consumption, which would not be the case, if the supply had not, to say the least, fully reached the limits of the immediate demand. The disastrous condition of the manufacturers during the present year, proves also, that the purchases of the last, even by the trade, were speculative, and did not indicate the true ratio of consumption. Indeed it is now generally conceded, that ever since 1S34, notwithstanding the great appearance of manufacturing prosperity, more goods have been turned off than were required for consumption, and have accumulated all over the world, to an extent not so easily perceived, but not less fatal in effect than the accumulation of the raw material in tiro great markets of England and France. But while consumption is thus fluctuating— -giving the clearest evidences that it has approached a point beyond which it cannot advance, except with the slow march of time and the mighty changes to which I have alluded, production is not only going forward with gigantic step, but yearly developing a capacity which proves that it has yet scarcely passed its infancy, and has been creeping lazily along, compared with what it can do. If we are to be- lieve the English, the experiment of growing improved cotton in their In- dian possessions, under the direction of Americans — from our seed, and pre- pared with our gins, is likely to succeed. Already has some of the new made cotton been sold in Liverpool at a price higher than that of our best New Orleans brands. I do not, however, feel very deep apprehensions from ■this quarter. The sample sent was probably most of it from the little Isle of / PROCEEDINGS. 179 Bourbon, where the finest Sea- Island cotton, next to our own, is known to grow. With a soil impoverished by 2000 years or more of cultivation; with a climate in which it rains continually for half the year, and for the re- mainder of it never rains, so that during one period cotton will not grow at all, and during the other must depend on dews and laborious irrigation; al- most without animal power ; with an idle and feeble race of labourers ; para- lyzed by absurd social forms ; and subjected to the most unprofitable as well as the most wretched system of slavery ; with all these drawbacks, I cannot believe that India will be able to compete with us. It is idle to talk of her doing so with other sections of our country. To Egypt — notwith- standing the temporary effect of the galvanic energies of Mehemet Ali — and to Western Asia, belong nearly all the disadvantages of India, without the benefit of English capital and English enterprize. Brazil and other parts of South America might become more formidable rivals, but their institutions are too unsettled, and their population too motley and uncivilized, if they had no other impediments, to give us serious alarm. But the cotton growers of South Carolina need not look abroad for compe- tition. It is much nearer home. It is our own kith and kin — the hardy and industrious and enterprising vanguard of civilization — -tha* have levelled the marantic forests of the South and South-west, and furrowed the rich bottoms through which pour the tributaries of the Gulf of Mexico, from the Suwanee to the Sabine, and that have but recently rescued from a slothful race the fertile empire stretching beyond the Sabine to the Ruo Grande-*-who are destined, at no distant day, to supply the foreign markets of the world with this inestimable staple. They have just overcome all the incipient difficul- ties of the enterprise, and are now prepared to put forth, on the finest soil and in the most favorable climate of the earth, an energy which must inevitably crush all serious competition. A few facts will shew their progress and our own. From 1769 to 1811, the production of cotton in the United States had increased from nothing to 90 millions of pounds, of which but 2 millions were grown in the Gulf States, not counting Georgia or Tennessee among them. By 1828, these States had risen by slow degrees to 185 millions in a crop of 338. In 1834, the whole crop had increased to 457 millions, of which they produced 252 millions, or rather more than half. And in 1339, when the crop amounted to S30 millions, these same States grew f»0U millions, having in the last five years doubled their production and made 100 millions more, while the rest of the cotton growing States in the aggregate had actually, for thir- teen years previous, made no increase at all. The world is accustomed, -especially oflate, to speak with astonishment of the unparalleled progress of the growth of cotton in this country. Yet for fifteen years now the whole of hat progress has been made in the Gulf States. Notwithstanding the high 180 AGRICULTURAL prices. We have been stationary. Is not this a startiirg fact? It seems ta me of itself to settle the question, and to leave no doubt that these States, having now but fairly prepared themselves lor it, so soon as the check on consumption shall place in strict competition all the cotton growers of the world, and reduce prices to their lowest point, the cultivation of this staple must be confined almost entirely to these fertile regions. Now, 1 believe, prices have already leached, if indeed the y have not gore below, the lowest point at which we can profitably grow cotton in this State. The average amount of cotton made in South Carolina, and I may include a large part of Georgia also, does not exceed 1200 lbs. per hand. The aver- age expenses per hand, cannot be less than $35. When every tiling is taken into account for which money is paid, or labour abstracted from the field to make, I doubt whether the most judicious planter is able to reduce them lower. If, then, cotton sells at an average of 1 0 cents net, on the plantation, to do which it must bring in the seaports 11 or 12 according to the distance of transportation, the clear profits for each hand in these States, will be $85. And this includes the rent ofland. If cotton sells at 8 cents net, on the plantation, the clear profit, rent included, will be only $61. I'f this estimate be correct, it will be seen at once that cotton cannot b e profitably grown here at 8 cents per lb. Yet this is at least as much as we shall realize for the present crop, and more, 1 believe, than we can safely anticipate hereafter. If any one doubts the permanency or abundance of the future supply' from other quarters at 8 cents per lb. or even less, let him look a moment at the profits of the planters in the Gulf States to which I have alluded. The vast land speculations incident to new and fertile countries, and the fact that every thing has been conducted there on the credit system, have, it is true,- involved those States in gre at embarrassment. But this does not effect the productive capacity of the soil. The average crop per hand there cannot be rated at less than 2000 lbs. The expenses per hand I will estimate at $40, although when compelled to be economical, 1 see no reason why tiny should exceed our own. At 10 cents net for his cotton, the Gulf Planter will make $160 clear, against $85 at the same prices here, and at 8 cents, $120 against $61 ; which shews that at prices ruinonsto us, he will realize a handsome interest on his investment. But while 1 have estimated onr pro- duction fully as high as truth will permit, I am satisfied I have underrated that of some of these States, perhaps all, On their best lands 3000 lbs. per hand is nod at all an extraordinary crop, and more is often made. The planters themselves, though great advocates of shot? crops at certain seasons of the year, would scarcely be willing to estimate their average crops at less than 2500 lbs. At these rates of production, and at even 6 cents a pound net, they will make the very fair profit of $110 to 140 per hand ; and unless PROCEEDINGS. 181 cotton is forever to baffle all the laws of trade, it is certain that prices must ere long range about and possibly below that point. A result so fatal to us could only be arrested by the want of sufficient land or labour in these fruitful countries. But of this there is no prospect. Both may be already found or soon placed there in ample abundance, to supply not only the whole quota furnished by the United States, but all that is now furnished by every cotton growing region, for the foreign markets of the world. A slight examination will show the fact conclusively. The crop. of the world fur 1839, the last of which I have seen a full return, and the ihe largest perhaps ever grown, supplied the markets of the United States and Europe with a little less than 1000 millions of pounds. At the rate of •250 lbs. to the acre, it would require hut 4 millions of acres to grow it all. The four States bordering on the gulf — Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida — not to include that almost equally fertile section of Georgia be- tween the Flint and Ghattahoochie rivers — contain 130 millions of acres. If then only one acre can be found in 32 capable of producing 250 lbs. they alone can supply the present demand of all the foreign markets of the world, and of our own also. It is difficult to compute the entire crop of the whole world, including that portion which is consumed at home in other countries than our own, as well as that which goes abroad, but according to the most extravagant estimate which has been made — excepting however, the very veracious returns of our late census takers — it cannot exceed 1500 millions of lbs. At the rate per acre mentioned, it would require hut 6 millions of acres, or one in 21 of those contained in these States, to yield the whole amount, and supply the entire demand not only of the foreign markets, but of tiie whole human family at the present moment. In this estimate I have said nothing of the magnificent wilderness which joins us on our South-western border. Texas alone contains 150 millions acres. The elimate has not been fairly tested, and like that of other regions ap- proaching the tropics, its vicissitudes may prove too great for complete suc- cess in the cultivation of cotton. As yet, however, those best acquainted with it regard it as the most favourable of all others, while a large propor- tion of its soil is undoubtedly as fertile as any which has ever yielded its fruits to the hand of man. Already it is swarming with the adventurous offspring of the great Anglo Saxon family, and offering the most formidable competition to even the bountiful bottoms of the Mississippi and Red River. When sufficient labour shall have found its way thither, as it is now rapidly doing, no one can venture to assign a limit to either the extent or cheapness of its production of cotton. • There is little question, however, that out of the 280 millions of aeres, embraced in this country and our own gulf States, land enough will befound in considerable bodies of such quality as to grow rat 6 cents a pound, or less, cotton sufficient to supply^ the progressive de- 182 AGRICULTURAL mand of mankind in all time to come. For were they at this moment to he civilized by some supernatural influence, with every avenue of commerce- thrown wi ’e open, and every article competing with it drawn from the market to the full extent that probably they ever can be, the 800 millions who inhabit all the earth would scarcely require more ; 8,000 millions of pounds. This they might produce on 30 millions of acres, or one acre in 9. And when it is remembered that one half of France and one third of England, barren as they were by nature, are now in actual tillage,, it cannot be ex- travagant to suppose one ninth of these prolific soils, well adapted to the growth of cotton. Nor will there be any deficiency of labourers. White labour, it is true, can be made available only to a very limited extent. But there are in the United States and Texas upwards of 2 millions and a half of slaves, 1500,- 000 of whom may be rated as efficient hands. Those who grow cotton make their own provisions, or can do it. To meet the remaining agricultu- ral and domestic, as well as all other demands for slave labour, will scarcely require more than half these hands. So that the other half, or 750,000 may be employed in cotton culture. These, at even 2000 lbs. each, will produce 1500 millions of pounds, which is precisely the amount at which I have computed the crop of the whole world. But the present demand of all the foreign markets and our own can be supplied by 500,000 properly lo- cated ; and thereis little question that such a location will be speedily effeot- ed. This done, we shall have an actual surplus of slave labour on our hands. If, then, the consumption of Short Staple cotton has reached such a point that the least advance on the present low prices immediately checks it, and one at which it seems scarcely possible, at any prices, to maintain it ; if at the same time the production of this kind of cotton is increasing every where over the world : and especially in the countries bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, both in and out of the United States; who, though latest to begin its culture, possess such advantages of soil and climate as to have already far outrun all competition, and, having conquered most of the difficulties inci- dent to new countries and new enterprises, do now furnish six-tenths of the demand of both the American and European markets, and are capable of supplying, almost immediately, the whole, at such prices as are utterly ruin- ous to us; if all these things be true, as I have endeavored to shew they are, the conclusion is irresistable, that the planter's of South Carolina will be speedily compelled almost, if not altogether, to abandon its longer cultiva- tion. Such an event cannot be contemplated hut with feelings of profound emo- tion. Not only on account of its immediate pecuaiarv consequences, hut its- PROCEEDINGS. 183 great moral effects. Whatever may be the future destiny of our State, there can be no doubt that her Staple culture has had a most important influence on her past career, and contributed largely to make her what she is. It has created for her a large class elevated above the necessity of any kind of labour, many of whom have devoted themselves to letters, to travel, and to public affairs. Even those whose choice it has been to reside on their planta- tions, and superintend in person their own concerns, are accustomed to take enlarged and manly views of every thing; to govern masses ; to sway, com- paratively, a broad expanse of territory ; to control and scorn to be con- trolled, except by kind affection, sound reason, and just laws. Such charac- ters are essential elements of a high stale of civilization. And where they grow up naturally, and are unendowed with any privileges but those which superior knowledge and superior virtue give, they constitute the strongest and the noblest pillars of civil liberty. But it is as vain to lament what Providence seems to have decreed, as it would be to expect to avert it, by closing our eyes upon the fact, and in- dulging in the short and foolish happiness of wilful blindness. We have no alternative but to prepare to meet the difficulties which await us — If my fears may indeed have magnified the danger, we can lose nothing, at all events, by a serious consideration of the facts I have presented, and an im- mediate and earnest inquiry into the resources we possess, and of which we can avail ourselves in case of need. This inquiry I now propose to make as briefly as possible. There are many who if convinced, as I am, of the eminent advantages which the countries I have spoken of, have over us in growing cotton, would immediately emigrate thither. — And for such as are disposed to follow the fortunes of the Short Staple crop, I see no better course. But there are some — a large majority I trust — who prefer to link their destiny with the land that gave them birth, and struggle on at home through all lire changes which time and fate may bring. To such I hope to be able to show they have much reason to be satisfied that their lot has been cast where it is. Deprived of Cotton as our main crop, we shall be compelled to resort to every variety of production which our soil and climate affords, to make out a crop which may be profitably cultivated. Among them I have no doubt that Cotton will always hold a place to some, though probably a small, extent. I have estimated tne average production of the best cotton regions at 250 lbs. per acre. And, although they have much that will do better, I think I may safely say, that land which will produce 300 lbs. need not fear any competi- tion. We have no bodies of such land in our State. But here and there spots may be found, and by judicious management more can be made to do it. So that every planter who wiil be content to lessen materially his cotton crop, 184 AGRICULTURAL and commence at once to manure highly all he plants, may yet be enabled to grow some of his favorite article. For the bulk of his crop, however, he must adopt some of the substitutes I shall enumerate. In all that I have heretofore said, L have spoken of Short Staple cotton exclusively. It is well known, however, that South Carojina is the largest producer of the best Sea Island cotton. In its finest qualities we have, I believe, as yet no rival. How far this crop may be profitably extended is uncertain. The consumption of it has fluctuated around the same point for the last 30 years, and we might infer had reached its maximum. But by a judicious system of culture, there is reason to believe that the inferior quali- ties — the Maines and Santees, may be grown so cheaply as to drive out of competition the Egyptian and better sorts of Brazilian which now rival them, and thus secure a larger market for ourselves. Our planters on the sea coast already put in little enough to the hand, and are alive to the advantages of manuring. Let me recommend to their earnest consideration a much more extensive usj of that implement which has wrought such a revolution in short staple culture within the last 10 years. I mean the plough. Horse power is in planting, what machinery is in manufacturing. And it not only saves labor, but does better work and assists to preserve and renovate the land. Cato said — so long ago as his day — that “the best culture of land was good ploughing; the next best, ploughing in the ordinary way, and the next best” — but after these, “ laying on manure.” I commend his maxims to our Sea- Island Planters, and believe that by the adoption of them they will soon absorb a portion of the labor which will be thrown out of the Short Staple crop. The culture of Rice upon our Sea-board has stood the test of time and competition, and we may safely regard it as a great and valuable Staple, of which no contingency is likely ever to deprive our State. The demand is steadily increasing, and offers a fair reward to those who will embark in its production. Although we grow three-fourths of the crop of the U. States, only a small part of the State adapted to it, has yet been prepared for culti- vation. Vast inland Swamps well suited for it, yet frown in barren gloom every where below the ridge, while many of our up country bottoms, which are destined at some future day to groan beneath its harvest, are now only idle wastes, consigned to flags and rushes. The necessity which shall drive us to drain these grand reservoirs of disease and death, will one day be hailed as an inestimable blessing. We cannot too soon turn our attention to it, and instead of drawing our supplies of rice from the Sea-board, w r e of the up country may at no distant day send our tributes to unite with theirs in supplying the North, and Western Europe, where this luxury is fast becoming a necessary of life. It will be perceived that the means I recommend for preserving a remnant of our Short Staple crop and increasing that of Rice, involve an important PROCEEDINGS. 185 change in our system of Agriculture ; and a resort to manuring, draining and contracted planting, to an extent which I confess I have not heretofore advo- cated. In doing so now, I do not wish to be understood as joining in tiie fashionable denunciation of the husbaudry practised by our Fathers, and handed down to us. To every period, as well as to every production, belongs its peculiar culture. If when lands were cheap, and labor dear, and prices high, our forests were cut down and our soil -exhausted to obtain for industry the most ample and speedy returns, let no one harshly pronounce the course unwise. If the land is worn out where has the substance gone? It lias clothed and fed and educated and made happy thousands who had lived before and with us. It has bgen converted into active capital bearing an interest proportioned to the value of money in a country comparatively new, and lias contributed through a multitude of operations to our present wealth and com. fort. If it were yet locked up in the besom of the earth, and all the benefits it has conferred — past and present — were unknown, will any one say we should be better off? Would any one restore the soil to its virgin state, and sink beneath it all the vast improvements which its consumptipn has effected: the knowledge it has spread abroad: the virtues it has cherished: the advan- tages of travel: the luxuries of home : and all the numberless blessings which it has conferred? Z think not. If our land has been exhausted by a sparse population in the vigorous cultivation of an important staple which competi- tion was rendering less valuable yearly, let us now, when that cultivation is no longer profitable, population denser, land more valuable, and labor cheaper, de-vote ungrudgingly, without ungrateful reproach of those who have gone before us, a portion — and a small portion will suffice — of past gains to its renovation. This is the part which, in the order of events, has been asssign- ed to us. The innumerable streams which intersect the State, and the gradual fall towards the ocean of even the flattest parts of the Low-country, afford gteat advantages for draining, while nature has been extremely bountiful to us in materials far manure. In many parts of the State marl has been found in abundance, and at convenient points for water transportation : and no doubt it will yet be .found where it is not thought of now. In other parts, limestone exists to an unknown extent : and in others again Salt-mash and oyster-banks abound. Almost every where upon our rivers, creeks and branches, and in our swamps, we have rich alluvial deposites, a portion of which may he well spared to recruit the exhausted soil near : and our forests furnish a boundless supply of leaves and straw, which in various ways may be converted into valuable compost. Possessed of these resources, and all the usual ones inci- dent to farm yards, whenever we resolve to set seriously about it, I question whether it will be found near so tedious or expensive to reclaim our waste and 186 AGRICULTURAL renovate our worn out lands, as is now generally supposed. But this inter- esting topic alone would require all the time allotted to this occasion, and I must therefore pass from it to continue my enumeration of the substitutes to which we may resort when we can no longer depend upon our cotton crops. Although we now purchase from other states, probably one half the -flour we consume, there is hardly any part of this State in which wheat may not be grown. Fair crops may be now occasionally seen within 40 miles of the sea-coast, perhaps nearer; and few soils or climates are better adapted to it than the upper parts of South-Garolina. The flour made there, when ski l fully managed, is not in the least inferior to the best that we receive from Vir. giniaor the Lakes; and it only requires an impulse, such as the loss of the cotton crop will give, to convert our State into an exporter instead of importer of the article. The same may be said of every other kind of grain. We obtain large supplies of oats, rve, barley, and even Indian corn, from other States, when few or no States can grow them in greater abundance than our own. I do not allude to the fact to condemn the practice in the wholesale, as it is now becoming custom try to do. The planter is but little more capable of raising to advantage every thing within himself than other persons, and if he is cultivating other valuable crops which will enable him on a fair calcula- tion to purchase these things cheaper than he can grow them, he is just as correct in doing so as the merchant is in buying his hat or the tailor his shoes, instead ot making them in their own families. But when the more valuable crops fail, and the means of purchasing are taken from us, we shall be driven to produce provisions of all kinds, and I feel assured we will soon find that we can do it as abundantly and cheaply as it can be done in any other place. The prospect of a foreign market is not very flattering, it is true, but when England repjals her corn laws, which in a few years she will be forced to do, we can at least take our chances with the rest of the world for her market, and with some advantages on our sido, if no unjust tariff shall prevent our receiving in payment such of her munufactures as we may not make at home. But we might convert our surplus corn and grain into live stock as well as any people in the world, and thus keep at home immense sums which are annually drawn from us in exchange for horses, mules, cattle, hogs, sheep, ar.d even poultry. Our climate has not been found too warm for a species nf domestic animal. English cattle and sheep, as well as English horses, flour- ish even on our sea-hoard ; and our mild winters enable us to keep all kinds of stock at comparatively little expense for either food or shelter. Our swamps are covered with natural and nutritious ever-greens ; most artificial grasses have been found to succeed ; while among our own diversified pro- ductions, we have substitutes which render them scarcely necessary. Car- rots, beets and turnips, all do well. Pindars and sweet-potatoes, more valu- able perhaps for stock than these, are peculiarly our products. With these PROCEEDINGS. 187 two articles, the luxuriant cow-pea, and the common grains, we can, for 9 months in the year, furnish, at a cheap rate., the richest and most abundant pasturage: and what country can do more? Indeed, in raising hegs, could we find a foreign market, or had we large cities or numerous factories among us to afford non-producing consumers, we could do. a business not at all less profitable than growing cotton at 12^- cents a pntnd. With tolerable pastur- age a hog weighing 20b lbs. net, may be reared and fattened on 8 bushels of cmi. On average land, 300 bushels to each hand and horse would not be more than a fair crop — TOO bushels will feed the hand and horse, leaving 209 bushels surplus. With this, 25 hogs weighing 5000 lbs. net, may be raised. At 4 cents per lb. for this pork, or 6 cen's when converted into bacon, the gross income per hand will be 5200. While 1200 of cotton at 12$ cents* will bring only $150 gross ; thus enabling us to make a very liberal allowance forthe trouble of attending to the stock, and any errors ihere may be in the calculation. That we should, under these circumstances, ever purchase meat fiom other States, proves, I think, that there has been some want both of reflection and experiment. Yet, fir this article, and other kinds of provi- sions, and for mules and horses, it is pretty certain that we send away annu- ally in the aggregate the immense sum of $2,000,000, or more. Tobacco and Indigo, our Stats produced largely at one lime. They have been superseded by cotton, though still grown, I believe, in small quantities, and chiefly for domestic use. In some sections their culture can, and doubt- less will, be revived with profit. The discoveries of marl and limestone will afford greater facilities for the manufacture of Indigo, than heretofore pos- sessed. Sugar, of which we are now said to make 30,000 lbs. per annum, may be made here as cheaply, peihaps, as we*can buy it. when the loss of cotton shall stop our supply of money from abroad. Unless, indeed, the duty be repealed, so that we can get it at half the present price, and probably in exchange for our provisions a:.d other products. At all events its culture is practicable here ; and where it will not granulate, an excellent and valuable syrrup-may be extracted from the cane ; and that has been grown at 200 miles distance from the coast. Should it turn out that there is any ground for a statement which I have lately seen in a respective Agricultural Journal, and apparently from a respectable source, that sugar has been made from corn- stalks at the rate of 1000 lbs to the acre, but a short period can elapse before every farmer in the country will regularly manufacture all he consumes. Flax and Hemp do well in the up-country. Castor and Bene oil of the very best quality have been expressed in different parts of the State, and olive oil also may be made, for we know that the olive-tree can be reared here. Tar, pitch and turpentine, considered so important elsewhere, we can produce to almost any extent; while with timber and lumber of several of the 138 AGRICULTURAL most valuable kinds, and with staves and shingles, wccan, for ages, supply ail the markets within reach, and do now furnish large quantities at excellent profits. The cultivation of the vine has heretofore attracted some attention, but the attempt to make wine has generally been regarded as having failed. I have little doubt the failure has been owing, in a great degree, to the recent plant, ing of our vineyards. It is well known in wine countries, that no vineyard is considered of much value until it has borne fruit for at least 20 years. Yet we have been disheartened because ours have not arrived at maturity in 5 or 6.. A short and intense summer, or something in location equivalent to it, seems to be -required for the perfection of the grape, and it is possible that, being so far South, we may not be ablo to make the best qualities, at least of what are called white wines; though of this we should not despair until our mountain districts have been fairly tried. That we may,, with due care and in due time, produce abundantly, in every section of the State, the light wines of Italy, and perhaps some of those of the South of France, which are so highly prized, there is every reason to believe. The experimerts which have been made in silk culture, leave no doubt whatever of our complete success in that. In fact, American silk is said, on very good authority, to be better than that made in any part of the old world. And in no part of America can it be better made than here. As a proof of this, an enterprising lady of one of our upper districts, obtained this year, from the New York Institute, the first premium for the best silk grown and wove in the United States, against competition from almost every section of the Union. It is stated by some of our historians, that so far back as 1759, 10.000 lbs. of raw silk was exported from “South Carolina. Whether this be tiue or not, we all know that none of our soils are so poor, and no portion of our State so cold, as not to grow the mulberry in its utmost perfection. It is true that the enemies of the worm have been found very numerous, and its diseases fatal : but it is ascertained, that in all silk countries, at least one half of them, from some cause or other, perish before spinning. If we were properly pre- pared to rear them, the mortality here would not, I am confident, be so great as that. And if, as is supposed, nearly all that die fall victims of a disease called jnuscardine, and a remedy for that has been discovered, as recently announced, in the use of lime, it is perfectly certain that in growing silk, we may very soon compete with, and probably excel, any other people. It by means of ice the worm can surely be retarded until the most critical periods of our other crops have passed, a crop of silk may be made which would be almost clear gain to the planter. [ have enumerated some of the most prominent of our productions to which we may resort when no longer able to grow to advantage the great staple, PROCEED JAGS, is 9 which for the last 40 years has absorbed nil our husbandry. But why, when this event is made manifest, shall we confine ourselves strictly to Agricultural pursuits*- possessing, as we do, so many other resources, inviiingsnd reward-' 5ng as amply here as elsewhere enterprise and industry? Ah all bountiful Providence lias blessed our favored region with mineral wealth of incalculable' ralue. In many places within our Slate#- vast quantities of iron ore have long be n n known to exist* and within the last few years m&ch enterprise has hem exhibited and heavy expenses incurred to turn it to account. Already forges# furnaces,, bloomeries and rolling mills have been put in operation, and with every prospect of cc?mp!ete success, fifo coal has yet been found in the vicinity of any of these beds of ore. That is a discovery, however, which the geological character of the countiv gives ground to hope may be the reward of future research, while, for a long time to come,- the immense forests' near at hand will render it unnecessary. The consumption of iron of ail kiuds, exclusive of cutlery, in South Carolina, must, if sire consume in equal proportion with the other Stales, exceed $2,000,000 per annum ; and this sum kept among us would not only enrich the explores of this hidden tree- sure, but contribute through a thousand channels to enrich the State, Veins of gold have also been opened, and some of our mines have proved more profitable, I am well informed, fiian any in the Union- 1 — perhaps in the world. Quarries of marble, too, have been discovered,- and beautiful specimens- extracted : and Granite forms the basis of one third of our State. Salt has- been manufactured also on our sea-coast, and there is no reason- that it should not bo made to any extent required. In water power, cur State may safely challenge comparison with any part of the world. From the mountains aknost to tide water, tire whole country is veined with streams of sufficient size, with ample full and innumerable sites for erecting machinery of every kind- Experience has proved that our slaves can be made as expert as any other class in all# or nearly all, the operations of a cotton factory. With such abundant water power and such-cheap- labor, if the effort be made, we can speedily supply our entire home consumption of goods of ordinary qualities, and in due time we may expect to be aide to compete with the rest of the world in every other quality, both at home and abroad: Already a considerable amount of capital has been adventured in- manufactur- ing not only cotton, but cloths of wool and cotton mixed, which can be sold- as cheaply as any in the market, and pay a handsome profit. Our citizens, and especially our planters, ought to encourage such investments, by making, it a point to give the preference, where the price and quality are the same, to our own manufactures. And this I believe is all they require to be firmly established, and to become of vast importance in the approaching distribution of the Capital and Industry of the State. Next to Short Staple cotton, and perhaps hardware, and not far behind 190 AGRICULTURAL either, leather is the most important article of traffic. The consumption of the various brunches of its manufacture in South Carolina, cannot fall short of millions of dollars, and it is probable that four fifths of this sum goes abroad for the purchase of it. We can now furnish almost an adequate sup- ply of the raw hides for this consumption, and in a few years will furnish vastly more. The chief materials for tanning are every where at hand, and the process is one of the most simple in the whole range of useful arts. Nor is that of manufacturing a large proportion of the articles into which it is made for our use, much more difficult. But the leather once prepared in suf- ficient quantities, we should soon find an abundance of the best mechanics on the spot, and thus save to ourselves the whole sum. But it is not alone by the amount of money which would be saved to us, by making and manufacturing our own leather, or by cotton factories or iron- works, nor even by the foreign commerce they might ultimately give us, that we should be benefitted. Although it is a false principle in legislation that manufacturing should be forced upon a country by protecting duties injurious to other interests, there cannot be a doubt that where it grows up spontane- ously, it is a great blessing. It makes an immense difference in the prosper- ity of any people, and especially of an agricultural people, whether their workshops are at home or in other countries. Not only are they freed from heavy taxation in the shape of commissions, freights and tariffs, but the mechanic classes are valuable consumers of agricultural produce. They consume, too, the productions of one another. They add vastly to the nerve and sinew of the body politic. And when united in the same community with a class of industrious and enlightened agriculturalists, they mutually enrich and strengthen one enother. It is this union which lv s made Great Britain what she is, and will, I trust, at no distant future, shed its happy influ- ences over our southern country. I have thus endeavored, as briefly as the occasion demanded, and much more so than is due to the importance of the subject, to present a view of the fu'ure agricultural prospects of our State ; and have pointed out a few of the resources we possess against the impending failure of our Great Staple. Although 1 cannot but sincerely regret many of the consequences, both im i e- diate and remove, which that failure is likely to produce, I trust I have shewn that we have no reason to indulge in gloomy apprehensions. A kind Provi- dence has cast our destiny in a land over which its choicest blessings have been scattered with profusion, and it is not, after all, the result so much as the process of the agricultural revolution I anticipate that we have to dread. To shew this fact more clearly, allow me, before concluding, to present one other view of this important question. I have estimated the consumption in our State of iron, (not including cut- PROCEEDINGS. 191 lery) provisions, stock, and the different manufactures of leather, for all of which we send our money abroad, at about 6 millions of dollars per annum. Forcoaise cotton and woolen cloths, and for salt, not to mention wines, silks or any other than articles of prime necessity ; we may add at least 2 millions of dollars more, making an aggregate yearly expenditure abroad of 8 mil- lions of dollars — all of which might, in a short time, be retained among us, and appropriated to rewarding the enterprise and skill and industry of our own citizens. Now it certainly would not be too low an estimate to place the Short Staple crop of South Carolina at 80.00^,000 lbs. net. This, at 10 cents in the hands of the producer, or 1 1 to 12 cents in the market — which is about the average of prices for the last 15 years, and far above the proba- ble average of the next 15— will give 8 millions o ( dollars as the value of our whole crop, or just about the amount we expend for the few articles I have mentioned. If, then, we lose the one and save the other, our pecuniary con- dition on the whole, will not be worse than it now is, when the change has been effected. That I am not greatly deceived in this calculation, is made manifest by the fact, that notwithstanding our large export of Rice and Sea- Island cotton, as well as other productions of less note, in addition of our Short Staple crop, still the exchanges between our cities and the great points of trade in Europe and at the North, have invariably ran against us : shewing that in the aggregate our purchases are larger than our sales, and 'hat appa- rently we should be better off, if we did not buy nor sell at all in foreign markets. And although a minute investigation into the channels of trade would doubtless show that all the indebtedness abroad has not been incurred by our cities, wholly on our whole account, there can be little question tint the foreign expenditure of our State, for articles which can be well produced within her limits, more than exceeds the value of her present Short Staple crop, even at the average of past prices. If this be so, we may indulge the confident assurance that we can overcome every difficulty of a pecuniary character at least, which the loss of that crop may occasion, by economy and industry, and especially by early and judicious preparation for the event. What I chiefly fear is, that a large portion of our people, unconvinced of the importance of such preparation — yielding to the force of habit — refusing “ to think too closely on the event,'’ or if they think, led to rely too much on the apparently increasing vicissitudes of tiie southern climate: the progress of the army worm, and the embarrassed condition of the new cotton countries will continue still to do pretty much as they have been doing heretofore. Some, I hope, however, will be alive to the real exigencies of the times, and ready to make the efforts which are requisite to meet them. On these will devolve the momentous task of laying anew the foundations of our prosperity, and teaching our fellow citizens, by successful example, that there are vet rich harvests, which persevering enterprise and energy may reap. - ' ; : : * - - ~ AN AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS, B¥ JOHN BELTON O'SEALL, DELIVERED BEFORE THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 29TH DEC.. 1342. Fellow Members : — Circumstances beyond my control have prevented me from bestowing that preparation upon the address, with which you charged me, which I desired to give it, and which it merited to receive. Rather, how- ever, than wholly fail in the discharge of a duty assigned to me, the work of a few hours, naked and unadorned, is presented to you. In approaching the consideration of agriculture, the -mind naturally turns back, and asks what is its origin ? It is coeval with man himself! His first position of primeval innocence and happiness was to dress and keep the gar- den of Eden. In this is manifested the divine appointment, that in tilling the earth is to be found man’s best and happiest employment. When man was tempted, fell, and was banished from the garden, the curse of God was not one of unmitigated severity. There was not only the hope of happiness beyond the grave, to console the erring father of men, but also the assurance of an abundance to sustain this present life, to be obtained bv labor well and properly applied. “ In the sweat af thy face shall thou eat bread,” was the announcement of his future' destiny, and that of bis mate ; and when it has been well and faithfully obeyed, by industrious occupation, it has not only blessed individuals, but nations. Indeed, in all ages of the world, national prosperity has depended upon the state of agriculture. Where it has flourished, every thing else has also flourished. The palmiest days of the eastern world, were those when her soil was cultivated like a garden; when Egypt could point to her whole surface, as a field of waving corn, irrigated by the waters of the Nile; when Syria could look as well upon her plains, teeming with luxuriance, as her terraced mountains, crowned with the labor- of man; and when Italy could sit down in the midst of her vineyards, and her fields, and from her cornucopia pour their rich reward into t! e lap of the laboring husbandman. It is not, however, its only general benefit, that it contributes to national prosperity, f have no hesitation in saying that it is the only rock on which 13 194 AG Ki CULTURAL a nation can build, in the hope of more than an ephemeral existence, tier: reasoning, is unimportant, lei fuels speak. Where are the great merchant cities of Tyre and Sidon? They are rocks on which fishermen dry their nets ! Where is Babylon 1 She has perished f Where is Palmyra ? Covered, with all her glories, in the sands ot tire desert 1 Where is Thebes, with her hundred gates? She “ was and is not,” is the answer of history. Egypt; the victim of tyranny and misrule under her Coptic, Grecian, Roman and Mohomedan rulers, still knows her “ years of plenty and by her agricultural riches,- has enabled her tyrant to breast the proud domination of his own master. Syria, trodden under foot by men who are more merciless than the beasts of the forest, can still point to spots of her soil, which know the husbandman's care and culture, and which bring forth abui dar.tly ;• and to her mountain fastnesses for that free spirit, which was bom, nurtured and bred in the pure air of the cultivated fields, and vvhieh, in its manhood’s prime, is yet to burst, as if they were t!»f low, the chains of Turkish slavery, and to clothe her again with that luxuriance which denoted her as a ‘Hand flowing with milk and- honey.” China, with her millions upon millions, on land and water, the oldest nation of the world, has been alone sustained by her agriculture \ for her commerce is only the privilege of a few, and has neither fed nor clothed the great body or’ her people. When, at this moment, England is thundering at her gates for the purpose of compelling her to pursue an unholy irafe, her only safety is in the immense masses of her people, and their capability of providing food for themselves, and thus overcoming, by patient endurance, a cruel and unjust, war. Continental Europe, ravaged as she has been by the armies of England^ France, Austria, Russia and Prussia,- points to her laboring peasantry, and in ’he language, of Goldsmith, exclaims, « Princes arid lords riiay tfotfiisi) and may lade, A- breath- can make thetn.-and a brealh has made'' But a hoW peasantry and a nation’s pride. When onoe destroyed, can never be supplied.” Her agriculture has sustained- her tottering thrones-, and nor people cut down, and apparently annihilatcd^hatc sprung up again, like the armed men of Cadmus, ai her bidding. But her merchant cities have not been equally successful. Venice, stript of her gorgeous robes,- is no longer the pride of the Adriatic! Hhe has not utterly perished, like Tad; nor of the wilderness, or Bozrah ; but Iter canals and her store-houses are no longer thronged and felled by the trade of the world. England, on whose dominions the sun never sets, has’ attained her proud PROCEEDINGS. 195 eminence more by her agricultural resources than in any other way. True., her commerce has whitened every sea, and every breeze has borne to her untold treasure, still the results of almost every foot of her surface, tilled by experienced o.tid skillful agriculturists, have furnished the means which equip- ped and sent forth her gallant barques to every clime. This too. has been the case when her agriculture has been fettered by unwise legislation, and when that unholy principle which devote? the many to the service of the few has been enforced. In America, the forests, the soil, and the luxuriant productions which a little labor can secure, all unite in recommending agriculture to us as our first, greatest and best pursuit; yet how little heed has heretofore been paid to skilful husbandry? Of laic, it is true, so much has been said, and well said, to recommend it to the respectful consideration of every one, that little remains, which can be considered new or interesting. Still, notwithstanding this, Agriculture, with us in South Carolina, is a neglected science, with few real followers, and with scarcely one capable of teaching its simplest elements. Other sciences are crowded and traced out, and pursued to their most legiti- mate results. The earth, in the mean time, like an indulgent mother, is treated with constant neglect. She flings her treasures into the lap of improv- ident husbandry, which in return leaves her bosom to be furrowed deeper and deeper, by the rains and frosts and snows of winter. In a few years, she is clothed with the sere and yellow garments of sterility, and the occupant seeks some other genial spot on which he can plant, and from which he can gather abundance, until exhausted nature sinks into repose and barrenness. This is no fancy sketch, it is the result of practical husbandry, as carried out in the cotton planting States, and especially in South Carolina. Is this the neces- sary result? Science, knowledge, practical skill, enlightened as it should be, answer no! The cultivation of the earth, with rotations of crops, and inter, vals of rest, is just as practicable in the cotton growing States, as it is else- where. Let us restrain ourselves, and recollect, that less land, well planted , well manured and well cultivated, will make larger results, than large quanti- ties, badly pla ited, unaided by manure and imperfectly cultivated. Cotton land, as leyel as can be selected, can be more easily preserved. If none other than rolling land can be procured, then horizontal ploughing and ditch- ing will do much to save it. But that policy, which leaves the cotton beds and furrbws to stand during the winter, will soon prove how disastrous it is, by precipitating the rich loam of the hill sides into the valleys below. How much wisdom would there be, in ploughing against and around the whole, sur- face of a cotton field, as soon as the crop was gathered. The soil would thus be saved, and the land would he in better heart for the succeeding crop. Some of the formerly rich hills of the Catawba and Broad River, are m>w 19 6 AGRICULTURAL seamed with gullies, and surmounted with irremediable barrenness. The traveller would ask how has this happened 1 The answer is before us, in the cultivation which our ancestors followed, and which we are still pursuing. In the level lands of the middle and iower country, there is no excuse for the sterility which abounds. Nature has here lavishly provided for the wants of man, in the teeming luxuriance which greets'his efforts, but he forgets that the earth, like man, may become worn out, by being overtasked. The remedy is at hand, manure: and in most sections, marl abounds; it is only necessary to seek and apply it, and the earth exchanges old age and sterility for youth and abundance. In the upper districts, this last advantage, so far as we have been able to examine, does not exist; still, in many parts of tiie country, inexhaustible beds of Jimcstone are found. In "Laurens district, on Raburn’s Creek, 9 miles South West of Laurens C. II. on the plantation of John S. J imes, Esq., is a most extensive quarry of fine limestone, of very much the same ch trader with that at the Limestone Springs, in Spartanburg district. It is in a fine section for Agriculture. The lands are rich loam or red clav. The lime in their very midst, will make them richer and more productive than They ever were. For wheat, the land of that neighborhood is as well, if not better, adapted, than any with which I am acquainted, and if the lime, which is so accessible to their owners, was well applied, it would make them pro- duce some thirty, some sixty, and some an hunered fold. The same vein running from North East to South W est, is found at the Limestone Springs, and through the whole region from Broad River to King : s mountain. What fer- tility might he given to the thin and comparatively barren soils of this whole region, by the judicious application of the mineral treasure in her bosom ! In the hands of New England enterprize, it would be as a garden. Why not so in ours ? Simply, because necessity has not, as yet, taught us the value of assisting nature, in her attempts to bless us. That there is a better prospect ahead, is evidenced by the great interest beginning to he felt by jFar,/iers in Agricultural Societies. They are no longer left to be managed by lawyer.-, doctors, clergymen, and educated men alone. The tillers of the earth, that noble yeomanry , who earn their daily bread by the sweat of their brows, are members, and are bringing to theory and book-farming , all the aids of practical husbandry. The two united are what we want. In the exchange of ideas thus with one another, and the cor- rection of faults by experience, we may hope that every year is doing some- thing to bet eat the State. One great object to be attained is, to arres’*nnd prevent that disastrous spirit of migration, which, in twelve years, has carried from us one third o our wealth and population. Like the discoverers of America, “gold, more • gold,” has been the unceasing demand of our people. When South Caro- PROCEEDINGS. 197 lina vieldcd i early $300 for every laborer, still it was not enough ; ar.d like the Indian, pointing his Spanish conquerors to the interior for the richer mines, so cupidity pointed our people to the richer fields and prairies of the south- west, as more and more productive. There they expected to find the el dorado, but the chase has been in vain ; and the conviction is beginning to roll back upon us, that we need no better country than our own cherished home, pur own, our native State, South Carolina, if we will bring to her ser- vice all the aids of enterprize, industry and intelligence, which we possess. Contemplate the scene around us, and we may well ask, is there, in these times of disaster, trial and difficulty, an) portion of the world better off than South Carolina? None! Here distress is partial ; in the other States of the Union, (except North Carolina,) it is universal and overwhelming. How is it so? South Carolina has neglected her agricultural resources ; crippled her- self in many vain and visionary undertakings; still she had but “to arise and shake herself as she was wont,” and all was well. Whence this comparative prosperity? Tho answer is, our faith has been kept; our credit has been preserved ; our cotton bags and our barrels of rice have annually met the demands upon us ! This comparatively happy and blessed condition demands unceasing gratitude to the Great Giver of every good, who has blessed us with plenty, and put it into the hearts of our rulers to rule with honesty and govern with wisdom ! This has been especially and signally the case with your moneyed institutions, your banks. While in all other quarters, explo- sion has followed explosion, fraud has succeeded fraud, here bills have main- tained a specie value, and no one has supposed that mismanagement or fraud mingled in the management of a single bank in South Carolina. That much of our prosperity is to be ascribed to this fact, cannot be ^denied ; and if South Carolinians ought to be prouder of one thing than another, it is that her sons have passed the ordeal of bank temptations, unsuspected, uncor- rupted. This contemplation, this reflection, this comparison of ourselves with our neighbors, is surely enough to prevent the further spread of the spirit of emi- gration. Let each citizen of the State come to this conclusion, “South Car- olina is my home, I will do her and myself all the good I can,” and he will find, in the language of an curly settler of the State, “ South Carolina is the garden spot of the world.” This may be said to be an extravagant view of the matter. Test it in any way you please, and it will be found to have no romance in it. There is an old proverb, that “ a rolling stone gathers no moss.” Just so it is with the emigrant. He is rolling on to his fancied treasury of abundance, but all is nakedness around him, and in his track. He may at last rest, and gather together, in a country to which he is a stranger, great abundance. He still looks back to the land out of which he came, and remembers it with 198 AGRICULTURAL regret. He who is content to remain in permanent and useful fixtures, estab- lishes his comfort, and in constant attention to his land, in crops, and by the judicious application of manures, overcomes even barrenness, and in the increased product, he finds at home that abundance which the richer fields of the south-west promised him. That this could be proved by many instances, I may refer to each member’s knowledge of the events which have trans- pired arourd him wilhin the last twelve years. Are not, fellow-members, these considerations, to which your attention has been turned, enough to make you redouble the interest which, as agricultu- rists, you feel in the State in which you live? Improvement is our motive and object. Therefore it is we meet here annually, that by a free intercourse from the mountains to the sea-board we may gather the lessons of experi- ence, and bind them upon our hearts, and go forth to test them in the labors of the coming year. In this way, much good is done, and we may begin soon to flatter ourselves that we will have something like an agriculture < f our own. This, however, demands, what we have not, in all parts of the State, an educated class of husbandmen. When I say educated, I do not mean “book learned farmers I mean men thoroughly trained to their business. The great fault of education in South Carolina is, that it has no particular appli- cation. The clergyman, the lawyer, the physician, the merchant, the me- chanic, and the farmer, are all educated alike. The mere statement oi the fact shews the defect, flow is it to be remedied ? We have not schools arranged for every department of life, and perhaps such are not always dtsi- ruble. But with suitable attention on the part of parents and guardians, edu- cation might be so directed as to fit a man for his business, instead of making him a prodigy of learning, without one particle of ccmmon sense. The future farmer and planter needs but the careful and judic ious training of home, to be prepared for his station. In early life, in the intervals of his scholastic edu- cation, if his mind was turned to the acquisition of useful knowledge in the management of a farm, and his hands were trained to the use of tools, he would insensibly become fit to be the head of a well ordered plantation. The vices and diseases resulting from idleness, would be thus prevented, and the young men of South Carolina, instead of growing up in the shade, and liable to be withered by the blighting influence of a burning summer’s sun, would grow up with nerves strung by moderate toil, and be men capable of facing and performing their duty. This preparation will not unfit the young mind for the acquisition of knowledge ; indeed, it will increase its capabilities. Exercise, with an object to be attained, blesses with the “/news sana ??i sano corpore." To such an one, education will not open out her blooms in vain: he will pass from flower to flower, and from each, extract that which is good or pleasant, and return to his post in society, laden with the rich and varied treasures of useful learning. PROCEEDINGS. 199 We need, too, the lessons of patience. Promptness is a part of oar southern character; we must add to it endurance, before wc can succeed as agricul- turists. Whatever is attempted should be thoroughly tried, before it is aban- doned. Many of the schemes to which our attention has been ot late turned, are, no doubt, mere humbugs. Still this is to be said — every thing may be called a humbug until its utility is tested. It is the part of widom to try every thing which bids fair to profit us; and one trial is perhaps never enough — it is at least entitled to an Irishman’s privilege, of being twice heard. This is particularly the case when we are looking around, on the right hand and on the left, for the substitute for our great failing staple, cotton. Many things must be tried ; but it will be in vain to expect any to take its place at once. Indeed, it seems to mo, that there is one remedy, and only one, for the state •of things resulting from the low prices of co'ton; it consists of economy at home and abroad. If we could bring ourselves down to the standard which the present price of cotton presents, ail would soon be well. Buy neither pork, mules nor horses. Let these be the product of the farm, and one branch of our present difficulties will be cut off. Carry this spirit of retrenchment into the household, and let home furnish all the usual supplies of clothing for the laborers, and hard times will begin to be good times. Real independence, that which is above want, will occupy every farm, i often go back to the •period from ISOS to 1815, when legislators were not ashamed to meet ir homespun, when ladies vied with each other, not in the luxury of foreign dresses, but in those made at home, and ask when was South Carolina more happy? Never, within my knowledge. Does this time demand similar sac- rifices ? Your own sense of the necessity around you, must answer the question. Of one thing there is no doubt, the capabilities of the State are hardly known. Her Agriculture is in its infancy. She is just pluming herself for a loftier •flight than any she has ever before attempted. Our fields are to be cultivated with more skill; better and more numerous stocks are to be reared ; South •Carolina is to become less a planting and more a farming State. That this will add to her greatness and her happiness eannot be denied. In this effort she has, it is true, one peculiar difficulty to encounter, in the carelessness of her operatives. Still, our slaves are capable of more, much more, than we have hitherto had credit for. It is only necessary that they should be taught habits of regularity, economy, and thrift, to make them the most effective laborers in the world. This is what we are attempting. Let. the owner be resident, as far as practicable, on his plantation; and let him understand well that which he is about carrying out. Let his slaves be taught that his inter- ests are their interests. Begin with small things, and teach them the neces- sity of attention. For instance, teach them the absolute necessity of shutting ■a gate, or putting up a rail when out of its plaee ; of earefuily feeding and watering the stack under their care; and there will not be much complaint 500 AGRICULTURAL about negro carelessness. When this much is accomplished, the whole diffi- culty is overcome, and there is nothing to prevent a South Carolina farmer from competing with any one in any of the adjoining States. To my brother farmers, intelligent and experienced as you are, I need not add, you cannot succeed with negroes, as operatives, as you desire to do, unless you feed and clothe well. Make them contented, and then l: Massa” will be, as he ought to be, the whole world to them. In our climate, health is supposed to be uncertain, and this fact will always stand very much in the way ol agricultural improvement. The diffi- culty exists, and in the lower part of the State is, beyond all doubt, a great obstacle to improvement. Still, it is not insuperable, even there. For Nature, kind and provident as she always is, has provided pine lands in the neighbor- hood of the rich swamp lands, where the owners can reside in comparative safety. In the interior, of late years, we. have.bren scourged with disease, even to the foot of our majestic mountains. That it lias visited us as a pes- tilence, and as a chastisement for our sins, is, beyond all doubt, the true Chris, lian view of the matter. Still it is our duty, as far as we have the knowledge or the means, to remove the secondary causes. In a country like ours, under- going the process of having the forest annually cleared away, it is to be expected that many causes of disease will thus he produced. The hill-sides cleared, and the ravines tilled up with t he timber cut down from above, and afterwards with the alluvial from the cultivated hill-sides, cannot do otherwise than produce disease. So, too, where streams or spiingsare choked or cov- ered up, the neighborhood must expect the fall fever. These causes may easily he removed, by ditching, draining, and cutting away the drifts. But the annual decomposition of the leaves in oak and hickory land, with the decaying timber allowed to lie and rot upon the ground, will produce disease, especially in wet summers. The remedy for this was suggested by the intel- gent foreman of the Grand Jury of York District, at the last Fall Term, (M r. John Springs.) “ Burn the woods.” Let this be done early in the season, before the sap begins to run, and no injury will occur to the timber. But some suppose the soil will be injured ; intelligent observing men, on the con- trary, believe that the ashes of the leaves are worth more to the land than their natural decomposition ; and, so far as 5 have had experience, I aVn satis- fied their views are correct. If, however, there was a doubt about it, health is of too much importance to he weighed against such a consideration. In York District, during the last season, from 300 to 400 of the inhabitants were gathered to their fathers. What an awful mortality! How important if practicable, to counteract it, and prevent its recurrence ! A country visited annually with fever, never can improve in that ratio in which it would without it. It is our duty, therefore, to make every effort we can to restore the State to health. PROCEEDINGS. 201 Mach will depend upon habits of regularity in every thing; and temper- ance in eating and drinking is essential to health. To farmers, men who are exposed to the vertical rays of our summer’s sun, this advice cannot be too often repeated. Good, pure cold water, I regard as essential to the health of laborers. If the water which they drink is impure, it is in vain to expect health ; with a little, very little attention, this first and best gift to man can, in all places be secured. At this time, much depends upon pr-ipet !y developing the resources of every distiict. If marl can he found above Orangeburg, what incalculable benefits would flow from the discovery to every place where it might be, or to which it might be accessible. So, too. if the vein of limestone which is seen in York, Spartanburgh, and Laurens, could be traced and made available throughout its whole, course, great good might result therefrom. So, too, a careful anal- ysis of our soils, and the suggestions of science, pointing out that which was wanting to restore or increase their fertility would be a great desideratum. In many sections minerals abound ; their knowledge and proper classification would contribute much to the wealth of the State. Paints, asbestos, fossils, and clays of various kinds, and of great value, are known to exist in the State, and still no one can say, with certainty, anything about them. An agricultural survey of the Slate, in some way, ought to he obtained. ’Whether the State should make an appropriation for this subject, is a matter which belongs appropriately to her representatives, now assembled, and not to us. One thing is, however, certain, a small sum of money cou'J not be better and more appropriately applied. It might be, that the intelligent gentleman who fills the chemical chair of the South Carolina College, could he induced to devote his vacations, fora few years, to this purpose. Nothing, I am sure, could place him higher in the good opinion of the people, or would confer a more lasting favor on South Carolina, than such a service. In conclusion, fellow members, permit me to say, that the work in which we have embarked is no evanescent affair. It is for life! For Agriculture is that upon which we all depend for subsistence. To it we often look as so common a thing as not to deserve much heed. Hut it is of far greater im- portance than any thing else in which we are engaged. Every thing else may be dispensed with; but this and life arc so intimately blended, that together they live, or together they perish. With one mind and one spirit, let ns press the work in which we are engaged. In the language of empiri- cism, it may do us good, it can do us no harm. It may make us all better farmers, better citizens : but better patriots, I hope none of us require to be. To our c mntry, iu one way or another, we are al 1 devoted ; and to our court- try’s welfare let us all cheerfully contribute eveiy thing we can to increase and bless her ! . ■ » ✓ ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS BY COL. WILLIAM J. TAYLOK. DELIVERED BEFORE THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THE 30th OF NOVEMBER, 1843. At no period in the history of our State, has the planting community had greater cause, for indulging in the feelings of pride, gratulation and triumph, than the present. The crisis through which we have lately passed, besetting as it has done, all interests, with the most trying difficulties and embarrassments, loses much of its severity, so far as we as a class are concerned, when we reflect upon the increased and increasing importance which it mainly, has attached to our pursuit. In the halcyon days of high prices and prosperity, when mother earth was made to render her treasure at any and every cost, it was thought sufficient to constitute a planter to be the owner of lands and slaves, while the more important and by far the most interesting and honorable part — the care and management of them — was in most instances turned over to the tender mercies of such as were willing and not too proud to undertake the charge. The error of this practice and the evils growing out of it, though they have been exposed and in some measure corrected, I am induced to believe still exist, and that too to an extent, to affect injuriously the interests ot the plant- er and the character of his pursuit ; objects in ray opinion of paramount im- portance, and as such entitled to our first consideration. I deem it unnecessary to go into a detail of the many errors and evils which bear injuriously upon our pursuit. It wid be enough for my purpose to point out the leading causes and sources of them, and particularly such as tend to impede or embarrass our improvement. I have already hinted at an error — a source of much evil, to which I would again advert, as its correction must precede the establishment of an im- proved system of Agriculture among us. 1 mean the practice with many employers of leaving too much to agents or overseers, the care and personal management of their affairs, than which there cannot be a more egregious or fatal error, as it affects alike the interests or profits of the planter, as well as 204 AGRICULTURAL the character of his pursuit : affecting the profits in the diminished production or increased cost of production from the; want of that care, economy and ac- — countability, which result from the close supervision of the employer ; and of- feeting on the other hand, the character of the pursuit in the opinion induced, that planting is rendered a more liberal, respectable and' honorable employ- ment, when made secondary and subservient to their pursuits or pleasures. I intend no disparagement to that useful and valuable class of citizens — our overseers, when 1 say, that the co-operation of the employer is indispen- sable to the improvement and ultimate success of planting here. We must bring to our aid science, which cannot be better or more effectu- ally done than through the co-operation of the intelligent and well informed piun'er, with his practical and observant overseer. It would be thus by such co-operation that 1 would blend theory with practice — the book knowledge of the employer with the practical knowledge of the overseer. Although the public mind now, appears to be altogether sound and correct upon the subject of Agriculture — its claims and pretensions to popular fa- vour ; yet it seems to me, that our leading and influential planters might ac- complish even more for their pursuit, might render it more profitable and fashionable, and procure fur it that honor and dignity which belong to its an- tiquity and usefulness, if they would betake themselves more earnestly and zealously to its improvement. If other inducements be wanting over and above those which belong pe- culiarly to our pursuit. — If the pleasures and profits of Agriculture be in- sufficient to excite on the part of our planters, a more lively interest in her behalf, there is yet another consideration, of a higher and more ennobling character — Patriotism itself — the well being and advancement of our beloved country 7 , demand of us increased interest and exertion for ihe improvement of her chief pursuit, — the source of her wealth, her embellishment and her prosperity. In the present condition of our State, with her soil exhausted by a most erroneous and wasteful system of cultivation, — for husbandry it cannot be termed — her people generally borne heavily upon by debt, and her staple commodities until very recently, scarcely repaying the cost of production, it becomes highly necessary for us to be more careful and attentive to her Ag- riculture. We must improve it. We must make more and spend less, for it will only be by care and attention, by improvement, with industry 7 and economy, that we shall be enabled, effectually, to meet our engagements and surmount our difficulties. Our whole country suffering from her financial embarrassments and the in. juries which she has sustained from bad husbandry and the ex ravagant habits of her people, looks to her Agriculture — to the cultivators of her soil, PROCEEDINGS. 205 for relief, and the correction of those errors and abuses which have con- tributed to, or caused such embarrassments; and I doubt not, from the evi- dences — the earnest given, that they will come fully up to their duty ; for what, would I ask, does the effort to establish a National Board of Agricul- ture, at the city of Washington, indicate ? — What, the existence of our State Agricultural Society here, and our District Auxiliary Societies throughout the ' State, with the increased and increasing number of Agricultural publica- tions, indicate, but such a determination ? The next source of evil to our planting interest, to which I would invite your attention, is debt. We have high authority for regarding the practice amongst planters of going in debt as an error of the first magnitude, affecting more seriously, perhaps, the interests of Agriculture, its improvement and subsequent profits, than almost any thing else, paralyzing as it does every disposition to improvement, in cowing the spirit, cramping the energies, and absorbing the means which prompt and e nable us to undertake and conduct them. To such of my Agricultural friends who, like myself, are so unfortunate as to he in debt, 1 would say yield nothing to despondency, — arouse every ener- gy for your task, and work through, for it can be done; hut it will require time, with patient and persevering industry, retrenchment of all luxuries, and a just economy in even our necessary expenses, to accomplish it. To these, our honor binds us to submit. Submit therefore cheerfully — your task will be the lighter, and you will the sooner free yourselves of this incubus, and when free, let me conjure you as patriots and philanthropists, as lovers of your families, yourselves and your pursuit, — of independence and prosperity , keep free ; and go in for the pleasures and enjoyments ot your pursuit, which is the most useful, the most ancient, and the most honorable of human em- ployments : and there is none, too, the practice of which can be more en- gaging, more healthful to mind and body, or that opens the heart to a truer perception of the wisdom and goodness ot our benificent Creator, “ Omnium rerum ex quibus aliquid adquiratur, nihil est Agricultura, Melius, nihii uberius, nihil homino libero digniu3,” such were the feelings and sentiments of Cicero, and such feeling and sentiments should take root, grow and flour- ish with us, for as a State advances in the Arts and Sciences, in civilization and refinement, so should she in the appreciation of her Agriculture, for it constitutes literally, the ground work of a nations prosperity and indepen- dence. A third error and source of evil which I would biing to your view, is over planting, or what, in plantation parlance, r we term planting too much to the hand. This is almost as common as it is to plant itself; and what is still more remarkable, no one, 1 think, can or will pretend to justify it upon the ground of sound principle or correct practice ; yet it is continued, and I AGRICULTURAL see fear will bo persisted in, so lorg os overseers are allotted to pitcli the crops, and employers themselves, continue the practice of going in debt ; for both in their respective situations, will be disposed to speculate upon the seasons, the ovciseer looking to the reputation which lie might acquire from mukingn large crop, and the employer, to the increased available means which it would furnish him, would over plant and lake the chances of favourable circurm stances for making the crop, or if the Worst should occur, the alternative of driving and forcing to the no inconsiderable injury of all concerned, the ware and tare of hands, lands and mules, and the total neglect of all minor matters upon a plantation ; but both are wrong, the one in supposing that he will ac- quire reputation, and Hu: other in thinking that he will acquire wealth in such a'way. The time was, when an overse er’s worth would have depend* to upott, and his capacity would have been estimated by the quantity he might produce, hut now the judicious planter will look to the quality and the cost of production, and value his overseer’s services according to his savings, his care and attention to all the details of plantation economy and manage* haunt. The employer too, will permit me to tell him, that he is in error, that lie is pursuing that ruinous policy that would destroy the goose for the golden eggs, big before he proceeds too far and should realize the worst, I trust he will he prevailed upon to mend his ways, for if pursued, they must inevitably lead to serious injury, if not ruin. In condemning oVer-pIanting, l would not he understood to advocate or recommend planting ton filth to the hand, the reduction must of course be gradual, the planter keeping in View saving crops with more time and oppor tunity for repairs and all necessary improvements. When our lands arc sufficiently improved, 1 think thb true policy. of the Carolina planter, would then be to plant comparatively a little and to cultivate that little well : with the system carried out, I nm satisfied, from my observation and experience, that we can onlv compete successfully with the fertile and fresh lands of the south-West, by the strictest attention to the improvement of the quality of onr productions, with proper attention to which, we may so increase their value as to enable us to maintain ourselves in the powerful competition which we have to encounter. Another error and source of evil which 1 would point out, is the disposi* lion and habit of oUr planters to involve themselves in the partisan politics of the day. The practice, to say the least of it, is never attended with pe- cuniary profit. It engrosses the mind and time, from where it might and could be usefully engaged, and is often attended with serious inconvenience ; n.l injury to the best interests of Agriculture, in bieaking in upon that so. cial intercourse which amongst planters is a most fruitful source of improve* PfiaCtffifcljVGS. blent— !h Interrupting the harmony of societies and destroyin'; tiie unity of feeling, thought and action, which is so essential to their usefulness and ouccess, I hare been led to these reflections,- tinder (he conviction (hat we afe ali now, of the same political persuasion in the State, agreeing on the great principles, a strife for which alone is worthy of a ffeeman ; and therefore, by abstaining from mere contests for men or things of little import, without los- ing a proper interest in the great concerns which affect our Condition, we may devote more lime, thought and service to that Vital interest, Agriculture .- We should keep in mind that whoever can make two ears of corn or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before* would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his coUiu try, than the whole race of politicians put together. To politics) in that enlarged sense Which makes it the science of Govern- ment, and to the correct administration of its principles and policy, no free- man can or will be indifferent ; but as a mCfe game, the playing it, best '3uits OUr public functionaries and sUCh gentlemen of leisure whom inclina- tion and the want of other employment and the pleasure of its excitements lead that way. They arc too engrossing, too absorbing for men in business, especially business like our own which requires unrelaxing labour, coi fin- ned attention and persevering effort, where much is intended to be accouu [dished. I would not either, draw our planters entirely froth politics ; they have too much at stake, not to keep a Watchful eye to what is going on in the political world. I think it would be well too, if theV fvould take greater interest and part in the legislation of the country, but they should, by all means, avoid the wild, harrassing and maddening contests of mere (mrtizun politics. Some may think it evinces want of patriotism, not to take a deep interest in every political question and struggle in the colintry ; but I must confess, I think otherwise, and would regard the planter who devotes himself to the improvement of his pursuit, to the development of the Agricultural resources of his State, and to bringing those resources into play, as doing ninety-nine times in a hundred, fur more for lief, than he Could in anv other t way— in adding to the Wealth, the greatness and the happiness of her people, —others again, whose aspirations lend them to look tonvnrd to honors and offices, may think they too', are only to be attained through a political course f but they, 1 should say, afe also wrong. For I would ask — Was it polities that drew Cincinnatus from Ids plough, or our Washington from his farm, to lead the destinies of their country ? You will ajl answer me no ! but it was that good o!d fashioned, that Roman patriotism, which was not confined to the Forum and Senate alone, but was to be found in its greatest purity and ex- cellence, at the homes, by the firesides of the people — the tillers of the soil. 208 AGRICULTURAL T1 ie last and not the least error and source of evil which ! will bring to your notice as deserving particular attention and correction, is the desire and eh fort of our planters to make large cotton crops to the neglect of other and more important matters : the quality of the Cotton made, the repairs and im- provements on their plantations, the introduction of other crops — grass, root and grain — with raising stock and making and applying manure. If there ever was a time for a change in our miscalled system of Agricul- ture, now is that time, and as a first stop in the way of improvement, we should give more attention to the quality of the Cotton crop, making quality one of the first objects in it. I was forcibly struck with the folly of endeavor- ing to make large Cotton crops at the cost of quality in comparing notes with some of my Agricultural friends not long since, who had made, last year, some four or five bales to the band, and had. received for it, between 9 and 10 cents ’round, while others of my acquaintance, who had made 7 and 8 bales to the band, bad received an average of a little over 5 cts. per pound for it. Now, if any one will go to the trouble of a calculation, be can satisfy him- sejf at the ruling low prices, it is bad economy — had policy in the planter, to make quantity the object, for at 5 cts. per lb., the 8 bales would bring but §120, while the 5 bales of quality at 9 cts. per lb. would bring $135 ; no" add the labour or cost of malting the increased quantity — 3 bales to the hand, the gathering, ginning and packing, with bagging, rope, twine and freight of it, and he will then be short of the loss sustained ; for the w are and tare of every thing must bo considered, which should be placed to the account of profit and loss. 1 will not insult your understanding by pursuing this matter farther, as it will appear, at a glance to be a gieat error, and l trust will he corrected bv our Carolina Planters, at any rate. Would that it could be corrected throughout the Cotton-growing States. What an influence it would exert upon the condition of our country ! The effect “ could be better conceive 1 than described”— in tendering us once more a most prosperous, a most happy people. Many have thought it high time for those in the old Slates engaged 'n growing cotton, to cast about for a substitute Tor it, as a staple article ; their fears and apprehensions leading them to doubt whether we would not be com- pelled to abandon its culture in the course of a few years, in consequence < over-production, India competition, and her eventually supplanting our cot- tons in the English market ; but these things I now look upon as some of the exploded humbugs of the times just past, having their existence in th sicklv fears and apprehensions of diseased trade and commerce. Cotton is still to be our great leading and ruling staple, and will continue so for a long time to come. And with the prospect of continued peace and improvemen; PROCEEDINGS. 209 in trades will in all probability advance in p i ice, unless we make two or three very large crops in succession — which is not very probable — and even then, under a healthy state of things, there would be a little or no harm done, as increased production with low prices, would only stimulate consumption and check or destroy competition. From present appearances, production and consumption must travel together “ pari pissu,” and in the cuurse of 10 or 20 years, I am led to doubt whether double the quantity now produced would prove more than adequate to the wants ot the world, tor cotton and steam must fjqd their way every where; and as co-agents must do their part ia ameliorating the condition of mankind, and in contributing to and extending the benefits of civilization. I would as soon expect the one as the other to runout; neither, until their great work is completed of advancing the arts and sciences, and extending the benefits of civilization. With regard to India competition and her eventually supplanting our cot- tons in the English markets, I will believe it when I see it. India labours un- der too many disadvantages to compete successfully with us, and if protect- ed in the English markets, as we have been told she will be, tiie free trade no- tions that prevail and are gaining ground, will soon put that right for us ; besides, self interest, the moving and ruling principle of nations, as well as individuals, will not continue a policy that costs more than it comes to. Eng- land will not injure herself to inflict upon our institutions a blow. Having pointed out the prominent errors and evils in our Agricultural practice, and their correction as the first or preliminary steps to improvement? we come next to consider actual improvement itself, which should extend to and embrace every thing appertaining to, or in any way connected with the interests of Agriculture. I would remark, that nothing, however small or insignificant. in itself, should be over-looked or neglected by the planter, as unworthy of attention. Our business and its improvements, should not be confined to the operations of a day, week, month, or year, but should look forward to a life-'ime, and even beyond — though some stem to think that we should let posterity labor and take care of itself. If we take the more enlarged and compiehensive views of our operations and duty, we will perceive that it is our interest, as well as duty, to look to every thing that has the least hearing upon our improvement. In other words, that we should husband our resources, fur upon our practice in this re- spect will depend the, profits and permanency of our improvements, and our success as planters. It would he entering upon too large a field, to inquire into and discuss at length the various objects of improvement, which present themselves for consideration. 1 will only briefly notice some of the leading ones, in order to direct the inexperienced, inquiring, and enterprising young planters, in the way of improvement; 210 AGRICULTURAL As our slaves, of all our property, constitute in every point of view, the most valuable and interesting, a few w ords in regard to them, I trust, will no f be considered out of place. In all respects they deserve, and should com- rnand, our first consideration. The relations which exist between the mes- ter and slave, are of that intimate character, w hich must bear a very con- siderable influence, not only upon our pecuniary interest, hat upon our so- cial and domestic enjoyments— not only upon our agricultural, mechanic, anc? manufacturing pursuits, but anon the cliaracter,and condition of our communi- ties, socially and politically. As a question of philanthropy, it is or.e of the deepest concern. As a question of domestic feeling, it is one of ti e most tender solicitude — as one- of policy, it is one of the greatest importance — and as one of pecuniary re- sult, it is deserving far n.oie attention and reflection than I fear it has gen- erally received. ] trust it will neither bu considered a reflection upon ti e past, nor as dis- connected with the objects of our Association, if I should say, great as the im- provement has been, and is daily making, that there is yet 100 m for improve- ment in the tieatment of our slates. 1 will add a few reflections upon their care and management. To those who arc out of debt. 1 see no surer way to profit, than through the improvement of their lands and the increase of their slaves, with the mor- al and physical improvement of which they are susceptible. Their physical capacity, I venture to say, is scarcely known by the exacting task-master? and overseers, who require of them a given quantity of W ork, without paying; any regard to their natural wants and necessities, other than supplying week- ly, their peek of meal and a small ration of bacon. If rendered more wil- ling by kind treatment, they become more efficient and completely identified in feeling and interest, with the master and overseer, in undertaking and con- ducting all improvements ; for this alone they should command ofir special attention and care, as, after all. the execution of all our plantation operation® and improvements devolve upon, r>nd arc carried out by them. With regard to Stock, another interesting subji ct to our planters, I have so little experience, that 1 shall offer but one suggestion. 3 think, in connec- lion with the increase of our grain crops, and the introduction of the grass and root culture, they might be rendered more profitable in themselves, and might be made to facilitate and advance greatly the improvement of our lands, by means of their use, with the resources of the woods and such other things, as could, under their hoofs, be readily converted into manure, the planter’s source of wealth. Upon the subject of making manure, and the improvement of our lands and culture, I bad intended to dwell at some length, but I have already ex- PROCEEDINGS. 2L1 ceeded the limits which I prescribed for myself, so 1 will conclude with but a remark or two. Next to the order and thorough repairs of plantation buildings, gates, fences, and implements ofhusbandry, drainage is of the first importance, as the suc- cess of most future operations must essentially depend upon it. I cannot therefore, urge too strongly upon all, especially our swamp planters, the ne- cessity of particular attention to the state of their drains, without which, the subsequent operations of ploughing and manuring are wasteful, and in some instances even hurtful to the land. An able and celebrated Agricultural writer says : “ Lay your land dry, whatever may be the method pursued or the expense to be incurred, before you attempt any thing else.” If this writer be correct, as he surely is, drain- age may be considered the very “ basis of good husbandry.” Fall and winter ploughing, fallowing, resting and rotation of crops, with many other modes of improvement, present their claims upon us, in view of a new and improved system of Agriculture. In connection with a regular system of manuring, they should be looked 1 to and considered ; but as their introduction will interfere, at the start, with man}' important plantation operations, the mode and time of adopting them must be left, to our planters respectively. I will not venture to lay down any rules for their direction and guidance ; yet 1 hope, from this omission, that our interests will not sufler for the want of pioneers in the great and good work of Agricultural reform, for it is so intimately connected and blended with every thing near and dear to a Carolinian, I feel that my co-laborers in the great and good cause must be many, and that their efforts must prove triumphant. * ' * 2 AN ADDRESS, BY JOHN BELTON O'NEILL, DELIVERED BEFORE THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETV, AT THEIR MEETING AT GREENVILLE, 1 lTH SEPT., 1844 . On looking over this audience, 1 am tempted to ask each and every one, what is your occupation? Nine out of ten would answer, it is that of tilling the soil. Of the remaining one tenth, almost everyone, in a greater or less degree, has something to do with it. Of South Carolina, therefore, it may be truly said, her business "and life is Agriculture. Yet in no part of the world, has less been done to give her the entire benefits of that business in which, she is engaged. Until very lately, she has looked on the good around her, and has been content to waste, instead of using it. The deserted and deso- late fields, and the groaning forests, as they fall before the axe, tell us too truly, that we have scarcely ceased to be the pioneers of Agriculture. Still something has been done to recall the people to their true interests This very Society, meeting annually for the list four or five years in Colum- bia, and embodying a great deal of piactical, as well as theoretical knowl- edge, has done much. So too, the District Societies, organized throughout the State, and annually collecting the Farmers together, and inducing them to think and write about their respective systems of culture, have created an interest and rivalry in farming, which has led to the great and valuable results. This very meeting, intended to call out the Farmers of the mountain District, and to give to them the benefits of the State Agricultural Society, and to receive from them, in return, that stock of information which they possess in relation to their local agriculture, speaks for us in a voice not to be misunder- stood, that South Carolina is at last thoroughly aroused to her dearest inter- ests. Can I add any thing to the interest of this occasion? If I can, duty, as well as inclination, will prompt me to do so : but I fear that a Lawyer and a Judge, although long deeply interested in Agriculture, will not be able to set before you, the matters which should interest you, in that light which a more experienced, practical Farmer could shed. Still, as you have desired it, I 214 AGRICULTURAL will try ; if I succeed, all which I wish is obtained ; if I fail, the attempt has satisfied the claims which you have upon me, and may open the way to some other better qualified, and more successful than I may be. On an occasion like the present, as a part of the address with which I am charged, it may be well to consider first, briefly, two of the many popular objections urged to Agricultural Societies. It is supposed by some, that theory and practice are at war with each other ; in other words, book farm- ing is one thing, and real, practical farming is another. But there is here a great and abiding mistake, founded in, and growing up, by prejudice. Agri- cultural writers and Societies make, sometimes, it is true, mere suggestions — they are tested — if found to be good, so far, great benefit has been conferred upon the people ; if, however, they fail, little harm has been done. But in general, Agricultural Societies do not rely on speculative suggestions. Their members are Farmers, understanding perfectly their respective modes of cul- ture; each has tried experiments, and when successful, these are communi- cated, and others are thus encourage^ to try. For example, can any thing in the wheat crop, be more important than a certain means of preventing S.i.ut ? A brother Farmer, Jno. S. Carwile, Esq., many years ago, communicated to me his specific, which consisted in soaking the seed wheat during the night previous to sowing, in a solution of blue-stone, in the ratio of one pound of blue-stone to every five bushels of wheat. After many trials, my experience enabled me to say to the Newberry Agricultural Society, that it was a perfect antidote to smut, and my report, thus made public, has been spread through- out the grain growing communities, and many a farmer has been thereby essentially benefitted. Again, in Agricultural Societies, experiments in ma- nures, and the crops adapted to the different soils, are made by various men, and the results are, in their reports, given to the people, so that the community- have the opportunity of not only profiting by one man’s success, but also even by his errors. These examples of practical results will be enough to remove one class of prejudices. It is, however, urged by many a planter, whose advantages of education may not have been as great as another’s, it is useless for me to become a member of an Agricultural Society; I can neither write nor speak. It is true, when the elegance of erudition is combined with the practical knowl- edge of the planter, as is so beautifully illustrated, in the bright example of the untiring President of the State Agricultural Society, it adds many charms to the usefulness of such a member. But this is not expected of every one. Like the trees of the forest, one may be more towering or moie fruitful, still each has its place, and is useful. Every farmer— every man who tills the soil, is an important member of an Agricultural Society-. We aie in society for the express purpose of combining every thing which can be gathered PROCEEDINGS. 215 together. Our Agricultural stream, is like your o'.vn Suluda ; it is made up of hundreds of minor streams, some greater, some less, until they dwindle down to the drippings which fall from the summit of' the Table Rock. Wo want the experience of every one, in the culture of his crop, whatever it may be. From that which he considers important to his success, we will find something beneficial to others. Let no one suppose that he cannot tell, or commit to paper, a plain statement of whatever lie considers material to his success as a farmer. I know that every one who has the gifi of speech, or who can write a letter, can do it. For he who understands a matter, can make it be understood by another. In the Society of which l am a member, (the Newoerry Agricultural Society) many of our most valuable Reports come from unpracticed writers, plain farmers, tillers of the soil, who them- selves, at some periods of their lives, have been accustomed to hold the handles of the plough. But it is not alone in the reports of the Society, that a mem bar’s usefulness is seen. Every exhibition of practical success in crops, raising stock, or adding to the health and comfort of his slaves, is of as much, and perhaps more importance than that which is written. It teaches by exam- ple. It says to each and all, if l have succeeded, you can succeed by the same means. — -TRY. Having disposed of these objections, I come now to set before you the claims of Agricultural Societies and Agriculture. Meetings, such as this, with an exhibition of stock, manufactures and crops, are other results from Agricultural Societies. What effect they will have, a year or two hence, wiil better enable you to answer than now. In general they will excite emulation among the farmers ; every one will try to surpass his neighbor. This spirit leads to’ improvement upon improvement, and a wnole section of country will put on a new face. Where barrenness existed, fertility will be found — where wasteful habits of farming were common, more prudence will take their place. In all our rolling country, from the moun- tains to the fl it lauds of the sea-board, what rrnre wasteful, impoverishing style of Agriculture co dd be adopted, than ploughing up and down the hills? Yet that has been the universal habit until of late years. The consequence is, that the State is scarred all over with gullies, and the wasted hill.sides, bill and birren, stand before us, our reproach and punishment. Cultivation in drills, and horizantal ploughing, or ploughing around the hills, corrects this evil. Agricultural Sacieties are the means of communicating this informa- tion, and inciting farmers to try it. In a hasty trip to Asheville, in June last, I was delighted to see the improvements in Agriculture, which had taken place in Buncombe, in the last four years. One farm, within four miles of Asheville, presented, what is not common in this country, a mountain knob, ploughed horizontally from base to summit, and smiling in corn and grass. Such an example, on the highway, could not, I was sure, fail to create a spirit 216 AGRICULTURAL of emulation, highly favorable to Buncombe. And in this expectation I was not deceived. Every where, it seemed to me, she had stripped herself to struggle for the prize — the blessing of skillful Agriculure on lie poor land of the mountains ; and in part she lias already received it. Can you not, my countrymen, in like manner strive, and in like manner succeed ? If you have the will to try, I know you cun and will. Associations of men for all purposes are essential. Without society, man could not exist. In the very morning of creation, God declared, “it is not good than man should be alone:” he therefore provided an help meet for him, in lovely, smiling, erring, suffering, yet faithful and angelic woman. This principle of help, thus recognized and pointed out as necessary to man in the beginning, has descended to him ever since, not only in the blissful relation of husband and wife, but also in all the other various relations of life. Separate ac- tion seldom accomplishes much. Combined action is irresistible. These re- marks will be belter understood by plain men, from a few practical illustrations. If one farmer, in some retired section of country, pursues a course of husbandry which makes his place blossom like the rose, what does he accomplish 1 He blesses himself and his family ; but as to the community, I could sav of him, in poetic language, “Full many a rose blooms to blush unseen, ■ And waste its fragrance in the desert air.’~ Let him, however, become a member of an Agricultural Society, and bis suc- cess will be their success, his example their example, seen, known and followed by hundreds. In tire performance of any work when much is to be accom- plished, numbers are sought and obtained, as the means of accomplishing it promptly and easily. If a farmer has his logs to roll, a house to build, or ills wheat to cut, bis neighbors are called in to- aid, and that which his own force could only have accomplished with a great expense of labor and time, is the work of a day. Just so it is with an Agricultural Society. Individual im- provement has been for more than an hundred years in the field, and has accomplished but little. Associations for Agricultural Improvements are, comparatively speaking, of recent origin, and yet they have crowned the land with all the honors of successfi.1 husbandry. A Society in a District gaihers in the people toihe work, points out that which is to be done, and all. with the desire to surpass one another, go at it, with minds and hands devoted to,, and prepared for the task, and the labor of more than an hundred years of sepa- rate action is thus, by combined energy and information, accomplished in a few years. Farmers, too, have fewer channels of information relative to their particu- lar business than any others. Politics, Literature and Temperance, have, through papers, meetings, and other sources, continual rills, which, united PROCEEDIN' 217 together, make up the mighty streams which flow through our land, to make it every where glad. But until recently, farmers’ associations and meetings were few and far between. Now and then, it is true, an Agricultural paper, periodical or address, found its way into the hands of some enterprising far- mer, who read it and profited by it. Latterly, by combi -mg Agriculture with Temperance, in the columns of the Temperance Advocate, Agricultural infor- mation has found its- way into many a house, where it otherwise would not, and has excited interest among the yeomanry o! the country, which never before existed. So too, the District Agricultural Societies have collected the people togeth- er-, have, by addresses, report-:, and exhibitions of stock, interested them in the cau-e; have made them conscious of their power, proud of their busi- ness, and shown them, both by precept and example, how it could be made better and better, year after year. In the pursuit of an object and end such as ours, every thing which will excite individuals to excel, is properly resorted to. Hence premiums are offered, not so much for their value, as the evidence of success. The public rendition of these, accompanied by such an address as that which the Presi- dent of this Society usually delivers, is an honor of which the successful ought to he, and always will he proud. But its usefulness does not stop here ; it arouses the spirit of emulation in others, and blesses the country with fine stock, fine crop, and beautiful farms. The annual or semi-annual meetings of Agricultural Societies, wit!) their n o 7 attendant exhibitions of fine Stock, good domestic manufactures, and excel, lent specimens of grain and cotton, are calculated to deeply interest not only us, .'lie members, hut also the people. Multitudes will thus be drawn together, each meeting increasing the succeeding one. The Agricultural meetings of New York fully support this assertion. That of the last Fall, which called together so much ol talent, enterprise and success, from the bosom of the State, and from the extremes of the old thirteen, Massachusetts and Souih Carolina, with the immense crowd of citizens, men, women, and children, attended by their trains of stock, and every thing else to exhibit, proclaims, in a voice to he heard throughout our broad land, that in New York the peo- ple have made Agriculture and Agricultural improvement what it ought to be, their principal object. Can it not be so here ? — Could we talk less about poli- tics, and more about crops, have fewer slump speeches and barbecues washed d.own with strong drink ; more agricultural addresses, meetings and barbacucs washed down with cold water, think you not, my countrymen, that in a few years we should le an abundantly wiser, more porsperous and happier people than we arc now? To my mind it is clear that we should ! Such Agricultural meetings as this will do much to accomplish so desirable an object. We 218 AGRICULTURAL meet, from every quarter of the Stale, to become acquainted with one another as farmers, to think, to write, to talk, to hear about, and to stir one another up to improvement in Agriculture. It is, 1 hope, to be the parent of many other such meetings in other parts of the State, until all her people, every where, will devote themsel ves to her greatest good : For South Carolina seems to be plainly devoted, by her local position, to three great staples, rice, cotton, grain and grass. Many of these different products can be grown upon the same lands. But the swamps of the lower country are more especially suit' d to rice ; while the region in which we now assemble, lying west of a line on tile latitude of Laurens Court House, ought to be essentially a grain and grass growing community. The intervening country, between the two designated sections of the State, is a cotton country, not usually producing more grain than is necessary for the consumption of the inhabitants. By inattention to the plain indications of nature, how much useless labor is expended ! The attempt to raise cotton, as a crop, above Laurens, is really and truly a poor compensation to the husbandman. The beautiful rolling lands and level bot- toms lying within this range of country, if judiciously cultivated in grain and grass, with no more cotton than household wants may demand, would crown the labors of the year with a fully equal reward. More money would thus, fellow-citizens, annually come to your hands from the grain and stock which you would be able to grow and rear, than ever you have been able to realize from grain and cotton. And then what a change would he effected all around you. Horses, mules, cattle, sheep, and hogs, fat and in abundance — milk, butter, cheese, honey, and the wheat cake at every bouse — each family well clothed in the winter and summer from the fleece and cotton of every farm, spun and wove at home! Would you not then, indeed, be happy and inde- pendent ? If the temporal blessings of God can ever make a people contented, yours would be that happy lot. But the advantages of such a course of farming would not stop here. The whole appearance of the landscape would undergo a magical change, hardly surpassed by the wonder-working powers of Aladdin’s lamp; your old washed and sedge fields, seamed with gullies, would disappear ; and your hills clothed in living green, or bending under the golden harvests, would present a scene full of interest. Instead of dilapi- dated buildings and fences, and perishing orchards, your buildings and fences would he substantia! and your orchards flourishing. But you ask me how this would be brought about? The answer is obvious. You would have more time to devote to improvement than you have. In a course of crops, such as I have recommended, a part of the Spring, Summer, and a small part of the Fall, would be necessary for their culture. Four, five, or possibly six months of every year would be unemployed in your crops, and would be devoted to improvement. Every man will be able to form some opinion o f PROCEEDINGS. 219 what he could thus accomplish. But this is not all the advantage which you might expect Land set in grass or cultivated in gra'n does not require one half the labor which a grain and cotton crop demands. But the money, whence is that to come? is the question in every mind. From your surplus corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley and hay; from your pork and bacon, which you would have to spare, as the result of plenty, wherewith to raise, feed and fatten large stocks of hogs; from your cattle, horses, mules and sheep, raised and fed by yourgrain and grass! Let your practical farmers, many of whom I am proud to see at this meet- ing, compare the results of a grain and grass-growing crop, with one of grain and cotton, and the result will be 25 if not 50 per cent., in favor of the for- mer. Will you still persist in old habits, and not at least make a trial of that, which, although perhaps new to you, yet comes thus recommended? To bring about such results here, and to approximate as near as maybe in every other part of th° State, how important are Agricultural Societies ! They are your lights. They point you to the good : they warn you of that which is bad: they tell you now, as they have often done before, that true independence is to be found in the abundance resulting from your farms. Raise, my countrymen, every where in South Carolina, your own hogs, sheep, cattle, horses and mules — clothe your own households by the domestic wheel and loom — manufacture your own shoes — supply your own tables with flour, potatoes, butter and chees^, of your own crops, herds and dairy, and you can bid defiance to all the tariffs in the world. How much we are tributary, by our own negligence and want of thrift, to the Eastern States, has been lately pointed out most clearly by a gentleman, whose zeal in the cause of his coun- try, as well as Agriculture, has not been, and will not be, surpassed. From his essays you will learn, with amazement, the immense sums annually paid for butter, cheese, brooms, shoes, potatoes and onions, all of which we could easily manufacture or produce at home. Well may we complain of our bur- dens under such circumstances. A part of them, we have but to will should cease, and, like the Pilgrim’s burden at the foot of the cross, they will rolloff and sink forever from our view. The time is now at hand when every South Carolinian must prepare for the deadly struggle, which it is to be feared is soon to take place. The inslitu, tion of slavery, whether wise or not, it is madness in us to discuss with men who “ seeing will not see, and hearing will not hear !” It is here, so interwo- ven with every part of society, mid so essential to life itself, that i's destruction would be ours. Its existence and continuance depend upon our agriculture. long as slave labor is valuable, so long will slave property be cherished. The instant it ceases to be so, it will be thrown aside. Look therefore calmly on the things around you. Your cotton is becoming annually a less valuable crop, Something in the cotton growing country must, in part, supply its 220 AGRICULTURAL place. May not the economy, which I have alreaby suggested, stand us in great stead in this point of view? And will not the cultivation of provison crops, for which the rice growing country and the towns of the sea-board will furnish a ready market, further eke out our wants? I have no doubt, if all of South Carolina above the first falls in ou>- great rivers, would become essen- tially a farming and manufacturing country, that we might, in a few years, vie with even New England. To accomplish this, it is necessary that the whole resources of our State should be understood, as well as her industry properly applied. The Geological and Agricultural Survey has in part, and will, I hope, fully develope them. All the region of country covered by York, Spartanburg, Union, Laurens, Greenville, Pickens, Anderson, and the upper part of Abbcviile, might be essentially improved ty the Lime which can be obtained from the immense quarries of Limestone to be found in York, Spar- tanburg and Laurens. To the farmers of the beautiful section of Carolina to which allusion has been made, the Lime will afford incalculable riches, when its application to soils and crops comes to be properly understood. Through the Agricultural Survey and the Agricultural Societies, this infor- mation will be obtained and disseminated. My belief is, that in the section of country to which I have alluded, the Limestone existing within it, is more than enough to restore its original fertility, and probably to increase it ten fold. To you, then, brother Farmers of the Mountain Districts of South Carolina, there seems to be no ordinary stimulant to excite your industry and direct your efforts 10 improvement. 'Pile earth points to her own bosom, and tells you from it to obtain that which will clothe your fields with abundance, and fill your coffers with a moie certain wealth than the mines of Mexico or Peru. In the adjoining Districts, then old Pendleton, the earliest and most successful effort in Agriculture was made by the Farmers’ Society. The union of such names as North, Pinckney, Huger, Calhoun, Grisham, Grif- fin, Maverick, Harrison, Reese, Earle, Whitner and Norton, in such a Society, could not fail to make it useful. Its existence for more than twenty years is the evidence that farmers, when once informed, and acting together, can and will persevere to the attainment of most valuable results. It is an example worthy of all praise, and ought every where to be immitated. Here I am glad to see the proper spirit is also at work ; and your Agricultural Society, mingled to-day with the State Society, in offering premiums, points out the beginning of what is to be a glorious day for Greenville! Glorious! because it will confer greater blessings upon her worthy population. The people of the cotton growing Districts between Laurens Court House and Orangeburg, have not the same means of fertilizing their lands. Still, in judicious cultivation, the application of animal and vegetable manures, they can do much to restore their exhausted wastes. The analysis of cotton and the cotton plant, shows, 1 am told, that the food peculiar to its nutriment and PROCEEDINGS. 221 growth is the p/to phcle of lime, and that this can, in a greater or less degree, be supplied on every plantation by burning the bones, which are cast away as an incumbrance, and applying small quantities of the ashes to each plant. This, beyond all question, deserves the attention'of our Agricultural Societies, all of which should unite in requesting Professor Ellet to give to the public his chemical analysis of cotton and the cotton plant, and his observations upon that which is essential in the soil to its growth. Such an act on his part will add another to the many claims of usefulness which he has upon this State. If to this we shall fortunately add, through the Agricultural Survey, or the Agricultural Societies, a correct analysis of our soils, and some hints as to the kind of crops best adapted thereto, I have no doubt that we have the means within our reach of reclaiming our exhausted lands in the cotton Dis- tricts above Orangeburgh. The application of the Cow-Pea as a manure has been often suggested, and will, when properly applied, succeed as well with us as the Clover has in more Northern and Western lands. When sown broadcast, and turned under while green, it will furnish a fine vegetable mould for the ensuing crop. On every plantation, however, a little industry will gather from the woods the alluvial deposits, the cow-per.s and stables a supply of manure, which will do more to repay labour than can be found in felling the forest and prcpai ing forest land for endure. Here the advice and encour- agement ot Agricultural Societies become all-important, and here their utility has been so often tested, that it can be only necessary to refer you to the Dis- tricts and sections of country w here they have longest existed, for the evi- dence in their favor. The country from Orangeburgh to the sea. hoard, in her inexhaustable beds of Marl, has that which will make her lands more productive than they ever have been ! How much there is to encourage us, in every section of the State, is appa- rent from even these hasty remarks. To Yankee enterprise, could a richer field be opened? Cannot, will not South Carolina enter upon, possess and enjoy the good which is their own, and which lies open and inviting before them? It is true, it requires labor, perseverance and intelligence; but suc- cess challenges and demands these, every where. The Clergyman, the Law- yer, the Physician, the Merchant and the Mechanic, must have these requi- sites to succeed; and still, with us, all of these professions may he found as successful as in any other part of the world ! Why may not the Farmer here succeed ? He can — he may, and he will ! It is only to will and deter- mine to he laborious, industrious and persevering in agricultural improvement, and you will be successful. My fellow-citizens, here let us make the resolve, that let others do as they may, we will spare no pains to improve the fair inhei - ilance which God has given us. It is to be observed in Agriculture, as in every thing else, success does not depend on a single effort ; many an experi- 222 AGRICULTURAL ment must be tried, and tried again. Even success can be improved ! The successful Farmer is not the growth of a day. A life of successful and active enterprise does not more than suffice to make such an one. But as in every other occupation successfully followed, every day’s improvement and success furnish fresh incentives to other and greater efforts to further improve and succeed. No higher pleasure, no more innocent and healthful pursuit can be con- ceived than that of the farmer. If his own hands hold not the plough, yet in superintending, in witnessing the successful fruits of energy, industry and enterprise, in observing the continued blessing of “ seed lime and harvest,” and the mercy of God in his rich gifts of annual abundance, he finds enough to make his heart sing with joy, and his head bend in adoring gratitude to the King of kings. No pursuit can claim a higher antiquity than that of the husbandman ; it is hoary with the lapse of ages: it is indeed coeval with man himself. “ When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy,” then began the business of Agriculture. No occupation can be more honorable. It began with Adam, the father of the human fumilv. It was continued by Noah, the Patriarchal remnant of the antediluvian, and the beginnig of the postdiluvian world. It has been followed by the virtuous of all ages. It has bad, and always will have, a Cincinnatus and a Washington : for in all countries, and es| ecially in Re. publics, the great body of our rulers must come from amongst the Farmers. It is well that it should be so, not to the exclusion of other employments and professions; but as Agriculture is the chief pursuit, it should have its full quota of the Governors. When looked at in this point of view, how impor* tant is it that the Farmer, who may be a Legislator, a General or a Gover- nor, should not only be virtuous, but that he should be informed. Such an one is only fit to rule the destinies of a free people. Each and every Far- mer should seek all sources of information, through books, societies, and intercourse with his fellow-man : and then, whether on the farm or in public life, he can feel confident in his acts, as one who has proved “all things,” and is determined to “hold fast that which is good.” ADDRESS DELIVERED by r. w. roper, es<$> Before the state agricultural socistv, November, 1844 . Mr. pREstbF.XT and GIeSTlemen : Tlie objects which convene us on the present occasion are of essentia 5 importance. They involve the advanceme, t of Agriculture with all its collateral relations— “Agriculture, the first of employments, the support of life, the source of health, independence and social comfort-'-=a pursuit which awakens the solicitude of the husbandman, kindles the pride of the patriot, absorbs the policy of the statesman, and constitutes the welfare of every" community : an elevated profession, whose superfluity originates commerce, connects the social bond of the human family, and is the acknowledged standard of National intelligence and civilization. I propose to review the subject in reference to the laws which govern it, as indicated by modern- discoveries and associated in its success with a system of domestic manu- factures, pointing out the relations in which they stand to each other and affect the true policy and prosperity of the State of South Carolina. The attainments of a modern age have enlightened the olden, ignorant system of cultivation, and established principles which are still perfecting. No longer are precarious productions of nature relied on to supply the sim- plest wants of humanity, nur does the scanty culture of pastoral ages alarm with the spectre of famine. Seed is not now buried in the earth with the indolent ignorance of nomadic life, nor abandoned to vicissitudes of seasons to perfect, but Nature is carefully watched iu her silent laboratory, her pro- cess detected, her monitions adopted, and rich rewards received of choicest stores. A .-system of careful preparation, with approved culture of lend and crops is now resorted to, which renders success comparatively indepen- dent of'casual vicissitudes, and the triumphs of Agriculture are tested by a proportionate increase of men and animals, The progress of this art received its first, rational impulse from the im- provements of chemistry. That science discloses by analysis the elements which enter into soils and plants, their adaptation to each other, and that success depends upon restoring the fertility of soils by applying certain agents essential to reorganization. That it is incumbent first to establish the com- % AGRICULTURAL 224 ponent parts of a soil, ascertain how to alleviate its defects, and next determine the ingredients which constitute the grain, so as in culture to restore as many essential properties as appertain to each. That the atmosphere also performs in the general process important functions by parting with its subtle gases to a renewed surface of the earth, supplying to the plant vitality, solidity, color and beauty. From this science we learn that all soils are ranked as defec- tive, unless they contain a certain amount of calcareous matter, which enters into the forma-ion of ali grain, and that lime is a chief acting principle.— This fertalizer has among the intelligent ever been known as such, but mod- ern research elucidates its mode of action, of entering into combinations with the acids of all decayed vegetable matter, forming thereby a soluble manure. Hence in compost, its great importance as an ingredient, decomposing all matter and adapting it to the fibres of the plant. It is indispensable there- fore that soils should also contain vegetable matter, or humus, to be prepar- ed as a pabulum for plants, or where this primary vegetable constituent, does not exist naturally, that it should be supplied from various sources, par.icu- larly the resident of cultivation, or by a resort to green crops for manure, which draw the largest portion of their substance from the carbonic acid of the atmosphere and from water, and by addition of their substance enriches the soil thereby. These are cardinal principles which science teaches, and which the ordi- nary classes of farmers are slow to acquire. Their tuition lias hitherto been limited to a system of imitation: they have yet to become familiar with two distinct characteristics of Agriculture, the scientific and mechanical, and that success depends upon a judicious combination of both The first, mod- ern research is daily developing, the last, lias from time immemorial been practiced, embracing the usual routine of ploughing, listing, hoeing and ditching. These are all indispensable aids, but without restoiatives, prove as pernicious to the soil as the constant exercise of the muscles of a robust frame when all nourishment is denied to the stomach. The scope of this address does not permit me to enlarge upon particular systems of Agriculture. My purpose will be accomplished by instances of the success of a scientific system. Our country can furnish but isolated examples of its effects, for as yet no permanent plan of State survey has in all its departments been undertaken and pursued. We must look abroad for facts, for confirmation of its benefits to those densely popidated countries where attention to agriculture becomes an object of national existence, where the increase of a single bushel per acre is regarded as a highly important consideration, where due estimation is placed on the economy of time, labor and expense of culture : where the action of manures whether vegetable, calcareous or mechanical, is carefully scrutinized ; where annual r ports are PROCEEDINGS. 225 ^ made into their mode of application, and manner of counteracting effects of drought or excessive wet, and contributing under all circumstances to increased production. To collect and improve such facts, embracing the general advance of agri- culture throughout England, Lord Spencer founded a general Agricultural Society, similar to this now engaging our care. This Society has tended to most salutary results, and given rise to the establishment of county Societies, which have instructed and stimulated the Farmers, and been the means of gradually increasing the grain crop from nine to fifty-one bushels the acre.- Proof of these extraordinary results is afforded by the fact, that between. 1801 and 1841, the population of Great Britain lias increased notwithstand- ing emigration, from 10,300,030 to 23,800,000, and that these enlarged numbers have been sustained principally by the augmented productions of improved agriculture. Mr. Pusey, conductor of the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, says the average produce of wheat in England is only twenty- six bushels per acre, and that if this quantity could be raised to twenty-seven, bushels, it would add 475,000 quarters, or increase the nation’s income- £1,200,000. In Scotland, where fifty years ago wheat was scarcely grown,- the product in some places has averaged fifty-one bushels the acre. And' in France, bv the aid of chemistry, wheat growers have succeeded in doubling the product of their lands, and in that kingdom they annually harvest more wheat than is grown in Great Britain and the United States. “ La Voisier r the French chemist, cultivated 240 acres of land in La Yende on chemical principles, to instruct the farmers, and his mode of culture was attended, with so rnueh success that his crops produced a third more than by the usual mode, and in nine years his annual produce was doubled.” These are examples from which we must receive instruction and see the- necessity of promoting Agricultural science. Such an auxiliary places in- the road to success, and if aided by an interchange of opinion by frequent intercourse among Farmers, by Societies, Exhibitions, Premiums, Periodi- cals, and Newspapers, collecting, analyzing and disseminating every fact, -speculation or improvement, we may then exult in the advance of the all important cause of Agriculture. But one exclusive pursuit can alone never secure national greatness. Agriculture must be stimulated by emolument, and emolument must proceed from diversified industry, which ample provision, by aid of skillful culture, can alone afford time and means to indulge. The exchange of such industry gives life and activity to enterprise, and an unembarrassed market becomes the desideratum of a business population. By a perversion of sentiment and sound policy, interests which derive their existence from agriculture have 15 226 AGRICULTURAL been too often made to present antagonist positions thereto, and disturb the political and social relations of society. In consolidated governments, one calling is frequently rendered tributary to others, and whole sections of country, compelled to endure privations and impositions, under plea of effect- ing results, which the sanguine or interested maintain will ultimately tend to the prosperity of a whole community, but which if a free and matured recip- rocal course of trade was awaited, a more permanent foundation of pros- perity would be laid, and result in mutual and protracted advantage. Un- happily we pine under such a selfish governmental policy, which will com- pel to a course of conduct adverse to our wishes, foreign to our practice, calculated to establish selfish, limited relationships, leading either to defensive, economical practices, or to an enlarged diversified -system of labor, which (ultimately will mar the prosperity of those whose short-sightedness and cupidity may drive us to an unsought rivalry. Intimately connected with ■our -future agricultural advancement is the necessity of examining the posi- tion we may be forced to occupy, to avert mercenary fanatical combina- Lions, and arrest the downward tendency which depresses this State. We will proceed to trace the sequel. Pkisband ry, up to a comparatively recent period, has in the United States been ever conducted on principles of reckless extiavagance, attesting the thoughtlessness of human character. Where abundance prevails, incon- siderate- waste is a usual concomitant. The cramped and impoverished European beheld in the New World the existence of boundless forests and illimitable space, which the skies alone seemed capable of encircling, and he became excited to eager curiosity, and greedy cupidity. The woodman’s axe and ploughman’s furrow soon lacerated the primitive surface, and vast territories resounded to the crash of stately trees, the growth of centuries •and the pride \of nature. Affrighted herds, hitheito almost unconscious of the tread of man, fled from the beams of refulgent day, and sought in deeper recesses a more secure retreat — section after section became speedily occu- pied and deserted, while no pang of remorse smote the heart of the deso- lating wanderer. Abandoning his humble log hut, scarce discerned among belted leafless trees, where no effort of industry or taste kindled one pleasing reflection of the past, or conjecture for the future, with indifference he col- lects a few moveables, and commences another wandering march to perpe. trate new enormities on some other blooming virgin soil. Thus has our •country been literally laid waste by the insatiate occupancy of land, till hordes •of a border population are now opening a prospect upon the broad Pacific. That mighty confine will roll back the tide of population to its first springs. Already the early swell of a recoil is being felt and will continue. I hail the investigations of agricultural science as one evidence of its influence — PROCEEDINGS. 227 an.l beheld another furnished by the migrating population of Pennsylvania and the eastern states no'.v concentrating on Virginia, occupying deserted habitations and improving abandoned fields which presented melancholy chasms to the way worn. traveller. Strong and natural inducements will constantly be at work to promote this reaction. In a country like the United States, W.icre wealth an 1 consequence are open to every aspirant, and become the reward of genius, where an exten- sive and fair arena is free to all the world, the facilities offered by the older states must stand pre-eminent. There the advantages of a liberal education nny be obtained. Society with its refinements weaves a light but tenaceous web, luxury presents its allurements, and an enlarged sphere of action is afforded by the demands of civilization, to new and countless sources of indus- try. The tie of old habits and feelings, broken only by the relentless gripe of poverty, become again united with better fortunes, and rising elastic from the conflict, the emigrant would- once more participate in the triumphs of success. The influence of these considerations is beginning to be of frequent occur- rence, and our State would exhibit sound policy in turning back her wander- ers, and rendering home so dear as to banish every inducement to escape from a father land. To accomplish this, it is highly important to scutanize our habits, feelings and resources, and divested of self-sufficiency, and absurd ignorant pride, have the independence and sober sense to ascertain our deficiencies, and by comparing our wants and prospects with those of other states, ascertain our relative position in the body politic, and mark out and pursue a future line of policy. The early agriculture of South Carolina was principally confined to domestic supply, bier first articles of export were lumber, tar, turpentine and peltry. Indigo, rice and cotton, were afterwards introduced, became staple commodities, and yielded large sources of wealth. Indigo has been superceded by a better foreign article. Rice from favorable circumstances will probably remain a permament culture. And cotton, once our wealth and pride, can continue so no longer : a fairer bloom opens on other lands, and every day imparts a moreo ninous warning that the sceptre has departed. An investigation into these facts will lead me into the salutary but unseduc- tive records of statistics. The wide extent of new country opened to the culture of cotton, n ust force us to yield the palm to more youthful competitors. The three gulph States, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, with Georgia, produce 626,188,164 lbs. equaling 7-10 of the demands of the world. The product of South Carolina is but 60,590,861 lbs or 2-5 less, than as compared with Louisiana, 1-3 less with Mississippi, 1-2 less with Alabama, and nearly 1-3 less with Georgia. 228 AGRICULTURAL Florida, scarcely wrenched from the grasp of the Indian, grows 12,000,533 lbs. only 1-5 less than South Carolina. And Texas, an embryo empire, with her swords newly wrought into plough shares, is daily furnishing fresh labourers to the harvest, and adding new millions to the accumulating stock. This country contains 318,000 square miles, or 203,520,000 acres of land, while the six principal cotton growing States, which have been mentioned with the addition of Arkansas, contain but 301,000 square miles, or 192,- 640,000 acres. Climate and soil, adapt a large portion of this region to cotton, and the agency now employed in unpron.able lands farther east, will undoubtedly be transferred to Texas. In the migration we must expect to contribute our quota, and suffer the double effects of a loss of population, and a loss of their relative products, besides so much capital. 'J be Merchant’s Magazine of January, 1844, (published in New York,) presents the following facts : That the increase of production of Cotton in the United States for the last twenty years, has been 7 per cent., but that further increase could no- be attained without a diversion of labour from other pursuits. That the average of the last three years will give about 3 per cent., which may be assumed as the probable growth of cotton for a senes of years to come unless Texas be united to this confederacy, when the labour removed from less productive cotton sections will be concentrated in Texas, and come in disastrous competition with our interests in the South. If then the cotton grown in Texas, and other States exclusive of that of foreign countries be added to the general aggregate, a darker cloud must envelope the prospects of South Carolina. Sanguine minds have looked forward to the opening of the China market as likely to create a greater demand for Cotton, and supposed that while it extended the culture, the price would necessarily be maintained. The sup- ply of three hundred and sixty millions of people will doubtless exercise an important influence upon consumption, computed as far as 900,000 bags, but the extent of arable land in the new States, in Texas and in Florida, already computed will supply any demand that may be required, ai d preclude per- manent dependence from so remote a customer. Machinery and cheap mov- ing power,, competing with manual labor in Asia, will tend to produce a demand for manufactured articles fur that country rather than a iaw mete- rial, and the anticipated new trade may exert a greater stirnulous oil that source of industry at home, without materially inert asing foreign exportation or adding to the production of the staple. But under any event, the advan- tages, according to present ajpearances, unless our practice is changed, must accrue elsewhere, and furnish additional motives on our part for vigi- lance and research. The important inquiry result*, what shall be this change ? What is our PROCEEDINGS. 229 policy ? We cannot compete in cotton, shall we increase the culture of our cereal or esculent grains? An examination may illustrate the question. — There is now produced in South Carolina, 18,819,936 bushels of grain, exclusive of 1,486,208 bushels of oats, and 2,689,313 bushels of potatoes. Allowing ten bushels of this eighteen and a half millions of grain to each inhabitant, in a total population of 594,398, the consumption would be near six millions of bushels, leaving a surplus of twelve and a half millions for stock and exportation. But our exportation is limited to Rice only, and deducting 400,000 bushels for home consumption, and leaving 2,680,000 for exportation, there would be still a surplus of 10,139 936 bushels grain, besides the oat and potatoe crop available for 130,000 horses, and 272,608 head of neat cattle. But this redundancy, with the addition of the oat crop, forming a total of 11,626,144 bushels, besides appropriating a part of the potatoe crop, will be still insufficient, allowing to the horses six quarts of grain per day, which would absorb 8,899,595 bushels per annum, leaving only 2,726,559 bushels for stock, exclusive of the substance of various domestic animals. To reduce this grain consumption, we have only the precarious supply pasturage to depend upon. May, the most valuable product of the Union, is almost entirely neglected by us, there being but 24,653 tons produced in the State. I i a country like ours, profuse in native grasses, and some of them of most rank luxuriance, we apathetically behold their decay, without deigning to gather the rich store with which Providence carpets our fields, though our necessities force us afterwards to become purchasers of the very article so criminally disregarded. This source of supply therefore, slightly diminishes the demand on the grain crop, which is thus demonstrated as insufficient for a general supply of the whole State. Accumulations of corn notwithstanding do take place at particular locations, where abundant crops are made for want of means of transportation, and this circumstance may hereafter furnish the speculative with new sources of investment, to open such store to public use. These facts prove we have no surplus grain for exportation, and may establish how an enlarged product for domestic con- sumption might benefit the State. That there would be no advantage in increasing the product for exportation, as far as a demand within the limits of the United States might require, the following statement may illustrate. The aggregate of bread stuffs raised within the United States in 1840, was 5*56,326,744 bushels, exclusive of 102,000,000 bushels of potatoes. Of this amount of grain, 11,500,000 were supposed to be manufactured and exported, leaving 545,826,744 bushels to be divided among seventeen millions of peo- ple. Allowing the same ratio of ten bushels to each individual, a redundancy of 275 millions, would be still left in the granaries of the country. We 230 AGRICULTURAL therefore, could not expect by cultivating more grain, to find a market in the United States. And the following statistics prove a European market would be equally hopeless. By a report made to Parliament, in 1841, contain the weekly price current of grain at the principal Corn markets of Europe and Asia, for seven years, ending with 1840, the price of Wheat at Odessa, was 62 cents per bushel ; at Warsaw, 68 cents ; at Dantzic, 88 cents ; and at Hamburgh, 98 cents, averaaing 77 cents per bushel. And in Boston, New York, Philadeldhia and Baltimore, during the same period, the average price was $1,40 per bushel. Adding cost of freight, this would establish a failure in a foreign shipment. Mr. Dayton of Ohio, in his speech in April, on the Tariff, maintained that if the duty of 25 per cent., on foreign wheat was withdrawn, it could be introduced into this country, and sold much lower than domestic wheat. And by a comparison between prices of wheat at Odessa and New York, in various years, he demonstrated that the New York price, was uniformily more than twice as high as that in the Mediterranean, and North of Europe, and that thousands of millions of bushels had been imported at particular periods, notwithstanding the duty. Great Britain, in consequence of her overfiowiug population and limited territory, is always looked to as a large consumer, but she is now supplying her deficiencies by improving her agricultural system. Corps of scientific men are now constantly engaged in agricultural surveys, and their inves- tigations have proved so salutary that the system is adopted as essential to the existence of the country. Already in favored sections the soil has been made to yield 82 bushels of wheat per acre, and unreclaimed waste lands are now being brought into cultivation. For the last seven years the annual importation of wheat into En land, has been about fourieen millions of bushels, of Flour included, but this amount is in a fair way of being reduced. The United States supplies l ut 720,006 bushels of this demand. Indepen- dent of this, she supplies 769,000 bushels of Paddy, and 16,000 barrels of Rice, a large portion of which is re-exported to Germany. Cheaper and more contiguous granaries in the North of Europe, pour forth their abun- dance to feed this population, leaving the commercial enterprize ol our peo- ple to seek other outlets for their superabundant products. South Carolina therefore, can scarcely expect to advance her welfare, by cultivating cereal grain crops, for foreign exportation. Are our sister States more favored than we are ; or have not the most sagacious set us an example, by r directing their industry 7 to more varied pur- suits ? Under developements which have been made, the. provident have sought to better their condition by 7 fabricating what they could not afford to bay ; or parting with a redundancy 7 to necessitous neighbors* have promoted PROCEEDINGS. 231 an interchange of commodities equivalent in its effects to a barter trade. The Western Farmer makes available the grain and herbage of his prolific fields, by raising immense herds of stock, which supply to less favored States, animals for labor, pleasure or for food, while with the proceeds of his hemp and tobacco, he buys sugar, coffee and other luxuries of moie sunny climes. The South yields her cotton, which is transported to Northern regions, whose rushing cataracts are stayed by art to weave the delicate fibre, and the ample fleece shorn from the countless flocks, that crop the verdure of a thousand hills, is there too fashioned to shield from wintry blast. The teemful North testing every source of profit, sends forth her thousand manufacturers, tempt- ing the fancy and palling the energy of supine neighbors, whose streams of wealth flow from them fatally, as the life blood from the victim under the- enervating influence of the tepid bath. The capitalists, craftily availing him- self of this direction of trade, and aware of the value of the home market, has secured a monopoly, under patronage of government, and revealed a' conspiracy against us, presenting a changed issue to the whole subject. South Carolina awakens, conscious of the fact that she has languished too indulgently in a fatal system of dependence, and must now escape from a faithless venal embrace. Pride, character and safety, are involved in effect- ing a release, and to show the necessity, I will but glance at our sacrifices. The Cotton Crop of South Carolina is estimated at 01,710,274 lbs. valued at six millions of dollars. The Rice crop at 80,000,000 lbs. worth two mil- lions, making an amount of eight millions of dollars, the exported agricultu- ral product of the State, lumber, tobacco, and some few articles may swell the total to half a million more. Against this aggregate of eight and a halt* millions, we have to bring an importation of S3, 640, 000 independent of amounts distributed through Geor- gia, Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Among the items of ex- pense are $260,000 for Flour, $150,000 for Corn, $128,000 for Oats, Peas and Hay, $585,000 for Bacon, Lard and Butter, $1,775,000 for Mules, Horses and Hogs, $1,081,709 for Shoes — Dry Goods considerably exceed a million, besides large sums for Northern Hardware, Machinery, Building Materials, Lime, Granite, Carpentry, Equipages, Furniture, Hats, Beef, Pork, Fish, Baskets, Pails, Brooms, and a thousand other articles, too tedious to enumerate; near a million is also expended by travellers and absentees. This summary establishes that we expend more than we make, and conse- quently the State languishes under an incubus, which will require a strong moral force, independent of activity, and industry, to remove. And in ad- vancing these facts, far be the imputation that I would derogate from the merits of those who are reaping the just rewards of industry, enterprise, and economy, human nature is tempted to envy, but a gallant spirit will be evinced by emulating such virtues and success. The policy of the North exhibits a totally different result from the stale- 232 AGRICULTURAL mentsjust given. The Census of 1840, shows that in each of the non- slavehol'ding, or Northern States, the relative force employed in Agriculture, compared with their total population, not only furnishes ample subsistence for all classes of the community, but by an excess enables them to export pro- visions. That with regard to incidental wants, and positive pursuits, adequate numbers are allotted, sufficient to combine a manufacturing with an an ag- ricultural system, making the success of each incidental to the other. Some remarkable developments establish the practicability of the plan, as I shall endeavor to illustrate, by comparing Northern with Southern adven- ture. By the Census, it appears that the ratio of numbers engaged in Agricul- ture, compared with the entire population in each State of the Union, varies but from one individual in 2 \ to one in 4£ : thus Rhode Island and S. Caro- lina have one individual in 2 \ engaged in Agriculture, and Ohio, one in 4g, the other States ranging within that compass. But when the numbers en- gaged in Agriculture are thrown off, and those engaged in trades and manu- factures computed, compared with the whole population, it becomes immed'- ately apparent, how varied are the occupaiions of the North, how their mechanical force preponderates over the South and West and how purely agricultural are the pursuits of the latter. Thus Rhode Island, as has been stated, with but one individual, in 2| engaged in agriculture, has one in five employed in trades and manufactures, and South Carolina, with one in 24 ■ engaged in agriculture, has but one in 57 employed in trades and manu- ifuctures. To make the statement more glaring, I must attach a compendi- um at the hazard of prolixity, and proceed to state that Massachusetts has • engaged in trades and manufactures one in 8^, Connecticut 1 in 11, New Jersey, 1 in 13, New York, 1 in 14, New Hampshire, 1 in 16, Delaware, 1 in 19, and Maine and Vermont, 1 in 22,; Whereas Georgia, employs in the Mechanic Arts, but 1 in 86, Arkansas, 1 in 83, Alabama, 1 in 82, North Carolina, 1 in 52, Tennessee, 1 in 46, Louisiana, 1 in 40, Kentucky and Indiana, 1 in 13 ; the other Western States gradually decreasing in the -scale. From this it must be apparent to the humblest capacity, that the South and Western States which have been demonstrated so dificient-in trades and manufactures must be to the amount of their several wants dependent some where for supply, or according to the schedule of Georgia, has but one mechanic in 86 inhabitants, and Massachusetts, one in eveiy 8, and South Carolina, one in 52 ; then Georgia and South Carolina, accord- ing' to their requirements, must be in that proportion, tributary to Massachu- setts or elsewhere. When we embrace all the South and South Western States in this dependency, and call to mind that their products are only Cot- ton and Grain, both of vvhich must seek a distant market, conviction must flash upon every Southern man, that for his country, a new order of things is necessary. PROCEEDINGS. 233 No patriot or citizen of the South, can but feel humiliated and provoked, under such a condition of things, or maintain that he is free. What is free- dom? Is it that right of listless indolence which the savage, the dotard, or the inebriate enjoys ? Is it the right of locomotion, to wander over all the earth, and return whence we came more wretched, impoverished than before? Is it the right of expressing particular opinions in politics, religion, or any other subject? We enjoy all these: we squander our time, roam un- challenged, and exercise the right of thinking, speaking and acting, even to licentiousness. But I maintain this is not freedom still. As long as we are tributaries, dependent on foreign labour and skill for food, clothing, and countless necessaries of life, we are in thraldom. We can only be indepen- dent under the influence of just laws by industry, by the exercise of our in- telligence, and bv improving the advantages our country offers. Thus I have attempted to demonstrate our waning fortunes, our depend- ence and prostration. The question can naturally be proposed, what is the remedy ? A response may come more readily from the politician. Southern oppression is sensibly felt, and has been ably pointed out. By constructive interpretations the constitution has been stretched to cover every encroach- ment, but the drapery cannot conceal the feet of the image. There are con- stitutional means of redress or alternatives. It. would be out of character in irre here to attempt to define them, but until some remedy is granted, \vc must use all the palliatives in our power. I speak as an agriculturalist, and wish you not to suppose I for a moment forget my proper subject. 1 say we can refuse to feed the oppressor. As agriculturalists, an important respon- sibility devolves upon us, and by somewhat of a change of habit it can be redeemed. One great error amongst us is, that we plant too much, and farm too little ; another, that we do not use a judicious economy in applying super- fluous plantation labour to the necessities of our own requirements, to our domestic wants, to the making of our own negro clothes, shoes and planta- tion implements. We allow the negroes to become an expense of more than two and a half million of dollars for clothing, corn, bacon and tobacco, and their plantation implements. This drain can be avoided. Abstract from field work, a few negroes, prin- cipally the old and young, or those partially disabled to fabricate the ar- ticles just enumerated, and assume that the value of these articles, heretofore purchased out of the proceeds of t h e crop is saved, here will in addition be so much supplied, constituting the proprietor doubly a gainer, as he has saved and made. Or let it be granted that the crop may be slightly diminished by withdrawing from tillage some inefficient hands, still a trifling proportion will be maintained between the aggregate gain or loss. If in the gradual developement of this defensive plan it be found advantageous to the State to 234 AGRICULTURAL manufacture, the inhabitants of the upper districts possess the capabilities to do so, the falls of the rivers arc with them, and they may assume to other portions of the S:ate, the present position of the North, supplying mul tifarious commodities, and diffusing and receiving reciprocal advantages. In mak- ing these suggestions, I point out to our upper countrymen a road to fortune. They can grow wheat, hay, grain, and raise stock, and may always find as good a market at home, as does the Kentuckian amongst us, and thereby, to a certain degree at least, remove exactions which press heavily, and commensurately advance thereby the genera! prosperity. The middle and lower sections of the State must remain essentially agricultural. By such development'-, the firmer will learn that domestic manufactures, scctionally stimulates agriculture, in promoting the raising of stock, grain, hay, butter, cheese, bacon, flour, and all those supplies required for a class, removed from the tillage of the soil. These results have been demonstrated in Spartan- buig, and around many of our large manufacturing establishments. The effect of this diversity of labour has been to extend competence among the neighboring people, to improve their morals, intelligence, and education, and establish a more respectable order ofsociety. Dependent upon such a state of activity and indust'-v, will be a consequent internal improvement exhibited in living, in improved roads, or construction of rail roads. Nor let it be lost sight of, that such a new order of things will place us in a state of prepara- tion against all tho chances of war, and release from a position where at any moment by supplies withheld, an enemy might cut off our means of subsis- tence, whilst his arms completed a melancholy catastrophe. Such are some of the expedients to avert Tariff legislation, to mitigate its stings, to remove its oppression, to build cities and villages within our own borders, and be tru- ly an independent State. If South Carolina should be compelled to divert any of her capital from agriculture, we need not despair. No State in this confederacy is more adapted to manufactures than herself. Her numerous rivers, with their tributary streams, all furnish powerful and extensive water privileges. Her climate is congenial, and a valuable material furnished for manufactures at the very doors. A productive back country yields the means of cheap supply ; a highly improved road passing through the centre of the State, communicating with the far west, presents facilities of trade, while our pine land settlers offer a source of available labour. Our citizens have not been altogether oblivious to these natural advantages; they are be- ginning now to think seriously, or if I maybe allowed the cant phrase of a thrifty people, “ to calculate” their own chances of success. True, indeed, weare late in entering the contest, but we will have the experience of those who have preceded us, and may avoid their errors while we profit by their success, and may remedy our disease on the hamoiopathic principle, similis similia similikus. PROCEEDINGS. 235 Mr. Mayrant, of Sumter, was the first individual who attempted to intro- duce a Cotton Manufactory into the State. It was propelled by mules, and from irregularity of motion, proved a failure. An intelligent mechanic of Kinderhook constructed the machine, and had the candor to acknowledge, that negro agency in the spinning department, was equal to any other he had known, and that negroes were fully capable of being made excellent spin- ners. Since this primitive effort, or since 1833, fifteen cotton and three small woollen mills, propelled bv water power, have been in operation, together with four iron factories-. The cotton mills now drive 16,355 spindles, re- quiring the labour of 570 operatives. They work up 1,962,000 lbs., or near 7,000 bags of cotton into 1,746,714 yards of Homespun, and have put an in- vested capital ol $617,450. The llivingsville Cotton Manufactory, with 1500 spindles, works upon an average 600 bags of cotton per annum, and adds $50,000 value to the raw material. The Iron Foundries employ 248 men, with a capital of $113,000, and distribute throughout the country near $280,000 worth ofcarron ware, nails, and bar iron. The South Carolina Iron Manufacturing Company, produces $70,000 worth of iron, turned out in bar iron-castings and nails, employs 80 hands per annum, operates at a cost of $44,000, and yields $26,000 profit to the stockholders, and in ad- dition, furnishes a| market for 5000 bushels of corn. The corporations of Spartanburg, with Nesbitt’s, buy of the Farmers, 15,000 bushels of corn. For these facts, I am indebted to the excellent Speech of Major^IiENRY, on Productive Corporations. Leather forms one of our most extensive branches of internal commerce. A capital of $257,682, is invested in its various branches, while 97 tanner- ies, employ 281 men. The value of leather made is about $468,829, and that manufactured into Saddlery, &c. $109,472, making $578,301. Much of this sum however, goes abroad for the value of the raw material. All these factories consume about 75,000 bushels of corn and wheat, with a proportionate quantity of beef, pork, and other essentials of subsistence. Northern villages have sprung like enchantment into being from their system of manufactures, and the planting or farming interest received com- mensurate advantages, the product of bread-stuffs and provisions have become stimulated, and the price ofland enhanced. In no State has agriculture and the price of land increased, more than in New Jersey, and according to her population, she is one of our largest manufacturing States. In ti e Western part of New York, in Ohio, and the larger and Western States, are many Woollen factories, which consume all the wool raised by the Farmers aiound them, who are in turn supplied with clothing adapted to their wants. These companies command the products of their immediate neighborhoods, are La- 23G AGRICULTURAL dependent of legislation, and require no protection. The aggregate manu- factures of these isolated establishments throughout the West, are estimated to amount to more than those of New England. — Herald. Such facts should direct attention to Sheep Husbandry. To this depart- ment of agriculture, little attention has been paid. We number in the State but 232,981 Sheep, and cut 299,170 lbs. of Wool, while Vermont, with a population of 300,000, raises 1,631,000 Sheep, and cuts 3 699,000 lbs. of Wool. Of the congeniality of our State, and bordering Southern States, to the production of Wool, 1 would draw a favourable conclusion from rela- tive circumstances, and would refer to historical Lets, narrated before Con- gress by Mr. Collamar, of Chio. fie says that “in 1826, a deputation was sent from New Jersey, to Saxony, to purchase Sheep, which bore the ccle- braled Saxony Wool, and they brought out a number to this country. They were tried in Vermont, but found too small and weak to stand the severity of the climate, but in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other States farther south, they did very well.” The mountainous climate of Spain and our own is similar, and as fine quality Wool might be grown in Pendleton, Greenville, Spartanburg and neighboring Alleghany Mountains, as on those of Estramadura. If we trace the introduction of this peculiar breed of Sheep, now called Saxony Sheep, into Germany, we will derive additional encouragement. Mr. Collamar continues, “ in 1794, a small flock of fine Wooled Merino Sheep was sent as a present by the King of Spain to the elec- tor of Saxony, whence the entire product of Saxony Wool, now of such im- mense value. In 1899, the pressure on the Spanish Treasury, during the invasion of the French, led to the sale of some valuable crown flocks. Our Consul, at Lis- bon, Mr. Jarvis, obtained permission to purchase and export 1400 of those rare animals to America, which were distributed throughont the North, crossed with the native Sheep, and produced the first specimen of fine Wool in the United States, save that Mr. Livingston obtained a few Sheep of the Spanish breed as a present, in 1792. The wool of Spain has long been im- ported into England for the manufacture of fine cloths, and fifty years ago, there was not a pound of Wool made in Great Britain, or in any country in Europe, except Spain, fit to malm the coat of a gentleman. George III. tried the experiment of raising Merino Sheep in England, but did not suc- ceed ; 47,7~5,000 lbs. of wool are now imported into England, the larger portion of the, finer quality from Saxony. In England, they have three breeds of Sheep, the Bakewells, ihe Chevoits and the Southdowns, all long wooled, of which a fleece yields on an average f ,- om 5 to 8 lbs., but no cloth is made of this material, being all employed in worsted and coarse goods. Such examples of humble beginnings, conducing to such important PROCEEDINGS. 23 7 results, might excite emulation, and in due time, we also, be clothed with the habiliments of successful industry. Deficiency of capital, is sometimes urged as a drawback to our success, but let the political agitation of the State be once settled, capital will quickly come forth from its lurking [daces, and awaken every thing to life and vigour. Capital is like an icy virgin, it shuns tumult and war, and rejoices in law, or. der, and security. When our excitements shall have terminated, and our State’s rights be established, the facilities of the country for improvement will invite capital and workmen, and we will again begin to prosper. In every country, Agriculture, Commerce and Manufactmes ought to be maintained ; they constitute a bond of connection to the community, afford, ing a more wholesome direction to investments. Works of national improve, rnent and utility, ought to command the resources of an enlightened country, and become their care, their pride, and their support. Bank Stocks should not lock up too much of our money, and under present aspects, it may be pernicious that so pervading a propensity exists to investments in lands and negroes, to grow rice and cotton, and they in turn, reinvested in lands and negroes. Under most favorable circumstances, such property is incapable of being readily converted into active capital, and the precarious dependance of a crop is too often relied on, to meet all contingencies of debt and family support. The votary of wealth under such a system, exists in a state of anxious apprehension, sometimes of self-denial, whilst even in the midst of accumulating possessions. Often a cashless condition compels to stifle every generous impulse which might prompt to the* patronage of the arts, or those scientific and liberal institutions which denote the prosperity, refinement and glory of a nation. In fact, the Planter too often lives poor to < ie rich, and when death claims his victim, hard earned accumulations are distributed among children who inflict upon themselves a like pennaucc to result in smiular privations. This is no fanciful picture. Where amongst us can be pointed out such fortunes amassed by individuals, as arc accumulated in communities where agriculture, manufactures and commerce are combined, where to acta of individual munificence, to public institutions, as distinguish Great Britain, or New England States ? On the contrary, under a purely agricultural system, w e are constantly under whip and spur, though jaded and exhausted. The changes and fluctuations of the times, require a flexi- bility of occupation, and our State must vary her pursuits. Then at once will be called into action new sources of employment to various classes of the community — a diversified order of intellect will be required in the capacity of Merchants, Engineers, Clerks, Seamen, Millwrights, Tradesmen, Super- intendants, Labourers, &c. And might I not conjecture, without derogating from the dignity or genius of the learned professions, that a goodly number 238 AGRICULTURAL might be spared the honorable poverty and towering ambition of such pur- suits, to participate more surely in fortune’s favours. Many a poor planter also, might find his circumstances improved by employing himself, and per- haps his few haqds, in some more lucrative calling, than reaping a scanty subsistence after a year of toil, and too often of blighted hopes. The men of the South have been lauded for their munificence and chivalry, but never for the ir thrift, and whilst listening to the syren voices of flattery, wily tempters have carried off the substance. But our people should now learn the reality of their position, and embark upon a broader stream of for- tune than that they have hitherto floated upon. They may be assured that dependance upon their own efforts will alone aid them, that the restrictive or protective policy of the government is firmly fixed, and no considerations of feeling, no proud bonds, which past sufferings, past triumphs and future hopes, should have consecrated, will arrest one hour’s pressure of the firm knot, which mammon himself has tied. Alas, that experience should have in- stilled this conviction, inculcated in such bitter anguish, loosening ties of pa- ternal feeling, and banishing fiom memory every enthusiastic reminiscence. But wo will not slumber under this vampire process, attempted to be dis- guised by legislative legerdemain ; We will throw otf the incubus, struggle with more practiced art, and manifest a determination never tamely to sub* rriitto the fate intended us. Our State is rich in vegetable and mineral wealth ; the surface of the country presents every aspect, from the alluvial swamp to the granite mountain, from the arid pine land, to the fertile mould, whence spring the umbrageous oak and hickory, with a varied climate corresponding to these locations. Besides our present staples, Silk may be manufactui cd, the culture of Indigo may be resumed, at least to dye our home manufactures, the culture of wheat may be greatly extended, whilst products of the torrid zone may be acclimated and yield their luscious fruits. Superficial exami- nations of sections of the Stale proposecuted by Dr. Blackburn, Dr. Cooper and Mr. Vanuxem, have given flattering promise of mineral and geological treasure. Thirty species of minerals and ten of rocks have been collected. The Iron of York and Spartanburg has been tested at the Navy Yard of Washington, and awarded priority above all other qualities found in the United States. Other ore is found in Abbeville and Pendleton. Marble of variegated colours may be furnished from Spartanburg. Limestone may be burnt cheaply and in abundance in Sprtanburg, York and Pendleton. Gold with luring promise invites the sanguine digger to Spartauburg, Lan- caster, Union and Abbeville. Iron pyrites, from which sulphcr may be ob- tained, and copperas also, is discovered in York, Spartanburg and Abbeville. Lead ore is found in Pendleton, Greenville and York, while granite of vari- ous qualities is abundant in many of the upper districts’. PROCEEDINGS. 239 Whilst nature presents to our mountain districts these rich and glittering treasures, she has based the country below the falls of the rivers upon a calcareous formation, which, when spread upon the surface of the soil, imparts exhaustless fertility. This formation is marl, and consists, accord- ing to Jackson, of a variety of clay, containing carbonate of lime. The Report of our late Agricultural Surveyor, Mr. Ruffin, has imparted a mass of information on this manure, which has kindied a spirit of inquiry, and given an impetus to the agriculture of the country, resulting in incalculable value. To improve these prospects, we must avail ourselves of the proper means, employing competent instructors. We must have Agricultural and Geo- logical Surveyors, pioneering in the march of improvement and searching out the riches of the land. We must have Agricultural and Geological Professorships in our colleges, and lectures on these subjects delivered throughout the country, as now practised in Scotland, carrying information to the cottage of the husbandman, and removing the impression that agri- cultural knowledge is intuitive. All intelligent and populous nations are now investigating the capacity of their soils, and employing the ablest Chemists and Geologists to analyze and instruct in the means of restoring the effects of exhaustion, or correcting deficiencies of structure. In England, Agri- cultural Surveyors are appointed to every county, and improved reports rendered every year. France, Germany' and Switzerland, have become prototypes, and even Russia is cheering her chilled soil by the warm and invigorating process of scientific culture. Most of the States of this Union have made superficial examinations within their territories, and South Caro- lina has but just commenced a similar investigation. I trust that no sec- tional jealousies or impatience of expected results will induce an abandon- ment of the measure. The investigations are yet incomplete and under progress, and consistency as we’l as our own advantage will, I hope, prompt to a continuance. The end of all government is at last but individual frui- tion and security, and in this enlightened age, these must he promoted by Science. Permanent or increased population is a test of success, and in a population like the United States, with an insatiate propensity to change, and South Carolina having so much to contend against, every source of em- ployment should be laid open which could engage capital, yield employment, retard emigration, and advance the power of the State. I look to the results of this survey as tending materially to this end, and would press it upon public regard. Indeed l experience a personal attachment to this measure, and would indulge a gush of feeling in addressing an appeal to each member of the Legislature for this cherished hope. Whilst an honored associate and co- worker with you, I encountered by the way side this wretched foundling, 240 AGRICULTURAL feeble, friendless and exposed to the contempt and obloquy of a thoughtless multitude. I regarded its condition, was struck with its comeliness and promise, fostered it in distress, and by your partiality and kindness, con- ferred on it a local habitation and a name. Now, that the foster father is removed to private life, and can no more in the rude assaults of enemies, defend and protect the Unhappy bandit g, to your sympathy and generous care I consign the poor orphan. Receive with favour the Agricultural and Geological survey of the State, continue your care— cherish and support, be its guardian and prop. It is now young, but promising, and will not fail at maturity to reward your nurture. Individual fortunes may yet be derived from it : like many an orphan, it may bring the blessings of heaven on the heart that pities, the charity that befriends, and become a crown of glory to the land where its honor dwelleth. And now gentlemen, breathing one as. piration for the advancement of my native State, and a God-speed to the efforts of this society, I offer my thanks for your attention, and bid you my grateful adieu. AN AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS 25 Y T2EE I10Y0Z2 4BLE JOSE 12. POINSETT. Seliveeed bbfjee the state asriccfltijral sjciett, 27th NOV. 1345. Mr. President and Members of the Slate Agricultural Socielg. The satisfaction of addressing yon on this occasion is tempered by mourn- ful recollections. At your last Anniversary celebration, you listened to one who was endeared to us all by liis many amiable and estimable qualities. Our friend and com- panion stood where I now stand, and in all the pride of conscious usefulness, and with all the ardour of an ennobling cause, addressed you with equal zeal and abihtv, on the great interests we are associated together to promote. He has departed frem among us ; but the impulse he gave to Scientific Agricul- ture, and his endeavors to advance its success in South Carolina will belong remembered. They have already produced important results, and cannot fail in the end to prove still more beneficial to the State. The most fitting tribute we can pay to his memory is to carry forward his views and to complete the great work of fully surveying and thoroughly exam- ining every District of the State, in order that its agricultural resources may be discovered and developed. The concluding remarks of his excellent dis- course showed how much he had this important subject at heart ; and the whole tenor of that instructive production evinced his earnest desire to advance the agricultural interests of his native State, and his exalted estimate of their value and importance. Nor did he appreciate them too highly; the most gifted poets, the profound, cst thinkers, and the ablest and most eloquent writers of ancient and modem times, unite in placing agriculture above all other pursuits of life. They characterize it as the best and most virtuous, and the most worthy a freeman. But i’t is more than all this, it is the most useful occupation in life; to the Far- mer, to that class set apart to till the soil, all other art’s owe their origin, and rely for their existence and prosperity ; and on the extension and improve- ments of agriculture, the creation and condition ef commerce, manufactures, 16 242 AGRICULTURAL and all the arts of life mainly depend. So true is this, that the wealth and power of a nation may be correctly estimated by its progress in husbandry. Every improvement in cultivation, which diminishes the amount of labor employed in producing the necessary alimentary and manufactuia! articles releases and supports a proportionate number of persons to be employed in other occupations, so that the number of Sailors, Soldiers, Artisans, Mechanics and operatives of every description depends upon the knowledge and industry of the tillers of the soil; and the condition and progress of its commerce and manufactures, and it3 comparative wealth and resources, will be in the jnverse ratio of the proportion of labor employed in raising food for tire remainder of the population. This role is applicable chiefly to populous countries where all the good lands are in culture; for, with us in America, the surplus labor released by improved processes of husbandry, may fiud employ- ment in bringing into cultivation new lands; and it likewise applies cnlv to nations which, from a proper sense of independence, and a due regard to their most essential interests, rely upon the resources of their own soil for their own bread. This forms the only exception I know of to the great principle of free trade, “Buy where and what you can buy cheapest, and sell where and what you* can sell dearest.” Without the means of subsistence within itself, a nation would be liable at all times to the dangers which arise from tire frequent fluctuations in price, and the uncertain supply of foreign bread corn ; and in the event of war, be exposed to its attendant miseries, pestilence and famine. Oar chief efforts- ostght therefore to be directed to improve tire quality and increase the quantity of such productions- of tire earth as constitute the food of man. Never let Planters and Farmers, or the nation of which they form a past, be satisfied with raising exactly enough for man and beast ; let them strive to produce abundance and to spare at home, and to furnish an overplus to export abroad. Food, when abundantly produced in a country, will be dealt out with an unsparing hand, not only banishing poverty and distress from the land, but improving the moral and physical condition of its inhabitants. It is a well established fact, that the scarcity or abundance of food, has a pow- erful effect in modifying both the appearance and the mental faculties of man. Mark the diminutive stature and stupid expression of those who are born and brought up in misery and want y and compare them with the lofty presence and noble features of those who enjoy from their childhood abundance of wholesome food. It is our duty equally, as agriculturists and patriots, to keep this con- stantly in view, fora miserable half starved population may be enslaved by g better fed and more highly civilized classof their fellow citizens. Whereas a well fed, well clothed, well educated people, will maintain their ascendancy and their power forever. Buffon says, w coarse unwholesome and ill pre- pared food makes the human race degenerate ; all those people who livei»is- PROCEEDINGS. 243 . crably, are ugly and ill made.” He might have added, that they are abject, ignorant and slavish. Far be from us then the miserable calculations of the minimum quantity of food that is required to subsist a family: far be from us the scenes of squalid want which it is so painful to read of, and so harrowing: to witness in less favored lands; and let no sordid love of gain prevent us from raising provisions in profusion. If these considerations do not induce us to employ a larger portion of our agricultural capital in this manner, I shall not regret if the reduced price of some manufactural articles should compel us to do so; fori regard it to be more essentially important to the true interests of the country ; that, under all- circumstances, and in all events, every individual in the State should have an- abundance of wholesome food, warm raiment, and good shelter from the wea- ther, than that those who are rich in such blessings, should, by the high price of any manufactural article, be enabled to clothe themselves in more costly garments, or to fare more sumptuously every day. It is recorded, that in China, where there exists an overflowing population, the avarice of the agri- culturists, stimulated by the high price of cotton, occasioned a famine ; and the Government was compelled to direct that a greater proportion of the land should be thrown into the cultivation of grain. The competition with much- better lands, and the low price of that article, may produce with us the effects of such an edict, and compel us to devote more of the labor of the State to. the provision crop than has been hitherto done. This subject has been rendered more deeply interesting to us all, from the condition of our State at this time. It has pleased Almighty God to afflict the land with a general dearth, and while we submit with resignation to His- dispensations, let us endeavor to turn them to a profitable account, by direct- ing the attention of our fellow-farmers to grain crops, to the cultivation of river bottoms, and to the irrigation of upland fields. A very large proportion of the upper districts which have suffered from drought this season, is capable of being irrigated by the mountain streams that flow through them. I am aware, that to execute such works, requires some science. Levels must be taken, in order to determine at what point the river should be bled to water the fields below ; but I believe an Engineer, who would make himself master of the subject of irrigation, might confer a last- ing benefit upon the State, and at the same time, find profitable employment for himself. Wherever lands are irrigated, the agricultural products are independent of seasons ; and the works once constructed, the soil, with less labor, produces four fold. If we sprang from any other nation than the English, our country would have been more generally cultivated by the use of water. In that weeping climate, a good system of drainage was supposed to be all 244 AGRICULTURAL thnt was required : but recently, the farmers even there have sought to avail themselves of every facility that presents itself to water their meadows. Although, in that country, irrigation is confined to the improvement of mead- ows alone, in many other portions of the world, all kinds of produce are raised by water cultm-e. In Spanish America it was extensively practised before the conquest, and water continues to be used ns a substitute for ma- nure throughout the whole of that extensive country. Bousingault says, that he has seen rich crops -of maize (Indian Corn) growing upon the plateau of the Andes of Quito, in a sand that was nearly moving, but which was abun- dantly and dexteriously -watered. In northern Chili, no rain falls during the summer, hut by means of -their extensive canals of irrigation, the lands are rendered abundantly productive. In Peru it never rains at all. Yet the -Sugar Cane, Indian Corn, and a variety of fruits are successfully cultivated -there, -by the judicious use -of their mountain streams. In Persia the land is peculiarly a-ritl, but still a luxurious vegetation is pro- duced by ithe use of a moderate supply of water even under the rudest cultiva- tion. There are spots in the Desert between Teheran and Tabriz, where, by the aid of water, the country is one carpet of verdure. In China, where they use the utmost diligence in collecting manure, turn- lingevery thing to account, and even scraping together the hair that is shaven •weekly from the scalps of their numerous male population, and which forms .-no inconsiderable ingredient in their composts : they do little more than •enrich it heir extensive gardens with them, and are obliged to depend upon the water of 'their rivers and streams for the cultivation of their fields. In their contrivances for raising it from the rivers where the banks are high, the Chinese display great industry and skill, using for that purpose wheels, long levers, -swinging buckets, and the like. They dam up the moun- tain springs and lead the water along terraces levelled on the sides of the hills, or -carry it across the plains in small canals; and there, as in many other parts of Asia, water is in places raised by a wheel worked by oxen from the bottom of deep wells. In Spain, -Portugal, the south of France, and the north of Italy, the lands susceptible of this improvement are all irrigated, and those that do not enjoy this advantage are -comparatively valueless, whereas here, where the facilities are so great, We only use water for the cul- tivation of rice-. During the past summer, when our soil w-as pirehed and our crops perish, -in'g, springs wore left to gusli out, and streams to How fruitlessly over their stony beds, when their waters might have been used to spread fertility over -the land. I ought -not to omit mentioning that irrigation cannot be successfully prac- tised, without a system of perfect drainage. PROCEEDINGS. 245 The fine succulent grasses that yield good hay will not grow on wet soils, nor can any valuable produce be raised where the land cannot be laid dry. I earnestly hope that this subject will engage the serious attention of the Society, and that the sufferings and losses experienced by our fellow-citizens this year, may lead to the adoption of a system which cannot fail to be per- manently useful- > Although I regard an abundant product of bread corn a matter of the great- est importance to the welfare of a State, and which should be urged upon the people with more than common earnestness, I never desire to see even this interest fostered by any exclusive act of legislation. Let it be left with all others free from monopolies, and protection to the good sense and exertions of the people, and its own intrinsic importance. We have before us such a warn ■ ing of the evils produced by the action and re-action of the protective policy in the matter of bread corn on the condition of the working classes in En- gland, as will, I trust, deter us from following such a pernicious example. The protective policy applied to manufactures is bad enough ; but when it doles out to every labourer or workman, the exact amount of food which will enable him to perform his daily task, it interferes cruelly and unjustly with individual prosperity and happiness. The sy.-tcm of taxes and tythes, the minute subdivision of labor, and the exact graduation of wages to subsistence, which have produced the poor laws and the corn laws in Great Britain, are the bitter fruits of the protective system in that country. There the people are compelled to pay a higher price for bread corn than it would cost if pro- cured from abroad, because the parochial and municipal regulations of that country press more heavily upon the agricultural than upon any other inter- ests. And if the agricultural products of other States, where no such bur- thens exist, were suffered to be brought into competition with the English Farmer, he might be driven from the home market. Thus it appears that the Farmers are enabled to pay the taxes levied upon them, to support the poor and the Church, by the protection they receive from Government, against foreign competition, while the laborer is too often reduc- ed to become a pauper, and a burthen upon the farmer, by this enhancement of the price of food. And yet, however absurd and oppressive this system is acknowledged to be, it is found, in practice, extremely difficult to get rid of. All lament the evil, but to apply a remedy which will not affect injuriously some other vital interest of the country, is a problem their wisest Statesmen have not been able to solve. Such are the dreadful effects of these unwise measures of protection ; they furnish a pregnant example, and a solemn warning to us ; and should teach our legislators to avoid the first steps in a system which inevitably lead to great suffering, and perhaps to revolution. It is now acknowledged in Great Brit in, that unbounded freedom of trade is tdie true policy of the country but it is fouad difficulty if not impracticable,. 246 AGRICULTURAL to act upon this principle, on account of the immense amount of piivate interests which has grown up under the restrictive system. They acknowledge the truth of the doctrines of free trade ; they renounce the errors of their ances- tors : they are disposed to impose new duties for the purpose of revenue alone, and not with a view of protecting any one particular branch of industiyat the expense of another; but they find it impossible at once to abolish a sys- tem so deep rooted, or effectually to remedy evils which are producing the most terrible consequences, and stirring up the people to mutiny. ]n the commencement of our political career we ought to profit by such lessons, and take warning by the sufferings and errors of the nations which have pre- ceded us. One of the principle objects of our solicitude ought to be, to instruct the husbandman how to raise the greatest amount of produce with the least expenditure of labor. This, as I said before, is t lie secret of a Nation’s comparative wealth and resources; and it is equally that of the farmer’s comforts and enjoyments. If the farmer be compelled to work from the dawn of day to dark night, with all his family 7 to aid him, in order to feed and clothe those who are dependent upon his exertions for their daily support, there will be no leisure for the cultivation of his own mind, or the education of his children, flow often do we hear the farmer say in excuse for not sending his children to school, “I cannot do without their services in the field.’' Now there can be no doubt that a proper mixture of labor with intel- lectual pursuits is mentally and physically advantageous: and the farmer, while he avails himself of the services of his sons in the field, would best for- ward his own interests, by sending them to school during the intervals of labor. He ought to be instructed to avail himself of all the improvements in agri- culture which may abridge that labor, and enable him to dispense with the services of his children at certain periods of the year, and at given hours of the day.. I shall make no apology for dwelling upon this subject ; it is vitally import- ant to the object this Society has in view. So important indeed do I regard it, that, in my opinion, all our etSorts to improve the cultivation of the soil will be unavailing, unless we succeed in cultivating the understanding of the people. We must fertilize the mind before we can expect to spread fertility over the land. It is too much the custom to despise book farmers : it is said that the agriculturists who devote themselves most -successfully to cultivation, write very little, and those who spend very little time .in that way, on the con- trary, write a great deal. True, we must go to practical men for information, and gather it from their experience; but the book farmer must diffuse the information thus gath- ered, among the people at large. PROCEEDINGS. 247 We must instruct the practical farmer how to apply the discoveries of sci- entific men to the test of experiment, and we must see that his children be enabled, by a good education, to drink at the same source of knowledge with ourselves, and learn to practice approved applications of science to the most useful of the arts of life. So important, so absolutely necessary do I deem education to be to the pros- perity of a State, that I could never find in my heart to disapprove the decree of the Prussian Government, which compels every parent to send his chil- dren to school. It is despotic to be sure ; but the result is favorable to free- dom. and highly beneficial to the laboring classes of that country. With us, the only despotism that can be practised or tolerated, is that of public opinion ; and it ought to speak trumpet-tongued to all who neglect this sacred duty to their offspring. This is not the place or the occasion to enlarge upon the fatal effects of ignorance upon the well-being of nations whose institutions are founded on the intelligence of the people ; but I cannot forbear to bring to your view its effects upon the agriculture of the State. In those countries where science has contributed most to the advancement of husbandry, the land is for the most part in the hands of large proprietors, and the farmer or tenant is compelled, by the terms of his lease, to adopt and fol- low out such improvements in cultivation as have been found bv experience to augment the produce of the land, while at the same time they keep it in heart and even increase its fertility. It matters not whether he is educated or igno- rant ; he follows the routine indicated by his agreement with the Landlord, and the whole country is well cultivated. Here, in America, on the contrary, the farmer is, for the most part, the proprietor of the land he cultivates, and is fri e to practice the methods he thinks best. His prejudices have to be remov- ed, his understanding convinced, before you can induce him to abandon the path trodden by his fore-fathers and followed by his neighbors ; and not only is it more easy to effect this where the person addressed is enlightened by education ; but we have no other means of approaching the great body of the people but by addressing ourselves to their understandings through the medi- um of the press ; so that we must teach the mass of the people to read, or ail our efforts will be unavailing. Much has been done by the State to educate those who are destined to intellectual occupations. The establishment of this College, and the support of its able and learned Professors, enables us to educate our sons at home, which I regard as highly conducive to their future usefulness and happiness, as well as to the prosperity of the country. Those who are to rule the destinies of a State, and to giye laws to its people, ought to be educated within its precincts, where they will form correct opinions of its peculiar polity and interests, and where they will become united to each other, and identified with the people by the endearing ties of early and intimate 248 AGRICULTURAL association. These advantages have been secured to us by the liberality of the Legislature, and we enjoy the fruits and experience the benefits of this wise measure, in the talents and acquirements of the enlightened men that now sit in these Balls. But something more remains to be done, in order to diffuse the benefits of education among the people — among those who rely upon their daily labor for their daily bread. We have to overcome long existing prejudices* and to open their minds to an understanding of the great improvements made in husbandry by modern, science ; and how is this to be done, unless the farmers can, one and all, read your essays and instructions? The large sum appropriated annually by the Legislature for Free schools, from some cause or other has failed in its chief object. In the towns where the population is collected together in masses, and where the Trustees are both willing and able to attend to the duties confided to them, these schools have been well conducted, and produce beneficial results - T but throughout the interior of the State, the system has not proved as beneficial as was expected. This is apparent from the lamentable fact disclosed by the census of 1840. A large portion of our fellow citizens can neither read nor write, and all of us who move among the people, daily see examples of this deficiency. The great importance of the subjecl to this society induces me to avail myself of the only opportunity which from my retired life is likely to present itself, to state as briefly as possible, my views as to the probable means of carrying into effect the benevolent intentions of the Legislature. Looking to those nations where the efforts of government to educate the people have been most successful, we find in every instance schools estab- lished for the purpose of forming teachers. A body of youth are instructed in the most approved methods of imparting knowledge, and before they are permitted to keep a school themselves, they learn thoroughly how to teach : for the possession of knowledge does not necessarily' carry with it the art of imparting it to others. The experience of other countries and our own reflections must convince us of the wisdom and expediency of thus creating a class of men to be devoted to this useful and noble occupation. I cannot hut think that to form such a body of teachers would do more towards educating the people than to distribute any amount of money among persons who too often and too readily undertake duties which they are incapable of performing. Parents and guardians would cheerfully tax themselves to contribute towards the support of such instructors ; and I have no doubt in every instance it woukl be adviseable to exact from them a small contribution towards the education of their children. An unwillingness to be entirely dependent on charity for any benefit is inherent in human nature ; and it is a principle so strong in the breast of every republican that it ought to be respected. PROCEEDINGS. i 249 It appears to me very possible to combine Normal Schools, the distribution of funds among the districts, and the payment of a small sum by parents for the education of their children in such manner as to give to all the people of the State an education in every respect fitted to render them good citizens and good farmers. With a view to the latter object, the plain principles of Agriculture might be taught in the primary schools, as is practised in some other countries, and the teachers instructed to avail themselves of every fitting occasion to communicate them to the people. Every farmer in Carolina ought to be made acquainted with the process by which he may multipiy the products of tire soil, at the same time that he im- proves its quality, and augments its capability to yield its fruits with ever enercasing abundance. lie should be taught to what extent t he cultivation of culmiforous crops in succession is injurious to land and what description of vegetation ought to intervene in order to restore its fertility, the necessity of rotations and their most advantageous order; the importance of setting apart a portion of his farm for pasturage, both to support his catile, and to give a rich dressing of green manure to his land when broken up for tillage; and above all, he should be urged by demonstrations and arguments addressed to his self-inter- est not to cultivate more land than he can manure and tend properly. Every man, especially if he can read and cypher, may be made to comprehend how much more advantageous it will be to raise one hundred bushels of corn from five acres of land than from ten acres. The difference of work and materials between fencing five acres and ten, and that of labour in plough- ing, sowmg, and harvesting may be calculated to a fraction. He should be taught to estimate the real value of manure.-, that lie may not be discour- aged by their first cost, and to understand when he applies them, that he is placing capital in the ground, the interest of which is represented by the increased commercial value of the product of his fields. Avery moderate acquaintance with arithmetic would enable him to ascertain the income arising from such an outlay, but to do this accurately he must be made aware of the durable benefit of lime and some other mineral manures when applied to soils deficient in ingredients so essential to th ir fertility. The fertilizing effects of many substances that are generally thrown away, and wasted on a farm, ought to be pointed out to him. How often is the carcass of an animal exposed, to be consumed by birds of prey, and its bones left to bleach in the sun, when the former would enrich the manure heap, and the latter furnish to the soil the most important known fertilizing principle, the phosphate of lime, a material so essential to good husbandry that it is imported into other countries at great cost, and contributes essentially to the improved condition of their agriculture. 250 AGRICULTURAL We will venture to say that in no other cultivated couutry in the world are the carcasses of animals exposed to be devoured by the birds of the air and their bones left to bleach in the sun, or heaps of old leather, woollen rags, feathers, and charcoal dust left to encumber the earth, when if properly covered under it, they would enrich and fertilize the soil. The farmer ought to be informed of the great importance of solid and liquid manures which he now casts away, and which in other countries are sold by the pound after being manufactured into poudrette and urate ; and which he could render available by simply mixing them with sulphate of lime and sulphate of iron. He should be instructed when he clears land, how to make the wood which he now destroys and wastes, contribute root, stem and branch to enrich the soil, by converting them into vegetable manure, ashes and charcoal : and above all, the vast importance of durable improve- ments should be instilled into his mind. A comfortable dwelling, a good barn, smoke house, and other offices ; straight enclosures, maJe with cedar, lightwood, Catalpa, Sassafras or locust posts, or what is better still, good live hedges, instead of the clumsy un- sightly worm fences which enter into rapid decay, the moment they are laid down ; a good orchard and productive garden, with its Bee palace yield- ing abundance of honey and wax; every wall clustering with luscious grapes, and the whole homestead ornamented with flowers, and embellished as well as protected by shrubs and trees ; constituting a residence that would not be abandoned heedlessly, without cause and without regret. Whereas, it too frequently happens, that the farmer, after cultivating his land carelessly for a few years, turns his back with disgust upon his worn out fields and washed hill sides, seamed with hideous gullies, upon his com- fortless house, his falling barn, and decayed fences, and sets forth without one regret on his own part, or on that of any individual of his family, to seek a new home in a new country, there to begin the same career of waste, and lead the same life of unrequited toil, and to experience the same distress- ing results. Living on the great line of communication with the Eldorado of these emigrants, I have seen many of them returning home, after a few years ab- sence, disappointed and disheartened, because their heedless manner of culti- vating the soil had produced the same consequent es in the rich valleys of the waters of the Mississippi as in the less favored districts of their native State. The Roman poet, in speaking of happiness, says, u Est ulubris animus si tibi non deficit sequus.” Happiness is to be found in the meanest village in the empire if you possess a well balanced mind, and 1 say to you, that a comfortable home, surround- ed by all that makes life desirable, may be established in the rudest country, PROCEEDINGS. ‘ 251 ar.d an abundant subsistance extracted from the most ungrateful soil, if you possr ss industry and mod rate skill. Does there exist anywhere a more barren soil than that which nature has bestowed on Flanders? The un- reclaimed lands of that country present an arid surface, covered with heath and stunted pine : and yet by persevering, well directed industry, the culti- vated portion of it is converted into a garden, bearing in profusion every product required for the sustenance of man, as well as rich materials for manufactures and exportation. It happened to me on one occasion to pass through that country, and to witness the wealth, comfort arid abundance produced from a sterile soil by the unwearying e fforts of intelligent industry ; and some months later to visit the fertile plains of Catania, in Sicily, and to contemplate the squalid misery of the inhabitants of a region which was once the granary of Rome. Flanders, so often the tin atre of war, and always burlbcned with heavy taxes to support a long line of fortifications, a luxurious court and a stand- ing army, overcoming every obstacle and fertilizing a naturally sterile soil by persevr ring industry and admirable method ; and by in omitibie ener- gy, converting the wilderness into a happy home and an abundant source of wealth and comfort : Whilst Sicily, with fewer political and none of these natural disadvantages to contend with, is badly cultivated and rendered the abode of poverty and wretchedness by the slothfulness and ignorance of its inhabitants. In Flanders the u hole country bears the impress of the vivify- ing industry and zealous t ntreprise of the people. It is traversed in every direction by lines of easy communication, furnished with manufactures in every town and every hamlet to work up the product of its agricultural industry, providing the farmer with an abundant home market, while affording employ, ment to a large portion of the population, wasting nothing, but working up ar.d extracting value from materials which are considered in some countries as worthless refuse. Whereas Sicily, with its fine climate and fruitful soil, bears the impress of slothful neglect. No roads, no canals, none but the coarsest manufactures, the land carelessly tilled and yielding a scanty sub- sistence to the labourer. The estates belong' ng to religious corporations and to the nobility, form the only exception to these desolating effects of ignorance and idleness. In Sicily, where nature has been lavish of her choicest gifts, nothing met my view but signs and tokens of the luxurious wealth of the few, and of the unmitigated misery ot the mnigy : whereas in Flanders, with its rude climate and arid soil, every thing I saw bespoke the general well being and comfort of the people. The two countries present- ing a striking contrast ol the opposite effects of virtue industry and intel- ligence on the one hand, and of vice, indolence and ignorance on the other. Another powerful cause affecting the prosperity of States, is found in the 252 * AGRICULTURAL absence or presence of Manufactures. Both from observatic n and reflec- tion, I am convinced that a State entirely destitute of Manufactures, what- ever may be the extent and nature of its staple productions, will always be in- ferior to one that con, bines manufacture! industry with agricultural wealth. In the first place materials to a very large amount, which might be worked up to advantage, but which will not bear the cost of distant transportation, are wasted for want of neighbouring manufactures. In the next it is desti- tute of those towns and villages that grow up around such establishments, affording home markets for the produce of the farmer, more advantageous than those at a distance, and supplying him with necessary articles at a cheap- er rate, the price b< i tig diminished to the amount of the cost of transporta- tion. , Again, manufactures greatly increase the productive resources of a coun- try; the use of steam and water power, and the vast number of mechanical contrivances and labour, saving machines set in motion by them, augment to an almost indefinite extent the productive industry of the country ; while every discovery in science applicable to the useful arts which manufactures give rise to, adds still further to its wealth. It is true that the application of science to agriculture lias increased its products, and that we have some few labour-saving machines, but how few and insignificant are they when com- pared with those that multiply a thousand fold the industrial capital of a manufacturing district? Where manufactures exist, the individuals interest- ed in their success and prosperity, from their proximity to each other, easily unite their efforts for all purposes of common interest, and good roads ar.d canals result naturrally from such combinations, and convenient lines of communication are every where established, so as to give to each one his fair share of the advantages of trade. We, on the contrary, live far apart, and meet hut rarely to take into consideration, our common interests ; and when we do meet, we remain together too short a time to originate or perfect any great measure of general improvement. In purely agricultural districts, therefore, the products of industry find their way to market by miserable roads and circuitous lines of communication, to the great loss and incon- venience of the farmer. _ It may be interesting to us at the South to be made acquainted with the opinions'of English Statesmen and economists on the subject of Southern manufactures. They say “ we have no fear of competit'on from the man- ufactures of the United States, because the Southern States of the Union, in which the cotton wool is raised, are hostile to manufactures, and from lo- cal defects, and the description of people of which the lower orders are com- posed, never can become a manufacturing country. The competition there- fore, which we shall have to maintain will be with the Northern States, v ho must like ourselves import the raw material which they aie to manuiac- ture.” PROCEEDING?. 253 What are the natural defects on which so much reliance is placed 1 Have we not abundant water power, a h a 1 thy climate and fertile territory ? and as for the condition of the lower class of people on which they found their h'ipes of all absence ofcompetion from the South, there are many white in- habitants in these States whose condition would be improved by being em- ployed in manufactures, and the blacks have been found as well fitted as others to conduct these labours. Nor do ! think that the co-existence of manufactures and agriculture in the State will in any degree affect the policy hitherto pursued by the South. In my opinion the principles of free trade are perfectly compatible with the existence and flourishing condition of manu- factures. I ag-ee perfectly with those who maintain, that to foster a branch of industry incapable of maintaining itself, is a consumption of nuti. nal wealth injurious to the country, and that to be permanently and really ad- vantageous, manufactures must grow up spontaneously. They must he, so to speak, indigenous, that is to say, there must exist circumstances affording especial advantages and facilities for carrying them ok, and suck I believe will hi; found to exist in this State. It is curious, and instructive to trace the improvement of Agriculture in Great Britain, growing out of the increase of manufactures in that country. Previous to the improvement in cot'on manufactures, that is about the mid- dle of the eighteenth century, the industry, population, and consumption of Great Britain had been for some time stationary: England was at that period an agricultural country, and exported grain to a considerable amount. But the improvements in manufactures created a great change. The powers of consumption within the countiy were enlarger 1 , and home markets Were created for its agricultural products. All exportation of grain ceased, although the agricultural products since that period have been more than quintupled. That they have kept pace with the rapidly increasing population within so -confined a space, is a very remarkable circumstance. The impor- tation has been very inconsiderable, as appears from the statements made by Coleman, in his excellent account of the Agriculture ot Great Britain. He states that -the average importation of wheat into England from 1801 to 1810, when the population was set down at 17,442,912 souls, would have given a fraction t*ver one peck a year to each person. From 1814 to 1820, when the population was 19,870,589, the quantity imported would have given less than one gallon and a half to each person. From 1831 to 1835, when the population was 25,000,000, the quantity imported would have given to each person one gallon : indeed in the years 1833, 1834 and 1835, the importation would have allowed only one pint and one-ffth f ir each person — thus showing that the dependence on foreign sup* plies has been constantly growing less, under a fast increasing {population. £54 AGRICULTURAL Now there can he little doubt, that this result is owing to the establishment and rapid progress of the manufactures in that kingdom. In the first place it appears that an improvement in the condition of almost eyery class of the community followed the adynnee of manufactures; and that the progressive extension of the use of machinery, so iar from lessening the demand for labor, increased it to a great degree. The wages of labor rose, and the laboring man acquired a greater command of the comforts of life. An enlarged consumption of the produce of the soil was the consequence, both of the improved circumstances and of the increased number of the popula* tion ; more grain and more meat were used, and the transportation of manu. factured articles, and of food, for the manufacturers employed more horses, and created a demand for an additional quantity of corn to feed them. The aid of that science which had been created and fostered by the establishment of manufactures, and had contributed so largely to their*improved condition, was now called into exercise, to enable the farmer to augment the products of the soil, so as to meet this increased demand, and an enlightened system of Agriculture, was the consequence of the united labors of the husbandman and the chemist. While however, I am anxious to see manufactures established in the State, because they will furnish a profitable home market for our agricultural pro* ducts, give employment to our laboring population, and gieatly multiply our productive industry ; supply our people with all necessary articles, at a cheaper rate than they can be procurred from a distance; and biing into use mate, rials now thrown away as refuse ; still I am opposed to any measures ealeu* lated to drive the people of the State, to attempt supplying themselves with every article of consumption. It is not by raising and manufacturing every thing it consumes, that a nation becomes rich, but by its people being employ* ed in the u ost profitable manner. It is only by adhering steadily ourselves to the principles of free trade, that we can convince the nation of our sincerity, and expect to establish the prosperity of our State, upon a solid basis. We ought to be especially cautious, how we qualiiy their application so ns to suit what we may suppose to be our own peculiar interest. They are universal in their effects upon the prosperity of nations and states, and whenever we perceive the existence of any prejudice against them, or find any adverse theories advanced, it behooves us especially to counteract such prejudices and to examine such theories with the utmost caution and distrust, in the firm pursuation, that we cannot admit the partial application of a principle to one portion of the nation,- and deny its general truth as regards the whole country. The desire to correct the balance of trade has been as fruitful a source of FROCLEMKGS. 255 unjust taxation, and oppressive discriminating duties as the balance of power has been of desolating wars. It is the stalking horse of the opponents of of free trade, and has been the occasion of erroneous legislation in all counties, but especially in England and America: and yet elaborate tables have been published with the sanction of this Society, to show that this State imports more than it exports, and 1 know not what consequences have been predicted from such a state of things. Nay the evils are reported to exist already, and we hear of the decline of the ancient prosperity of the State, and of its present miserable condition. Now, as I have from the com- mencement of my political career, to the present period, been a firm believer in free trade principles, and have always maintained that when a State is not agitated by some great commercial revulsion, or parnlized bv a stagnation of its trade, the excess of its imports oyer its exports, is to be taken as the measure of its gain. I looked with great anxiety for the verification of these predictions, and for the evidences of declining condition ; but have failed to discern either the probability of the one, or the truth of the other. It appears to me that South Carolina has advanced and is advancing in wealth and comfort, if not quite so rapidly as some of her sister Staies, which have been more zealous and energetic in avai ing themselves of the elements of national prosperity within their reach? still its improvement has been perceptibly progressive. If rapid and brilliant fortunes have not been mads as frequently as in former years, when the State enjoyed almost a monopoly of the cotton market, still a more wholsesome, durable and general prosperity is diffused oyer the land. To go no farther back than a quarter of a century j who that has travelled through the interior of our State then, and traverses it now, will fail to perceive its improved condition. Compare the town wheie We now are with what it then was. In 1820, it extended but' a short distance from tins spot, possessed scarcely any trade? was cheerless and comfortless- to its inhabitants and to strangers, us those of us who were members of the Legislature at that period can testify. Look at it now, with miles cf well' built houses, full of life and' spirit sliring commerce, the terminus of one rail way from the sea coast ; and destined to be the centre from whence others will radiate, possessing handsome edifices, -tasteful gardens, good hotels, and presenting in every particular? both the appearance, and the reality of a thriving place of business, scarcely surpassed' in- beauty of situation or in natural and artificial advantages by any inland town in the {United States. Of the condition and advance of the upper districts of the State, I can speak as- favorably, and as positively. I reside during the summer months near a village which has grown up as it were under my eye. When I was employed in superintending the public Works of the State, Greenville was a small and insignificcnt village. It now 256 AGRICULTURAL possesses ail the elements of a soil J and increasing prosperity ; chinches* schools, and a well conducted public press, incipient manufactures, good mechanics of every description, commercial houses wilii supplies of all sorts, and a virtuous, intelligent and enlightened people. Nor is the country I pass through twice a year, retrogading or even stationary. The towns, villages and farms, on that route are all improving. Look at home, and every one of you, and see if your own immediate neighborhood is not in a more flourishing condition than when you first remember it. Many of you were in Greenville last year, and in Newberry this, and did you net then remark the progress those districts o.re making? Did you rot perceive better houses, better cultivated farms, better stock, horses and swine, and observe generally a more careful system of husbandry than existed there a few years ago? It' this be so, and who can gainsay it, what becomes of the evils inflicted by this long existing unfavorable balance of trade. Does not this state of things call upon us to be cautious, how we adopt a theory so totally adverse to the principles of free trade. Depend upon it that the balance of trade like all other subject* dependent upon the skill and enterprize of individuals engaged in the pursuits of Agiiculture, Manufactures' or Commerce, may be safely left to regulate itself. They will protect themselves from loss, and in doing so, will enrich the the country ; whereas the interference of a political regulator, whether a national legislature or a state institution, embarrasses them, and will iri the end, prove injudicious to the class in whose favor it is exercised. It ought to give us no uneasiness that bread, corn, cattle, horses, mules, hogs, hay and notions of every description are imported into this State to a large amount every year. On the contrary, we should regard the amount of this list of articles with satisfaction, because it indicates to us sure and profitable methods of employing our land and labor, when our staple articles cease to yield remunerating prices. Of all these articles, that which appears to have the least attracted the public attention, is perhaps the most important. I mean hay : I have not been able to ascertain with any precision, the amount of hay imported annually into Charleston ; but supposing each horse to con* surne a ton and a half a year, the quantity must he very considerable indeed, and at the present exorbitant price, must take from us a large amount of produce or money to pay for it. i am aware that there exists a prejudice in favor of northern luy ; but it is unfounded. I do not hesitate to affirm that well cured Carolina ha} , made from the natural grasses of the country, i« vastly superior, both in flavour and nutriotis qualities, to that which is usually brought to our markets from the north ; but if the prejudice can only be overcome in that way, clover and timothy can be raised on our low lands. PROCEEDINGS. 257 The average product of upland grass land, when in good order is, a ton end a half to the acre, and on good meadow, double that amount. This would give in money, at the low estimate of fifty cents a hundred, (and it is now selling for more than double that price) fifteen dollars for upland and thirty dollars for meadow, besides the after grass, either for pasturage, or to plough in, as a preparation for grain. It must be taken into account too, that to produce this result, requires very active and diligent labor for only a few days in the year. But it is not only the money we should secure to our own farmers by prevailing upon them to make hay for sale, but the beneficial effect such a practice would produce upon our husbandry throughout the State, that ought to induce us to use our utmost efforts to effect it. 1 here can be no hi^h O farming without hay and lurnips or other edible roots. With these articles of food, we can raise fine cattle and sheep, and with good cattle and sheep, we shall not only have geod beef and mutton, hides and wool but abundant crops of corn and wheat, for they will enable us to cover our fields with manure. If we make hay and raise turnips in abun- dance, we may import and keep up the breeds of short horn and long horn cattle and of merino, southdown, bakewell, and Syrian sheep. We might by such means produce our own corn and flour, and supply our own markets with better fodder and at a more moderate price. 1 am conviced that if the planters and farmers of South Carolina would earnestly turn their attention to hay making, as a part of their annual crop to be sent to market, either in kind or on the hoof, or to be used on their own estates, with a view to high farming, they would add at leasi ten millions of dollars to the annual amount of the productive industry of the State, and multiply in an equal degree their own comforts, while they permanently improved the value of their lands. The amount of hay made annually in the State of New York, is estimated at between six and seven millions of tons, which at the lowest valuation can- not be worth less than thirty-five millions of dollars ; this year of general scarcity it is worth double that amount. I consider the cured blades of corn a bad substitute for hay. However ■excellent they may be as food for horses and cattle they are not produced in sufficient quantity; and besides, it is very doubtful whether they can be stripped from the stalk at the proper period for curing them, without dimin shing the amount of the corn crop to a greater extent than their value as fodder. — This doubt ought to be solved by actual experiment. Hemp is another important product which might be raised to great advantage on our inland swamps, where there exists every facility for preparing it for market. — An acre of hemp is to the full, as valuable as an acre of Rice, and requires Jess labour and expense to cultivate ■and bring it to market. A rice crop not 17 ASKICt/LTtmAL only requires a greater amount of labor than any other in the preparation and cultivation of the land ; but after it is threshed out, which is attended with greater difficulty than the same operation with ether grains, it is further taxed for freight^ milling, cooperage, commissions, &c. &c. from twenty to twenty- five per Cent. This is a startling fact, and lessens very much the profits of this culture. Another reason for raising hemp, is to be found in the doubts that exist as to the fitness of cotton for bagging and in the preference given to hemp for that purpose. There is no part of the world where this article eould be produced in greater abundance or of better quality. The olive g row's as well here as in Europe or in those parts of America-, south of Us, where it has beC'n cultivated since the' conquest. It is a hardy free, for it has resisted some of our severest winters. And it is a mistake to suppose that it will thrive only within the influence of the sea air ; tor I have seen' Very fruitful olive groves on the table land of Mexico, of a distance of at least, three hundred miieS from the Sea coast. I am thoroughly Convinced fh'at good Wine might be made if? South Carolina if we Would lay aside all attempts to raise the vine, for that purpose, on poor sandy soils, or on any land not abounding in calcareous matter. If we cast our eyes over those countries where the best wines are produced, we find the culture limited to the belt of limestone which traverses Europe, and to vol- canic soils, A similar belt, not so wide, but equally abounding in lime, runs through the southern States, aad if advantage Were taken of that circum- stance, and of the peculiar adaptation of the climate of the upper country to the cultivation of the grape, good wines might be made here. It is a mistake, however, to suppose that really good wine is to be maniT- fitetured by the same process that our domestic wines are made. Those who attempt it, without the necessa'ry knowledge and practical experience, will scarcely succeed in making good vinegar. We may raise grapes for the table every where, for we can add the car- bonate and phosphate of lime to the soil of a small grapery, and we can make a tolerable domestic wine for immediate use but if we desire to pos^ sess vineyards and to manufacture wine for sale, we must cultivate our calea, feous soils, and import the art of making wine from France. There toe Tigneron or husbandman who tends and dresses the vines, knows as little about the management of the juice of the grape, scraSto convert it ittto good wine, as we do. The process is a very complicated one, and is if? the hands of very experienced, as well as intelligent, m inufaCfufers.' In the best cultivated countries in Europe, the seed plants which yield oil are much esteemed, and, as a rotation, are found very profitable. Among these are the Poppy, and Rape or C/ulza; not that species grown in England, the Brels sica Napus, but the Brassica Campestris Oleijefdf which is largely PROCEEDINGS. 259 cultivated in France and Flanders, where it intervenes between two culmiterous crops. The culture is like that of the Turnip. The seed forty or fifty bush- els to the acre, on good soil, is crushed for oil, the cake being either fed to- cattle or restored as manure to the land, and the haulm cured like hay, and fed to cattle in winter. But perhaps the best oil plant that can be cultivated in this country is the Bene, Sesamum Orienlale , introduced into this Carolina from Africa, where- it is used as an article of food. This plant deserves a place in every garden, on account of the medicinal 1 properties of its leaves; but it might be profitably cultivated for the oil it produces which is incorruptible, and after being kept a year or two, is equal to good Olive Oil for the table, and burns as well as any other vegetable oil in use in Europe. There is another subject that immediately concerns our agricultural inter- ests, which has always appeared to me to require farther elucidation, I mean the cultivation of our inferior lands. We find great zeal evinced and industry exercised in attempts to bring the pine barrens and other poor lands in the State into successful cultivation. Our agricultural papers teem with speculations on this subject, and frequently contain accounts showing how these lands may be made to produce the Vine, the Mulberry, fibrous and other plants. Now surely all this is premature, for all these plants will grow better,, and produce more, when cultivated on good soil : and there is no axiom in- political economy better borne out by experience than that you cannot resort to inferior lands without raising the price of produce or diminishing the profits of labor. There cannot be two or more prices for the same article in the same mar- ket, and that price must be such as will afford the ordinary rate of profit to those who raise that portion of the supply produced upon the worst lands, or they ought not to be brought into cultivation. In rich and populous countries, the cost of producing all alimentary and manufactural articles, under the most unfavorable circumstances and at the greatest expense, determines the aver- age price of the rest, and the inferior lands can only be cultivated to advan- tage when the demand is so great that it cannot be supplied without them- We find, therefore, the price of agricultural products is always higher, and continually rising, in countries already thickly settled, rich, and still advancing O in wealth and population, because it has become necessary to resort to poorer lands; the price tising in proportion to the expenditure of labor and capita! in producing the necessary supplies. Now surely we ought not to anticipate such a state of things, by attempting to bring our very inferior lands into cul- tivation, before all our good lands are reclaimed and settled. It will be time enough to speculate upon the best manner of cultivating oar 2G0 AGRICULTURAL pine barrens, when both the demand for supplies and the agricultural popula- lion of the country increase in such a manner as to require a greater expen. diture of capital and labor to produce the same results. You are all too well acquainted with the condition of our State, not to be awaie that we are yet very far from experiencing this necessity, and that it abounds in excellent lands, some of which are still in a state of nature, while others have been abandoned merely because they were not suited to the cul- ture of Rice. These inland swamps might, with very little labor, be con- verted into excellent farming land, and be rendered, at least, as productive as they ever were, by a very moderate outlay. At the risk of being tedious, I cannot forbear urging upon the Society the great importance of giving frequent practical instructions to the farmers of the State. Point out to them the great waste of labor occasioned by repeat- jng the cultivation of the same crop upon the same soil, without rest and with- out any intervention, and the ruinous effects such a course produces upon the land. Teach them that not only the same grain cannot be sowed in succes- sion without injury to the land, but that all those plants which extract the same ingredients, from the soil, deposit a similar residium, and are subject to the same diseases, and furnish food to the same insects, must not succeed each other; and that even the fallow crops of Turnips and Clover are subject to this law ; that in cultivating light soils a rotation of such plants as derive their chief nourishment from the atmosphere will best contribute to restore the fer- tility of the land, and will, in most cases, be sufficient to do so; whereas, in heavy and clay soils, no rotation can be regarded as complete which does not embrace a bare fallow, and that, by this means, the land is to be kept from producing any vegetable that ripens its seeds, which can only be done by fre- quently ploughing, harrowing and cleansing it, as well to prevent all root weeds from ripening their seeds, as to expose the tenacious soil to the mellow- jng influences of the frost and sun, and the insects to be destroyed by the same process. If these rules are frequently enforced by the Society, and the great advan- tages to be derived from deep and subsoil ploughing, and generally by high farming insisted upon, the most beneficial effects may be expected. I met with an observation lately in an English Agricultural Essay, which ought to make us ashamed of our negligence. In speaking of the great im- portation of bones from America into Great Britain, the writer says: “The demand in that part of the world will surely opr n the eyes of the farmers there to their use, and make them reflect that bones must be worth more for home consumption than the seven or eight dollars a ton which the English Agents pay for them. How striking, he goes on to say : to see the awaken- ing intelligence of a few thousand agriculturist in our Island thus rousing a PROCEEDINGS. 261 spirit of enquiry, and pushing forward the art of culture in the most remote parts of the world.” This is rather mortifying language : but let us profit by the lesson, come in what shape it may. It exhibits to us in a strong light the necessity of acquir- ing scientific information on every subject connected with agricBlture, in order to protect our own interests, a knowledge which can only be acquired by retaining, in the employment of the State, men of science, capable of im- parting it to the people. Our farmers generally, are not, themselves, able to ascertain the qualities of the land they cultivate, and yet there can be no high farming, the most profitable, when skilfully conducted, without this informa- tion ; for unless the farmer is acquainted with the component parts of his soil, or has access to those who can instruct him, he is exposed to the risk of add- ing to it costly materials in which it naturally abounds, and of omitting those in which it is deficient. The Geological surveys have already added very considerably to the agricultural wealth of the State. The discovery of inex- haustible beds of marl is of inappreciable value, and will enable some favored portions of the State to compete successfully in the growth of cotton, and in raising provision crops with the naturally fertile lands of the South Western Vallies. Other sources of mineral manures will be brought to light by the Geologist. He will trace out limestone wherever it is to be found, and convey such instructions as to the best manner of burning it, as will cheapen that important fertilizing agent. An abundant and cheap supply of lime would improve the fertility of the grain growing districts, and render them sufficiently productive to furnish the rest of the State with flour. Science will likewise teach us the best methods of irrigating our meadows and portions of our upland, so that we may sup- ply the hay which is consumed in the State, and which now costs us so large an amount. In short, by the continual employment of scientific men in the service of the State, Geology, Chemistry, Geography and Botany, in all their beautiful applications, and in all their varied relations to each other, will be made to contribute to the progress of agriculture. I cannot take leave of you, brother farmers, without congratulating you upon the beneficial results of your associated exertions, and exhorting you to persevere in your laudable efforts for the improvement of the State Agricul- ture. Be assured that every step of 3'our progress towards a more perfect system of agriculture, advances the comfort and happiness of your fellow citizens, and tends, in an eminent degree, to promote the wealth and prosperity of the State. / . . / % REPORTS HEAD BEFORE THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. PRIZE REPORT «F EXPERIMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, NOV. 1844. Springfield, St. Andrew's Parish, ) Nov. 19th, 1844. £ My Dear Sir: — Your letter of the 5th instant, with the request “ to com- municate, for public advantage, the results of my marl experiments the past year, with my general views ; also, as to the mode of applying marl ; its action on soils, and general utility;” I have not been able to answer before this ; my excuse for the delay is, I am a candidate for the Ruffin premium offered by the State Agricultural Society; and a statement of the experi- ments to he forwarded to their meeting, which will shortly take place at Co- lumbia, had not been completed until to-day. As you are, (I believe,) a delegate to that meeting, I have concluded to send you the statement, with such additions as your letter calls for, and with the request that you will lay the same before the Society. In all Agricultural experiments, accuracy is l he first and great requisite, in order to arrive at a true and correct decision ; and though the experimentor be satisfied with the effect visible to the eye alone, the actual weight er mea- sure, when brought in comparison, is the true test of its worth. In all my experiments I have striven to be very accurate and precise, as it is of the utmost importance to me to be certain of the effects of this fertilizer I need scarcely now to tell you, that my experiments have been so deci- dedly favorable to marling, that I am of opinion it will, in the course of a very few years, be generally used throughout our State. It will be the means 264 AGRICULTURAL of resuscitating and bringing into cultivation the thousand of old worn out fields which are every where to be met with. So firmly convinced am 1 of its utility, that I have opened a pit seventy feet long by twenty feet wide ; undergone considerable labor in removing the soil, which was from 4-£ feet to 7 in depth, before reaching the marl, and this for the most part a stiff clay, mixed with rocks, etc. — very hard to dig, and much more so to get clear from the spades and shovels. I shall continue marling yearly, until every field which 1 cultivate receives a good dressing. Many planters urge as an objection, the destruction of the old bed prepara- tory to broadcasting the marl, it being detrimental to the cotton crop of the next year. But I see no objection to spreading the marl in the alleys, and giving it but half the quantity the first year, and repeating the dressing the second year. This I have determined to do with my cotton fields in future, but with the corn and potatoes I shall continue the broad-casting of the marl. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANCIS. S. HOLMES. Rob’t. W. Roper, Esq. P. S. I have a statement ot an experiment in bailing and pumping water from the marl pit, and also of a successful experiment of 1 acre of marled corn, close planting — Georgia red-flint seed, which produced over 74 bushels, but have not time to send it. It was planted as a prize acre, and not inclu- ded in my other experiments, therefore not necessary to be sent with them. If you will honor me with a visit, it would give me pleasure. to have you examine my marl pit, &c. EXPERIMENT — (A.) — COTTON. No. Quantity. Manures. Product. 1 i Acre. Natural soils without marl or manure, 43A lbs. c’t.in seed 2 1 55 4 33 bushels marl, (66 per cent, carb- lime,) 68 do. do. 3 1 55 4 4 cart loads compost, and 33 bushels of marl, all broad-cast, 134 do- 4 1 55 4 11 cart loads salt-marsh mud, and 16 bushels of marl under list, Oir 142 do. do. See Appenpix A. (B.) 1 1 Acre. Natural soil, no marl or manure, 2 1 55 66 bushels marl, broad-cast, 03= 1571 lbs. cot’n. in seed. 178 do. do. See Appendix B. PROCEEDINGS. 265 EXPERIMENT — (C.) — CORN. No. Quantify. Manures. P 1 1 Acre. Natural soil without marl or ma- nure, 8$ Bbls. 2 1 do. 5 cart loads compost in 1843, for Corn, 10-J- do. 3 1 do. 6(3 bushels marl, broad-cast,. . . . Ilf do. {fciHSee Appe EXPERIMENT (D.) — POTATOES. No. Quantity. Manures. 1 3 rows 105 ft. Cowpcnned each in length. 2 3 do. Cowpenned, and 33 bushels rnarl pei 5 acre, . . . 3 do. 4 3 do. ~ | I'* • 4- ” 8 do. and 33 bush, marl p r. acre, 5 3 do. Natural soil without marl or manure. (3 3 do. 33 bushels marl, nr. \ acre,. Product. Products. bushel do. H do. 4 do. 4 do. U do. See Appendix D. APPENDIX— (A.)— COTTON. Experiment A. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The field in which this experiment was made, has been at rest for some fifteen or twenty years, perhaps, prior to 1842; at this time, it was covered with a stunted growth of broom-grass, and interspersed with a few loblolly or short-leafed pines, and small live oaks. It was cut down, the broom-grass burnt off, and a part of the field listed, bed- ded and planted in slip potatoes, in June, which yielded a fair crop; the bal- ance of the field, or hill, was not planted, (although listed.) until the following year, 1543, when the whole field was planted in Cotton, and the result was a lost crop. The cotton began to rust in May, and by the middle of August the plants were black and leafless, except in a few spots, near the stumps of the oak trees. It did not average 10 lbs. of cotton per acre, nor grow higher than 12 or 14 inches. No manure was applied to any part of this crop, and no difference was perceptible between the part planted in slips, and that not planted the previous year. The soil of this hill is a good sandy loam, but abounding in what we of the low country call iron ore. It is in small particles, and looks like fragments of rusted clay. Such soils are very common in this part of the State. The entire field was listed, or rather levelled, (except £ acre, No. 4,) on March 9di, 1844; this was done with the hoe, and immediately afterward;’ carted and spread broadcast, 24 cart loads of marl per acre. (The carts are drawn by one mule each, and carry 5 a f» bushels, which gives an average 266 AG R'l CULTURAL of 5£ bushelstfor every load, or 133 bushels per acre.) Omitting of course No. 1, and icarting but 16 bushels to No. 4, which had the 11 cart loads of salt-marsh- mud previously spread in the alleys, and upon this mud the marl was also spread, and then immediately listed upon. It was all .bedded, April 2nd, and planted in cotton, (fine Sea Island,) on the 4th. The following remarks are taken from my plantation book, and were made at the times noted : May 12th. — Great difference in favor of the marled cotton generally — which can be distinguished to the row ; it is taller and more healthy. The season is very dry, and ail the crops are suffering much, but the marled land less than the unmarled. June 3rd — In company with two friends, (Planters.) examined the entire crop, and their opinion, that the marled crop in every instance, is at least 30 percent, superior to the unmarled. June 7th. — Blossoms in No. 3, Experiment A. June 11th. — Still very dry ! The unmarled 5 acre, No. 1, is suffering very much, looks yellow and sickly. July 4th. — Accompanied by two other friends, examined the crop, and found the marled cotton far in advance of the unmarled. The marled ootton is green and healthy, and the unmarled quite yellow and sickly, and is not by' one third the height of the former. August 2d. — Ticked the first boll of cotton from No. 4. August 15. — Began to pick cotton generally from the whole field — but there is very litle open in No. 1. Sept. 19th. — The \ acre, No. 1, appears to be perfectly dead. The other portions of the field are also casting their leaves, and looking like winter — but No. 3 and 4, less so than the others. There is a good blow in the. whole field, (except No. 1, from which all that could open has been picked,) but the plant appears to have made its last effort, and opened the pods up to the top. Sept. 21st. — Picked through this field, which is the last that will be got from it. Oct. 7th. — Picked in the few remnant pods from Experiment A. APPENDIX— ( B.)— COTTON. Experiment B. Nos. 1 and 2, was made on land that has been under con- tinued cultivation, to my knowledge, eight years, and from what I can learn, has been planted nearly every year in the last sixteen or eighteen. I have planted it four successive years in corn, 1840, 1841, 1842 and 1843; and manured each year with a slight dressing of compost, and sometimes cotton seed was added in the hills. The soil is a good yellow sandy loam, .^uch as PROCEEDING'S. 267 is -considered good cotton land, and has produced about 15 or IS bushels on an average per acre. In the preparation and cultivation of this experiment, it was treated in the same manner as A. The iust appeared in various spots over the entire field in which the acre stands, quite early in the season, and was first seen in B. No. 2, which is the maided half acre. I attributed it then to some irregularity in spreading the marl, by which some spots were deft without any — but on a visit made to me by two experienced James’ Island Cotton Planters, who examined this experiment, they informed me that the best lands on their Island, exhibited in spots the same appearance, and it was considered a pre- maturity of the plant, and not the genuine rust , as many believed. It was also their opinion, that No. 2 was far superior to No. 1, more advanced, and of a better bearing color. The result has been 20£ lbs. the half acre, or 41 lbs. per acre, in favor of No. 2, the marled half acre. A PPENDIX — (C.) — CORN. Experiment C. Nos. 1,2 and 3. The field in which this experiment was made, as in every respect like that of B., as it is a part of the same field, sep- arated only by a road. The half acre, No. 2, was manured with 8 cart loads of compost in 1843, and planted in corn. Nos. I and 3 were not ma- nured with compost, but with cotten seed in the hill, and likewise planted in corn — the yield was a good one, but I do not remember about what quantity. The s.alks of this corn were listed March 5th, 1844, and immediately the 66 bushels (12 cart loads) of marl was broad-cast over the half acre No. -3 ; the whole was bedded with the Davis plough, by running one furrow on each side of the list, and the corn planted the same day. From the time this corn attained its fourth leafia difference in favor of the marled half acre was visible to the row — and I have it noted on the 1 Oth of May, when the crops generally were suffering for want of rain, the No. 3 was one third higher than Nos. 1 and 2, and of a healthy green color; No. 1 was quite yellow and much twisted, and No. 2 a shade better than No. 1. In this State they continued until the rain of the 21st of May, when a gradual improvement was visible in No. 1, and No. 2 grew off rapidly, but a consid- erable difference 'in favor of No. 3 could at all times be perceived. When the silk ifrom the ears of Nos. 1 and 2 was green and pink, that of No. 3 was brown, indicating a maturity of the grain. The blades of No. 3 could have been stripped -several days earlier than Nos. 1 or 2, but I preferred taking them all in fromthe different Nos. at the same time, because a differ- ence in the product of corn, it has been supposed, was caused by stripping the blades. 268 AGRICULTURAL In harvesting, I found the ears of No. 3 better filled, on an average, than Nos. 1 or 2. APPENDIX— (D.)— POTATOES. Experiment D., Nos. 1 to 6. The field in which this experiment was made, has been at rest three years, and when taken up for cultivation in the spring of this year, (1844,) was covered with broom grass. It is a good and grateful soil, of yellow sandy loam, but very poor, from excessive cultivation. After ditching it thoroughly, (for the surface is uneven,) the cow pen was passed over a portion of it, and the compost and mar! broad cast over also ; after which, on the 13th of March, it was all listed, and a furrow run on each side of the list, with the barshare plough, covering up the same. It was bedded with the hoe on the 1st of April, and planted with cut potatoes on the 3d of the same month. In consequence of the drought, they came up irregularly, and grew slowly, but in no other experiment was the effect of the marl so marked. The superiority ol Nos. 2, 4 and 6, on the 3d of June, was so decided, that it was the opinion of several gentlemen, who saw the field on that day, that two acres could be supplied with vines for slip-planting, from the § of an acre, say Nos. 2, 4 and 6. On the other hand, but few vines could be found in the unmarled Nos. 1, 3 and 5, that had crossed the alleys. The marled alleys were covered with vines. On the 15th of July no difference could be seen in Nos. 1 and 2. I tested the yield of the different quarter acres or Nos., on the 18th of October. I could not dig in the entire quarters of each number, as these roots do not keep well, and the loss would have been considerable. We gen- erally dig them as required for use. I therefore dug three rows from the centre of each quarter acre, or separate No.; each row is 105 feet long. The cowpenned quarter, No. 1, although producing a larger quantity, the po- tatoes were not as fine as those of No. 2. I selected several that weighed a trifle over 3 pounds each, but could not find one in the No. 1 that exceeded 2-j pounds. It never occurred to me, until too late, that I should have weighed the whole. I took several of the largest to Charleston, where I reside in summer, to present to my friends, and it was then that I was induced to weigh them. Discovery of digging and carting the Marl . — In the low part of an old inland rice field, with an angur attached to a long rod, I attempted to bore, in hopes of finding marl, but did not penetrate two feet before I was compelled to desist, on account of the rocky state of the ground ; these rocks are very numerous on the suiface also — many of them bearing the impression of shells. Upon digging five feet deep, I found the marl, but as it was in swamp land, the water springs very fast,aiaJ therefore it was abandoned. PROCEEDINGS. 269 On an old causeway which crosses a creek that passes through the planta- tion, I found two old Shark’s teeth. These teeth are quite numerous in the marl banks on the river, and I concluded that marl could not be far from the surface. 1 accordingly dug a hole about three feet square, in a narrow branch which leads from the creek, and which is overflowed at high tide, and struck the bed 4^ feet from the surface, and not at till troubled with water ; the rocks also appeared to lie in one stratum, and not scattered throughout the upper soil, as was the case in the old rice field. With two fellows, (prime hands,) I began on Monday, the ‘26th of February to remove the earth off the marl in this pit, which 1 marked out 20 feet square ; and the labor was not greater than in ditching in a fair soil ; but on reaching the stratum of rocks, (a layer of about one foot thick intermixed with stiff blue clay,) the pick-axe had to be used to loosen it sufficiently to allow its being taken in the shovel, and then it was with much difficulty handled. I can give no better idea of the labor of removing this stratum of rock and mud, than by saying it took as long to remove it as all of the other four. The pit was clear and ready for working on Friday at 1 o’clock ; thus taking nearly five days, during which time no rain fell. The earth which was taken out was thrown across the branch, so as to form a bank to keep out the tide. The following table will show the nature of the soil removed from above the marl, &c. &c.: 1st Stratum, marsh mud and roots, foot 2d do. White sand and a few pebbles, - -0 3d do. Rocks, closely imbedded in stiff blue clay; these are of irregular shape, filled with holes and the prints of shells. In size, they are seldom lar- ger than a whole brick, but generally about as large as a man’s fist, - . . 1 4th do. Dark sand, lumps of blue clay and pebbles, 1 6th do. Blue and gray sand, with a large quantity of fine- ly divided shelly matter, and numerous mus- cles, clams, and other shell casts in marl, with fish bones and teeth, - - 4 6th do. Rich marl, of a dingy yellow color, which, by analysis of Dr. Lebbv. U. S. A. (Fort Johnson,) was found to contain 71 percent. Curb. Lime, 2 a in. 3 in. 6 in. 7. At this depth, (2 feet,) the marl changes color, and contains but 62 per cent. Into this I have dug 5 feet ; 7 from the top of the marl, and about 12 or 13 from the top of the marsh mud or surface soil ; the strength of the marl com tinues about 61 per cent. AGRICULTURAL I have been troubled but little with water in working this pit. Water oozes slowly through eyery pairt of the marl, but so gently as to be rather beneficial than otherwise, by keeping the marl moist, and rendering it more easy for the grubbing hoes to penetrate.* It is very firm marl, and requires a good blow to drive the point of the grubber two inches deep, when the handle, acting as a lever, crumbles it easily, or breaks it off in lumps f which are soon reduced by a slight blow with the butt end of a hoe or grubber. At the depth of 13 feet, a prime hand, with a single toss of the spade, throws up the marl to the top of tire causeway, where the carts are loaded ; and in order to test the height to which it could be thrown, they were ordered to try and see how much higher than the causeway they could pitch it, when I found each of them could throw it five or six feet higher, but I would pre- fer erecting a scaffold and making two tosses, if I dig deeper than 12 feet, unless I found it easier to hoist by horse power. On the causeway, where the carts are loaded,! keep an old fellow, (a half hand,) to assist in loading, and while the carts are away, he breaks up the lumps with the but end of his hoe, and hauls the marl into a heap. In carting the marl, I used two carts, each of which was drawn by a sin* gle mule ; several cart loads were measured, and they were found to average (5^) five and a half bushels per load. From several days carting, (the par- ticulars of Which would be superfluous, and add much to the length of this already very long statement,) I have arrived at the following result as an average : Distance, 600 yards— 10 loads per day each, the cart to be drawn by a good strong horse or mule, and driven by a prime hand. The loads are not tilted out of the cart, but are divided into three heaps, and drawn out by a hoe; these heaps are made at regular distances over the land, and insure an equal distribution of the marl, which is too heavy to spread far with wenches. Three hands will be required to dig for two carts, and, as already stated, they must be prime hands. In spreading the marl, the same tasks are given as for broad-casting com. post manures. Estimated cost of marling seven acres of land, S^c . — With 2 carts, aver- oging 600 yards, it took five days to cart 168 loads, which gives each acre * it does not fake over 10 minutes every morning to pump cr bail out the wster which springs into th'e pit during the previous night. PROCEEDMtJiSj 271 24 load's, 5| bushels each — 924 bushels at 1| cents per bushel, 012 3S, Say, 5 days work of 2 carts and mules, at 30 cts. per day, each S3 00 $ do. do. 3 fellows to dig, at 30 cts. per dayy- each, 2 7C 2 do. do. 2 do; do. at 30 cts. per day, each, 1 20 S do. do. 2 da; to drive the carts, at 30 cts. each, 0(f $ do. do. 1 old hand, (half) in loading carts, at 20 cts 1 00 One half of the cost of removing the soil from the pit, and preparing the same before digging marl, 2 hands 5 days, at 30 cents each, #3 00-“half of Which is 50 “fha cost of caclv rtore for 133 luslietey at $1 34, is #i TO 6-7, $ 12 40 . ' REPORTS, Black OaK Agricultural Society, ) November 19 , 1844 . ^ jRe-oivcd, That the Report of the Committee on Manures, this day read, be communicated to the State Agricultural Society, to be read before that body. ■From the minutes. 41. W. RAVENEL, Secretary. REPORT : The Committee on Manures, in pursuance of the Resolution under which they are required, at the fall meeting of the Society, to report, concerning “the best and most economical mode of collecting and preparing manures; the time and manner of their application; the adaptation cf certain manures to certain crops, with a detailed account of all experiments on the subject which have been carefully conducted and the tesults accurately noted ;” beg leave to observe, that the wide range of duty committed to them requires more time than has elapsed sietce their appointment. Sensible, however, of the vast importance -cf the subject, they have entered seriously and faithfully into the discharge of their duty, and offer the following as a Report, only in part. It is due, however, to the Society, to premise that the direction which has ■been given to our labors, is one Which can hardly be said to be comprehended in the resolution under Which 'this report is presented. Believing, however, that the points to which we are desirous of drawing the attention of the Socie- ty, are of vital importance to our interests, we offer no apology for our appar- ent deviation from the letter of the chart laid down for our government. It is but a Very few years since, within the limits of this Society, the ben- efits of manures were mooted at every social meeting ; and even now, though eo one is so outwardly heretical as to question their ability, there are yet 19 274 AGRICULTURAL many who have derived so little practical benefit from their application, that their faith in their efficacy, is rather a confidence in the testimony of others, than the result of their own observation and experience. Believing firmly as we do, that on the judicious use of manures, depends the prosperity, not only of our Society, but of our State, we have devoted our labors to an investigation of the causes of the failures of manures, and have endeavored, with the aid of the present state of knowledge, to point out the remedies. The great object of all farmers, both practical and theoretical, has been to accumulate and bestow upon the land a quantity of animal and vegetable matter, in the stale of progressive decomposition. This r. anure, called com- post, has been for many years, the only sort applied to cotton husbandry in the inland districts. Its value depends upon its origin ; that from the stable being always much more highly esteemed than that from the cow-pen. — - These were the manures universally applied to all soils, whatever their con- dition. Limited, however, as was the range of our manuring resources, our knowledge of the soil as cultivated, was, and even now is, still more con- tracted. No idea whatever was entertained of their chemical composition. A brief inquiry into their physical condition was all the investigation bestowed upon them. A new light has recently dawned upon us ; and it becomes ns particularly as cultivators of products unknown to other portions of Caucasian civilization to embrace and improve it to the highest possible degree. This light is the thorough application of chemistiy to agriculture. The cultivators of other products have for their guides the experience of ages, and of the whole extent of civilization. We stand as agriculturists, isolated from the mass of mankind ; their practice is to us a mystery, their experience to us useless. Let us hail then, as the ( petting of a new era in our agriculture, the scien- tific discoveries which enable us to apply to practical farming the mysteries of the laboratory. The doctrine of the necessity of furnishing to plants, either as native con- stituents of the soil on which they are required to grow, or in the form of manure, nil the components, both organic and inorganic, of which they are constituted, and wl ich are necessary to their healthful existence, was first distinctly announced by Lieb'g, the publication of whose book forms an inter- esting epoch in the history of Agriculture. But whilst announcing the- important fact, he seems to have regarded it rather as an asioin f incontro' ver’ible, than as a new truth whose importance waste have been enforced upon the attention of agriculturists. Hence most readers of his work arc conscious of no operation of husbandry so important os the collection and supply of nitrogen to plants. Indeed the philosopher seems to snuff ammo- PROCEEDINGS. 275 nia in every breeze. Ail the pleasing impressions which others derive from the sight of a herd of cattle going to market, are lost to his imagination. He secs in them nothing but a mass of nitrogen unfairly abstracted from its native soil ; and when man himself lias finished his work and given up the ghost, his only concern is that the nitrogen of his composition is laid down too low to be made available to vegetation. But let us do justice to Liebig. He is not one-sided in his views. He dwells, it is true, particularly upon one subject, but his love of a theory does not lead him to strain every point to sustain his views. Another class of. philosophers have ridden a hobby which they call geine, to which they uttrr. bute all the virtues of manures. It would be best, we think, before going into the modus operandi of manures, to inquire first into the whole condition of the products of the soil, -“let us first know what they are, and we shall be unfortunate indeed, tf we do not find out what is good lor them. It is one of the blessings wherewith our lot is tempered, that alfl genuine work, all honest labor, is productive. So we have been benefited by every class of philosophers who have applied their industry to the consideration of agriculture. We are still hampered in our researches after truth, by. the- obtrusion of their fanciful theories ; but a mass of light has been, sbcdlcfl. the subject, from which we are confident of deriving vest benefit. All plants, we may say all vegetable products, are- composed of carbon,, hydrogen and oxygen ; in addition to these some hare nitrogen. Of these constituents, the soils is composed chiefly of carbonaceous matter;, the atmosphere we breath consists of oxygen and nitrogen in a state of mechan- ical combination ; and water is the chemical uniontof hydrogen with oxygen-. Thus it is obvious, the sources of these organic constituents are inexhausta- ble. Bu<- there is another portion of vegetables which lias hitherto been overlooked It is the incombustible or inorganic structure ; that which after combustion remains in the form of ash.es, and to which the general and unsatisfactory name of salts is applied. Now, in our system, of making- manures, we have regard chiefly to the collection of organic- matter, and; we are surprised and disappointed when the- application, of this- matter fails, to produce the required effect. We shall try to.show that the cause of this failure is to attributed to our neglect in providing for the inorganic constituents; of the plants ice cultivate. It is a rule which can not now be disputed, that wherever the analysis of a- vegetable product yields as a constant quantity an inorganic constituent, how- ever small, such inorganic body is absolutely necessary/ to-tlie healthful condition; of the plants ; and it will follow as a necessary consequence of this rule* wherever the soil on which it is attempted to cultivate » plant, is destitute of any one of its inorganic constituents , it mil. be in vain to attempt, to grow tile 2.76 AGRICULTURAL plant, upon it. If the material exist in too small a quantity in the soil, th e crop will be correspondingly short and sickly. Regarding this rule as an axiom in enlightened agriculture, we shall draw a few practical results therefrom, in relation to our own pursuits. The first step necessary towards productive agriculture, and one which falls within the praaince of our agricultural Societies, is to have vigorous and accurate analysis made, not only of the crops we cultivate, but of the soils on which we raise them, and of the manures which we employ in their culti- vation. Our own Society hasithe honor of having made one of the first moves in this enterprize, and has furnished an analysis of her principal products. As cottonds our staple, Ave have devoted this Report exclusively to a consid- eration of manures suitable for its production. In the analysis of this pro- duct, indluding the wodl and the sood, we find the following inorganic con -stituents Carbonate of Potash, with traces of Soda. Pnosphateof Lime, with traces of Magnesia. Carbonate of Lime. Carbonate mf Magnesia. Silica. Alumina. St.lphate of Potash. Chloride of Potassium. Chloride of Magnesium. Sulphate of Lime. Sulphate of 'Potash. Oxide of Iron and Manganese. Or by reducing these compounds to simple forms, we find, in the indes- tructible portion of cotton, Potash, Lime, Magnesia, Silica, Alumina, Sul- phur, Phosphorus, Chlorine, Iron and Manganese. This is the general result of the analysis, -made for this Society bv Professor Shepard. As the same general result was dbtained by Dr. Ure’s analysis, we have every rea- son to believe 'hat the 'beforemamed ingredients are all necessary to the per- fect development of cotton. Let us now examine the material or soil upon ■which, and the tools or manures with which we operate. The analysis of our soils is yet to be made. The Agricultural Society of .dSt. John’s Colleton, enjoys the honor of having taken the lead of her sister Societies in this enterprize. She has furnished an analysis of six specimens of soils, taken from a cotton plantation on Edisto Island, of which the follow- ing is the general result : PROCEEDINGS. 277 Silica, Alumina, Peroxide of Iron, Carbonate of Lime, and Phosphate of Lime. It would thus appear that the soil of Edisto Island is deficient in four of die nine inorganic constituents of cotton, viz : Potash, Magnesia, Sulphur and Chlorine. It is to be observed, however, respecting this analysis, that it was made before the publication of Liebig’s work on Agricultural Chemistry, and before the important doctrine, laid down in this report, was even partially recog- nized. It was made too, at a time when the attention of our planters was just beginning to be directed towards the use of lime ; and the respectable chemist, by whom the analysis was made, aimed rather to estahlish the amount ol lime existing in the soil, than to demonstrate rigorously all the material, or, as they were then considered, the immal&rixl parts of which it is composed. Among the soils sent for analysis was a specimen of marsh mud, that agent which has so signally contributed to renovate the soils of the Islands on our coast. Its component parts appear to be, Silica, Hornblende, Fel- spar, Alumina, Iron, Lime and Phosphorus. The hornbltnd and felspar of this mud furnish potash, lime, soda, magnesia, manganese and fluorine ; so that with the aid of this manure, the soil is furnished with every constituent of cotton, except chlorine and sulphur. It is difficult however, to conceive, how either of these elements can be absent from a mud which is twice daily flowed with sea water. It is rather to be supposed that they are not enumer- ated, as being loo obvious to require a special notice. Having now ascertained, as far as chemical investigations have gone, the general composition of our cotton, and of the soils upon which we raise it, let us now inquire what are the ingredients wherewith we propose to amend our soils, so as to increase their productiveness. The cowpen and stable have hitherto furnished all our manures. The droppings of our cattle and horses mixed up with the leaves of trees form our composts. Of these, the product of the stable, is generally found to be beneneficial, while that of the cowpen is often of so little value as to dis- courage the planter in his efforts to obtain it. One of the most successful planters in this Society, has declared, that for many years past, he has ceased to perceive any improvement in his crops, from the use of cowpen manure. The stalks have indeed increased to a iarge size, but they either produce littie fruit, or fail to mature a good crop. It is obvious from this result, that there can be no want of nitrogenized mat- ter in the manure, or it would not promote rank vegetation. The defect must lie in its inorganic constituents, and we may, by comparing the analysis of cotton and of our manures, find wherein the deficiency exists. Let it be 278 AGRICULTURAL remembered, however, that we are hampered in our reasonings by the want of full information which it is the province of the chemist alone to give. Dr. Ure gives the following as the result of his analysis of cow dung : Lime, Phosphate of Lime, Magnesia, Iron, Aluminia, Silica, Muriate and Sulphate of Potash — in other words all the inorganic constituents of cotton. It is to be remarked, however, that though all the ingredients are there, yet some exist in almost infinitessimal quantities. Thus, all the chlorine, sul- phur, and potash, in 34 lbs. of dried cow dung, amount altogether to but 19 ounces, while the amount of potash alone in a thousand pounds of cotton in the seed, is equivalent to five pounds. Now a good crop of cotton in the limits of this Society, not unfrequently yields a thousand pounds of cotton in the seed, or five pounds of potash on two acres of land. Let us now sup. pose a liberal supply of compost bestowed upon two acres. If we say a hundred loads of manure to tne two acres, we will far exceed the average amount of manuring. Another liberal allowance would be the supposition of the presence of the equivalent of three bushels of thoroughly dried cow dung in each load of compost, and the measure of our liberality will be filled to overflowing, if we suppose each bushel to weigh fifty pounds. Now, the 15,000 lbsmf cow dung, which is thus applied to the two acres, contain but five poundsmf sulphur, chlorine, and potash together, whereas the cotton to be obtained from the two acres, would require five pounds of potash alone. It is obvious, therefore, that if the soil is wanting in these ingredients, the crop of cotton to be obtained by this manuring must fall far short of an aver- age good one, and this becomes perceptibly so, when it is recollected that the whole amount of manure is not consumed in a season, but that its effects are continued for several years.* It is but just to observe that the urine of the cow, yields by analysis a larger proportional quantity of these necessary ingredients in which the dung is deficient. But this advantage is hardly compensated when we reflect that in a thousand parts of this excrement all the saline ingredients together do not constitute a fiftieth portion. Chemistry has revealed the compasition of the excrements of the cow, a manure which we find decidedly inferior in value to that of the horse. We have not, however, the same accurate analysis of these last to enable us to compare them rigorously. We must use the light we have so far as it goes •Since the above was written, we have seen Dr. Davis’ statement, tnat the weight of cow dung, as evacuated, is just 87 pounds. Now, if 83 per cent., of this be water, the allowance of 50 lbs., as the weight of the dry dung, is indeed an excess of liberality. The true weight of the dry dung is just 22 pounds, and the quantity necessary to equal 15000 lbs., would be 652 bushels, Compare this with the statement in the text, and we will see how small a portion of those salts is conveyed to the soil through the medium of cow dung. PROCEEDINGS. 2*9 and trust to the logical deductions for some cf the conclusions to which we shall arrive. And in the first place, chemists differ very materially in the partial analysis which they have made of horse dung. Macaise and Mareet found 27 per cent., of inorganic matter of salts, in that analyzed by them. Liebig admits that he has never tound over 10 per cent., and Dr. Jackson of Boston, some- what under 8 per cent. These discrepancies stagger our faith in the partial results which have been produced. Suppose, however, the lowest to be the most accurate, and we have nearly four times the amount of inorganic matter in the excrements of a horse as in those of a cow. It is to be remarked, also, that the phosphate of magnesia exists in a notable quantity in the dung of a horse, and is also a conspicuous constituent of cotton. The partial report of Dr. Jackson, however, gives no potash nor sulphur whatever. This consid- eration alone induces us to consider the analysis incomplete, and compels us in the absence of a rigorous analysis, to resort to the indications afforded by a logical investigation. O 3 The cattle whose execrements have been submitted to the test of analysis are better treated in every respect than those from which we derive our manure. It is a common sense principle, and a rule in practical agriculture is based upon it in Europe, that the excrement of an animal shall bear a fair proportion to the food he eats. Thus in the neighborhood of Hildeshrine in Germany, the farmers pay a higher price fur the excrements of Protestants than for those of Catholics, as those of the latter are impoverished by the numerous fasts enjoined by the Church of Rome. The same must be true likewise of the lower animals. In Europe, where cattle constitute an impor- tant item in a farmer’s wealth, they are fed with the most nutritious food, which they are capable of digesting, and their excrements must partake of the nature of their food. The clover and turneps which the happy cattle of that couRtry consume, are rich in the most valuable inorganic constituents and held in large quantities potash, magnesia, sulphur, and phosphorus, and yet, with all this advantage in point of food, there excrements are inferior in value to those of the horse. Far greater then must be the difference here, where the cow is left to her own ingenuity to draw her nourishment from the soil. The grasses abounding in phosphates are not found with us, and it is more than probable that the small quantity of earthy phosphates they do contain, are all required to aid in the formation and support of the bones of the animal, leaving a very minute portion to pass out in the excretions. The horse, on the contrary, is as well fed here as in any part of Europe, perhaps, (for we have not yet learned the economy of farming,) he is better fed. We have therefore a right to expect to find in his excretions the con- stituents of maize, viz: potash, lime, phosphorus, magnesia and sulphur, and 280 AGRICULTURAL the quantity of sulphur, will be sensibly increased when he is fed on peas. Moreover, his urine yields nearly five per cent., of saline ingredients, while that of a cow falls short of two. We can thus, by investigating the constitution of the food which the two animals eat, dispense in a great measure with any particular analysis of their excrements, and safely come to the following conclusion ; That the inor- ganic constituents of the excrements of a horse, are more than double in quantity those of the cow, and that while those of the latter consist chiefly of silicates, those of the former abound in the phosphates of lime and magne- sia, two of the most important constituents of cotton. We would suggest therefore the propriety of improving the value of our cow-pen composts, by the admixture of certain matters of known util'ty, and either cheap, if purchased with money, or easily accessible to every cot- ton planter. And in the first place, we would recommend the addition of a bushel of gypsum for every acre which it is intended to cover with the compost. The advantage of this mixture is a double one. In the first place, we add to the manure both lime and sulphuric acid, substances which perform impor- tant functions, not only in the growth of cotton, but of every crop we culti- vate ; and, in the second place, we prevent the evaporation of the ammonia- cal gasses which have always a tendency to escape during the progress of decomposition. A strong prejudice prevails in many parts of South Carolina against the use of gypsum, and this prejudice is strengthened by the consideration that it was imported largely for the sake of its supposed fertalizing properties, and failed. But it should be remembered that, at that time, the use of any man- ure was a blind practice, equivalent to quackery ; that from the use of gyp- sum, unaided by other agents, all virtues are expected ; that it was used as a panacea for all agricultural evils, and that disappointment was the natural consequence of such unreasonable practices and hopes. And yet with all the odium attached to its memory, we have heard of some singularly favor- able results attending its use. Among others, we have heard that the late Thomas Palmer, Esq., from his plantation in St. Stephens, the average pro- duction of which was 60 lbs., of cotton per acre, obtained one year, with the aid of gypsum, an average of 120 lbs. If subsequent experiments resulted in failures, this may be accounted for in a variety of ways ; the gypsum may (as lime will do,) have exhausted the soil ; this is no mystery in countries where lime is used ; the seasons may have been unpropitious. And it may be true, that in the absence of any marked beneficial result, our planters may have been discouraged, and seized gladly any pretext for saving their money and avoiding a labor to which they were unaccustomed. Of all men PROCEED rN-CS. 281 in the world, agriculturists are the most unwilling to follow improvements in their profession, and the readiest to discover the inability of iho-'e suggested. Our planters long since knew that lime was used in their very neighborhood with favorable results, but it required the energy and fire of a Ruffin to make the adoption of its use general. In addition to the gypsum, we would recommend that all the spare cotton seed should be cast upon the compost heap. It is needless to dwell, before this Society, upon the inestimable value of this manure. We would o-nly suggest that the cow. pen would be materially improved, while the cotton seed would be permitted to be spread profitably, though in small quantities, over a much greater surface than they could be if applied in the usual way. Lastly, we would perfect the compost by the addition of ashes. There is no manure, cotton seed perhaps excepted, which, applied singly to land, pro- duces such striking results. The ashes of the oak, though most accessible to us, contains all the inorganic constituents of cotton, and are particularly rich in lime, potash, sulphuric acid , chlorine and phosphoric acid, while they contain so much of all its other constituents as to preclude the idea of defi- ciency in any. It may be objected to the addition of ashes to the compost heap, that the mixture will hasten the evoluiion of ammonia, and thus rob the manure of its nitrogen. If, however, gypsum be applied previously, or in combination with the ashes, this objection will in a great measure be removed, since the ammonia has an affinity with the sulphuric acid of the gypsum, with which it forms a solid body, the sulphate of ammonia. But even were this not the case, observation has taught that it is almost impossible to expel all the nitro- gen ; that which remains, will unite with tire potash ; in the great laboratory of nature, fresh supplies will be elicited from the atmosphere, and the result will be the nitrate of potash, or common saltpetre of commerce, an agri- cultural agent at least as valuable as any preparation of ammonia can be. We close our report with the relation of a few facts, coming under our obversation, corroboratory of the views we have offered. On the 22d day of August last, the Committee on Manures visited Fair Spring, the plantation of Mr. Robert Mazyck, to witness the result of his experiments with green sand. This marl, of which this is the only locality hitherto discovered in the State, is found in a ravine, on the Eastern side of Begin Sa amp. It is of a lively green color, so soft as to be easily turned out. with the spade, is full of fossils, indicating the presence of lime in its various modes of existence, and is said to be rich in potash. It is to be regreted that Mr. Mazyck did not accurately observe the quantity applied to his land ; and it is rather too early in the season for us to be furnished with the results of his experiment. At that late period of the summer 282 AGRICULTURAL however, a practical eye can judge with tolerable accuracy what the result will be. It required but a glance to convince us, that the cotton manur- ed with green sand was worth three-fold the best portion of his crop not so manured. We can give no better idea of its appearance than by comparing it to a pyramid of luxuriant vegetation, rising so abrubtly from out of the rest of the cotton, as to be at a glance obvious to the most careless specta- tor; and the quantity and maturity of the fruit corresponed with the luxuri- ance of the plant. Less striking in appearance on that same day was a field at Somerton, manured with twenty loads of cow-pen compos*, and twenty bushels of ashes per acre. But even this small quantity of ashes caused such a difference in the growth and maturity of the cotton its to be easily distinguished from that which had none. A part of the result of the experiment at Somerton is known and corroborates our opinion that ashes should be mingled with the compost. At the second picking of cotton, before the middle of September, four hundred pounds per acre of cotton in the seed were harvested from that portion which had ashes. It is but just however, to observe, that in this case the ashes formed no portion of the compost; they were spread upon the list — the compost placed under. One of the Committee has tecently seen a crop of cotton in St. Andrew’s Parish, which he thinks would be estimated at too low a rate at a thousand pounds of seed cotton per acre. This result was effected by using the fine particles of compost at the bottom of the manure heap. In this case the active particles of the compost heap were concentrated at the bottom ; for they always have a tendency to descend, being carried down, partly in a state of solution, partly bv the mechanical action of rains. The result of these three instances are with us conclusive. , That the action of manures is directly in proportion to the amoxml and qual- ity of their inorganic constituents , and that to the collection of these, the planter should mainly direct his attention. Offering the accompanying resolutions, as necessary to carry into opera- tion the principles of this report, we shall no longer trespass upon the patience of the Society. In behalf of the committee. FRED. A. PORCHER. RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON MANURES. 1. That it be recommended to the Society to appropriate adequate funds to the accomplishment of a thorough analysis of all the products of our soils themselves, and of our manures. PROCEEDINGS. 283 2. That we earnestly recommend to our sister Societies through the State to contribute to similar analysis of their soils and productions. 3. That the Representatives to the Legislature from these parishes, be respectfully requested to urge upon their respective houses, the necessity and expediency of peifecting the Agricultural Survey of the Sta'e, so happily begun. Note. — A few observations are yet necessary to perfect the report, which has grown under our hands, to an unexpected length. It will be observed, that we have taken no notice whatever of the amount of inorganic matter existing in the litter with which our compost is made. As this is an equal quantity in both sorts of compost, it can not, as a general rule, materially affect the relative value of either. With respect to what has been said in the earlier pait of the report respecting the theories of the chemists, we cheerfully" acknowledge our unfitness to sit in judgment upon their merits. We do know knowever, when they give us satisfactory replies to our queries, and we are painfully conscious when they fail to answer us ; and the worst of it too is, that they undertake to speua a language intelligibly to every farmer. Now in our humble judgment, when a farmer consults a book purely scientific, for information relative to his profession, he expects to find the language of science, and is generally prepared to meet it. Now, what can be more unsatisfactory than the following: We inquired into the com- position of cow dung. Dr. Dana says : “ I give yam the result of my analysis of cow dung in suck terms as the farmers may comprehend ; water 83 60 ; hay 14; biliary matter (bile resin, fat and green resin of hay,) 1,275; geine combined with potash, (vegetable extract,) 0 95; albumen, 0 175.” If the fainter may comprehend this, may he not equally compre- hend the results of a destructive analysis; is it not likely that the farmer would better appreciate the value of silica, alumina, lime, magnesia, IXG^ 287 or logs, to preserve the food from the feet of the cattle. In this lot the cattle are penned at night, both in winter and summer, and a supply of litter constantly applied around the trough for malting manure. Much attention has been and is devoted to making manure, and the arrangements arc well- adapted to this purpose. We saw in tire horse lot several large and sub- stantial made pens, filled with manure, and three more in the cow lot, con- taining in all at this time no less than from 400 to 500 wagon loads. The negro houses have been erected in a shade lot, in a parallel line with the stables and corn-cribs, about 50 yards if> tile rear, but at a convenient dis- tance from lliem, and extending to the east, and presenting a front to the S3uth. They are either framed or hewed log buildings, with fynrned roofs, having double brick or rock chimnies, plar?k floors, and stand from 30 to 50 yards apart. In front of these buildings fs a siiade lot, from 3 to 4 acres, enclosing the loom house and well, and In the rear, a gardeir and poultry" house, for each family of negroes. — The ho£se of the overseer is a framed building, with three rooms and brick chimneys; and with its appendages* occupy the crown of the hill and commanding a view of the blacksmith and Work shop, the negro houses, stable lot and houses, the gin house, lot and buildings, and the cow lutand its appurtenances. The dwelling house is a two story building, finished in a plain but comfortable style, with shed and piazza, having six rooms and a passage, and stands in a luxuriant grove of oaks about 400 yards from the overseer's house, with which it is connected by an avenue and lawn, containing from 10 to 15 acres, it has the usual appendages of a garden, kitchens, meat-house, fowl house and dairy. We Were also shown various arrangements for raising and taking care of stock through different stages of its growth. These consist of various lots of different sizes under good fence, and an abundant supply of water. The first is a wood enclosure of near 500 acres, partly high land, and partly swamp, and so arranged as to be easily divided by a set of bars. This is in- tended as a permanent enclosure for hogs, and occasionally for sheep and other stock. It has a direct communication with the stable lot, and cow lot, through a gate, by means of the lawn above referred to, and hogs arc fed within 300 yards of the overseer’s house, which commands a vie w also of this lot. Another was a lot of 75 acres, of which about one half is in woods and the other in small grain, intended for ewes and lambs and other voun••*■ -:i p MARLING FACTS AND ESTIMATES. Maklbourne, Hanover, Va. ) Sept. 27th, 1844. $ Throughout my extensive personal intercourse with the planters of lower South Carolina, and my efforts, (while conducting the Agricultural Survey,) to induce their use of marl, I found the main obstacle to be the greatly ex- aggerated conceptions prevailing of the difficulty and cost of the operation. These mistaken opinions it was not always in my power even to moderate, and still more rarely to efface entirely. For it was not a matter to be de- cided by reasoning, nor by the assertion of opposite belief or conviction. It required statements of Jacts — of minute details of similar operations, ac- curately observed and noted, and fully reported, and for sufficient length of time to show that the operations could be trusted for continuance or dura- tion, and were not merely a temporary effort. Having, at the beginning of this year, settled and removed to a recently purchased farm, and commenced marling it under the many disadvantages of a new settler and beginner, perhaps the statement of a portion of the labours, and estimates of the cost, will serve to lesson the doubts and anticipated difficulties of many of my friends and others in South Carolina ; and thus may forward that mode of the improvement of the State which I have so long and zealously endeavored to promote. The labours and expenses of marling (and also of liming) are over-rated and dreaded, merely because of the novelty of the operation. And when its novelty shall have given way to use and experience, then will it be truly deemed far cheaper than some other of the now customary labours and im- provements, of which no one doubts the propriety, or fears the expense, or even counts the cost as an objection to their execution. And not only will marling be deemed cheaper, relatively, or in comparing amount and dura- tion of profits as well as expenses, but absolutely of less cost than that of other labours of transient operation, and less effect even for the time. More expensive labors are regularly performed on almost every plantation in the lower districts ; as in the first cutting down and tillage of wood-land, ditching swamps, embanking tide marshes, and their cultivation in rice, and in col- lecting and applying fleeting manures from the woods or marshes. Suppose that any one of these usual processes were proposed to a planter who had no experience of it whatever : suppose also the advice to be accompanied by 294 AGRICULTURAL proper and sufficient directions for the performance, and by the most cogent arguments, and sound estimates, to prove the expediency and profit of the practice. Still the assertion may be ventured, that in every such case, the novelty of the subject alone would invest it with as much of dreaded difficul- ty and expense as now operate to oppose marling. It is to meet, and, if possible, to remove such objections, that the following statement of facts is now offered. And to serve the purpose designed, it is necessary for the details to be presented so fully, that I fear they may be deemed tedious. My present marl diggings are on the Newcastle farm, and 755 yards dis- tant from the boundary line of my own land (Marlbourne,) — the use of the marl having been afforded me by the kindness of the proprietor, Carter Braxton, Esq. The land where the marl is dug, and that on which it is carried, are parts of the extensive and well known flats, bordering the Pa- munkey river. The gradual ascent from the margin of the pits, (where the marl is thrown up on the surface of the land for the carts, is not more than 10 feet of perpendicular height, to the highest summit ; after which, the routes to all the different places of deposite pass over slight and gradual undula- tions of surface, as much descending as ascending, and which variations of level, in their extremes, scarcely exceed 6 feet So level a way is of course a great advantage, and enables me to carry much heavier loads than on the high and hilly lands which I formerly marled elsewhere. But, on the other hand, this almost level surface, with a close subsoil, requires the land every where to be ridged ; and the water furrows (or deep alleys,) and the many deeper cross “ grips” (or very narrow and shallow ditches,) together present greater obstacles to the passage of carts over the fields, than would be found with much more of ascent and inequality of surface, but with smooth tillage. In these respects, both of advantage and disadvantage, the land I have to marl is very similar to much of that on and near the Ashley and Cooper rivers. A previous and, as yet, the most extensive excavation, was begun in Jan- uary, and completed in June, immediately after which the present digging was commenced. Of the former, it is enough here to say that the stratum of marl was poorer and much thinner, and the over-lying earth much thick, er ; and altogether, the labor greater, and the returns less than of the later digging. The marl and green sand earth (which lies beneath,) removed from this one excavation, by rough measure of the pit, amounted to 26,600 solid feet. Notes of that operation also were accurately kept for the portion of time from April 20th, to June 27th. But they will not be here reported, but those following are enough, and are of more regular and uniform labors, and embrace the whole of one digging, from its commencement, to the clos- ing of the daily record. PROCEEDINGS. 295 At the latter place, the overylying earth is from 4 to 5 feet high ; of which the upper and larger portion is of sandy surface soil, and the subsoils of loose and dry sand, and gravelly sand; all making 3 to 4 feet of thickness, generally quite easy to dig and to throw off. Next is a thin layer of hard and wet gravel, lying on a soft and very adhesive ferruginous clay of a foot or less. This clay is the general water-bearing stratum, receiving through the pervious earth above, the percolating rain-water, and preventing its low- er descent ; and over which clay, towards my digging, small but per- manent springs ooze out every where. The labor of digging and shovelling this soft and stickey thin clay stratum is as great as of all the dry and loose earth above — even with the necessary care, after reaching the clay, of digg- ing a small drain all along in it, next to the high land, to cut and lead off the springs, and thus leave the day to get dryer for working at some later time. Immediately under the clay is the marl. Like the overlying strata, it is nearly horizontal, and is from 7 to 8 feet thick. Beneath the marl lies the stratum of green-sand earth of great and unknown thickness. Of this none has been used in the present digging. As soon as the green-sand is reached, the pit is abandoned, and afterwards filled by the earth thrown off, to uncover the next parallel range of marl. The marl is of very uniform texture. For a few inches at top, and some- thing more at bottom, it is a little softer than the intermediate body of 6 to 7 feet, which is compact and close, though not very hard. The heavy and sharp grubbing hoes used to dig it, are struck in about or 3 inches with a good blow. The colour is bluish gray, or, when dry, ash color. Though moist, it furnishes no oozing water ; and is as dry as any earth could be, if always covered by wet and water bearing clay. The marl as dug, weighs 104 or 105 pounds to the heaped bushel. If allowed to get wetter, its weight is much increased, as well as the trouble of shovelling. I found, by trial, that a bushel of this marl, moist as when dug, would absorb upwards of two gallons more of water, without being so surcharged that any of the water would drip away. Yet half of the people who work marl having springs oozing out above, allow so much access of water, as to add 8 or ten pounds or more, to every bushel of marl, and to increase the other labors of hand- ling in full as great proportion. This marl contains an average proportion of 41 per cent, of carbonate of lime, and 8 or 10 percent, of green-sand. It is dug much easier than most of the marls of the Santee, Ashley and Cooper rivers. On the other hand, these, in general, are nearly twice as rich as mine in calcareous matter. Most of them also are free from water, and have less overlying earth, in proportion to the workable marl ; and all are of very great and unknown thickness. Every proprietor of marl there, may compare his own facilities and disadvantages with mine, and estimate the excess of either. 296 AGRICULTURAL My mode of working in this case was directed by the disadvantageous circumstances of the water oozing or trickling out every where above the clay, and the sand above being disposed to cave in, and the more so after every heavy rain. Thus the small drain dug in the marl, and kept to lead off the springs, would be frequently choked, and the water turned into the digging. But for this, it would have been cheapest, and would have required less than half as much pit work, of digging and loading, to work upon my previous and general plan ; that is, to open a large space at once, and bring the carts in upon the marl by a sloping descent, so that they stand upon the marl where it is dug, and draw it easily from the lowest digging. Fuch was the mode of working of the previous pit, which was 184 feet long, and IT wide. But the frequent accidents which had there occurred, from caving sand, and the consequent flooding, admonished me now to resort to a more laborious, but less hazardous mode of working. The m rl had been naturally exposed to view by the passage of a small stream, which had formed a very narrow ravine of a few feet deep. Along- side of the stream, leaving a wall between, as a barrier against the water, the first small uncovering was made, about 6 feet wide, and 8 in length only, because of the want of room to dispose of the removed earth. The marl being dug out of this space, made room to receive the earth from an adjoin- ing uncovering twice as large. The uncovering and the [lilting thus pro- ceeded, both up and down alongside the stream, for about 160 feet. Then (at convenient times,) a second range of marl was uncovered 10 to 12 feet wide, for all which removed earth the pits previously dug, offered a sufficient and convenient receptacle. The third range of marl has been opened 12 or 15 feet wide, and the next will be 16 feet, which is more convenient than less width. • As soon as a space of marl is uncovered to its back line, (next the high land and its springs,) a drain of 4 or 5 inches wide, and as deep, is carried along, so as to cut off and discharge into the last completed pit (or into the stream,) all the oozing water. For digging' at one time, a space is taken the width of the range uncovered, and 15 to 30 feet long. — This space is dug down perpendicularly to the bottom, in successive courses ; and the marl is thrown by shovels to the top of the adjacent high ground, whence it is thrown into the carts. A wall of marl of 12 to 18 inches thick, is left between each pit and the adjoining range of older pits before filled with earth, until the bottom of each separate pit is reached. Then the wail is undermined, and, with the pressure on it of loose and wet earth, soon tumbles in; and as much of it is thrown out as can be easily saved from the earth and water thus suffered to come in from the old diggings. Thus very little of the marl is left. PROCEEDINGS. 297 The marl thus is thrown upward, from 4J feet where highest, to 12 feet, or more, for the lowest, besides the lateral distance. This heaviest part of the pit work would be all avoided in the graduated diggings ; the loading being the same in both cases. My hauling of marl had been commenced on January 24th, as soon as the mules, which had been much injured by the labours of wagoning my move- ables to my new residence, through the bad weather and roads of mid win- ter, were fit for work. Two mules, with the necessary attendant hand force, were set apart from the rest, for marling exclusively. — The better of these two mules, whose work will be particularly stated, though then poor, was a good ordinary one, worth $60, when in good order, at present prices. She has done full work at marling, (or what was supposed full work,) every working day, when weather did not forbid, from Jan. 24, to June 1st. — and from June 24th to the present time; besides some 6 or S days of other work, when marling could not be done. The only interval of necessary stoppage for a week, occurred after she was in good condition, in conse- quence of a slight injury caused by bad gear, and the awkwardness of a new and very young driver. Tim was in the beginning of the cessation of field marling work, from June 1st. to 23d, during which time so much rain fell, and there occurred such disasters to the large pit, (then nearly at its great- est depth,) that very little hauling was done, and still less ploughing. Thus, with the exception stated, (which was not required for, and added nothing to her strength,) the work of this mule to be stated is but a portion of steady employment throughout the year ; and under which and long ago, she has, from being quite poor, become in excelle nt woiking order. The other regular cart mule was old and feeble, and quite too slow for the plough, and therefore was put to the marl-cart. Besides, a third mule cart was used some times ; and a cart drawn by 2 oxen, (changed at noon, so that 4 oxen were required,) was generally employed, and rarely, a wagon drawn by 2 carriage horses; or by 4 mules, when ploughing, or other of their farm labors were not needed. This larger and irregularly employed force will account for the varying quautities of work in addition to that of the only regularly working animal. The distances were accurately measured, except for inconsiderable varia- tions. The mule can bodies are hopper shaped, very light, and serve as measures of the loads required. The teams came to the stable to be fed (or changed) at noon as well as at night, which usually added much to the journeys from pit to field arid back. But at such times loads were always taken to, or on the way to the stable, so that little or no travel was lost — or was done otherwise than in carrying loads or returning for them. Tasks were assigned to each mule cart. It was not desired at any time that the day’s journey of the best mules (in single carts,) should exceed 25 miles : 21,8 AGRICULTURAL and when it was much more, it was by mistake in the score kept at the pit, another error, afterwards ascertained. The wagon never could make near as many loads as the single mule carts, owing to the longer time required to put in and to discharge the loads. Of the 3 mule carts, one driver was a boy just now 15 years old, and the other two, a boy and a girl, both between 12 to 13. I will now present the particular statement designed, showing for an en- tire job of 64 consecutive working days, the daily travel, and number and amount of loads of a single mule; and also the total quantity of marl dug for and carried out by other and less regular teams, whose work though noted separately, it is not necessary to give. more particularly in this abstract from the fuller record in my farm journal. — (See next page.) The table furnishes the following results : The mule, whose work is separately stated, in 55 full working days, (omitting the 8 days of work broken, and the one summed up,) travelled 1384 miles, and 399 yards. Counting at the same rate the full work but unascertained distances of one day, (July 11th,) and the proportions of tasks executed on 8 other days, broken by rains and half holidays, all 9 making 7^ full days work, the travel for the whole, 62£ full days work, was 1572 miles and 295 yards ;* which gives for the average daily travel, to and fro, and including the extra travel, between the stable and the work, 25 miles 295 yards. The average number of loads, daily, 18.42 ; and the travel per load, yards, 2872.5 The average quantity of the loads, heaped bushels, 8,095, weighing lbs. 104 or 105 to the bushel — or of weight of load, lbs. 841.88. The quantity of marl carried out in 62| full day’s work, 7803 bushels ; serving for 26 acres, at 300 bushels to the acre ; which makes the daily average quantity carried, bushels, 124.85. And as to the general operations of all the force employed — The whole qantity of marl dug, and carried out by all the teams, in this time, 26271 bushels — enough for 87^ acres, at 300 bushels. The whole digging and throwing out of the marl, and assisting the drivers generally to load, (which assistance by one of the pit-men was required al- ways, but not always given to all of the extra teams,) was equal to 177 days labor of a single pit-man; which makes the average quantity of marl, dug, thrown out, and partly also loaded, for each pit-man, 142.42 bushels- * The parts of the 8i'days lost by rain or otherwise, amounted in time to much more than 1J days. But the loss in work was no more, because in every such interruption, the hauling, or task-work for the day, was in advance of the hour when operations were sus- pended. hauling by one mule. | Whole Work. > « Q | Loads Heap’d busli’ls. Av’oge distance from pit to field (and back.) Additional dis>. tance from sta. ble. g . 5 - Whole day’s S° journey, in- cluding dis- a o 5 — w v a c g a C! Yards. Pit-men. JO *o . -e 3 g o C"* o June 28 12 of 8 1770xi2! 380x4 25 2 310 do 29 12 8 1770 1 380 25 2 308 Monday, July I ^ 11 ** 8 1770 j 380 2 302 do 2 12 8 1770 i 3S0 25 2 304 do 3 12 8 1770 j 380 25 2 310 do 4 12 8 1770 1 380 25 2 346 do 5 12 8 1825 j 296 25 984 2 316 do 6 11 8 1866 274 23 1668 2 316 M. do 8 11 8 1883 208 24 18 2 316 do 9 10 8 2245 none. 25 900 2 272 do 10 7*+ 8 2245 do 2 154 U 13t Q 2 274 do 12 10 8 2245 none. 25 900 2 246 do 1 ; 20 8 965 1005 24 380 2 274 M. do 15 20 8 915 955 22 1700 2 2(4 do 16 20 8 915 955 22 2 274 do 17 20 8 939 955 23 900 2 274 do 18 20 8 963 | 955 24 100 3 354 do 19 * 20 8 971 955 24 420 3 402 do 20 12*4 8 984 955x2 3 250 M. do 22 20 8 995 955x4 24 1380 3 330 do 23 17*t 8 995 955 5 604 do 24 21 + 8 1012 855 26 164 5 7l6 do 25 19 8 1012 855 23 1396 5 746 do 26 13*a 8 1378 652 5 532 «>7 M. do 29 15 8 1408 652 25 848 2 324 do 30 15 8 1408 652 25 3 500 do 31 15 8 1408 652 25 3 514 Aug 1 15 8 1408 652 25 3 498 do 2 14*6 8 1263 707 3 506 do 3 16 8 1263 707 24 1004 3 536 M. do 5 16 8 1263 707 24 3 500 do f 16 8 1293 672 25 184 3 500 do 7 18 8 1069 901 23 1608 3 530 do 8 16 8 1323 647 25 924 3 529 do 9 16 8 1323 647 25 3 510 do 10 16 8 1323 647 25 3 450 M. do 12 16 8 1363 607 26 284 3 514 do 13 15 8 1374 596 24 1364 3 592 do 14 15 8 1395 575 25 184 3 596 do 15 15 8 1395 575 25 3 596 do 16 19 8 1091 880 25 1078 3 535 do 17 19 8 1091 880 25 3 585 VI. do 19 15 8 1428 522 25 928 3 543 do 20 15 5 1428 522 25 3 470 do 21 19 8 1110 857 25 1608 2 253 do 22 19 8 1134X2 836j>4 26 676 2 278 do 23 18 of 81 1154 816 25 808 2 271 do 24 18 of 81 1154 816 25 2 271 M. do 26 12 8 1865 none. 25 760 3 530 do 27 18 8 1154 816 25 808 3 540 do 28 18 8 1176 794 25 1512 3 579 do 29 18 8 1176 794 25 3 555 do 30 18 8 1200 772 26 528 3 489 do 31 10 *c of 81 1200 772 3 283 M. Sept. 2 17 of 81 1222 750 25 448 3 513 do 3 12 8 1865 none. 25 760 3 403 do 4 12 8 1865 do 25 2i 403 do 5 12 8 1865 do 25 2i 450 do 6 13 8 1865 do 27 970 2 428 do 7 12 8 1865 do 25 760 2 283 M. do 9 12 8 1865 do 25 3 639 do 10 12 8 1865 do 25 4 672 do 11 10 *d 8 1865 do 25 4 334 300 AGRICULTURAL So far, my statements have been made of actual performances ; not of what might be or ought to have been done — but of what was actually done. But estimates of the cost of these operations must necessarily rest in part on conjectural valuation ; and, to that extent, the further results to be stated must be uncertain, and liable to error. To save time and words, I shall use for the greater part, and for all the important items, the estimates of labor and cost made for a similar purpose in 1828, and which, with all the grounds and elements stated, may be seen and examined in the ‘ Essay on Calcareous Manures,’ at page 132 of 3d edition. If any charge be deemed incorrect, as the grounds of it are there presented in detail, the proper correction may be made, and the result modified accordingly. The prices of provisions, which must always constitute the chief element of the cost of labor, are much lower now than in 1823 ; and, though hires are somewhat higher, these estimates, on the whole, are at least high enough for 1844. — No change will be made in the main items, hand and team labor ; and a slight increase of the charged price will be made on some minor matters only. Remarks connected with the preceding table. * The numbers marked thus(*) are short of full days's work, for causes to be stated. ** July 1, one load.orone'twelfth of the task, lost by rain. *\ July 10, rain prevented 3 loads, or three tenths of the task. t July 11, full hut irregular work at another place, and distances not ascertained — the ordinary road being too wet to use. July 20, stopped at 12 o’clock for half holiday 8-20ths of full days’ work want ing. July 23, rain caused loss of 31oads,or 3-20ths of task. t July 24, a load too much by mistake. *a A good rain in afternoon— 2 loads (2~15ths( lost. Next day (27th) earth too wet for marling, and the mules at the harder work of ploughing for wheat. *b Aug. 2, rain caused loss of 2 loads, or 2-16ths of task. *c Aug. 31, stopped at 12 o’clock for half holiday, 8 loads, or S-lSths wanted of full day’s work. *d Sept. 11, rain, after long drought, stopped all work at 4 P. 11. Next day more and heavy rain, and this mule, and all others fit, put to ploughing for wheat. For two weeks previous to these rains, the ground had been excessively dry, so that the road, and tracks across the fields, which were constantly travelled over, were so deep in fine dust that it was very unpleasant, and even an impediment to the teams. PROCEEDINGS. 801 Estimate of the cost of Marling. Carting. — The mule per working day, cents, 26.5 Her driver, (boy of 15 years,) cents, 22 Cart and gear, suppose, cents, 7 For daily work, an average of 124.95 bush..... 55.5 Or, for the 100 bushels, cents, 44.45 Digging and assisting to load. Pit-man, per day, cents,. . . . 31.25 His share of tools, suppose cents, 1.75 For his average daily work, of 148.42 bush 33 Or, for the 100 bushels, 22.23 Throwing off overlay of earth to uncover Marl, (its thickness compared to that of the marl about in proportion of 3 to 5,) supposed to be one half the cost of pit work of the marl below; or per 100 bushels of marl dug 11.12 Spreading Marl, (300 bushels to the acre,) per 100 bushels, 12.20 Total cost of applying 100 bushels, 90 And for the acre, at 300 bushels, $2,70 What other improvement of land, which approaches the marling in degree and durability of effect, can be obtained for so little as $2,70 the acre ? And yet, in most of the numerous situations where the rich marl of the “ Great Carolinian Bed” is easily accessible, it may be applied for much less than at this rate of cost. It may not be useless to present a few such cases, of which very many similar may be found in South Carolina. For exam- ple : If there had been no springs above, or the water could have been com- manded so as to prevent its being turned (by caving earthy into the work, the carts might have descended to and been loaded standing upon the marl, which would have saved half the pit-man’s labor, or made the cost less by 83 cents the acre. Or, all other circumstances being equal, if the average distance from pit to field were only half of mine, (which was 1436 yards, or 2872 the trip to and fro,) or but 718 yards, then half the hauling would be saved, making the cost less per acre by 67 cts. Or, without either of the above advantages, or any other greater than mine, if the marl were twice as rich, (which is quite common in S. C.,) then 150 bushels would go as far as my 300, and the cost would be lessened nearly one half — or by about $1,30 the acre. 302 AGRICULTURAL Still more will be the reduction of price in many other cases, where not only one, but several of such advantages are enjoyed, either wholly or In part. Next, as to counteracting disadvantages t If a marl of double richness, (or 82 per cent ,) is so hard, (because of its richness,) as to require even thrice as much labor in digging only as mine, still it would be greatly cheaper to use, because all the other items of cost, (in throwing out, loading, hauling and spreading,) would be reduced by one half, or Very nearly. And if, besides, such rich and hard marl be much affected by water, (either lying above, or penetrating slowly its whole body,) then the additional la- bor required for continually removing the water, by bailing or pumping, ivould be much more than compensated by the greater richness of the marl ; thus still making the marling cheaper than mine at equal distances. The two objections, (haidnessof the body and exposure to water.) are all that are of importance and frequent occurrence in the marls of Charleston district. And there are very many situations in which so few difficulties oppose, that the marl may be applied to the nearest 200 acres at a total cost not exceeding 75 cents the acre ; or it may be carried 6 or 8 miles and applied for less than $5 the acre. Each individual can, for his own case and circumstances, test these assertions and estimates. It may facilitate calcula. tions of cost of other operations, made in advance of the work, to use some of the previously stated quantities as grounds for calculation. The num* ber of loads, or of bushels, that should be carried daily, of course will be inversely proportioned to the distance of each trip. Therefore, by this rule, and taking the before stated average quantities as the known terms of the proportion, it may be easily determined how many loads would be equal in labor and cost, if carried per day to any other stated distance ; or otherwise, what average distance must be chosen for a certain number of loads— which is the easier way to arrange for working. Thus for example : As 1 load, carried per day, is to 25 miles and 295 yards (or 44295 yards) the whole day’s journey, so will be 17 loads (the number desired to be made,) to 2605.6 yards, the average of the trips to and fro— -or double the distance from pit to field, without any extra travel. And the following table offers application of this rule : For 1 load per day, the whole travel per trip to and fro, .... 44,295 yards. in « 41 14 15 « (1 9 n •* If 25 “ II 30 “ II PROCEEDINGS. 803 The expense of marling per 100 bushels (aecoiding to the foregoing grounds of estimation,) being known for any one distance, it may thence be easily computed what would be the expense for any other distance. The hauling only is affected by the difference of distance, all the other charges remaining unchanged. Thus, my marling with the average length of haul, ing distance, 2872 yards, (to and fro,) cost bO cents the 100 bushels, of which almost precisely half was the cost of the hauling. Then for ten times that distance, (making 8 miles 280 yards from pit to field, or 16 m. 560 jda. to and fro,) the expense would be, §4,45 for the hauling, and 45 cents for all other charges ; amounting altogether to 4,90 the 100 bushels. Until the suspension of my marling in June, (for harvest and other labors, and extended by rainy weather,) I found my ox team much the cheapest for the work performed — the estimated cost falling considerably below that of the mule carts. But when resuming hauling, June 24th, the oxen soon began to fail in the middle of the hottest days— and in general have done much less work since than previously. Good mules, working singly, to light carts, are the most effective, for distances of less than a mile from pit to field. Two mule carts, and, still more larger teams in wagons, lose so much more time in loading and unloading, that they are less profitable, unless for longer d is. tances ; and these are the moie preferable in proportion to the length of distance. Much the greater number of mule loads were 8 bushels only, so that after being increased, first to 8^, and then to 8£, the general average was still but 8.095, which is the amount assumed in the foregoing estimate. But there is no doubt that the recent increase to 8J can be maintained, (as it has been since, to this time, Sept. 26th,) and that it is therefore none too much for an esti- mate of what may done easily and regularly. This opinion does not rest on my own reecent and limited observations only, but on much better grounds. Since the foregoing record of daily labor was nearly completed, I have seen the team of Mr. P. B. Winston, of this county, at their regular work. He has 5 carts, each drawn by two very fine mules, all much better than mine. He carries marl three miles (measured) from the pit to his field, and makes 4 trips daily, or a journey of 24 miles. Three of his carts, carry 16 bushels, and the other two carts, with the strongest mules, 20 each, the carts beum filled even full. His rouie is mostly along a public road, and ascends sev. eral considerable hills. This work has been regularly performed long enough to establish the fact that the teams are fully equal to the labor, and keep in excellent condition. The marl used by Mr. Winston is from Mr. W ni. F. Wickham’s beds, where it is free from water, much dryer, and con- sequently lighter than mine. 304 AGRICULTURAL 1 have also learned recently, by letter, from Gov. Hammond of South Carolina, that, at Silver Bluff, he has increased his loads of marl to 18 or 19 bushels, for carts, and to 20, for a light wagon, each drawn by two mules. He, however, does not permit his teams to travel more than 21 miles — and I am ready to believe, that this greater burden with less speed of teams, is better than my own procedure. All these performances, however, were on firm roads, very level routes, (except Mr. Winston’s,) and in summer weath- er. Under opposite circumstances, much lighter loads would require heavi- er labor. It may, perhaps, be objected to the foregoing statements and estimates, that the work was done in the long days of summer, and in dry weather, when there would be the least obstruction to, or loss of labor from bad weather, and bad roads. And I will admit further, that the expense incurred was not increased by sickness of anyone of the regular marling hands, nor by any other important loss in labour or materials. All these would be good grounds for objection, if no allowances had been made for average losses on these scores. But, in the general estimates of the cost of labor, there were made the ample allowances of 30 days labor of the year lost on the average by each man and boy, by bad weather, sickness and half holi- days ; (besides the 58 of Sundays and regular holidays;) and 40 days for each mule, and also enough for wear and breakage of carts and utensils. Therefore the proper proportion of these losses are in fact fully charged in the estimate, though scarcely any of such losses occurred. It is true that winter marling would be much more costly, owing to the then generaly muddy or frozen and rough roads. And therefore during that season, and when the earth is wet and soft, it will be better to suspend marling labors, if the teams can be employed at other, easier and as necessary work. My marling, however, by the regular or appropriated force, will not be thus suspended until the work is much more advanced. For the extra expense of the more disadvantageous and costly winter marling is of less amount than would be lost in the difference of pro- ductive value of land marled, and the same if left unmarled. Thus it is cheaper to pay $4 an acre, for marling a field before taking its crop from it for that year, than to take the crop first, and afterwards marl it for $2. And, therefore, deeming the omission or delay of marling tobe by far the most expensive thing in regard to the operation, I shall marl even in unsuitable seasons this year, so as to avoid the necessity here- after of ever again bearing the much heavier expense of cultivating any unmarled ground. The effort made under such views, and without les- sening the proper extent of cultivation for the farm and my working force, will probably serve to marl 250 acres in this first year of renewed farm- PROCEEDINGS. 305 Ing labors. After thus providing for all the crops to be planted next year, it may thereafter be more economical to apply marl only in good seasons, or merely fast enough to dress successively the remaining fields, each one before it shall come under cultivation, according to its turn, or its place in the rotation of crops. EDMUND RUFFIN. Hon. Whitemarsh B. Seabrook, Pres't State Ag'l Society oj South Carloina. 4 : ' t PROF. SHEPARD’S ANALYSIS OE COTTON-WOOL, COTTON-SEED, INDIAN CORN AND THE YAM POtATOE. 1st— COTTON WOOL. One hundred parts weight of cotton-wool on being heated in a platina cru- cible, so long as brightly burning gas continued to be emitted, lost 86.09 parts— the residuum being a perfectly charred cotton, which, on being ignited under a muffle until every particle of carbon was consumed, lost 12.985, and left an almost purely white ash, whose weight was rather under 1 p. c. or 0.9247. Of this ash, about 44 p. c. was found to be soluble in water. It contained 12.88 p. c. of silicious sand, which must have been acquired ad* ventitiously in the process of harvesting the fibre. Deducting the sand from the ash, the constitution of the latter is as follows : — Carbonate of Potassa (with possible traces of Soda,) 44.19 Phosphate of Lime,. 25.44 Carbonate of Lime, 8.87 Carbonate of Magnesia, 6.85 Silica,,.... 4.12 Alumina (probably accidental,). 1,40 Sulphate of Potassa,* ***........... 2.70 Chloride of Potassium, 'j Choloride of Magnesium, | Sulphate of Lime, j> and loss. .6.43 Phosphate Potassa, I Oxide Iron in minute traces, J .. — 100.00 But since it is obvious that the carbonic acid in the above mentioned salts must have been derived during the incineration of the cotton, the following View will more certainly express the important mineral ingredients abstracted by the cotton from the soil for every 100 parts of its ash: 308 AGRICULTURAL Potassa (with possible traces of Soda,) 31.09 Lime, .17.05 Magnesia, 3.26 Phosphoric Acid, 12.30 Sulphuric Acid, 1.22 64.92 For every 10,000 lbs. of cotton wool, then, about 60 lbs. of the above mentioned ingredients are subtracted from the soil in proportion indicated by the numbers appended, i. e. omitting fractions. Potassa, 31 pounds. Lime, 17 Magnesia, 3 Phosphoric Acid, 12 Sulphuric Acid, 1 Several queries were submitted to me along with the sample to be analyz- ed, relative to the effect of soils on cotton. I regret to state that the almost total ignorance in which we are still left respecting the composition of the varieties of this fibre, and the soils producing them prevents me from hazard, ing any explanations on the subject. This is the first destructive analysis ever made (at least so far as my knowledge extends,) of the cotton-wool. Nor am I acquainted with the properties of the soil which afforded it. Prior to any deductions, it is clear we must know the composition of each variety of cotton, as well as that of the soil it affects. At present I can only venture on connecting together two facts which appear to occupy important relations to one another. The soil of St. Stephen’s, which is said by F. A. Porcher ? Esq., to be a stiff clayey loam, produces the strongest and finest fibre of the Santee varieties. The Sea-Island qualities are supposed to owe their superi- ority to the use of marsh-mud, which I have ascertained to be a clayey admix, ture, rich in alkalies and alkaline earths. Whether the similarity between these two staples is influenced most (if it is affected at all,) by -the chemical or mechanical qualities of the soils producing them, it is impossible to decide. It is also conceivable that the two sets of qualities may conspire to one and the same end. 2d — COTTON-SEED. One hundred parts, heated as above, lost 77.475, and the thoroughly charr. ed residuum burned under the muffle, left 8.856 parts of a perfectly white asb. The composition was found to be as follows \ PROCEEDINGS. 309 Phosphate of Lime (with traces of Magnesia,) 61.64 Phosphate of Potassa (with traces of Soda,) 31.51 Sulphate of Potassa, • • • • 2.55 Silica 1.74 Carbonate of Lime, 0.41 Carbonate of Magnesia, 26 Chloride of Potassium, 25 Carbonate of Potassa, ") Sulphate of Lime, j Sulphate of Magnesia, and loss, 1.64 Alumina & oxides of iron & I manganese in traces, J — 100.00 In comparing the above table with that afforded by the cotton-wool, a marked dissimilarity presents itself. The ash of the cotton seed is fourfold that of the fibre ; while the former has also treble the phosphoric acid pos- sessed by the latter, as will the more clearly appear, when ws present the analysis under another form, corresponding with the second table under cot- ton. wool. Phosphoric Acid, ....45.35 Lime, 29.79 Potassa, 1940 Sulphuric Acid, 1.16 95.70 From the foregoing analysis it would appear difficult to imagine a vegata- ble compound, better adapted for fertilizing land, than the cotton seed ; nor can we any longer be surprised at the well known fact, that soils long cropped with this s'taple, without a return to them of the inorganic matters withdrawn in the seed, become completely exhausted and unproductive. 3J.— INDIAN CORN. One hundred parts heated to redness in a crucible, so long as brightly burn, ing flame was emitted, lost 81.05 parts. The completely charred residuum on being ignited beneath a muffle, upon a platina foil, until all the carbon was consumed, left 0.95 parts, or less than 1 per cent, of an easily flowing clear glass. This ash has the following composition : — 310 AGRICULTURAL Silica, Potassa, (with traces of Soda,) Phosphate of Lime, Phosphate of Magnesia, Phosphate of Potassa,. Carbonate of Lime, Carbonate of Magnesia, Sulphate of Lime, > Sulphate of Magnesia, $ ' * * * Silica, mechanically present,. . Alumina, traces, Loss, 38.45 19.51 17.17 13.83 2.24 2.50 2.16 79 1.70 1.65 100.00 Omitting the Silica as an unimportant loss to the soil, and the Carbonic acid which is a product of the analysis, we have in every 100 parts of the ash of the Indian corn, the following important inorganic constituents : — Potassa, 20.87 Phosphoric Acid, 18.80 Lime, 9.72 Magnesia 4.76 55.15 That is to say, for every 1000 pounds of Indian corn sold from an estate, the land is robbed of 9£ lbs. inorganic matter, whereof about lbs. consist of principles of prime value to all species of crops.* 4th.— SWEET POTATOE, (YAM.) The tubers analyzed, though fresh from the market, were obviously drier than when first harvested. One hundred parts of the thinly sliced tubers, on being thoroughly dried at a temperature of 200 degrees, lost 58.97 percent, of water. One hundred parts of the undried potato gave 1.09 parts, or rather over 1 per cent, of a whitish ash stained in points of a bluish green color. Its composition was as follows : * In a recent number of the Boston Journal of Natural History, I observe som e obser vations by Dr. Charles T. Jackson, on the inorganic constitution of Indian corn, wherein Dr. J. supposes phosphoric acid to be present in the grain, in a free or uncombined State- The experiment which led him to form this conjecture, did by no means succeed in my hands as described by him; for although the grain was repeatedly incinerated upon a bright platina foil under muffer, still the metal lost none of its polish or malieabilitv. Neither can I agree with Dr. J. in hie opinion of the presence of ammonia as a base in Indian corn, the volatile alkali obtained by him, being a product rather than an educt of the analysis. PROCEEDINGS. 311 Carbonate of Potassa, (with traces of Soda,) Phosphate of Lime, Phosphate of Magnesia, Carbonate of Lime, Carbonate of Magnesia, Chloride of Potassium, Sulphate of Potassa, Silica, Chloride of Calcium Sulphate of Magnesia and Lime, Alumina, Oxides of Iron and manga nese in traces, and loss, 60.00 14.57 5.60 5.39 3.90 4.60 , 4.35 70 99 100.00 One hundred parts of the ash from the sweet potato tuber, contains then the following inorganic principles which must have been withdrawn from the soil. Potassa, 43.59 Phosphoric Acid, 11.08 Lime, 10.12 Magnesia, 3-80 Potassium, 2.42 Chlorine, 2.18 Sulphuric Acid,. 1.90 85.09 Tabular vieio of some of the foregoing results. In Cotton. Wool. Cotton-seed. Indian Corn. Potato. Weight of Ash, 0.9247 p. c. 3.855 p. c. 0.95 p. c. 1.09 p. c. Essential inorganic ingredients absorbed from the soil By Cotton-wool. Cotton-Seed. Indian Corn. Potato. Potassa, 31.09 19.40 20.87 43.59 Lime, 17.05 29.79 9.72 10.12 Magnesia, 3.26 trace 5.76 3.80 Phosphoric Acid, 12.30 45.35 18.80 11.08 Sulphuric Acid, 1.12 1.16 trace 1.90 Chlorine traces traces — 2.18 Potassium, — — — 2.42 312 AGRICULTURAL One thousand pounds of each crop gave of inorganic ingredients, of the 1st, 9-| lbs.; 2d, 38J lbs.; 3d, 9^ lbs.; and of the 4th, 10 9-10 lbs. The proportions of inorganic matter that may be regarded as most impor- tant, are — In the 1st, 64-100 ; in the 2d, 95-100 ; in the 3d, 55-100 ; in the 4th, 85-100 lbs. If equal weights of cotton-wool and Indian corn be taken from the same area of land, the deterioration to the soil in inorganic principles should be nearly the same. The yam, if compared with either of these crops, would appear to rob the soil of a still heavier weight of saline matter, although it is noticeable that the proportion of phosphoric acid abstracted by it is consider, ably less, and that no portion of it is thus withdrawn in the condition of phos- phate of potassa. Finally. — Under the same weight, the cotton seed removes about four times as much of these ingredients as the yam, and six times the quantity that passes off by the cotton wool, or the Indian corn. Moreover, the proportion of phosphoric acid (the most valued mineral constituent of a soil,) in the cotton seed is nearly double that in Indian corn, and treble that in cotton-wool and the yam ; whereby the inestimable qualities of the cotton seed as a fertilizer, becomes still further apparent. Charleston, April 2 2d, 1844. To Frederick A. Porcher, Esq. Dear Sir , — I thank you for calling my attention to the analysis of Sea- Island cotton-wool, by Dr. Ure, as quoted in the valuable Memoir on Cotton by the Hon. W. Seabrook. It is the first notice I ever had of any chemical examination besides my own, of the ash of cotton-wool, and it is proper that I should submit a few remarks to your Society respecting the different results arrived at in the two cases. If the example analyzed by Dr. Ure, was a fair one, of which I confess I entertain some doubts, several discrepancies would appear to exist between the two varieties examined. Before alluding to these, however, I beg leave to state, that in my analysis, both of the wool and of the seed, I contented myself with the determination of the proportion of the phosphates, without establishing rigorously the ratio of the magnesia to the lime ; neither did my analysis give by itself the chloride of potassium, (muriate of potash.) Yet I am able to add, from a recurrence to my notes, that this compound fell short of 3 per cent. I am greatly surprised, however, to find the oxide of iron so high in the Sea-Island variety, since in that of the Santee it cannot equal half a part in one hundred. Should the absence of carbonate of mag- nesia in the Sea-Island variety be verified, and the extraordinary content in PROCEEDINGS. 313 the latter of chlorine and sulphuric acid be established, the inorganic differ- ence between the two staples, will, to say the least, be as remarkable as those existing in their physical qualities. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT. TABLE I. Sea-Island. Santee. Earthy Phosphates, 17.4 26.44 Carbonate of Lime, 10.6 8.87 Carbonate of Magnesia, 0.0 6.85 Chloride of Potassium, (muriate of potash,).... 9.9 3.001 Sulphate of Potassa, 9.3 2.70 Silica, 0.0 4.12 Peroxide of Iron, 3.0 0.501 ‘ TABLE II. In this table the acids are separated from their bases, and the carbonic acid is omitted. Potassa, Lime, Magnesia, Potassium, Phosphoric Acid,. . . . Sulphuric Acid, Chlorine, - Peroxide of Iron,. . . . Silica Phosphate of Potassa, 76.11 73.99 Very respectfully, yours, CHARLES U. SHEPARD. 35.24 31.09 10.28 17.05 3.20 CO 5.70 1.501 9.84 12.30 4.75 1.22 4.20 1.50? 3.00 less than 0 50 00 4.12 00 1.50? ANALYSIS OF MARLS FROM THE VICINITY OF CHARLESTON. By Charles Upham Shepard, Professor of Chemistry in the Medical Col- lege of the State of South Carolina. In connexion with my lately completed course on Chemistry applied to agriculture, the following results were obtained, which as they were in some respects novel to myself, may not prove wholly uninteresting to others. 314 AGRICULTURAL The specimens examined may be conveniently referred to, under the fol- lowing names : 1. Yellowish gray chalk-marl ; 2. Greyish white chalk-marl; 3. Argilla- ceous chalk-marl ; 4. Marly limestone. 1. Yellowish grey clialk-marl. (Green marl.) This is a loose, slightly cohering stone, much freckled with brown and blackish grains. It easily crumbles down when wetted, at the same time assuming a dark, greenish grey color. When the crumbling particles are thoroughly washed with water, so as to float off the finer powder, we discover with the aid of a common microscope, little fragments of shells, zoophytes and echinoderms, as well as of bones, mingled with fine grains of sand, and occasionally with particles of green earth. Dry lumps of this marl do not emit the argillaceous odor on being moistened. (a.) From Mr. J. P. Clement’s plantation, on the west bank of Ashley River, fourteen miles above Charleston. The bank is 30 feet above the bed of the river, and directly contiguous to navigable water. Silica... 28.00 Carbonate of lime, with traces of carb. magnesia, 58.00 Phosphate of lime and magnesia, with traces of peroxide of iron, 8.80 Alumina, 0.80 Water, 4.00 99.60 Water boiled on this marl, takes up an abundance of sulphate of lime and of chloride of calcium. The stone gives off fumes of ammonia on being wetted with solution of potassa. It is also slightly impregnated with bitu- men, or mineral. tar. (b.) From the Rev. Dr. Hanckel’s place, at Church Creek, St. Andrews. In connexion with this locality, I noticed various fragments of fish-reinains, and casts of a small Cardium, about ^ of an inch in diameter. Silica, Carbonate of lime, Carbonate of magnesia, Phosphate of lime and magnesia, with traces of peroxide of iron,. . Alumina, Water, 29.08 44.40 , 9. 58 , 7.00 80 4.00 Soluble ingredients and bitumen, the same as in (a.) 94.86 PROCEEDINGS. 315 (c.) From Pon Pon on the Ashepoo. This fragment was handed me by Dr. Holbrook. Silica, 34.41 Carbonate of lime, 53.56 Carbonate of magnesia, 2.12 Phosphate of lime and magnesia, with traces of peroxide of iron,. . . . 2.47 Alumina, 0.40 Water, 4.00 101.99 Contains bitumen. Soluble ingredients not tested. Mean result for the three foregoing localities. Silica, 30.43 Carbonate of lime and magnesia, 57.55 Phosphate of lime and magnesia, 6.09 Alumina, 0.66 Water, 4. OS 98.73 With traces of peroxide of iron, ammonia, sulphate of lime, chloride of calcium, bitumen, and very feeble indications of some compound of potassium. 2. Greyish white chalk-marl. This is a fine grained, porous, easily pulverized stone, strikingly analogous in its lithological properties to the chalk-marls of Westphalia. Its color is greyish white, sometimes tinged brown by iron, and rarely having a pale yel- low hue, mingled with the grey. It is easily crushed to powder, even with the strength of the hands, especially if it is wetted. It is richer in fossil remains and impressions, than the variety first described. The most conspicuous of these fossils are an anthophyllum of a conical form, and one inch or more long, a slender jointed coralline, a caryophyllia, stem of a pentacrinites ? spines and plates of echini, a cast of a small belemnites, of a natica, a fulgur, a ranella, a scalaria, a mytilus, a venus (2 inches across) and cytherea (of about one inch) a cardium and shells of a balanus (1 inch across and J high.) In addition to these, are noticed frequent fish remains, as teeth, bones, and scales, as well as irregular fragments of bones, which must have belonged to larger animals. (g ) From Drayton-Hall. Specimen from Dr. Drayton. 316 AGRICULTURAL Silica, 10.20 Carbonate of lime, 66.04 Carbonate of magnesia, 2.56 Phosphate of lime and magnesia, with traces of peroxide of iron,. . . . 8.60 Alumina, 1.00 Water, 4.00 92.40 Rich in ammonia, sulphate of lime, chloride of calcium, with distinct traces of bitumen. (b) From Dr. Gedding’s plantation, called “Elms,” on Goose Creek, a branch of Cooper River, and fifteen miles from Charleston. It has a pale buff color, and is less forsiliferous than the variety from Drayton Flail. Silica, Carbonate of lime, Carbonate of magnesia, Phosphate of lime and magnesia, with traces of peroxide of iron,. . . . Alumina, Water, 18.60 68.00 1.20 9.20 40 4.00 101.04 Bitumen and soluble matter as in ( a .) (c.) From Mr. T. Harleston’s plantation, called Ehvood, on Cooper River. Silica, 16.200 Carbonate of lime, 76.880 Carbonate of magnesia,. 1.406 Phosphate of lime and magnesia, 2.600 Alumina, traces. Water, 4.00 101.036 Soluble matter and bitumen, only in traces. Mean of the. three results. Silica, 15.00 Carbonate of lime and magnesia, 72.06 Phosphate of lime and magnesia,. 6.80 Alumina, 46 Water, 4.00 93.32 I PROCEEDINGS. 317 3. Argillaceous chalk-marl. From Mr. Dixon’s Plantation This is a light, porous, fine grained, clayey looking marl, which emits a strong argillaceous oder when moistened, and eas ly falls to pieces in water. Its color is dark grey, with a tinge of yellow. It embraces small white frag, ments of shells, and strikingly resembles certain fresh water-marls. Among its particles, when well washed, are noticed grains of sand and of bone ; but the latter in much smaller quantity than in either of the foregoing varieties. Silica, Carbonate of lime Carbonate of magnesia, Phosphate of lime and magnesia, with traces of peroxide of iron, Alumina, Water,.. 16.00 63.50 7.00 2.00 4.75 5.00 98.25 Soluble salts, only in traces. 3. Marly limestone, from Wilmington, N. C. Found in thick beds, contiguous to the Steam Boat Landing . This is rather a firm rock, often sub-crystaline and rich in fossils, both zoophytic and molluscous, besides containing frequent remains of fish. Cer. tain portions of the bed which are softer and more cretaceous in appearance, embrace irregular, oval balls, sometimes of the size of a hazle.nutor almond, which are green and often mottled like serpentine. Their surface is often sprinkled over with coarse grains of sand. In hydrochloric acid, they are principally dissolved with rapid effervescence ; from which, ammonia throws down a copious precipitate of phosphate of lime and magnesia, and the clear liquor subsequently affords abundance of lime and magnesia. The matter not taken up by the acid appears to be sand and green earth. It is not easy to explaiu the origin of these green nodules. The marly limestone has the fol. lowing composition : Silica, 16.00 Carbonate of lime and magnesia, 80.00 Phosphate of lime and magnesia, 2.80 Alumina, 1.00 Water, 2.00 101.80 318 AGRICULTURAL REMARKS. Prior to these analysis, it was difficult to account in any very satisfactory manner, for the known efficacy of such marls in agriculture; since the soils on which several of them had bet n employed were known by analysis, to be no more deficient in carbonate of lime and magnesia than the prolific soils of the Mississippi Valley. The reason assigned for marling in South Carolina, by Mr. Ruffin, viz: that carbonate of lime ia thereby afforded to land, does not appear to me to be the chief motive the planter has for following up this practice - * It would rather appear that the soluble, saline matter and bitumen are also among the active ingredients of this species of mineral manure, while the phosphate of lime and magnesia, is that constituent, which, in my opinion, is decidedly paramount to all others. This view of the efficacy of phosphatic marie, accords with what is known of the large proportion of phosphate of lime and magnesia found in the fruits of plants, and especially in those of the cereals ;f it having been observed that where this amendment is employed, that the maturation of the grain is more perfect, the quantity and quality both, being highly promoted. To place the requisition of these phosphates by plants, especially in the ripening of seed, in a still stronger light, I may, in conclusion, quote the recent experiments of Dr. Vogel, [see Annalen der Chimie und Pharmacie 1844,) on the distribution of mineral substances by the individual organs of plants. This interesting paper commences with the statement of what was known before, viz: that the incombustible residues obtained from different organs of the same plant do not agree with one another in composition ; the ingredients being often quite different in kind, and always in their proportions. For instance, the ashes of the tubers of the potato are quite different from those derived from the tops 5 while other diversities again exist between the com* position of the balls and that of the stems. Dr. Vogel selected for his experiments, the Ashes of the Pyrus spectabilis and of the Sambucus nigra. * This writer in his Report on the Agricultural survey of this State, (p. 51, et. seq. 1843,) observes, that this ingredient has a strong chemical attraction for soluble, putrescent matters, vegetable and annimal, and a power of combining with them, forming compounds which cannot be decomposed by air, water or heat, and which cannot therefore go to waste, but which are perfectly decomposable by the powers of growing vegetation, and therefore may be profitably and entirely used as food for plants. Herein, he observes is the great secret of the benefit of Calcareous manures. Other useful services ennmerated by the same judicious writer, are their neutralizing the acidity of certain soils, altering the texture and absorbency of others, causing crops to mature earlier, also as being an essentia] aliment of plants, of preventing malaria, and finally ol serving to impart to plants such a healthy and vigorous state of growth as to enable them to escape the ordinary sources op injury. t See analysis of cotton, Indian com and rice, in former pages. PROCEEDINGS. 319 In the trunks of the first ofi these plants he found, Alkaline carbonates, 4.6 Carbonate of lime, 82.2 Carbonate of magnesia, 4.9 Phosphate of lime and magnesia, 8.8 100.5 In the leaves were found, Alkaline carbonates, with traces of chloride of sodium, sulphate of po- tassa, and alkaline phosphates, 6.8 Carbonate of lime,. 72.9 Carbonate of magnesia, 9.76 Phosphate of lime and magnesia, .10.50 99.90 In the fruit. Alkaline Carbonates, 1.9 Alkaline phosphates,.... 14.1 Carbonate of lime, 07.00 Carbonate of magnesia, 5.52 Phosphate of lime and magnesia, ...IS. 60 Silica...... 3.70 97.92 On comparing these results, it appears that the soluble salts are nearly eight times greater in the fruit than in the stem. The phosphates augment also in the fruit, while the carbonates fall off from 86 to 45. In the Sambucus nigra, the quantity of phosphoric acid in the trunk, amounted to 10.5 p. c., whilst in the leaves, to 13.6, and in the fruit to 20.3, p, c. I . . . - • • ■ - REPORT, ON THE REDUCTION OF THE COTTON CROP. The Committee to whom was referred the communication of Col. Davie, addressed to the Hon. George McDuffie, W. M’Willie and VV. B. Sea- bkook, report : That they have considered Col. Davie’s scheme of a combination among the cotton planters, to reduce the quantity planted, and thus enhance the price. They regard it, in the first place, as impracticable. The habits of planters are those of separate action : the combine less than any other class of men. Each regards his own plantation as his empire : he looks around, and considers what will best promote his individual interest ; and though there is no doubt that many might be induced to meet, consult, and possibly write in favor of Col. Davie’s project, yet some, and probably a great many, would prefer separate action, and thus destroy the scheme in the very outset. The vast number of persons engaged in planting cotton in the Southern and South Western States, renders the whole project impossible. What may be our interest in South Carolina might not, and very probably would not, be the interest of the planters in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida and Texas. Their means of raising immense crops make them insensible to that which presses upon us, with so much severity. In the second place, your committee are persuaded, that ;if such a scheme were practicable, it is by no means desirable that it should take place. For, in its most favorable action, it would, in the end, operate very much to the injury of the cotton planters. If, by a reduction of one half, in the produc- tion, the price be raised one or two hundred per cent., the next season the quantity raised would be greatly increased, which would again reduce its value to a ruinous extent. Nothing can have more disastrous effects upon planters than this fluctuation from low prices to high, and from high to low. All which is necessary to our prosperity is a diminution of our wants, and a near approach to certainty, in the market value of cotton. Whether it be high or low is of little consequence. Every thing will soon conform to it. From the cheapness and superior quality of our cotton, it has possession of the English manufactures in the ratio of nine to one. In the course of a few 21 322 AGRICULTURAL years, if we continue to increase the quantity, we shall in a corresponding increasing ratio, diminish the production in East Indian and South American cotton, and at length, fairly drive allcompetion from the field, and thus secure a monopoly of cotton in the markets of the world. This will give security to our domestic institutions. For, as soon as the world feel that they are dependent on us, for the cotton manufactured and worn by its millions, there will be no disposition to take from us our laborers, and thereby prevent the supply of so necessary an article. But if we do not grow the quantity now exported, and keep pace with the increasing population and consumption of the world, the vacuum will have to be supplied by other nations. On looking at a statistical table, hereto annex- ed, it will be seen, that almost every bale now exported is annually consumed in manufactures. This being so, it follows, that the supply by us, or others, must meet the demand. This may be illustrated by reference to the state of things in the British West India Islands. The act of emancipation withdrew an immense amount of effective labor from the cultivation of sugar ; it of course diminished the supply from them, but increased it in Demerara and Louisiana. The object of Great Britain in liberating her slaves was to pave the way to general emancipation in the West Indies and North Amer- ica. So far she has failed in accomplishing it, and indeed at present, it looks from her importation of Africans and East Indians, as if she was half way repenting her folly. But we can render no more efficient service, in accom. plishing cherished object, than by diminishing our production of cotton. — When we shall do so, her East India provinces will come into the market, and supply what we have failed to do. Let her once turn the current of trade, and give the monopoly to the East Indies, which we now have, in a short time we shall be driven from the field, and then where is slavery ? Our negroes will be valueless, and a burden, and of course their owners will cease to hold them. Your Committee are fully convinced there is not now, as is supposed an over-production of cotton ; for there cannot be an over-production of an article which is annually consumed. That this is the case with cotton, appears from the statistical table. The situation of distress in which we have been, and possibly still are, is not the result of over-production. It resulted from the visionary specula- tions of great financial and commercial schemes. Many indulged in fancies, illusory as the South Sea scheme, and to the full as impossible, as the dis- covery of the famous el dorado. Such men gave to every thing a*Iancied value, which increased as their imaginations expanded — credit was unnatura- ly extended, until debt exceeded every possible means of payment. Hence? PROCEEDINGS. 323 the revulsion of ’37 and ’33, and the prostration of much real, but more fancied wealth. At the present moment we are recovering from that, by natural and proper means. Our cotton at low prices is paying annually our debts, and com- pelling us to reduce our luxuries, and to pursue a just economy. The cur- rency is gradually expanding, ’through the operations of our well regulated banks, so as to' meet the wants of the people, and had it not been for the unprecedented drought and consequent loss of crops, wherewith it has pleased God to visit us, we should, in the next year, have reached a point of com- parative safety, and ease from the past pressure. The extension of the production of cotton is met by a corresponding demand. Nearly one half of the population of Europe, especially France and Germany, have not now the comfort of a cotton shirt, or cotton jacket. It has therefore this field as an untried market, but one which is every day opening more and more to our enterprize. To this must be added, that per- severance on our part will drive all competitors from the field, and when they turn their attention to some other branch of business, they must be common customers. Our American cotton, and very probably our American manu- factures, are in time, and that a very short one, to be used by every civilized inhabitant, and also many a savage one of the world. But if the production of cotton in the North American States was dimin- ished one half the amount of misery which it would cause can hardly be realized. The cotton planter supports millions of human beings, and clothes hundreds of millions more. Let him extend his philanthropic labors : he will be henefitted by them : and countless thousands will call him blessed. At this time , every indication points to an increase of price, such as the opening of the Chinese trade, the general, soundness of the currency, abun- dance of poor in England, the possible repeal of the duty on raw cotton in every country, arising from competition among the manufacturers, and the unprecedsnted demand for machinery in England, on the Continent, and in this country. To these encouraging circumstances it must be added, that probably the Tariff which has been to us the source of so many troubles, will, in a short time, come down to the revenue standard. The evils under which we labor are not those of over-production. They arise from two other causes ; one is that of over-legislation. Give us free trade, abolish the unnatural burdens which nations have imposed upon one another: in a word, let the planter be free, and his comforts would soon be duplicated. If the grower of cotton could send his crop of cotton lo any part of the world, and receive in exchange for it commodities subject to a moderate duty, your com- mittee believe that the demand for American cotton would be increased to four millions instead of two millions of bales. This we would be unable to 324 AGRICULTURAL furnish, for the land adapted to its growth is greater in quantity than will ever be cultivated, the number of laborers is limited. Unless j the African slave trade be again opened, or the introduction of slaves from the West Indies be permitted, (of which no one dreams) an increased cultivation can only arise from the withdrawal of laborers from the cultivation of rice, tobacco and sugar, (than which nothing is less probable, especially in refer- ence to the latter article,) an increase of population, and improved modes of cultivation. These sources of an increase of production, are so limited, that they never can meet the demand which would arise from free trade. We agree with a late writer, that “ the American tariff is the origin of all the hostility of foreign nations to the institutions of the South.” It is clear to our minds, that there can be no improvement in the business of planting, until this unnatural hostility and its cause be removed. For, every Southern planter feels Ins want of security, and the effect of this is increased upon him by the belief, in the non-slaveholding States, that slavery is to soon perish by its own weight. Let him and all others feel that he is secure in his property, and it will quadruple his energy and success. Another cause of our distress is, that in a large portion of the Southern country, cotton is cultivated, when its production does not now, and never can, at all compensate the planter for the labor bestowed. Then it is desir- able for every one, that other branches of industry should be pursued. In such sections, manufactures may be most profitably substituted, and every manufactory established will be not only additional wealth to the proprietors and the country, but will also materially aid the cotton planter by increasing the consumption. We don’t intend to encourage the cultivation of cotton to the neglect of the other products necessary to support or comfort. Every planter should promptly render himself independent, in reference to those articles which could be produced on his plantation. In this way he would profitably curtail the quantity of land devoted to the cotton crop. An abandonment of the present extremely defective mode of culture, and the substitution of a better, would insure a larger quantity of cotton than would be lost by diversying the products of industry. In other words, his cotton crop would be larger, his corn, wheat, rice, oats, barley, horses, mules, hogs, cattle, sheep, brnter and vegetables, would be the produce of his farm. If, however, the cotton crop is to be given up one half, after all the reduc- tions of it which we have sanctioned, to what else can the planter of the South so profitably turn his attention ? To grain 1 He already in ordinary years , produces twice as much as the middle States, and about one-eighth more than the west. In Indian corn alone, the produce of the South, by her last cencus, was 300,000,000 bushels. If the planter of cotton is engaged PROCEEDINGS. 325 in an unprofitable business, much more is the grain raised. The interest on capital invested in agriculture at the North, is less than 3 per cent. ; here it is about 4 per cent. That the rice and tobacco culture might be profitably extended in this State, and will be in South West and Texas, is true. Mil- lions of acres in South Carolina, including the lower country, are abmirably adapted to the raising of rich grasses. This might be added as another branch of industry, from which reasonable profits could be realized, and might very well be added to the cotton planter’s income. The business of tanning, and the manufactures of leather, might be, and ought to be enlarged. In this State, all the means of a successful pursuit of this branch of industry are at hand, and within the reach of every one. Hides, lime, bark, and mechanics (slaves) are abundant. A few years ago, the capital engaged in this branch of industry in Massachusetts, was $14,000,000, while that of cotton, was $13,000,000, and wool less, less than $11,000,000. Another great inducement to South Carolina to persevere in the cultivation of cotton, (where, in reference to quantity, it can be advantageously grown) is that, it is now highly probable thet very many planters in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, will in future direct their attention to tobacco and sugar. Their lands are well adapted to these productions, and the reduc- tion of the duty on American sugar in Great Britain is one strong reason why the culture should be extended. For these reasons, your Committee disapprove of any scheme which would have a tendency to materially abridge the quantity of cotton produced. Indeed, they trust that it will continue to increase, and carry its blessings as it were on the wings of the wind, until every inhabitant shall fully realize the benefit of cotton fabrics for all the purposes to which wool, flax, silk and hemp, have been heretofore devoted. W. B. SEABROOK, JOHN BELTON O’NEALL. Col. McWillie’s absence from South Carolina, and Mr. McDuffie’s ill health, prevented the committee from enjoying the benefit of their services and coun- sel. Mr. Alston concurs in the entire report, except the single sentence : and his reasons for that dissent are appended. I concur in the opinion that Col. Davie’s plan of reducing the cotton crop, by obtaining an agreement among the planters to plant one half or two thirds of a crop, is impracticable. 326 AGRICULTURAL I also believe that it is the true policy of the Southern or cotton growing States, to retain, by all means in their power, their ascendency in the cotton markets of the world, and to do nothing calculated to encourage the extension of the growth of cotton in other portions of the world. I however disagree to the opinion that “there is not now an over-produc- tion of cotton.” I am inclined to believe that the low prices are to be as- cribed mainly to the heavy crops. It is familiar to all who have been in the habit of attending to the accounts brought from Europe by the different ar- rivals of vessels, that the prices there are controlled principally by the latest accounts from this side of the water, of the prospects of the coming crop , or the probable amount of the supply of cotton from the United States. If the latest accounts from America had been, that the prospect was good, or in favor of a large supply, then the prices there (in Europe) fell, and vice versa. And these accounts from America seem to have a greater control than all other causes combined. The reduction of price of the raw material, in. duces, to some extent, an increase of the consumption, by enabling the manufacturer to make and sell the manufactured goods a little lower. But when we consider how little must be the cost of the raw meterial contained in a yard of heavy cotton goods — even at ten cents per pound of the cotton, we cannot suppose that the price of the raw material can have much influ- ence in increasing or diminishing the consumption, unless the price should be much higher than it has been for many years. Take the cost of the raw cot. ton in a yard of manufactured cotton goods, (even at ten cents per pound,) from the price of that yard of goods, and it will show, that if the consump- tion is governed by the price of the manufactured goods, it is mainly by the cost of the manufacturing — not of the raw material. It seems to me that if the consumption kept pace with the production, the the price would not be affected by it either way, to any great extent ; but that if the manufacturer had always found a ready market for his goods he would have continued to purchase the cotton at the usual price, and therefore there would be but little variation in the price of cotton. On the contrary how- ever, the manufacturer could not obtain a market for his goods — they would accumulate on his hands — he would be compelled to reduce the wages of his operativee, or stop his manufacturing machines. He could not afford to buy cotton any longer, unless at reduced prices, and in less quantities. There being difficulties in getting off manufactures, unless at reduced prices, a like difficulty in selling the raw cotton would be produced, unless at reduced prices. The prices, then, must come do^n. I will not extend my remarks. The report, in other respects, I concur in. I would prefer that portion, or sentence stricken out, as I am inclined to think that its omission would be inconsistent with the rest of the report. Respectfully, W. J. ALSTON. PROCEEDINGS. 327 Import of Cotton from — expressed in 1000 ; s of bales. 1841. 1842. 1843. 1844. United States, 1387 1534 1904 1682 Brazil, 100 104 115 123 West Indies, 72 72' 49 47 East Indies, 324 316 227 299 Egypt, 123 108 169 126 Stocks imported, and consumption of Cotton in Europe, reduced to bales of 300 pounds each. Imports. Consumption. 1841 2,291,010 2,215,026 1842 2,477,266 2,422,926 1843 2,949,000 2,654,000 1844 2,736,843 2,667,469 From the above it appears that, in 1841, the imports exceeded the con- sumption, 75,934 ; 1842,54,340; 1843,295,000; 1844, 69,374. Stock frst of January. 1841. 1842. 1843. 1844. 1845. 777,610 863,421 926,102 1,239,000 1,321,726 Total deliveries, from which which are deducted intermediate shipments, or surplus of exports from Great Britain ; also the stock on hand, 31st De- cember, and to which are added the stock on hand, January 1st., expressed in 1000’s of bales. 1841. 1842. 1843. 1844. 1846 2005 2155 2127. Importations. — It will be seen (says the Circular,) there is a decrease from the United States of about 200,000 bags, and from Egypt of 60,000 bags whilst from the East Indies is an increase of 55,000 bags, and a trifle from the Brazils, which leaves, on the aggregate, a deficiency of about 200,000 bags ; but the excess in the stocks at the beginning of the year, made up the aggregate supply fully to what it was in the previous year. The above is extracted from the Circular of Collman & Stotterfoght, dated Liverpool, 31st January, 1845. . ' MEMOIR ON SLAVERY, BY CHANCELLOR HARPER, READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING, OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING AT COLUMBIA, 1S3T. The institution of domestic slavery exists over far the greater portion of the inhabited earth. Until within a very few centuries, it may be said to have existed over the whole earth — at least in all those portions of it which had made any advances towards civilization. We might safely conclude then, that it is deeply founded in the nature of man and the exigencies of human society. Yet, in the few countries in which it has been abolished — claiming, perhaps justly, to be farthest advanced in civilization and intelli- gence, but which have had the smallest opportunity of observing its true character and effects — it is denounced as the most intolerable of social and political evils. Its existence, and every hour of its continuance, is regarded as the crime of the communities in which it is found. Even by those in the countries alluded to, who regard it with the most indulgence or the least abhorrence — who attribute no criminality to the present generation — who found it in existence, and have not yet been able to devise the means of abol- ishing it, it is pronounced a misfortune and a curse injurious and dangerous always, and which must be finally fatal to the societies which admit it. This is no longer regarded as a subject of argument and investigation. The opin- ions referred to are assumed as settled, or the truth of them as self-evident. If any voice is raised among ourselves to extenuate or to vindicate, it is unheard. The judgment is made up. We can have no hearing before the tribunal of the civilized world. Yet, on this very account, it is more important that we, the inhabitants of the slave holding States o f America, insulated as we are, by this institution, and cut off, in some degree, from tlife communion and sympathies of the world by which we are surrounded, or with which we have intercourse, and exposed continually to their animadversions and attacks, should thoroughly understand this subject, and our strength and weakness in relation to it. If it be thus criminal, dangerous and fatal ; and if it be possible to devise means 330 AGRICULTURAL of freeing ourselves from it, we ought at once to set about the employing of those means. It would be the most wretched and imbecile fatuity, to shut our eyes to the impending dangers and horrors, and “ drive darkling down the current of our fate,” till we are overwhelmed in the final destruction. If we are tyrants, cruel, unjust, oppressive, let us humble ourselves and repent in the sight of Heaven, that the foul stain may be cleansed, and we enabled to stand erect as having common claims to humanity with our fellow men. But if we are nothing of all this ; if we commit no injustice or cruelty ; if the maintenance of our institutions be essential to our prosperity, our charac- ter, our safety, and the safety of all that is dear to us, let us enlighten our minds and fortify our hearts to defend them. It is a somewhat singular evidence of the indisposition of the rest of the world to hear any thing more on this subject, that perhaps the most profound, original and truly philosophical treatise, which has appeared within the time of my recollection,* seems not to have attracted the slightest attention out of the limits of the slave holding States themselves. If truth, reason and con- clusive argument, propounded with admirable temper and perfect candour, might bo supposed to have an effect on the minds of men, we should think this work would have put an end to agitation on the subject. The author has rendered inappreciable service to the South in enlightening them on the sub- ject of their own institutions, and turning back that monstrous tide of folly and madness which, if it had rolled on, would have involved his own great State along with the rest of the slave holding States in a common ruin. But beyond these, he seems to have produced no effect whatever. The denoun, cers of slavery, with whose productions the press groans, seem to be unaware of his existence — unaware that there is reason to be encountered, or argu- ment to be answered. They assume that the truth is known and settled, and only requires to be enforced by denunciation. Another vindicator of the South has appeared in an individual who is among those that have done honor to American literature. f With conclu- sive argument, and great force of expression, he has defended Slavery from the charge of injustice or immorality, and shewn clearly the unspeakable cruelty and mischief which must result from any scheme of abolition. He does not live among slave holders, and it cannot be said of him as of others, that Ins mind is warped by interest, or his moral sense blunted by habit and familiarity with abuse. These circumstances, it might be supposed, would have secured him hearing and consideration. He seems to be equally un- heeded, and the work of denunciation^isdaining argument, still goes on. President Dew has shewn that the institution of Slavery is a principal cause * President Dew’s review of the Virginia Debates on the subject of Slavery, t Paulding on Slavery. PROCEEDINGS. 331 of civilization. Perhaps nothing can be more evident than that it is the sole cause. If any thing can be predicated as universally true of uncultivated mai», it is that he will not labor beyond what is absolutely necessary to main- tain his existence. Labor is pain to those who are unaccustomed to it, and the nature of man is averse to pain. Even with all the training, the helps and motives of civilization, we find that this aversion cannot be overcome in many individuals of the most cultivated societies. The coercion of Slavery alone is adequate to form man to habits of labor. Without it, there can be no accumulation of property, no providence for the future, no taste for com- forts or elegancies, which are the characteristics and essentials of civilization. He who has obtained the command of another’s labor, first begins to accu- mulate and provide for the future, and the foundations of civilization are laid. We find confirmed by experience that which is so evident in theory. Since the existence of man upon the earth, with no exception whatever, either of ancient or modern times, every society which has attained civilization, has advanced to it through this process. Will those who regard Slavery as immoral, or crime in itself, tell us that man \Aas not intended for civilization, but to roam the earth as a biped brute ? That he has not to raise his eyes to Heaven, or be conformed in his nobler faculties to the image of his maker? Or will they say that the Judge of all the earth has done wrong in ordaining the means by which alone that end can be attained? It is true that the Creator can make the wickedness as well as the wrath of man to praise him, and bring forth the most benevolent results from the most atrocious actions. But in such cases, it is the motive of the actor alone which condemns the action. The act itself is good if it promotes the good purposes of God, and would be approved by him, if that result only were intended. Do they not blaspheme the providence of God who denounce as wickedness and outrage, that which is rendered indispensable to his pur- poses in the government of the world? Or at what stage of the progress o^ society will they say that Slavery ceases to be necessary, and its very exist- ence becomes sin and crime? I am aware that such argument would have little effect on those with whom it would be degrading to contend — who per- vert the inspired writings — which in some parts expressly sanction slavery, and throughout indicate most clearly that it is a civil institution, with which religion has no concern — with a shallowness and presumption not less flagrant and shameless than his, who would justify murder from the text, “ and Phi- neas arose and executed judgment.” There seems to be something in this subject, which blunts the perceptions, and darkens and confuses the understandings and moral feelings of men. Tell them that, of necessity, in every civilized society, there must be an infi- nite variety of conditions and employments, from the most eminent and intel- lectual, to the most servile and laborious; that the negro race, from their 382 AGRICULTURAL temperament and capacity, are peculiarly suited to the situation which they occupy, and not less happy in it than any corresponding class to be found in the world ; prove incontestably that no scheme of emancipation could be tar- ried into effect, without the most intolerable mischiefs and calamities to both master and slave, or without probably throwing a large and fertile portion of the earth’s surface out of the pale of civilization — and you have done nothing. They reply, that whatever may be the consequence, you are bound to do right; that man has a right to himself, and man cannot have a propety in man ; that if the negro race be naturally inferior in mind and character, they are not less entitled to the right of humanity ; that if they are happy in their condition, it affords but the stronger evidence of their degradation, and ren- ders them still more opjects of commiseration. They repeat, as the funda- mental maxim of our civil policy, that all men are bom free and equal, and quote from our Declaration of Independence, “ that men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It is not the first time that I have had occasion to observe that men may repeat, with the utmost confidence, some maxim or sentimental phrase, as self- evident or admitted truth, which is either palpably false, or to which, upon examination, it will be fount! that they attach no definite idea. Notwith- standing our respect for the important document which declared our independ- ence, yet, if any thing be found in it, and especially in what may be regarded rather as its ornament than its substance — false, sophistical or unmeaning, that respect should not screen it from the freest examination. All men are lorn free and equal. Is it not palpably nearer the truth to say that no man was ever born free, and that no two men were ever born equal 1 Man is born in a state of the most helpless dependence on others. He con- tinues subject to the absolute control of others, and remains without many of the civil, and all of the political privileges of his society, until the period which the laws have fixed, as that at which he is supposed to attain the maturity of his faculties. Then equality is further developed, and becomes infinite in every society, and under whatever form of government. Wealth and pov. erty, fame or obscurity, strength or weakness, knowledge or ignorance, ease or labor, power or subjection, make the endless diversity in the condition of men. But we have not arrived at the profundity of the maxim. This inequality is, in a great measure, the result of abuses in the institutions of society. They do not speak of what exists, but of what ought to exist. Every one should be left at liberty to obtain all the advantages of society which he can compass, by the free exertion of his faculties, unimpeded by civil restraints. It may be said that this would not remedy the evils of society which are com- plained of. The inequalities to which I have referred, with the misery result- PROCEEDINGS. 883 ing from them, would exist, in fact, under the freest and most popular form of goverment that man would devise. But what is the foundation of the bold dogma so confidently announced? Females are human and rational beings. They may be found cf better faculties, and better qualified to exercise political privileges, and to attain the distinctions of society, than many men; yet who complains of the order of society by which they are excluded from them ? For I do not speak of the few who would desecrate them ; do violence to the nature which their Creator has impressed upon them ; drag them from the position which they necessarily occupy for the existence of civilized society, and in which they constitute its blessing and ornament — the only position which they have ever occupied in any human society—- to place them in a situation in which they would be alike miserable and degraded. Low as we descend in combatting the theories of presumptuous dogmatists, it cannot be necessary to stoop to this. A youth of eighteen may have powers which cast into the shade those of any of his more advanced cotemporaries. He may be capable of serving or saving his country, and if not permitted to do so now, the occasion may haye been lost forever. But he can exercise no political privilege, or aspire to any political distinction. It is said, that of ne- cessity, society must exclude from some civil and political privileges those who are unfitted to exercise them, by infirmity, unsuitableness of character, o? defect of discretion ; that of necessity there must be some general rule on the subject, and that any rule which can be devised will operate with hardship and injustice on individuals. This is all that can be said, and all that need be said. It is saying, in other words, that the privileges in question are r.o matter of natural right, but to be settled by convention, as the good and safety of society may require. If society should disfranchise individuals convicted of infamous crimes, would this be an invasion of natural right? Yet this would not be justified on the score of their moral guilt, but that the good of society required, or would be promoted by it. We admit the existence of a moral law, binding on societies as on individuals. Society must act in good faith. No man, or body of men, has a right to inflict pain or privation on oth= ers, unless with a view, after full and impartial deliberation, to prevent a greater evil. If this deliberation be had, and the decision made in good faith, there can be no imputation of moral guilt. Has any politician contended that the very existence of governments in which there are orders privileged by law, constitutes a violation of morality ; that their continuance is a crime, which men are bound to put an end to, without any consideration of the good or evil to result from the change? Yet this is the natural inference from the dogma of the natural equality of men as applied to our institution of sla- very— an equality not to be invaded without injustice and wrong, and requir- ing to be restored instantly, unqualifiedly, and without reference to conse- quences. 334 AGRICULTURAL This is sufficiently common-place, but we are sometime s driven to common- place. It is no less a false and shallow than a presumptuous philosophy, which theorizes on the affairs of men as of a problem to be solved by some unerring rule of human reason, without reference to the designs of a supe- rior intelligence, so far as he has been pleased to indicate them, in their crea- tion and destiny. Man is born to subjection. Not only during infancy is he dependent and under the control of others; at all ages, it is the very bias of his nature, that the strong and the wise should e mtrol the weak and ignorant. So it has been since the days of Nimrod. The existence of some form of Slavery in all ages and countries, is proof enough of this. He is born to subjection as he is born in sin and ignorance. To make any considerable progress in knowledge, the continued efforts of successive generations, and the diligent training and unwearied exertions of the individual are requisite. To make progress in morel virtue, not less time and effort, aided by superior help, are necessary ; and it is only by the matured exercise of his knowledge and his virtue, that he can attain to civil freedom. Of all things, the exist- ence of civil liberty is most the result of artificial institution. The procli- vity of the natural man is to domineer or to be subservient. A noble result indeed, but in the attaining of which, as in the instances of knowledge and virtue, the Creator, for his own purposes, has set a limit beyond which we cannot go. But he who is most advanced in knowledge, is most sensible of his own ignorance, and how much must forever be unknown to man in his present condition. As I have heard it expressed, the further you extend the circle of light, the wider is the horizon of darkness. He who has made the greatest progress in moral purity, is most sensible of the depravity, not only of the world around him, but of his own heart and the imperfection of his best mo- tives, and this he knows that men must feel and lament, so long as they con- tinue men. So when the greatest progress in civil liberty has been made, the enlightened lover of libertv will know that there must remain much ine- O •< quality, much injustice, much Slavery , which no human wisdom or virtue will ever be able wholly to prevent or redress. As 1 have before had the honor to say to this Society, the condition of our whole existence is but to struggle with evils — to compare them — to choose between them, and so far as we can, t) mitigate them. To say that there is evil in any institution, is only to say that it is human. And can we doubt but that this long discipline and laborious process, by which men are required to work out the elevation and improvement of their individual nature and their social condition, is imposed for a great and benevo- lent end ? Our faculties are not adequate to the solution of the mystery, why it should be so ; but the truth is clear, that the world was not intended for the seat of universal knowledge or goodness or happiness or freedom. PROCEEDINGS. 835 Man has been endowed by his Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What is meant by the inalienable right of liberty ? Has any one who has used the words ever asked himself this question ? Does it mean that a man has no right to alienate his own liberty — to sell himself and his posterity for slaves ? This would seem to be the more obvious meaning. When the word right is used, it has refer- ence to some law which sanctions it, and would be violated by its invasion. It must refer either to the general law of morality or the law of the country — the law of God or the law of man. If the law of any country permitted it, it would of course be absurd to say, that the law of that country was violated by such alienation. If it have any meaning in this respect, it must mean that though the law of the country permitted it, the man would be guilty of an immoral act who should thus alienate his liberty. A fit question for school- men to discuss, and the consequences resulting from its decision as important as from any of theirs. Yet who will say that the man pressed by famine and in the prospect of death, would be criminal for such an act? Self-preserva- tion, as is truly said, is the first law of nature. High and peculiar charac- ters, by elaborate cultivation, may be taught to prefer death to Slavery, but it would be folly to prescribe this as a duty to the mass of mankind. If any rational meaning can be attributed to the sentence I have quoted, it is this: — That the society, or the individuals who exercise the powers of government, are guilty of a violation of the law of God or of morality, when by any law or public act. they deprive men of life or liberty, or restrain them in the pursuit of happiness. Yet every government does, and of necessity must, deprive men of life and liberty for offences against society. Restrain them in the pursuit of happiness! Why all the laws of society are intended for nothing else but to restrain men from the pursuit of happiness, according to their own ideas of happiness or advantage — which the phrase must mean, if it means any thing. And by what right does society punish by the loss of life or liberty? Not on account of the moral guilt of the criminal — not tv impiously and arrogantly assuming the prerogative of the Almighty, to dis- pense justice or suffering, according to moral desert. It is for its own protec. tion — it is the right of self-defence. If there existed the blackest moral tur- pitude, which by its example or consequences, could be of no evil to society, government would have nothing to do with that. If an action, the most ham . less in its moral character, could be dangerous to the security of society, society would have the perfect right to punish it. If the possession of a black skin would be otherwise dangerous to society, society has the same right to protect itself by disfranchising the possessor of civil privileges, and to con- tinue the disability to his posterity, if the same danger would be incurred by its removal. Society inflicts these forfeitures for the security of the lives of its members ; it inflicts them for the security of their property, the great 336 AGRICULTURAL essential of civilization ; it inflicts them also for the protection of its political institutions; the forcible attempt to overturn which, has always been justly regarded as the greatest crime ; and who has questioned its right so to inflict ? “ Man cannot have property in man'*— a phrase as full of meaning as, “ who slays fat oxen should himself be fat.” Certainly he may, if the laws of society allow it, and if it be on sufficient grounds, neither he nor society do wrong. And is it by this—as We must call it, however recommended to our higher feelings by its associations—- well-sounding, but unmeaning verbiage of natural equality and inalienable rights, that our lives are to be put in jeopardy, our property destroyed, and our political institutions overturned or endangered ? If a people had on its borders a tribe of barbarians, whom no treaties or faith could bind, and by whose attacks they were constantly endangered, against whom they could devise no security, but that they should be exterminated or enslaved ; would they not have the right to enslave them, and keep them in slavery so long as the same danger would be incurred by their manumission ? If a civilized man and a savage were by chance placed together on a desolate island, and the former, by the superior power of civilization, would reduce the latter to subjection, would he not have the same right? Would this not be the strictest self-defence? I do not now consider, how far we can make out a similar case to justify our enslaving of the negroes. I speak to those who contend tor inalienable rights, and that the existence of slavery always, and under all circumstances, i nvolves injustice and crime. As I have said, we acknowledge the existence of a moral law. It is not necessary for us to resort to the theory which resolves all right into force. The existence of such a law is imprinted on the hearts of all human beings. But though its existence be acknowledged, the mind of man has hitherto been tasked in vain to discover an unerring standard of morality. It is a common, and undoubted maxim of morality, that you shall not do evil that good may come. You shall not do injustice or commit an invasion of the rights of oth- ers, for the sake of a greater ulterior good. But what is injustice, and what are the rights of others ? And why are we not to commit the one or invade the others? It is because it inflicts pain or suffering, present or prospective, or cuts them off from enjoyment which they might otherwise attain. The Creator has sufficiently revealed to us that happiness is the great end of exist- ence, the sole object of all animated and sentient beings. To this he has directed their aspirations and efforts, and we feel that we thwart his benevo- lent purposes when we destroy or impede that happiness. This is the only natural right of man. All other rights result from the conventions of society, and these, to be sure, we are not to invade, whatever good may appear to us likely to follow. Yet are we in no instance to inflict pain or suffering, or dis- turb enjoyment for the sake of producing a greater good ? Is the madman PROCEEDINGS. 337 fiOl to be restrained who would bring destruction on himself or others? Is pain not to be inflicted on the child, when it is the only means by which he can be effectually instructed to provide for his own future happiness? Is the surgeon guilty of wrong who amputates a limb to preserve life ? Is it not the object of all penal legislation, to inflict suffering for the sake of greater good to be secured to society ? By what light is it that man exercises dominion over the beasts of the held ; subdues them to painful labor, or deprives them of life for his sustenance or •enjoyment? They are not rational beings. No, but they are the creatures of God, sentient beings* capable of suffering and enjoyment, and entitled to enjoy according to the measure of their capacities. Does not the voice of nature inform every one, that he is guilty of wrong when he inflicts on them pain without necessity or object ? If their existence be limited to the present life, it affords the stronger argument for affording them the brief enjoyment of which it is capable, ft is because the greater good is effected; not only to man but to the inferior animals themselves. The care of man gives the boon of existence to myriads who would never otherwise have enjoyed it, and the enjoyment of their existence is better provided for while it lasts. It be- longs to the being ol superior faculties to judge of the relations which shall subsist between himself and inferior animals, and the use he shall make of them; and he may justly consider himself, who has the greater capacity of enjoyment, in the first instance. Yet lie must do this conscientiously, and no doubt, moral guilt has been incurred by the infliction of pain on these ani* mals, with no adequate benefit to be expected. I do no disparagement to the dignity of human nature, even in its humblest form, when I say that on the very same foundation, with the difference onl.y of circumstance and degree, rests the right of civilised and cultivated man, over the savage and ignorant. It is the order of nature and of God, that the being of superior faculties and knowledge, and therefore of superior power, should control and dispose of those who are inferior. It is as much in the order of nature, that men should ■enslave each other, as that other animals should prey upon each other. I admit that he does this under the highest moral responsibility, and is most ■guilty if he wantonly inflicts misery or privation on beings more capable of ■enjoyment or of suffering than brutes, without necessity or any view to the greater good which is to result. If we conceive of society existing without government, and that one man, by his superior strength, courage or wisdom, could obtain the mastery of his fellows, lie would have a perfect right to do ■so. He would bo morally responsible for the use cf his power, and guilty if he failed to direct them so as 'to promote their happiness as well as his own. Moralists have denounced the injustice and cruelty which have been practiced towards our aboriginal Indians, by which they have been driven from their 22 338 AGRICULTURAL native seats and exterminated, and no doubt with much justice. No dolibf.- much fraud and injustice has been practiced, in the circumstances and the manner of their removal. Yet who has contended that civilized man had no moral right to possess himself of the country? That he was bound to leave this wide and fertile continent, which is capable of sustaining uncounted myriads of a civilized race, to a few roving and ignorant barbarians'? Yet if any thing is certain, it is certain that there were no means by which lie could possess the country, without exterminating or enslaving them. Savage and civilized man cannot live together, and the savage can only be tamed bv being enslaved or by having slaves. By enslaving alone could he have pre- served them.* And who shall take upon himself to decide that the more benevolent course, and more pleasing to God, was pursued towards them, or that it would not have been better that they had been enslaved generally, as they were in particular instances? It is a refined philosophy, and utterly false in its application to general nature, or the mass of human kind, which teaches that existence is not the greatest of boons, and worthy of being pre- served even under the most adverse circumstances. The strongest instinct of all animated beings sufficiently proclaims this. When the last red man shall have vanished from our forests, the sole remaining traces of his blood will be found among our enslaved population. f The African slave trade has given, and will give the boon of existence to millions and millions in our coun- try, who would otherwise never have enjoyed it, and the enjoyment of their existence is better provided for while it lasts. Or if, for the rights ot man over inferior animals, we are referred to revelation, which pronounces — yc shall have dominion over the beasts of the field, and over the fowls of the air,” we refer to the same which declares not the less explicitly— “ Both the bondmen and bondmaids which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are among you. Of them shall you buy bondmen and bond- maids,” “Moreover of the children of strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begot in your land, and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them by possession. They shall be your bondmen forever.” In moral investigations, ambiguity is often occasioned by confounding the intrinsic nature of an action, as determined by itsr consequence, with the mo- tives of the actor, involving moral guilt or innocence. If poison be given with a view to destroy another, and it cures him of disease, the poisoner fe- * I refer Jo President Dew on thissubject. t It is not uncommon, especially in Charleston, to see staves, after many descents, and having mingfed their blood with the Africans, possessing Indian hair and fe stores. PROCEEDINGS. 339 guilty, but the act is beneficent in its results. If medicine be given with a yiew to heal, and it happens to kill, be who administered it is innocent, but the act is a noxious one. If they who begun and prosecuted the slave trade, practiced horrible cruelties and inflicted much suffering — as no doubt they did, though these have been much exagerated — for merely selfish purposes, and with no view to future good, they were morally most guilty. So far as unnecessary cruelty was practised, the motive and the act were alike bad. But if we could be sure that the entire effect of the trade has been to pro- duce more happiness than would otherwise have .existed, we must pronounce it good, and that it has happened in the ordering of God’s providence, to whom evil cannot be imputed. Moral guilt has not been imputed to Las Casas, and if the importation of African slaves into America, had the effect of prevent- ing more suffering than it inflicted, it was good, both in the motive and the result. I freely admit that, it is hardly possible to justify morally, those who begun and carried on the slave trade. No speculation of future good to be- brought about could compensate the enormous amount of evil it occasioned. If we could refer to the common moral sense of mankind, as determined by their conduct in all ages and countries, for a standard of morality, it would seem to be in favor of Slavery. The will of God, as determined by utility,, would be an infallible standard, if wo had an unerring measure of utility. The Utilitarian Philosophy, as it is commonly understood, referring only to. the animal wants and employments, and physical condition of man, is utterly false and degrading. If a sufficiently extended definition be given to utility, so as to include every thing that may be a source of enjoyment or suffering, it is for the most part useless. How can you compare the pleasures resulting from the exercise of the understanding, the taste and the imagination, with the animal enjoyments of the senses — the gratification derived from a fine poem with that from a rich banquet l How are we to weigh the pains and enjoyments of one man highly cultivated and of great, sensibility, against those of many men of blunter capacity for enjoyment or suffering? And if we could determine, with certainty, in what utility consists, we are so short sighted with respect to consequences — the remote results of our best consid- ered actions, are so often wide of our anticipations, or contrary to them, that we should still be very much in the dark. But though we cannot arrive at absolute certainty with respect to the utiliiy of actions, it is always fairly mat. ter of argument. Though an imperfect standard, it is the best we have, and perhaps the Creator did not intend that we should arrive at perfect certainty with regard to the morality of many actions. If, after the most carefuL examination of consequences that we are able to make, with due distrust of ourselves, we impartially, and in good faith, decide for that which appears likely to produce the greatest good, we are free from moral guilt. And 1 would impress most earnestly, that with our imperfect and limited faculties. 340 AGRICULTURAL and short sighted as we are to the future, we can rarely, very rarely indeed, be justified in producing considerable present evil or suffering, in the expec- tation of remote future good — if indeed this can ever be justified. In considering this subject, I shall not regard it in the first instance in reference to the present position of the Slave-Holding States, or the difficulties which lie in the way of their emancipating their slaves, but as a naked, abstract question — whether it is better that the institution of prasdial and domestic Slavery should, or should not exist in civilized society. And though some of my remarks may seem to have such a tendency, let me not be under- stood as taking upon myself to determine that it is better that it should exist. God forbid that the responsibility of deciding such a question should ever be thrown on me or my countrymen. But this I will say, and not without confi- dence, that it is the power of no human intellect to establish the contrary proposition — that it is better it should not exist. This is probably known but to one being, and concealed from human sagacity. There have existed in various ages, and we now see existing in the world, people in every stage of civilization, from the most barbarous to the most refined. Man, as I have said, is not born to civilization. He is born rude and ignorant. But it will be, I suppose, admitted, that it is the design of the Creator that he should attain to civilization : That religion should be known, that the comforts and elegancies of life should be enjoyed, that letters and arts should be cultivated, in short, that there should be the greatest possible development of moral and intellectual excellence. It can hardly be neces- sary to say any thing of those who have extolled the superior virtues and enjoyments of savage life — a life of physical wants and sufferings, of contin- ual insecurity, of furious passions and depraved vices. Those who have praised savage life, are those who have known nothing of it, or who have become savages themselves. But as I have said, so far as reason or uni- versal experience instruct us, the institution of Slavery is an essential process in emerging from savage life. It must then produce good, and promote the designs of the Creator. I add further, that Slavery anticipates the benefits of civilization, and retards the evil> of civilization. The former part of this proposition has been so fully established by a writer of great power of thought— though I fear his practi- cal conclusions will be found of little value — that it is hardly necessary to urge it.* Property — the accumulation of capital, as it is commonly called, is the first element of civilization. But to accumulate, or to use capital to any * The author of “ England and America,'" We do, however, most indignantly repudi- ate his conclusion, that we are bound to submit to a tariff of protection, as an expedient tor retaining our Slaves, “the force of the whole union, being required to preserve Slavery, to keep down the Slaves.” PROCEEDINGS. 341 considerable extent, the combination of labor is necessary. In early stages of society, when people are thinly scattered over an extensive territory, the labor necessary to extensive works, cannot be commanded. Men are inde- pendent of each other. Having the command of abundance of land, no one will submit to be employed in the service of his neighbor. No one, therefore, can employ more capital than he can use with his own hands, or those of his family, nor have an income much beyond the necessaries of life. There can, therefore, be little leisure for intellectual pursuits, or means of acquiring the comforts or elegancies of life. It is hardly necessary to say, however> that if a man has the command of slaves, he may combine labor, and use capital to any required extent, and therefore accumulate wealth. He shows- that no colonies have been successfully planted without some sort of Slavery. So we find the fact to be. It is only in the Slave-Holding States of cur con- federacy, that wealth can be acquired by agriculture — which is the general- employment of our whole country. Among us, we know that there is no one, however humble his beginning, who, with persevering industry, intelligence, and orderly and virtuous habits, may not attain to considerable opulence. So far as wealth has been accumulated in the States which do not possess Slaves, it has been in cities by the pursuits of commerce, or lately, by man- ufactures. But the products of Slave labor furnish more than two-thirds of the materials of our foreign commerce, which the industry of those States is employed in transporting and exchanging ; and among the Slave-Holding States is to be found the great market for all the productions of their industry, of whatever kind. The prosperity of those States, therefore, and the civili- zation of their cities, have been, for the most part, created by the existence of Slavery. Even in the cities, but for a class of population, which our institu- tions have marked as servile, it would be scarcely possible to preserve the ordinary habitudes of civilized life, by commanding the necessary menial and domestic service. Every stage of human society, from the most barbarous to the most refin- ed, has its own peculiar evils to mark it as the condition of mortality; and perhaps there is none but omnipotence who can say in which the scale of good or evil most preponderates. We need say nothing of the evils of savage life. There is a state of society elevated somewhat above it, which is to be found in some of the more thinly peopled portions of our own country — the rudest agricultural state — which is thus characterized by the author to whom I have referred. “The American of the back woods has often been described to the English as grossly ignorant, dirty, unsocial, delighting in rum and tobacco, attached to nothing but his rifle, adventurous, restless, more than half savage. Deprived of social enjoyments or excitements, he has recourse to those of savage life, and becomes (for in this respect the Americans degenerate) unfit for society.” This is no very inviting picture, which though exaggerated,, we 842 AGRICULTURAL know not to be without likeness. The evils of such a state, I suppose, will hardly be thought compensated by unbounded freedom, perfect equality, and ample means of subsistence. But let us take another stage in the progress — which to many will appear to offer all that is desirable inexistence, and realize another Utopia. Let us suppose a state of society in which all shall have property, and there shall be no great inequality of property — in which society shall be so much condensed as to afford the means of social intercourse, without being crowded, so as to create difficulty in obtaining the means of subsistence — in which every family that chooses may have as much land as will employ its own hands, while oth- ers may employ their industry in forming such products as it may be desira- ble to exchange with them. Schools are generally established, and the rudi- ments of education universally diffused. Religion is taught, and every village has its church, neat though humble, lifting its spire to Heaven. Here is a sit- uation apparently the most favorable to happiness. I say apparently, ior the greatest source of human misery is not in external circumstances, but in men themselves — in their depraved inclinations, their wayward passions and per- verse wills. Here is room for all the petty competition, the envy, hatred, malice and dissimulation, that torture the heart in what may be supposed the most sophisticated states of society ; and though less marked and offensive, there may be much of the licentiousness. But apart from this, in such a condition of society, if there is little suffer- ing, there is little high enjoyment. The even flow of life forbids the high excitement which is necessary for it. If there is little vice, there is little place for the eminent virtues, which employ themselves in controlling the dis- orders and remedying the evils of society, which, like war and revolution, call forth the highest powers of man, whether for good or for evil. If there is little misery, there is little room for benevolence. Useful public institutions we mav suppose to be created, but not such as are merely ornamental. Elegant arts can be little cultivated, for there are no means to reward the aitists nor the higher literature, for no one will have leisure or means to cultivate it for its own sake. Those who acquire what may be called liberal education, will do so in order to employ it as the means of their own subsistence or advance- ment in a profession, and literature itself will partake of the sordidness of trade. In short, it is plain that in such a state of society, the moral and intellectual faculties cannot be cultivated to their highest perfection. But whether that which I have described be the most desirable state of soci- ety or no, it is certain that it cannot continue. Mutation and progress is the condition of human affairs. Though retarded for a time by extraneous or accidental circumstances, the wheel must roll on. The tendency of popula- tion is to become crowded, increasing the difficulty of obtaining subsistence. There will be some without any property except the capacity for labor. This PROCEEDINGS. 343 they must sell to those who have the means of employing them, thereby swelling the amount of their capital, and increasing inequality. The process still goes on. Tne number of laborers increases until there is a difficulty in obtaining employment. Then competition is established. The remunera- tion of the labor becomes gradually less and less ; a larger and larger propor- tion of the product of his labor goes to swell the fortune of the capitalist; inequality becomes still greater and more invidious, until the process ends in the establishment of such a state of things, as the same author describes as now existing in England. After a most imposing picture of her greatness and resources; of her superabounding capital, and all pervading industry and enterprise ; of her public institutions for purposes of art, learning and benevo- lence ; her public improvements, by whit h intercourse is facilitated, and the convenience of man subserved ; the conveniences and luxuries of life enjoyed by those who are in possession of fortune, or have profitable employments ; of all, in short, that places her at the head of modern civibzation, he proceeds to give the reverse of the picture. And here I shall use his own words . “ The laboring class compose the bulk of the people ; the great body of the people ; the vast majorityof the people — these are the terms by which English writers and speakers usually describe those whose only property is their labor.” “ Of comprehensive words, the two most frequently used in English politics, are distress and pauperism. After these, of expressions applied to the state of the poor, the most common are vice and misery, wretchedness, sufferings, ignorance, degradation, discontent, depravity, drunkenness, and the increase of crime ; with many more of the like nature.” Re goes on to give the details of this inequality and wretchedness, in terms calculated to sicken and appal one to whom the picture is new. That he has painted strongly we may suppose ; but there is ample corroborating testi. mony, if such were needed, that the representation is substantially just. Where so much misery exists, there must of course be much discontent, and many have been disposed to traee the sources of the former in vicious legisla- tion, or the structure of government; and the author gives the various schemes, sometimes contradictory, sometimes ludicrous, which projectors have devised as a remedy for all this evil to which flesh is heir. That ill- iudged legislation may have sometimes aggravated the general suffering, or that its extremity may be mitigated by the well directed efforts of the wise and virtuous, there can be no doubt. One purpose for which it has been per- mitted to exist is, that it may call forth such efforts, and awaken powers and virtues which would otherwise have slumbered for want of object. But rem- edy there is none, unless it be to abandon their civilization. This inequality, this vice, this misery, this Slavery , is the price of England’s civilization. They suffer the lot of humanity. But perhaps we may be permitted humbly 344 AGRICULTURAL to hope, that great, intense and widely spread as this misery undoubtedly is in reality, it may yet be less so than in appearance. We can estimate but very, very imperfectly, the good and evil of individual condition, as of different states of society. Some unexpected solace arises to animate the severest calamity. Wonderful is the power of custom, in making the hardest condi- tion tolerable ; the most generally wretched life, has circumstances of mill' gation, and moments of vivid enjoyment, of which the more seemingly hap. py can scarcely conceive ; though the lives of individuals be shortened, the aggregate of existence is increased ; even the various forms of death accel- erated by want, familiarized to the contemplation, like death to the soldier on the field of battle, may become scarcely more formidable, than w hat we are accustomed to regard as nature’s ordinary outlets of existence. If we could perfectly analyze the enjoyments and sufferings of the most happy, and the most miserable man, we should perhaps be startled to find the difference so much less than our previous impressions had led us to conceive. But it is not for us to assume the province of omniscience. The particular theory of the author quoted, seems to be founded on an assumption of this sort — that there is a certain stage in the progress, when there is a certain balance be- tween the demand for labor, and the supply of it, which is more desirable than any other — when the territory is so thickly peopled that all cannot own land and cultivate the soil for themselves, but a portion will be compelled to sell their labor to others ; still leaving, however, the wages of labor high, and the laborer independent. It is plain, however, that this would, in like manner, partake of the good and the evil of other states of society. There would be less of equality and less rudeness, than in the early stages; less civilization, and less suffering, than in the latter. It is the competition for employment, which is the source of this misery of society, that gives rise to all excellence in art and knowledge. When the demand for labor exceeds the supply, the services of the most ordinarily qual- ified laborer will be eagerly retained. When the supply begins to exceed, and competition is established, higher and higher qualifications will be requir- ed, until at length when it becomes very intense, none but the most consum- mately skilful can be sure to be employed. Nothing but necessity can drive men to the exertions which are necessary so to qualify themselves- But it is not in arts, merely mechanical alone, that this superior excellence will be required. It will be extended to every intellectual employment ; and though this may not be the effect in the instance of every individual, yet it will fix the habits and character of the society, and prescribe every where, and in every department, the highest possible standard of attainment. But how is it that the existence of Slavery as with us, will retard the evils of civilization? Very obviously- It is the intense competition of civilized PROCEEDINGS. 345 life, that gives rise to the excessive cheapness of labor, and the excessive cheapness of labor is ihe cause of the evils in question. Slave labor can never be so cheap as what is called free labor. Political economists have established as the natural standard of wages in a fully peopled country, the value of the laborer’s subsistence. 1 shall not stop to enquire into the pre- cise truth of this proposition. It certainly approximates the truth. Where competition is intense, men will. labor for a bare subsistence, and less than a competent subsistence. The employer of free laborers obtains their services during the time of their health and vigor, without the charge of rearing them from infancy, or supporting them in sickness or old age. This charge is imposed on the employer of Slave labor, who, therefore, pays higher wages, and cuts off the principal source of misery — the wants and sufferings of infancy, sickness, and old age. Laborers too will be less skilful, and perform less work — enhancing the p^ice of that sort of labor. The poor laws of En- gland are an attempt — but an awkward and empiracle attempt — to supply the place of that which we should suppose the feelings of every human heart would declare to be a natural obligation — that he who has received the bene- fit of the laborer’s services during his health and vigor, should maintain him when he becomes unable to provide for his own support. They answer their purpose, however, very imperfectly, and are unjustly, and unequally imposed. There is no attempt to apportion the burden according to the benefit received — and perhaps there could be none. This is one of the evils of their condition. In periods of commercial revulsion and distress, like the present, the dis- tress, in countries of free labor, falls principally on the laborers. In those of Slave labor, it falls almost exclusively on the employer. In the former, when a business becomes unprofitable, the employer dismisses his laborers or low- ers their wages. But with us, it is the very period at which we are least able to dismiss our laborers ; and if we would not suffer a further loss, we cannot reduce their wages. To receive the benefit of the services of which they are capable, we must provide for maintaining their health and vigor. In point of fact, we know that this is accounted among the necessary expenses of management. If the income of every planter of the Southern States, were permanently reduced one half, or even much more than that, it would not take one jot from the support and comforts of the Slaves. And this can never be mateiially altered, until they shall become so unprofitable that Sla- very must be of necessity abandoned. It is probable that the accumulation of individual wealth will never be carried to quite so great an extent in a Slave-Molding country, as in one of free labor; but a consequence will be, that there will be less inequality and less suffering. Servitude is the condition of civilization. It was decreed, when the com- mand was given, “ be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth, and sub- due it,” and when it was added, “in the sweat of thy face shah thou cat 34G AGRICULTURAL bread.” And what human being shall arrogate to himself the. authority to pronounce that our form of it is worse in itself, or more displeasing to God than that which exists elsewhere ? Shall it be said that the servitude of other countries grows out of the • exigency of their circumstances, and there.'ore society is not responsible for it? But if we know that in the progress of things it is to come, would it not seem the part of wisdom and foresight, to make provision for it, and thereby, if we can, .mitigate the severity of its evils ? But the fact is not so. Let any one who doubts, read the book to which I have several times referred, and he may be satisfied that it was forced upon us by the ’extremest exigency of circumstances, in a struggle for very exist- ence. Without it, it is doubtful whether a white man would he now existing on this continent — certain, that if there were, they would he in a state of the utmost destitution, weakness and misery. It was forced on us by necessity, and further fastened upon us, by the superior authority of the mother country. I, for one, neither deprecate nor resent the gift. Nor did we institute Slavery. The Africans brought to us had been, speaking in the general, slaves in their own country, and only underwent a change of masters. In the countries of Europe, and the Slates of our Confederacy, in which Slavery has ceased to exist, it was abolished by positive legislation. If the order of nature has been departed from, and a forced and artificial state of things introduced, it has been, as the experience of all the world declares, by them and not by us. That there are great evils in a society where Slavery exists, and that the institution is liable to great abuse, I have already said. To say otherwise, would be to say that they were not human. But the whole of human life is a system of evils and compensations. We have no reason to believe that the compensations with us are fewer, or smaller in proportion to the evils, than those of any other condition of society. Tell me of an evil or abuse ; of an instance of cruelty, oppression, licentiousness, crime or suffering, and I will point out, and often in five fold degree, an equivalent evil or abuse in countries where Slavery does not exist? Let us examine without blenching, the actual and alleged evils of Slavery, and the array of horrors which many suppose to be its universal concomi- tants. It is said that the Slave is out of the protection of the law ; that if the law purports to protect him in life and limb, it is but imperfectly execut- ed ; that he is still subject to excessive labor, degrading blows, or any other sort of torture, which a master pampered and brutalized by the exercise of arbitrary power, may think proper to inflict ; he is cut off from the opportu- nity of intellectual, moral or religious improvement, and even positive enact- ments are directed against his acquiring the rudiments of knowledge; he is cut oft* forever from the hope of raising nis condition in socictj, \\hate\ci may be his meiit, talents, or virtues, and therefoie depiivcd of the stiongts. PROCEEDINGS. incentive to useful and praiseworthy exertion ; his physical degradation be- gets a corresponding moral degradation ; he is without moral principle, and addic;ed to the lowest vices, particularly theft and falsehood ; if marriage be not disallowed, it is little better than a state of concubinage, from which results general licentiousness, and the want of chastity among females — this indeed is not protected by law, but is subject to the outrages of brutal lust; both sexes are liable to have their dearest affections violated, to be sold like brutes; husbands to be torn from wives, children trom parents; — this is the picture commonly presented by the denouncers of slavery. It is a somewhat singular fact, that when there existed in our State no law for punishing the murder of a slave, other than a pecuniary fine, there were, I will venture to say, at least ten murders of freemen, for one murder of a Slave. Yet it is supposed they are less protected, or less secure than their masters. Why they are protected by their very situation in society, and therefore less need the protection of law. With any other person than their master, it is hardly possible for them to come in such sort of collision as usu- ally gives rise to furious and revengeful passions; they offer no temptation to the murderer for gain ; against the master himself, they have the security of his own interest, and by his superintendence and authority, they are protected from the revengeful passions of each other. I am by no means sure that the cause of humanity has been served by the change in jurisprudence, which has placed their murder on the same footing with that of a freeman. The change was made in the subserviency to the opinions and clamor of others, who were utterly incompetent to form an opinion on the subject ; and a wise act is seldom the result of legislation in this spirit. From the fact which I have stated, it is plain that they less need protection. Juries are, therefore, less willing to convict, and it may sometimes happen that the guilty will escape all punishment. Security is one of the compensations of their humble posi. tion. Wc challenge the comparison, that with us there have been fewer mur- ders of Slaves, than of parents, children, apprentices, and other murders, cruel and unnatural, in society where slavery does not exist. But short of life or limb, various cruelties may be practised as the passions of the master may dictate. To this the same reply has been often given — that they arc secured by the master’s interest. If the state of slavery is to exist at all, the master must have, and ought to have, such power of punish- ment as will compel them to perform the duties of their station. And is not this for their advantage as well as his? No human being can be contented, who does not perform the duties of his station. Has the master any temp- tation to go beyond this? Ef he inflicts on him such punishment as will per- m anent!y impair his strength, he inflicts a loss upon himself, and so if he requires of him excessive labor. Compare the labor required of i he Slave, with those of the free agricultural, or manufacturing laborer in Europe, or 348 AGRICULTURAL even in the more thickly peopled portions of the non-Slave-Holding States of our Confederacy — though these last are no fair subjects of comparison — they enjoying, as I have said, in a great degree, the advantages of Slavery along with those of an early and simple state of society. Read the English Par- liamentary reports, on the condition of the manufacturing operatives, and the children employed in factories. And such is the impotence of man to reme- dy the evils which the condition of his existence has imposed on him, that it is much to be dcubted whether the attempts by legislation to improve their situation, will not aggravate its evils. They resort to this excessive labor as a choice of evils. If so, the amount of their compensation will be lessened also with the diminished labor; for this is a matter which legislation cannot regulate. Is it the part of benevolence then to cut them off even from this miserable liberty of choice? Yet would these evils exist in the same degree, if the laborers were the property of the master — having a direct interest in preserving their lives, their health and strength ? Who but a drivelling fanatic, has thought of the necessity of protecting domestic ani- mals for the cruelty of their owners? And yet are not great and wanton cruelties practised on these animals? Compare the whole of the cruelties inflicted on Slaves throughout our Southern country, with those elsewhere, inflicted by ignorant and depraved portions of the community', on those whom the relations of society put into their power — of brutal husbands on their wives ; of brutal parents — subdued against the strongest instincts of nature to that brutality by the extremity of their misery — on their children ; of brutal masters on apprentices. And if it should be asked, are not similar cruelties inflicted, and miseries endured in your societies? I answer in no comparable degree The class in question are placed under the control of others, who are interested to restrain their excesses of cruelty or rage. Wives are protected from their husbands, and children from their parents. And this is no inconsiderable compensation of the evils of our system ; and would so appear, if we could form any conception of the immense amount of misery which is elsewhere thus inflicted. The other class of society', more elevated in their position, are also (speaking of course in the general) mere elevated in character, and more responsible to public opinion. But besides the interest of their master, there is another security against cruelty. The relation of Master and Slave, when there is no mischievous interference between thenij is as the experience of all the world declares, naturally one of kindness. As to the fact, we should be held interested wit- nesses, but we appeal to universal nature. Is it not natural that a man should be attached to that which is his own , and which has contributed to his convenience, his enjoyment, or his vanity? This is felt even towards ani- mals and inanimate objects. How much more towards a being of superior intelligence and usefulness, who can appreciate our feelings towards him, and PROCEEDINGS. 849 return the in ? Is it not natural that we should be interested in that which is dependent on us for protection and support ? Do not men every where con- tract kind feelings towards their dependants ? Is it not natural that men should be more attached to those whom they have long known— whom, perhaps, they have reared or been associated with from infancy — than to one with whom their connexion has been casual and temporary ? What is there in our atmospheie or institutions, to produce a perversion of the general feelings of nature? To be sure, in this as this as in all other relations, there is fre- quent cause of offence or excitement— on ono side, for some omission of duty, on the other, on account of reproof or punishment inflicted. But this is common to the relation of parent and child ; and I will venture to say that if punishment be justly inflicted— -and there is no temptation to inflict it unjustly — “it is as little likely to occasion permanent estrangement or resent- ment as in that case. Slaves are perpetual children. It is not the common nature of man, unless it be depraved by its own misery, to delight in witness' ing pain. It is more grateful to behold contented anti cheerful beings, than sullen and wretched ones. That men are sometimes wayward, depraved and brutal, we know. That atrocious and brutal cruelties have been perpetrated on Slaves, and on those who were not Slaves, by such wretches, we also know. But that the institution of Slavery has a natural tendency to form such a character, that such crimes are more common, or more aggravated than in other states of society, or produce among us less surprise and horror, we utterly deny and challenge the comparison. Indeed I have little hesita- tion in saying, that if full evidence could be obtained, the comparison would result in our favor, and that the tendency of Slavery is rather to humanize than to brutalize. The accounts of travellers in oriental countries, give a very favorable representation of the kindly relations which exist between' the Master and Slave ; the latter being often the friend, and sometimes the heir of the former. Generally, however, especially if they be English travellers— if they say any thing which may seem to give a favorable complexion to Slavery, they think it necessary to enter their protest, that they shall not be taken to give any sanction to Slavery as it exists in America. Yvt human nature is the same in all countries. There are very obvious reasons why in ibose coun- tries there should be a nearer approach to equality in their manners. The Master and Slave are often cognate races, and therefore tend more to assimi- late. There is in fact less inequality in mind and character, where the mas- ter is but imperfectly civilized. Less labor is exacted, because the master ha.-> fewer motives to accumulate. But is it an injury to o human beintr, that regular, if not excessive labor should be required of him ? The premeval curse, with the usual benignity of providential contrivance, has been turned 550 AGRICULTURAL into the solace of an existence that would be much more intolerable without it. If they labor less, they are much more subject to the outrages of capri- cious passion. If it were put to the choice of any human being, would he prefer to be the Slave of a civilized man, or of a barbarian or semi-barba- rian? But if the general tende: cy of the institution in those countries is to create kindly relations, can it be imagined why it should operate differenly in this? It is true, as suggested by President Dew — with the exception of ihe tics of close consanguinity, it forms one of the msst intimate relations of society. And it will be more and more so. the longer it continues to exist. The harshest features of Slavery were created by those who were strangers to Slavery— -who supposed that it consisted in keeping savages in subjection by violence and terror. The severest lavv-Ss to be found on our statute book, were enacted by 3uch, and such are still found to be the severest masters' As society becomes settled, and the wandering habits of our countrymen altered, there will be a larger and larger proportion of those who were reared by the owner, or derived to him from his ancestors, and who therefore will be more and more intimately regarded, as forming a portion of his family. It is true that the Slave is driven to labor by stripes ; and if the object of punishment be to produce obedience or reformation, with the least perma- nent injury, it is the. best method of punishment. But is ft not intolerable that a being formed in ihe image of his Maker, should be degraded by blows! This is one of the perversions of mind and feeling, to which I s' all have occasion again to refer. Such punishment would be degrading to a freeman, who bad the thoughts and aspirations of a freeman. In general it is not degrading to a Slave, nor is it felt to bo so. The evil is the bodily pain. Is it degrading to a child ? Or if in any particular instance it would be so felt, it is sure not to be inflicted — unless in those rare cases which constitute the startling and eccentric evils, from which no society is exempt, and against which no institutions of society can provide. The Slave is cut off from the means of intellectual, moral and religious improvement, and in consequence his moral character becomes depraved, and he addicted to degrading vices. The Slave receives such instruction as qua!- ifies him to discharge the duties of his particular station. The Creator did not intend that every individual human being should be highly cultivated, mor- ally and intellectually, for as we have seen, he has imposed conditions upon society which would render this impossible. There must be general medi- ocrity, or the highest cultivation must exist along with ignorance, vice and degradation. But is there in the aggregate of society, less opportunity for intellectual and moral cultivation, on account of the existence of Slavery ? We must estimate institutions from their aggregate of good or evil. I refer PROCEEDINGS* 851 to the veWs which I have before expressed to this Society. It is by the exis- tence of Slavery, exempting so large a portion of our citizens from the necessity of bodily labor, that we have a greater proportion than any other people, who have leisure for intellectual pursuits, and the means of attaining a liberal education. If we throw away this opportunity, wo shall be moral y responsible for the neglect or abuse of our advantages, and shall most unques- tionably pay the penalty. But the blame will iest oil ourselves, and noton the character of our institutions. I add further, notwithstanding that equality, seems to be the passion of the day, it, as Providence has evidently decreed, there can be but a certain por- tion of intellectual excellence in any community, it is better that it should be unequally divided. It is better that a part should be fully, and highly culti- vated, and the rest utterly ignorant. To constitute a society, a variety of offices must be discharged, from those requiring but the lowest decree of intel- lectual power, to those requiring the very highest, and it should seem that the endowments ought to be apportioned according to the exigencies of the situation. In the course of human affairs, there arise difficulties which can only he comprehended, or sui mounted by the strongest native power of intel- lect, strengthened by the most assiduous exercise, and enriched with the most extended knowledge-— and even these are sometimes found inadequate to the exigency. The first want of society is — leaders. Who shali estimate the value to Athens, of Solon, Aristides, Themistocles, Cymon, or Pericles? If society have not leaders qualified as ! have said, they will have those who will lead them blindly to their loss and ruin. Men of no great native power of intellect, and of imperfect and superficial knowledge, are the most mis- chievous of all— -none are so busy, meddling, confident, presumptuous and intolerant. The whole of society receives the benefit of the exertions of a mind of extraordinary endowments. Of all communities; one of the least desirable, would he that in which imperfect, superficial, half-education should he universal. The first care of a State which regard its own safety, ptos perity, and honor, should he, that when minds of extraordinary power appear, to whatever department of knowledge, art or science, their exertions may he directed, the means should he provided of their moat consummate cultiva- tion. Next to this, that education should be as widely extended as pos-ible. Odium has been cast upon our legislation, on account of its forbidding the elements of education to be communicated to Slaves. But in truth what injury is done to them by this ? He who works during the day with his hands does not read in intervals of leisure for his amusement, or the improvement of his mind— or the exceptions are so very rare, as scarcely to need their being providing for. Of the many Slaves whom I have known capable of reading, I have never known one to read any thing but the Bible, and this 352 AGRICULTURAL task they impose on themselves as matter of duly. Of all methods of reiig- ious instruction, however, this, of reading for themselves would be the most inefficient — ‘there comprehension is delective, and the employment is to them an unusual and laborious one. There are but very few who do not enjov other means, more effectual for religious instruction. There is no place of wor- ship opened for the white phopulation, from which they are excluded. I believe it a mistake, to say that the instructions there given arc not adapted to their comprehension, or calculated to improve them. If they aj-e given as they ought to be — practically, and without pretension, and are such as are generally intelligible to the free part of the audience, comprehending all grades of intellectual capacity, they will not be unintelligible to Slaves. I doubt whether this bo not better than instruction, addressed specially to themselves— ‘which they might look upon as a device of the master’s, to make them more obedient and profitable to himself. Their minds, generally} shew a strong religious tendency, and they are fond of assuming the office of religious instructors to each other; and perhaps their religious notions are not much more extravagant than those of a large portion of the free population of our country. I am not sure that there is a much smaller pro* portion of them, than of the free population, who make some sort of religious profession. It is certainly the master’s interest that they should have propel' religious sentiments, and if he fails in his duty towards them, we may be sure that the consequences will be visited not upon them, but upon him. If there were any chance of their elevating their rank and condition in society, it might be matter of hardship, that they should he debarred those rudiments of knowlede which open the way to further attainments. But this they know cannot be, and that further attainments would bo useless to therm Of the evil of this, I shall speak hereafter. A knowledge of reading, writ- in 0- , and the elements of arithmetic, is convenient and important to the free laborer, vVho is the transactor of his own affairs, and the guardian ol his own interests— ‘but of what use would they be to the slave f These alone do not elevate the mind or character, if such elevation were desirable 1 If we estimate their morals according to that which should be the stan- dard of a free man’s morality, than I grant they are degraded in morals— = though by no means to the extent which those who are unacquainted with the institution seem to suppose. We justly supp >se, that the Creator will require of man, the performance of the duties of the station in which his Providence has placed him, and the cultivation of the virtues which are adapted to their performance ; that he will make allowances for all the imperfections of knowledge, and the absence of the usual helps and motives which lead to self correction and improvement. The degradltion of morals relates prin- cipally to loose notions of honesty, leading to petty thefts} to falsehood ana PROCEEDINGS. 353 to licentious intercourse between the sexes. Though with respect even to these, i protest against the opinion, which seems to be elsewhere entertained, that they are universal, or that slaves, in respect to them, might not well bear a comparison with the lowest laborious class of other countries. But certainly there is much dishonesty leading to petty thefts. It leads, however, to nothing else. They have no contracts or dealings which might be a temptation to fraud, nor do I know that their characters have any tendency that way. They are restrained by the constant, vigilant and interested superintendence which is exercised over them, from the commission of offences of greater magnitude-— even if they were dispised to thorn — which I am satisfied they are not. Nothing is so rirely heard of, as an atrocious crime committed by a slave ; especially since they have worn off the savage character which their progenitors brought with them from Africa. Their offences are con- lined to petty depreciations, principally for the gratification of their appe- tites, and these for reasons already given, are chiefly confined to the property of their owner, which is m ist exposed to them. They could make no use of a considerable booty, if they should obtain it. It is plain that this is a less evil to society in its consequences and example, than if committed by a freeman, who is master 'of his own time and actions. With reference to society then, the offence is less in itself — and may we not hope that it is less in the sight of God. A slave has no hope that by a course of integrity, he can materially elevate his condition in society, nor can his offence materially depress it, or affect his means of support, or that of his family. Compared to the freeman, he has no character to establish or to lose. lie has not been exercised to self-government, and being without intellectual resources, can less r. sist the solicitations of appetite. Theft in a freeman is a crime ; in a slave, it is a vice. ! recollect to have heard it said, in reference to some question of a slave’s theft which was agitated in a Court, ‘'Courts of Justice have no more to do with a slave’s stealing, than with his lying — that is a matter for the domes. ic forum.” It was truly said — the theft of a slave is no offence against society. Compare all the evils resulting from this, with the enormous amount of vice, crime and depravity, which in an European or one of our Northern cities, disgusts the moral feelings, and render life and property insecure. So with respect to his falsehood. I have never heard or observed, that slaves have any peculiar proclivity to falsehood, unless it be in denying or concealing their own offences, or those of their fellows. 1 have never heard of falsehood told by a slave for a malicious purpose. Lies of vanity are sometimes told, as among the weak and ignorant of other con- dit’ons. Falsehood is not attributed to an individual charged with an offence before a Court of Justice, who pleads not guilty — and certainly the strong temptation to escape punishment, in the highest degree extenuates, if it does 23 AGRICULTURAL not excuse, falsehood told by a slave. If the object be to screen a fellow slave, the act bears some semblance of fidelity, and perhaps truth could not be told without breach of confidence. 1 know not how to characterize the falsehood of a slave. It has often been said by the denouncers of Slavery, that marriage does not exist among slaves. It is difficult to understand this, unless wilful false- hood were intended. We know that marriages are contracted ; may be, and often are, solemnized with the forma usual among other classes of society, and often faithfully adhered to during life. The law has not provided for making those marriages indissoluble, nor could it do so. If a man abandons his wife, being without property, and being both property themselves, he can- not be required to maintain tier. If be abandons his wife, and lives in a state of concubinage with another, the law cannot punish him for bigamy. ]t may perhaps be meant that the chastity of wives is not protected by law from the outrages of violence. I answer, as with respect to their lives, that they are protected by manners, and their position. Who ever heard of such out- rages being offered? At least as seldom, I will venture to say, as in other communities of different foims of polity. Or.e reason doubtless may be, that often there is no disposition to resist. Another reason may be, that there is little temptation to such violence- as there is so large a proportion of this class of females who set little value on chastity, and afford easy gratification to the hot passions of men. It might be supposed, from the representations of some writers, that a slave-holding country were one wide stew for the indul gence of unbridled fust. Particular instances of intemperate and shameless debauchery are related, which may perhaps be true, and it is left to fee infer- red that this is the universal state of manners. Brutes and shameless debauchees there are in every country ; we know that if such things are related as general or characteristic, the representation is false. Who would argue from the existence of a Col. Charters in England, or of some individ- uals, who might, perhaps, be named in other portions ( f this country, of the horrid dissoluteness of manners occasioned by the want of the institution of Slavery. Yet the argument might be urged quite as fairly, and really it seems to me with a little more justice— for there such depravity is attended with much more pernicious consequences. Yet let us not deny nor exten- uate the truth. It is true that in tin's rcopec! the morals of this class are very loose, (by no means so universally so as is often supposed,) and that the passions of men of the superior caste, tempt and find gratification in the easy chastity of the females. This Is evil, and to be remedied, if we can do so, without the introduction of greater evil. Bat evil is incident to every condition of society, and as I have said, we l ave only to consider in which institution it most predominates. PROCEEDINGS. 355 Compare these prostitutes of ourcountry, (if it is not injustice to call them so.) and their condition with those of other countries — the seventy thousand prostitutes of London, or of Paris, or the ten thousand of New York, or our other Northern cities. Take the picture given of the first from the auilior whom I have before quoted. '‘The laws and customs of England, Conspire to sink this class of English women into a state of vice and misery, below that which necessarily belongs to their condition. Hence, their ex- treme degradation, their troopers’ oaths, their love of gin, their desperate recklessness, and the shortness of their miserable lives.” “English women of this class, or rather girls, for few of them live to’be women, die like sheep with the rot; so fast that soon there would be none left, if a fresh supply were not obtained equal to the number of deaths. But a fresh supply is always obtained without the least trouble : seduction easily keeps pace with prostitution or mortality. Those that dieare,.like factory efeif- dren that die, instantly succeeded by new competitors for misery and death.” There is no hour of a summer’s or a winter’s night, in which there may not be found in the streets a ghastly wretch, expiring under the double tortures of disease and famine. Though less aggravated in its features, the picture of prostitution in New York or Philadelphia would be of like character. In such communities, the unmarried women who becomes a mother, is an outcast from society — and though sentimentalists lament the hardship of the case, it is justly and necessarily so. She is cut off from the hope of useful and profitable employment, and driven by necessity to further vice. Her misery, and the hopelessness of retrieving, render her desperate, until she- sinks into every depth of depravity, and is prepared for every crime that can contaminate and infest society. She has given birth to a human being, who, if it be so unfortunate as to survive its miserable infancy, is commonly educa ted to a like course of vice, depravity and crime. Compare with this the female slave under similar circumstances. She is- not a less useful member of soeiety than before. If shame be attached to. her conduct, it is such shame as would be elsewhere felt for a venial impro- priety. She has not impaired her means of support, nor materially impaur- ed her character, or lowered her station in society ; she has done no great injury to herself, or any other human being. Her offspring is not a burden but an acquisition to her owner ; his support is provided for,and : he is brought up to usefulness ; if the fruit of intercourse with a freeman, his condition is perhaps, raised somewhat above that of his mother. Under these circum- stances, with imperfect knowledge, tempted by the strongest of human pas- sions— unrestrained by the motives which operate to restrain, but are so often found insufficient to restrain the conduct of females elsewhere, can it be mat- ter of surprise that she should so often yield to the temptation? Is not the; 356 AGRICULTURAL evil less in itself, and in reference to society — ranch less in the sight of God and man. As was said of theft — the want of chastity, which among females of other countries, is sometimes vice, sometimes crimes — among the free of our own, much more aggravated ; among slaves, hardly deserves a harsher turn than that of weakness. I have heard of complaint made by a free prostitute, of the greater countenance and indulgence shewn by scciely towards colored persons of her profession, (always regarded as of an inferior and servile class, though individually fre'e.) than to those of her own complexion. The former readily obtain employment : are even admitted into lamilies, -and treated with some degree of kindness and familiarity, while any ap- proach to intercourse with the latter is shunned as a contamination. The distinction is habitually made, and is founded on the unerring instinct of nature. The colored prostitute is, in fact, a far less contaminated and deprav- ed being. Still many, in spite of temptation, do preserve a perfectly virtu- ous conduct, and I imagine it hardly ever entered into the mind of one of these, that she was likely to be forced from it by authority or violence. It. may be asked, if we have no prostitutes from the free class of society, among ourselves. I answer in no assignable proportion. With general truth, it might be said, that there are none. When such a case occurs, it is among the rare evils of society. And apait from other and better reasons, ■which we believe to exist, it is plain that it must be so, from the comparative absence of temptation. Our brothels, comparatively very few — and these should not be permitted to exist at all — are filled, for the most part, by impor- tation from the cities of our confederate States, where Slavery does not exist. In return for the benefits which they receive from our Slavery, along with tariffs, libels, opinions moral, religious or political — they furnish us also w ith a supply of thieves and prostitutes. Never, but in a single instance, have I heard of an imputation on the general purity of manners, among the free females of the slave- holding States. Such an imputation, however, and made in coarse terms, we have never heard here — here where divorce was never known — where no court was ever polluted by an action for criminal conver- sation with a wife — where it is related rather as matter of tradation, not unmingled with wonder, that a Carolinian woman of education and family, proved false to her conjugal faith — an imputation deserving only of such reply as self-respect would forbid us to give, if respect for the author of it did not. And can it be doubted, that this purity is caused by, and is a com- pensation for the evils resulting from the existence of an enslaved class of more relaxed morals ? It is mostly the warm passions of youth, which give rise to licentious inter- course. But I do not hesitate to say, that the intercourse which takes place with enslaved females, is less depraving in its effects, than when it is carried PROCEEDINGS. 357 on with fermlesof their own caste. In the first place, as like attracts like, that which is unlike repels ; and though the strength of passion be sufficient to overcome the repulsion, soli the attraction is less. He feels that he is connecting himself with one of an inferior and servile caste, and that there is something of degradation in the act. The intercourse is generally casual — he does not make her habitually an associate, and is less likely to. receive any taint from her habits and manners; He is less liable to those extraor- dinary fascinations, with which worthless women sometimes entangle their victims, to the utler destruction of all principle, worth and vigor of character. The female of his own race offers greater allurements. The haunts of vice often present a show of elegance, and various luxury tempts the senses. — They are made an habitual resort, and their inmates associate, till the gen- eral character receives a taint from the corrupted atmosphere. Not only the practice is licentious, but the understanding is sophisticated ; the moral feelings are bewildered, and the boundaries of virtue and vice confused. — Where such licentiousness very extensively prevails, society is rotten to the heart. But is it a small compensation for the evils attending the relation of the sexes among the enslaved class, that they have universally the opportunity of indulging the first instinct of nature, by forming matrimonial connexions ? What painful restraint — what constant effort to struggle against the strongest impulses, are habitually practiced elsewhere, and by other classes ! And they must be practiced, unless greater evils would be encountered. On the one side, all the evils of vice, with the miseries to which it leads — on the other a marriage cursed and made hateful by want — the sufferings of children, and agonizing apprehensions concerning their future fate. Is it a small good, that the slave is free from all this? He knows that his own subsistence is secure, and that his children will be in as good a condition as himself. To a refined and intellectual nature, it may not be difficult to practise the re- straint of which I have spoken. But the reasoning from such to the great mass of mankind, is most fallacious. To these, the supply of their natural and physical wants, and the indulgence of the natural domestic affections, must, for the most part, afford the greatest good of which they are capable. To the evils which sometimes attend their matrimonial connexions, a rising from their looser morality, slaves, for obvious reasons, are comparatively insensible. I am no apologist of vice, nor would I extenuate the conduct of the profligate and unfeeling, who would violate the sanctity of even these engagements, and occasion the pain which such violations no doubt do often inflict. Yetsuc.h is the truth, and we cannot make it otherwise. We know that a woman’s having been before a mother, is very seldom indeed an objec. tion to her being made a wife. I know perfectly well how this will be regard- 358 AGRICULTURAL ed by a class of reasoners or declaimers, as imposing a character of deeper horror on the whole system ; but still, I will say, that if they are to be expos- ed to the evil, it is mercy that the sensibility to it should be blunted. Is it no compensation also for the vices incident to Slavery, that they are, to a great degree, secured against the temptation to greater crimes, and more atrocious vices, and the miseries which attend them; against their own disposition to indolence, and the profligacy which is its common result ? But if they are subject to the vices, they have also the virtues of slaves. Fidelity — often proof against all temptation — even death itself— an eminently cheerful and social temper — what the Bible imposes as a duty, but which might seem an equivocal virtue in the code of modern morality — submission to constituted authority, and a disposition to be attached to, as well as to respect those whom they are taught to regard as superiors. They may have all the knowledge which will make them useful in the station in which God has been pleased to place them, and may cultivate the virtues which will render them acceptable to him. But what has the slave of any country to do with heroic virtues, liberal knowledge, or elegant accomplishments ? It is for the master ; arising out of his situation— imposed on him as duty — dangerous and disgraceful if neglected— -to compensate for this, by his own more assiduous cultivation, of the more generous virtues, and liberal attain- ments. It has been supposed one of the great evils of Slavery, that it affords the slave no opportunity of raising himself to a higher rank in society, and that he has, therefore, no inducement to meritorious exeition, or the cultivation of his faculties. The indolence and carelessness of the slave, and the less productive quality of his labor, are traced to the want of such excitement. The first compensation for this disadvantage, is his security. If he can rise no higher, he is just in the same degree secured against the chances of falling lowei. It has been sometimes made a question whether it were better for man to be freed from the perturbations of hope and fear, or to be exposed to their vicissitudes. But I suppose there could be little quest'on with respect to a situation, in which the fears must greatly predominate over the hopes. And such, I apprehend, to be the condition of the laboring poor in countries where Slavery does not exist. If not exposed to present suffering, there is continual apprehension for the future— for themselves— for their children— of sickness and want, if not of actual starvation. They expect to improve their circumstances ! Would any person of ordinary candor, say that there is one in a hundred of them, who does not well know, that with all the exer- tion he can make, it is out of his power materially to improve his circum- stances ? I speak not so much of menial servants, who are generally of a superior class, as of the agricultural and manufacturing laborers. They PROCEEDINGS. 359 labor with no such view. It is the instinctive struggle to preserve existence, and when the superior efficiency of their labor over that of our slaves is pointed out, as being animated by a freeman’s hopes, might it not well be replied — it is because they labor under a sterner compulsion. The laws interpose no obstacle to their raising their condition in socieiy. ’Tisa great boon -but as to the great mass, they know that they never will be able to raise it— and it should seem not very important in effect, whether it be the interdict of law, or imposed by the circumstances of the society. One in a thousand is successful. But does his success compensate for the sufferings of the many who are tantalized, baffled, and tortured in vain attempts to attain a like result? If the individual be conscious of intellectual power, the suffering is greater. Even where success is apparently attained, he some- times gains it but to die— or with all capacity to enjoy it exhausted-worn out in the struggle with fortune. If it be true that the African is an inferior variety of the human race, of less elevated character, and more limited intel- lect, is it not desirable that the inferior laboring class should be made up of such, who will conform to their condition without painful aspirations, and vain struggles ? The slave is certainly liable to bo sold. But, perhaps, it may be questioned whether this is a greater evil than the liability of the laborer, in fully peopled couni ries, to be dismissed by his employer, with the uncertainty of being able to obtain employment, or the means of subsistence elsewhere. With us, the employer cannot dismiss his laborer without providing him with an- other employer. His means of subsistence are secure, and this is a com pcnsation for much. He is also liable to be separated from wife or child— though not more frequently, that I am aware o f , than the exigency of their condition compels the separation of families among the laboring poor else- where— but from native character and temperament, the separation is much less severely felt. And it is one of the compensations, that he may sustain these relations without suffering a still severer penalty for the indulgence. The love of liherty is a n »ble passion— to have the free, uncontrolled dis- position of ourselves, our words and actions. But alas ! it is one in which we know that a large portion of the human race can never be gratified. It is mockery, to say that the laborer any where has such disposition of himself —though there may be an approach to it in some peculiar, and those, per. haps, not the most desirable, states of society. But unless he be properly disciplined and prepared for its enjoyment, it is the most fatal boon that could be conferred— fatal to himself and others. If slaves have less freedom of action than other laborers, which I by no means admit, they are saved in a great degree from the responsibility of self-government, and the evils spring, ing from their own perverse wills. Those who have looked mostly into life, 860 AGRICULTURAL and know how great a portion of human misery is derived from these sources —the undecided the wavering purpose — producing ineffectual exertion, or indolence with us thousand attendant evils— the wayward conduct— intem- perance or profligacy-— will most appreciate this benefit. The line’ of a slave’s duty is marked out with precision, and he has no choice but to fol- low it. He is saved the double difficulty, first of determining the proper course for himself, and then of summoning up the energy which will sustain him in pursuing it. If some superior power should impose on the laborious poor of any other country— this as their unalterable condition— you shall be saved from the torturing anxiety concerning your own future support, and that of your children, which now pursues you through life, and haunts you in death— vou shall be under the necessity of regular and healthful, though, not of excessive labor— in return, you shall have the ample supply of your natural wants— you may follow the instinct of nature in becoming parents, without appre- hending that this supply will fail yourselves or your children— you shall be supported and relieved in sickness, and in old age, wear out the remains of existence among familiar scenes and accustomed associates, without being driven to beg, or to resort to the hard and miserable charity of a work house --you shall of necessity be temperate, and shall have neither the temptation nor opportunity to commit great ciimes, or practice the more destructive vices— how inappreciable would the boon be thought ! And is not this a very near approach to the condition of our slaves ? The evils of their situation they but lightly feel, and would hardly feel at all, if they were not sedulously instructed into sensibility. Certain it is, that if their late were at the abso- lutely disposal of a council of the most enlightened philanthropists in Chris- tendom, with unlimited resources, they could place them in no situation so favorable to themselves, as that which they at present occupy. But what- ever good there may be, or whatever mitigation of evil, it is worse than valueless, because it is the result of Slavery. I am aware, that hownver often answered, it is likely to be repeated again and again— how can that institution he tolerable, by which a large class of society is cut off from the hope of improvement in knowledge ; to whom blows are not degrading ; theft no more than a fault : falsehood and the want of chastity almost venial, and in which a husband or parent looks with com- parative indifference, on that w hich, to a freeman,* would he the dishonor of a wife or child? But why not, if it produces the greatest aggregate of good 1 Sin and igno- rance are only evils because they lead to misery. It is not our institution, but the institution of nature, that in progress of society a portion of it should be exposed to want, and the misery which it brings, and therefore involved PROCEEDINGS. 361 in ignorance, vice and depravity. In anticipating some of the good, vve also anticipate a portion of the evil of civilization. But we have it in a mitigat- ed form. The want and the misery are unknown ; the ignorance is less a misfortune, because the being is not the guardian of himself, and partly on account of that involuntary ignorance, the vice is less vice— less hurtful to man, and less displeasing to God. There is something in this word S/avenj which seems to partake of the qualities of the insane root, and distempers the minds of men. That which would be true in relation to one predicament, they misapply to another, to which it has no application at all. Some of the virtues ot a freeman would be the vices of slaves. To submit to a blow, would be degrading to a free- man, because he is the protector of himself. It is not degrading to a slave ; neither is it to a priest or a woman. And is it a misfortune that it should be so? The freeman of other countries is compelled to submit to indignities hardly more endurable than blows: indignities to make the sensitive feelings shrink, and the proud heart swell ; and this very name of freeman, gives them double rancour. If when a man is born in Europe, it were certainly foreseen that he was destined to a life of painful labor ; to obscurity, con- tempt and privation : would it not be mercy that he should be reared in igno- rance and apathy, and trained to the endurance of the evils he must encoun- ter? It is not certainly foreseen as to any individual, but it is foreseen as to the great mass of those born of the laboring poor ; and it is for the mass, not for the exception, that the institutions of society are to provide. Is it not better that the character and intellect of the individual should be suited ♦ to the station which ho is to occupy ? Would you do a benefit to the horse or the ox, by giving him a cultivated understanding or fine feelings? So far as t'ne mere laborer has ihe pride, the knowledge, or the aspirations of a free- man, he is unfitted for his situation, and must doubly feel its infelii ity. If there are sordid, servile, and laborious offices to he performed is it not better that there should besoruid, servile and laborious beings to perform them? If there were infallible marks by which individuals of inferior intelllect, and inferior character, could be selected at their birth — would not the interests of society be served, and would not some sort of fitness seem to require, that they should be selected, for the inferior and servile offices? And if this race he generally marked by such inferiority, is it not fit that they should fill them? I am well aware that those whose aspirations are after a state of society from which evil shall be banished, and who look in life for that which life will never afford, contemplate that all the offices of life may be performed without contempt or degradation — all be regarded as equally liberal, or equally respected. But theorists cannot control nature and bend her to their views, and' the inequality of which I have before spoken is deeply founded in nature. The offices which employ knowledge and intellect, will 362 AGRICULTURAL always be regarded as more liberal than those, which only require the labor of the hands. When there is competition for empluyment, he who gives it bestows a favor, and it will be so received. lie will assume superiority from the power ol dismissing his laborers, and from fear of this, the latter will practise deference, often amounting to servility. Such in time will become the established relation between the employer and the employed, the rich and the poor. If want be accompanied with sordidness and squalor, though it be pited, the pity will be mixed with some degree of contempt. If it lead to misery, and misery to vice, there will be disgust and aversion. What is the essential character of Slavery, and in what does it differ from the servitude of other countries ? It I should venture on a definition I should say that where a man is compelled to labor at the will of another, and to give him much the greater portion of the product of his labor, there Slavery exists ; and it is immaterial by what sort ol compulsion the will of the laborer is subdued. It is what no human being would do without some sort of corn- pulsion. He cannot be compelled to labor by blows. No — but what differ- ence does it make, if you can inflict any other sort of torture which will be equally effectual in subduing the will ? If you can starve him, or alarm him, for the subsistence of himself or his family? And is it not under this com- pulsion that the freeman labors? I do not mean in every particular case, but in the general. Will any one be hardy enough to say that he is at his own disposal, or has the government of himself? True, he may change his em- ployer if he is dissatisfied with his conduct towards him ; but this a privilege he would in the majority of cases gladly abandon, and render the connexion between them indissoluable. There is far less of the interest and attach- ment in his relation to his employer, which so often exists between the master and the slave, and mitigates the condition of the latter. An intelligent English traveller has characterized as the most miserable and degraded of all beings, “a masterless slave.” And is not the condition of the laboring poor of other counties too often that of masterless slaves? Take the follow- ing description of a free laborer, no doubt highly colored, quoted by the author to whom I have before referred : “ What is that defective being, with caifless legs and stooping shoulders, weak in body and mind, inert, pusillanimous and stupid, whose premature wrinkles and furtive glance, tell of misery and degredation ? That is an Eng. glish peasant or pauper, for the words ate synonimous. His sire was a pauper, and his mother's milk wanted nourishment. From infancy his food has been bad, as well as insufficient ; and he now feels the pains of unsatis- fied hunger nearly whenever he is awake. But half clothed, and never supplied with more warmth than suffices to cook his scanty meals, cold and wet come to him, and stay by him with the weather. He is married of PROCEEDIN' JS. 3G3 course ; for to this he would have been driven by the poor laws, even if he had been, as he never was, sufficiently comfortable and prudent to dread the burden of a family. But through instinct, ai d the overseer have given him u wife, he has not tasted the highest joys of husband and father. His partner and his little ones being like himself, often hungry, seldom warm, sometimes sick, without aid, and always sorrowful without hope, are greedy, selfish, and vexing; so, to use his own expression he hates the sight of them, and resorts to his hovel, only because a hedge affords less shelter from the wind and rain. Compelled by parish law to support his family, which means to join them in consuming an allowance from the parish, he frequently conspires with his wife to get that allowance increased, or prevent its being diminished. This brings beggary, trickery, and quarrelling, and ends in settled craft. Though he have the inclination, he wants the courage to become, like more energetic men of his class, a poacher or smuggler on a large scale, but he pilfers oocasionally, and teaches his children to lie and steal. Ilis subdued and slavish manner towards his great neighbors, shews that they treat him with suspicion and harshness. Consequently, he at once dreads and hates them ; but he will never harm them by violent means. Too degraded to be desper- ate, he is oniy thoroughly depraved. His miserable career will be short ; rheumatism and asthma are conducting him to the work house ; where he will breathe his last without one pleasant recollection, and so make room for another wretch, who may live and die in the same way.” And this descrip- tion or some other, not much less revolting, is applied to “the bulk of the people, the great body of the people.” Take the following description of the condition of childhood, which has justly been called eloquent.* “The children of the very poor have no young times ; it makes the very heart bleed, to over-hear the casual street talk between a poor woman and her little girl, a woman of the better sort of poor, in a condition rathpr above the squalid beings we have been contemplating. It is not of toys, of nursery books, of summer holidays, (fitting that age) of the promised sight or play ; of praised sufficiency at school. It is of mangling and clear starching; of the price of coals, or of potatoes. The questions of the child, that should be the very outpourings of curiosity in idleness, are marked with forecast and melancholy providence. It has come to be a woman, before it was a child. It has learnt to go to market ; it chaffers, it hag- gles, it envies, it murmers; it is knowing, acute, sharpened ; it never prat- tles.” Imagine such a description applied to the children of negro slaves, the most vacant of human beings, whose life is a holiday. And this people, to whom these horrors are familiar, are those who fill the world with clamor, concerning the injustice and cruelty of Slavery. I speak * Essays of Elia. 364 AGRICULTURAL in no invidious spirit. Neither the laws nor the government of England are to be reproached with the evils which are inseparable from the state of their society — as little, undoubtedly, are \\eto be reproached with the existence of our ■" Every. Including the whole of the United States — and for reasons already given, the whole ought to be included, as receiving in no unequal de- gree the benefit — may we not say justly that we have less Slavery, and more mitigated Slavery, than any other country in the civilized world ? That they are called free, undoubtedly aggravates the sufferings of the slaves of other regions. They see the enormous inequality which exists, and feel their own misery, and can hardly conceive otherwise, than that there is some injustice in the institutions of society to occasion these. They regard the apparently more fortunate class as oppressors, and it adds bitterness, that they should be of the same name and race. They feel indignity more acutely, and more of discontent and evil passion is excited ; they feel that it is mockery that calls them free. Men do not so much hate and envy those who are sepai ated from them by a wide distance, and some apparently im- passable barrier, as those, who approach nearer to their own condition, and with whom they habitually bring themselves into comparison. The slave with us is not tantalized with the name of freedom, to which Ins whole condi. tion gives the lie, and would do so if he were emancipated to-morrow. The African slave sees that nature herself has marked him as a separate — and if left to himself, I have no doubt he would feel it to be an inferior — race, and interposed a barrier almost insuperable to his becoming a member of the same society, standing on the same footing of right and privilege with his master. That the African negro is an inferior variety of the human race, is I think, now generally admitted, and his distinguishing characteristics are such as peculiarly mark him out for the situation which ho occupies among us. And these are no less marked in their original country, than as we have daily occasion to observe them. The most remarkable is their indifference to personal liberty. In this they have followed their instincts since we have any knowledge of their continent, by enslaving each 'other ; but contrary to the experience of every other race, the possession of slaves has no material effect in raising the character, and promoting the civilization of the master. Another trait is the want of domestic affections, and insensibility to the ties of kindred. In the travels of the Landers, after speaking of a single excep- tion, in the person of a woman who betrayed some transient emotion in passing by the country from which she had been torn as a slave, the authors add: “that Africans, generally speaking, betray the most perfect indiffer- ence on losing their liberty, and being deprived of their relatives, while love of country is equally a stranger to their breasts, as social tenderness or do- PROCEEDINGS, 865 mcstic affection. ” “ Marriage is celebrated by the nations as unconcernedly as possible ; a man thinks as little of taking a wife, as of cutting an < ar of corn-— affection is altogether out of the question.” They are, however, very submissive to authority, and seem to entertain great reverence for chiefs, priests and masters. No greater indignity can be offered an individual, than to throw opprobrium on his parents. On this point of their character, 1 think I have remarked, that contrary to the instinct of nature in other races, they entertain less regard for children than for parents, to whose authority they have been accustomed to submit. Their character is thus summed up by the travellers quoted, “ the few opportunities we haye had of studying their characters, induce us to believe that they aie a simple, honest, inoffen- sive, but weak, timid and cowardly race. They seem to have no social ten- derness, very few of those amiable private virtues which could win our af- fections, and none ot those public qualities that claim respect or command admiration. The love of country is not strong enough in their bosoms to incite them to defend it against a despicable foe ; and of the active energy, noble sentiments, and contempt of danger which distinguishes the North American tribes and other savages, no traces are to be found among this slothful people. Regardless of the past, as reckless of the future, the present alone influences their actions. In this respect, they approach nearer to the nature of the brute creation, than perhaps any other people on the face of the globe.” Let me ask if this people do not furnish the very material out of, which staves ought to be made, and whether it he not an improving of their condition to make them the slaves of civilized masters. There is a variety in the character of the tribes. Some are brutally, and savagely ferocious and bloody, whom it would be mercy to enslave. From the travel- ers’ account, it seems not unlikely that the negro race is tending to exter- mination, being daily encroached on, and overrun by the superior Arab race. It may be, that when they shall have been lost from their native seats, they may be found numerous, and in no unhappy condition, on the continent to which they have been transplanted. The opinion which connects form and features with character and intel- lectual power, is one so deeply impressed on the human mind, that perhaps there is scarcely any man who does not almost daily act upon it, and in some measure verify its truth. Yet in spite of this intimation of nature, and though the anatomist and physiologist may tell them that the races differ in every hone and muscle, and in the proportion of brain and nerves, yet there are some, wito with a most bigoted and fanatical determination to flee them, selves from what they have prejudged to be prejudice, will still maintain that this physiognomy, evidently tending to that of 'he brute when compared to that of the Ca 1 casian race, may be ‘enlightened by as much thought, and 866 AGRICULTURAL animated by as lofty sentiment. We who have the best opportunity of judg» ing, are pronounced to be incompetent to do so, and to be blinded by our interest and prejudices— often by those who have no opportunity at all — and we ai'e to be taught to distrust or disbelieve that which we daily observe, and familiarly know, on such authority. Uur prejudices are spoken of. But the truth is, tha', Until very lately, since circumstances have compelled ua to think of ourselves, We took our opinions on this subject, as on every other, ready formed from the country of our origin. And so deeply rooted were they, that we adhered to them, as most men will do to deeply rooted opinions, even against the evidence of our own observation, and our own senses. If the inferiority exists, it is attributed to the apathy and degradation produced by Slavery. Though of the hundreds of thousand scattered over other coun* tries, where the laws impose i.o liability upon them, none has given eviderce of an approach to even mediocrity of intellectual excellence, this too is at. tributed to the Slavery of a portion of their race. They are regarded as a servile caste, and degraded by opinion, and thus every generous effort is repressed. Yet though this should be the general effect, this Very estimation is calculated to produce the contrary effect in particular instances. It is observed by Bacon, With respect to deformed persons and eunuchs, that though in general there is something of perversity in the character, the dis» advantage often leads to extraordinary displays of virtue and excellence. 41 Whosoever hath any thing fixed in his person that doth induce contempt, hath also a perpetual spur in himself, to rescue and deliver himself from scorn.” So it Would be with them, if they were capable of European aspira- tions— genius, if they possessed it, would be doubly fired with noble rage to rescue itself from this scorn. Of course, ] do not mean to say that there mav not be found among them some of superior capacity to many white persons; hut that great intellectual powers are, perhaps, never found among them, and that in general their capacity is very limited, and their feelings animal and coarse — fitting them peculiarly to discharge the lower, and merely mechanical offices of society. And why should it not be so ? We have among domestic animals infinite varieties, distinguished by various degrees of sagacity, courage, strength, swiftness, and other qualities. And it may be observed, that this is no objec- tion to their being derived from a common origin, which we suppose them to have bad. Yet these accidental qualities, as they may he termed, however acquired in the first instance, we know that they transmit unimpaired to their posterity for an indefinite succession of generations. It is most important that these varieties should be preserved, and that each should be applied to the purposes for which it is best adapted. No philo-zoost, I believe, has suggested it as desirable that these varieties should be melted down into one equal, undistinguished race of curs or road horses. FHOCELDlAa?. 86 ? Slavery, as it is said in an eloquent article published in a Southern periodi- cal work,*’ t>) which I am indebted for other ideas, “has done more to elevate u degraded race in the scale of humanity ; to tame the savage ; to civilize the barbarous; to soften ihe ferocious ; to enlighten the ignorant, and to spread the blessings of Christianity among the heathen, than all the missionaries that philanthropy and religion have ever sent forth.” "i ct unquestionable as this is, and though human ingenuity and thought may be tasked in Vain to devise any other means by which these blessings could have been conferred, yet a sort of sensibility which would be only mawkish and contemptible, if it were not mischievous, affects still to weep over the wrongs of *• injured Afri- ca ” Can there be a doubt of the immense benefit which has been conferred on the race, by transplanting them from their native, dark, and barbarous regions, to the American Continent and Islands ? There, three-fourths of the race are in a state of the most deplorable personal Slavery. And those w ho are not, are in a scarcely less deplorable condition of political Slavery, to barbarous chiefs-=who value neither life nor any other human right, or enthralled by priests to the most abject and atrocious superstitions. Take the following testimony of one of the few disinterested observers, who has had an opportunity of observing them in both situations.! “The wild sav- age is the child of passion, unaided by one ray of religion or morality to direct his eoursc, in consequence of which his existence is stained with every crime Chat cun debase human nature to a level with the brute creation. Who can say that the slaves tn our colonies are such ? Are they not, by comparison with their still savage brethren, enlightened beings? Is not the West In- dian negro, therefore, greatly indebted to his master for making him what he is—for having raised him from the state of debasement in which he was born, and placed him in a scale of civilized society? flow can he repay him ? He is possessed of nothing-“-the only return in his pwWer is his servi- tude. The man who has seen the wild African, roaming in his native woods, and the well fed, happy looking negro of the West Indies, may per- haps, be able to judge of their comparative happiness : the former 1 strong- ly suspect would be gl d to change his state of boasted freedom, starvation and disease, to become the slave of sinners, and the commiseration of saints.” It was a useful and beneficent Work, approaching the heroic, to tame the wild horse, and subdue him to the use of man i hoW much more to tame the nobler animal that is capable of reason, and subdue him to usefulness. We believe that the tendency of slavery is to elevate the character of the master. No doubt the character—especially of youth— has sometimes re- * Southern Literafy Messenger, for January, 1335. Note to Blackst one's Commentaries, t Journal of an officer employed in the expedition, under the command of Capt. Owen, Oil the Western Coast of Africa, 1822. 368 AGRICULTURAL ceived a tint and premature knowledge of vice, from the contact and associa- tion with ignorant and servile beings of gross manners and morals. Yet still we believe that the entire tendency is to inspire disgust and aversion towards their peculiar vices. It was not without a knowledge of nature, that the Spartans exhibited the. vices of slaves by way of negative example to their children. VVe flatter ourselves that the view of this degradation, miti- gated as it is, has the effect of making probity more strict, the pride of character more high, the sense of honor more strong, than is commonly found where this institution does not exist. Whatever may be the prevail- ing faults or vices of the masters of slaves, they have not commonly been understood to bo those of dishonesty, cowardice, meanness or falsehood. And so most unquestionably it ought to be. Our institutions would indeed be intolerable in the sight of God and man, if, condemning one por.ion of society to hopeless ignorance and comparative degradation, they should make no atonement by elevating the other class by higher virtues, and more liberal attainments— if, besides degraded slaves, there should be ignorant, ignoble, and degraded freemen. There is a broad and well marked line, beyond which no slavish vice should he regarded with the least toleration or allow- ance. One class is cut off from all interest in the State— that abstraction so potent to the feelings of a generous nature. The other must make com- pensation by increased assiduity and devotion to its honor and welfare. The love of wealth— so laudable when kept within proper limits, so base and mis chievous when it exceeds them— so infectious in its example— an infection to which I fear we have been too much exposed— should be pursued by no arts in any degree equivocal, or at any risk of injustice tn others. So surely as there is a just and wise governor of the universe, who punishes the sins of nations and communities, as well as of individuals, so surely shall we suffer punishment, if we are indifferent to that moral and intellectual cultivation of which the means are furnished to us, and to which we are called and incited by our situation. I would to heaven 1 could express, as I feel, the conviction how necessary this cultivation is, not only to our prosperity and consideration, but to our safety and very existence. We, the slave-holding Slates arc in a hopeless minority in our own confederated republic— to say nothing of the great con- federacy of the civilized States. It is admitted, I believe, not only by slave- holders, but by others, that we have sent to our common councils more than our due shaie of talent, high character and eloquence. Yei in spite of all these most strenuously exerted, measures have been sometimes adopted which wo believed to be dangerous and injurious to us, and threatening to be fatal. What would be ouv situation, if, instead of these, we were only repre- sented by ignorant and grovelling men, incapable of raising their views proceedings* 369 beyofid a job or petty office, and incapable of commanding hearing or con- sideration* May 1 be | ermitted to advert—by no means invidiously — to the late contest carried on by South Carolina against Federal authority, and so happily terminated by the moderation which prevailed in our public coun- sels. I have often reflected, what one circumstance, more than any other, contributed to the successful issue of a contest, apparently so hopeless, in which one weak and divided State was arrayed against the. whole force of the Confederacy=-unsustained, and uncountenanced, even by those who had a common interest with her. It seemed to me to be, that we had for lead- ■ors an unusual number of men of great intellectual power, co-operating cor- dially and in good faith, and commanding respect and confidence at home and abroad, by elevated and honorable character. It was from these that we — the followers at home — caught hope and confidence in the gloomiest aspect of our affairs. These, by their eloquence and the largeness of their views, at least shook the faith of the dominant majority in the wisdom and justice of their measures-— or the practicability of carrying them into successful effect, and by their bearing and well known character, satisfied them that South ’Carolina would do all that she had pledged herself to do. Without these, how different might have been the result ? And who shall say what at this day would have been the aspect of the now flourishing fields and cities of South Carolina ? Or rather without these, it is probable the contest would never have been begun $ but that without even the animation of a struggle, we should have sunk silently into a hopeless and degrading subjection. While I have memory— in the extremity of age— in sickness — -under all tire rever- ses and calamities of life— I shall have one source of pride and consolation — that of having been associated— according to my humbler position — with the ■noble spirits who stood prepared to devote themselves for Liberty — the Constitution— the Union. May such character and such talent, never be wanting to South Carolina, ' I am sure that it is unnecessary to say to an assembly like this, that the 'conduct of the master to his slave should be distinguished by the utmost hu- manity. That, we should indeed regard them as wards and dependants on nur kindness, for whose well feeing in every way we are deeply responsible. This is no less the dictate of wisdom and just policy, than of right feeling. It is wise with respect to the services to fee expected from them. I have never heard of an owner whose conduct in their management was distin- guished by undue severity, whose slaves were not in a great degree worthless to him. A cheerful and kindly demeanor, with the expression of interest in themselves and their affairs, is, perhaps, calculated to have a better effect on them, than what might be esteemed more substantial favors and indulgen- ces. Throughout nature, attachment is the reward of attachment. It is 24 370 AGRICULTURAL wise too in relation to the civilized world around us, to avoid giving oceasi'orj to the odium which is so industriously excited against ourselves and our in-> stitutions. For this reason, public opinion should, if possible, bear even more strongly and indignantly than it does at present, on masters who prac- tiseany wanton cruelty on their slaves. The miscreant who 1 is gtrrlty of this, not only violates the law of God and ol humanity, but as far as in him lies, by bringing odium upon, endangers the institutions of his country, and the safety of his countrymen. He casts a shade upon the character of every individual of his fellow-citizens, and does every one of them a personal injury. So of him who indulges in any odious excess of intemperate or licentious passion. It ia detached instances of this 9ort, of which the exis- tence is, perhaps, hardly known among ourselyes, that, collected with per. tinacious and malevolent industry, affords the most formidable weapons to the mischievous zealots, who array them as being characteristic of our gen- eral manners tpid state of society. I would by no means be understood to intimate, that a Vigorous, as Well as just government, should not be exercised over siavea. This is part of our duty towards them, no less obligatory than any other duty, and no less neces- sary towards their well being than to ours. 1 believe that art least as much injury has been done and suffering inflicted by weak and injudicious indul-? gence, as by inordinate severity. Be whose business is to labor, should be made to labor, and that with due diligence, and should be Vigorously re- strained from excess or vice. This is no less necessary to bis happiness than to his usefulness. The master who neglects this, not only makes his slaves unprofitable to himself, but discontented and Wretehed-—a nuisance to his neighbors and to society. 1 have said that the tendency of our instiiution is to elevate the female character, as welt as that of the other sex, and for similar reasons. In other states of society, there is no well defined limit to separate virtue and vice. There are degrees of vice from the most flagrant and odious, to that which scarcely incurs the censure of society. Many individuals occupy an une- quivocal position ; and as society becomes accustomed to this, there Will be a less peremptory requirement of purity in female manners and conduct y and often the whole of the society will be in a tainted and uncertain condi- tion with respect to ft male virtue. Here, there is that certain and marked line, above which there is no toleration or allowance for any approach tc license of manners or conduct, and she Who falls below it, will fall far LeloW even the slave. How many will incur this penalty ? And permit me to say that this elevation of the female character is nc> less important and essential to us, than the moral and intellectual cultivation of the other sex. It would indeed be intolerable, if, when ore elass of the? PROCEEDINGS. 371 society is necessarily Regraded in this respect, no compensation were made by the superior elevation and purity of the other. Not only essential purity of conduct, but the utmost purity of manners, and I will add, though it may incur the formidable charge of affectation or prudery, — a greater severity of decorum than is required elsewhere, is necessary among us. Always should be strenuously resisted the attempts which have been sometimes made to in- troduce among us the freedom of foreign European, and especially of conti- nental manners. This freedom, the remotest in the world from that which sometimes springs from simplicity of manners is calculated and commonly intended to confound the outward distinctions of virtue and vice. It is to prepare the way for licentiousness — to produce this effect — that if those who are clothed with the outward color and garb of vice, may be well received by society, those who are actually guilty may hope to be so too. It may be said, that there is olten perfect purity where there is very great freedom of manners. And, I have no doubt, this may be true in particular instances, but it is never true of any society in which this is the general state of man- ners. What guards can there be put to purity, when every thing that may possibly be done innocently, is habitually practised ; when there can be no impropriety which is not vice. And what must be the depth of the depravity when there is a departure from that which they admit as principle. Besides, things which may perhaps be practised innocently where they are familiar, produce a mortal dilaceration in the course of their being introduced where they are new. Let us say, we will not have the manners of South Carolina changed. I have before said that free labor is cheaper than the labor of slaves, and so far as it is so, the condition of the free laborer is worse. But I think President Dew has sufficiently shown that this is only true of Northern countries. It is matter of familiar remark that the tendency of warm cli- mates is to relax the human constitution and indispose to labor. The earth yields abundantly—in some regions almost spontaneously — under the influ. ence of the sun, and the means of supporting life are obtained with but slight exertion; and men will use no greater exertion than is necessary to the pur- pose. This very luxuriance of vegetation, where no other cause concurs, renders the air less salubrious, and even when positive malady does not exist, the health is habitually impaired. Indolence renders the constitution more liable to those effects of the atmosphere, and these again aggravate the indo- lence. Nothing but the coertion of slavery can overcome the repugnance to labor under these circumstances, and by subduing the soil, improve and render wholesome the climate. It is worthy of remark that there does not now exist on the face of the earth, a people in a tropical climate, or one approaching to it, where slavery does not exist, that is in a high state of civilisation, or exhibits the energies 372 AGRICULTURAL which mark the progress towards it. Mexico and the South American re- .publics,* starting on their new career of independence, and having gone through a farce of abolishing slavery, are rapidly degenerating, even from semi-barbarism. The only portion of the South American continent which seems to be making any favorable progress, in spite of rich and arbitrary civil government, is Brazil, in which slavery has been retained. Cuba, of the same race with the continental republics, is daily and rapidly advancing in industry and civilization ; and this is owing exclusively to her slaves. St. Momingo is struck out of the map of civilized existence, and the British West Indies will shortly be so. On the other continent, Spain and Portu- gal are degenerate, and their rapid progress is downward. Their southern coast is infested by disease, arising from causes which industry might readily overcome, but that industry they will never exert. Greece is still barbarous and scantily peopled. f l he work of an English physician distinguished by strong sense and power of observation, f gives a most affecting picture of the condition of Italy, — especially south of the Appenines. With the decay of industry, the climate has degenerated towards the condition from which it was first rescued by the labor of slaves. There is poison in every man’s "veins, affecting the very springs of life, dulling or extinguishing, with the energies of the body, all energy of mind, and often exhibiting itself in the most appalling forms of disease. From year to year the pestilential atmos- phere creeps forward, narrowing the circles within which it is possible to sustain human life. With disease and misery, industry still more rapidly decays, and if the process goes or,, it seems that Italy too will soon be ready for another experiment in colonization. * Tire author of England andAmerica thasspeaks of the Colombian republic: “ During some years, this colony has been an independent state ; but the people dis- persed over this vast and fertile plains, have almost ceased to cultivate the good land at their disposal ; they subsist principally, many of them entirely on the flesh of wild cattle : they have lost most of the arts of civilized life; not a few of them are in a state of de- plorable misery; and if they should continue, as it seems probable they will, to retrograde as at present, the beautiful pampas of Buenos Ayres will soon be fit for another experi- ment in colonization. Slaves, black or yellow, would have cultivated those plains, would have kept together, would have been made toassisteach other; would, by keeping togeth- er and assisting each other, have raised a surplus produce exchangeable in distant markets . would have kept their masters together for the sake of markets ; would, by combination of labor, have preserved among their masters the arts and habits of civilized life.” Yet this writer, the whole practical effect of whose work, whatever he may have thought or intend- ed, is to show the absolute necessity, and immense benefits of slavery, finds it necessary to add, I suppose, in deference to the general sentiment of his countrymen, “that slavery might have done all this, seems not more plain, than that so much good would have been bought too dear, if its price had been slavery.” Well may we say that the word nwkee men mad. t Johnson on Change of Air. PROCEEDINGS. 373 Yet once it was not so, when Italy was possessed by the masters of slaves ; when Rome contained her millions, and Italy was a garden ; when their iron energies of body corresponded with the energies of mind which made them conquerors in every climate and on every soil ; rolled the tide of con- quest, not as in later times, from the South to the North ; extended their laws and their civilization, and created them Lords of the earth. “ What conflux issuing forth or entering in ; Prastors, pro-consuls to their provinces, Hasting, or on return in robes of State. Lictors and rods, the ensigns of their power, Legions and cohorts, turras ofherse and wings:: Or embassies from regions (ar remote. In various habits, on the Appian road, Or on th’ Emilian; some from farthest South, Syene, and where the shadow both way falls, Meroe, Nilotic isle, and more to West, The realms of Booehus to the Blackmoor sea ; Fromth’ Asian Kings, and Parthian among these; From India and the golden Chersonese, A ttd utmost Indias isle, Taprobona, Dusk faces, with white silken turbans wreathed From Gallia, Gades and the British West; Germans, and Scythians, and Sarmatians, North Beyond Danubius to the Tauric Pool! All nations now to Rome obedience pay.” Such was and such is the picture of Italy. Greece presents a contrast not less striking. What is the cause of the great change? Many causes, no doubt, have occurred ; but though “ War, famine, pestilence and flood and fire Have dealt upon the seven-hilled city’s pride.” I will venture to say that nothing has dealt upon it more heavily than the loss of domestic slavery. Is not this evident? If they had slaves, with an energetic civil government, would the deadly miasma be permitted to over- spread the Campagna and invade Rome herself ? Would not the soil be cultivated, and the wastes reclaimed? A late traveller* mentions a canal, cut for miles through rock and mountain, for the purpose of carrying off the waters of the lake of Celano, on which thirty thousand Roman slaves were employed for eleven years, and which remains almost perfect to the present day. This, the government of Naples was ten years in repairing with an hundred workmen. The imperishable works of Rome which remain to the present day were for the most part executed by slaves. How different would be the condition of Naples, if for her wretched lazzironi were sub- * Eight daysin the Abruzzi. — Blackwood ' s Magazine, November, 1835. t 374 AGRICULTURAL stituted negro slaves, employed in rendering productive the plains whose fertility now serves only to infect the air ! To us, on whom this institution is fastened, and who could not shake it off, even if we desired to do so, the great republics of antiquity offer instruction of inestimable value. They teach us that slavery is compatible with the freedom, stability and long duration of civil government, with denseness of population, great power, and the highest civilization. And in what respect does this modern Europe, which claims to give opinions to the world, so far excel them —notwithstanding the immense advantages of the Christian re i- gion and the discovery of the art of printing? They are not free, nor have performed more glorious actions, nor displayed more exalted virtue. In the higher departments of intellect — in all that relates to taste and imagin- ation — they will hardly venture to claim equality. Where they have gone beyond them in the results of mechanical philosophy, or discoveries which contribute to the wants and enjoyments of physical life, they have done so by the help of means with which they were furnished by the Grecian mind — the mother of civilization — and only pursued a little further the tract which that had always pointed out. In the development of intellectual pow- er, they will hardly bear comparison. Those noble republics in the pride of tlteir strength and greatness, may have anticipated for themselves — as some of their poets did for them, an everlasting duration and predominance. But they could not have anticipated, that when they had fallen under bar- barous arms, that when arts and civilization were lost, and the whole earth in darkness — the first light should break from their tombs — that in a renewed world, unconnected with them by ties of locality, language or descent, they should still be held the models of all that is profound in science, or elegant in literature, or all that is great in character, or elevated in imagination. And perhaps when England herself, who now leads the war with which we are on all sides threatened, shall have fulfilled her mission, and like the other glorious things of the earth, shall have passed away ; when she shall have diffused her noble race and noble language, her laws, her literature and her civilization, over all quarters of the earth, and shall perhaps be overrun by some Northern horde — sunk into an ignoble and anarchical democracy,* or subdued to the dominion of some Caesar, — demagogue and despot, — there, in Southern regions, there may be found many republics, triumphing in Grecian arts and civilization, and worthy of Biiiish descent and Roman in- stitutions. If after a time, when the mind and almost the memory' of the republic were lost, Romans degenerated, they furnish conclusive evidence that this * I do not use the word democracy in the Athenian sense, but to describe the govern- ment in which the slave and his master have an equal voice in. public affairs. PROCEEDINGS. 375 was owing not to their domestic, but to their political slavery. The same thing is observed over all the eastern monarchies; and so it must be, wher- ever properly is insecure, and it is dangerous for a man to raise himself to such eminence by intellectual or moral excellence, as would give him influ- ence over his society. So it is in Egypt; and the other regions bordering the Mediterranean which once comprehended the civilization of the world, where Carthage, Tyre and Pnoenecia flourished. In short, the uncontra- dicted experience of the world is, that in Southern States where good gov- ernment and predial and domestic slavery are found, there are prosperity and greatness ; where either of these conditions is wanting, degeneracy and barbarism. The former however is equally essential in all climates and under all institutions. And can we suppose it to be the design of the crea- tor, that these regions, constituting half of the earth’s surface, and the more fertile half and more capable of sustaining life, should be abandoned forever to depopulation and barbarism ? Certain it is that they will never be reclaimed by the labour of freemen. In our own country, look at the lower valley of the Mississippi, which is capable of being made a far greater Egypt. In our own state, there are extensive tracts of the most fertile soil, which are capable of being made to swarm with life. These are at present pestilential swamps, and valueless, because there is abundance of other fertile soil in more favorable situations, which demand all and more than all the labor which our country can supply. Are these regions of fer- tility to be abandoned at once and forever to the alligator and tortoise — with here and there perhaps a miserable, shivering, erouehing/ree black savage ? Does not the finger of heaven itself seem to point to a race of men — not to be enslaved by us but already enslaved, and who will be in every way bene- fitted by the change of masters — to whom such climate is not uncongenial, who though disposed to indolence are yet patient and capable of labor, on whose whole features, mind and character, nature has indelibly written — slave and indicate that we should avail purselves of these in fulfilling the first great command to subdue and replenish the earth. It is true that this labor will be dearer than that of northern countries, where under the name of freedom, they obtain cheaper and perhaps better slaves. Yet it is the best we can have, and this too has its compensation. We see it compensated at present by the superior value of our agricultural products. And this superior value they must probably always have. The Southern climate admits of a greater variety of productions. Whatever is produced in Northern climates, the same thing, or something equivalent, may be produced in the Southern. Rut the Northern have no equivalent for the products of Southern climates. The consequence will be, that the pro- ducts of Southern regions will be demanded all over the civilized world- 576 AGRICULTURAL The agricultural products of Northern regions are chiefly for their own con- sumption. They must therefore apply themselves to the manufacturing of articles of luxuiy, elegance, convenience or necessity, — which requires cheap labor — for the purpose of exchanging them with their Southern neighbors. Thus nature herself indicates that agriculture should be the predominating employment in Southern countries, and manufaqtures in Northern. Com- merce is necessary to both — but less indispensable to the Southern, which produce within themselves a greater variety of things desirable to life. They will therefore have somewhat less of the commercial spirit. We must avail ourselves of such labor as we can command. The slave must labor and is inured to it ; while the necessity of energy in his government, of watchfulness, and of preparation and power to suppress insurrection, added to the moral force derived from the habit of command, may help to prevent the degeneracy of the master. The task of keeping down insurrection is commonly supposed, by those who are strangers to our institutions, to be a very formidable one. Even among ourselves ; accustomed as we have been to take our opinions on this as on every other subject, ready formed from those whom we regarded as instructors, in the teeth of our own observation and experience, fears have been entertained which are absolutely ludicrous. Wfe have been supposed to be nightly reposing over a mine, which may at any instant explode to our destruction. The first thought of a foreigner sojourning in one of our cities, who is awakened by any nightly alarm, is of servile insurrection and massacre. Yet if any thing is certain in human affairs, it is certain trom the most ob- vious considerations, that we are more secure in this respect than any civil- ized and fully peopled society upon the lace of the earth. In every such society, there is a much larger proportion than whh us, of persons who have more to gain than to lose by the overthrow of government, and the embroil- ing of social order. It is in such a state of things that those who were be- fore at the bottom of society, rise to the surface. From causes already con- sidered, they are peculiarly apt to consider their sufferings the result of in- justice and misgovernment, and to be rancorous and embittered accordingly. They have every excitement therefore of resentful passion, and every temp- tation which the hope of increased opulence, or power or consideration can hold out, to urge them to innovation and revolt. Supposing the same dispo- sition to exist in equal degree among pur slaves, what are their comparative means or prospect of gratifying it ? The poor of other countries are called free. They have, at least, no one interested to exercise a daily and nightly superintendence and control over their conduct and actions. Emissaries of their class may tarverse, unchecked, every portion of the country, for the purpose of organizing insurrection. From their greater intelligence, they have greater means of communicating with each other. They may procure PROCEEDINGS. 377 and secrete arms. It is not alone the ignorant, or those who are commonly called the poor, that will be tempted to revolution. There will be many disappointed men and men of desperate fortune — men perhaps of talent and daring — to combine them and direct their energies. Even those in the higher ranks of society who contemplate no such result, will contribute to it, by declaiming on their hardships and rights. With us, it is almost physically impossible, that there should be any very extensive combination among the slaves. It is absolutely itnpo sible that they should procure and conceal efficient arms. Their emissaries travers- ing the country, would car-y their commission on their foreheads. If we suppose among them an individual of sufficient talent and energy to qualify him for a revolutionary leader, he couid not be so extensively known as to command the confidence, which would be necessary to enable him to combine and direct them. Of the class of freemen, there would bo no individual so poor or degraded (with the exception perhaps of here and there a reckless ar,d desperate outlaw and felon) who would not have much to lose by the success of such an attempt ; every one therefore would be vigilant and active to detect and suppress it. Of all impossible things, one of the most impossible would be a successful insurrection of our slaves, originating with themselves. Attempts at insurrection have indeed been made — excited, as we believe, by the agitation of the abolitionists and declaimers on slavery ; but these have been in every instance promptly suppressed. We fear not to compare the riots, disorder, revolt and blood shed which having been committed in our own, with those of any other civilized communities, during the same lapse of time. And let it be observed under what extraordinary circum- stances our peace has been preserved. For the last half century, one half of our population has been admonished in terms the most calculated to madden and excite, that they are the victims of the most grinding and cruel injustice and oppression. We know that these exhortations continually reach them, through a thousand channels which we cannot detect, as if carried by the birds of the air — and what human being, especially when unfavorably dis- tinguished by outward circumstances, is not ready to give credit when he is told that he is the victim of injustice and oppression ? In effect, if not in terms, they have been continually exhorted to insurrection. The master has been painted a criminal, tyrant and robber, justly obnoxious to the ven- geance of God and man, and they have been assured of the countenance and sympathy, if not of the active assistance of all the rest of the world. We ourselves have in some measure pleaded guilty to the impeachment. It is not long since a great majority of our free population, servile to the opin- ions of those whose opinions they laad been accustomed to follow, would have admitted slavery to be a great evil, unjust and indefensible in principle, and 378 AGRICULTURAL only to be vindicated by the stern necessity which was imposed upon us. Thus stimulated by every motive and passion which ordinarily actuate hu- man beings — not as to a criminal entcrprize, but as to something generous and heroic — what has been the result? A few imbecile and uncombined plots — in every instance detected before they broke out into action, and which perhaps if undetected would never have broken into action. One or two sudden, unpremeditated attempts, frantic in their character, if not prompted by ectual insanity, and these instantly crushed. As it is, we are not less assured of safety, order and internal peace than any other people ; and but for the pertinacious and fanatical agitation of the subject, would be much more so. This experience of security however should admonish us of the folly and wickedness of those who have sometimes taken upon themselves to super, sede the regular course of law, and by rash and violent acts to punish sup- posed disturbers of the peace of society. This can admit of no justification or palliation whatever. Burke, 1 think, somewhere remarks something to this effect, — that when society is in -the last stage of depravity — when all patties are alike corrupt and alike wicked and unjustifiable in their measures and ob- jects, a good man may content himself with standing neuter, a sad and dis- heartened spectator of the conflict between the rival vices. But are we in this wretched condition ? It is fearful to see with what avidity the worst and most dangerous characters of society seize on the occasion of obtaining the countenance of better men, for the purpose of throwing off the restraints of the law. It is always these who are the most zealous and forward in con- stituting themselves the protectors of the public peace. To such men — men without reputatton or principle or stake in society — disorder is the natural element. In that, desperate fortunes and the want of all moral principle and moral feeling constitute power. They are eager to avenge themselves upon society. Anarchy is not so much the absence of government as the gov- ernment of the worst — not aristocracy but kakistocracy — a state of things, which to the honor of our nature, has seldom obtained amongst men, and which perhaps was only fully exemplified during the worst times of the French revolution, when that horrid hell burnt with its most horrid flame. In such a state of things, to be accused is to be condemned — to protect the inno- cent is to be guilty ; and what perhaps is the worst effect, even men of better nature, to whom their own deeds are abhorrent, are goaded by terror to be forward and emulous in deeds of guilt and violence. The scenes of lawless violence which have been acted in some portions of our country, rare and restricted as they have been, have done more to tarnish its reputation than a thousand libels. They have done more to discredit, and if any thing could, to endanger, not only our domestic, but our republican institutions, than the PROCEEDINGS. 379 abolitionists themselves. Men can never be permanently and effectually dis- graced but by themselves, and rarely endangered but by their own injudicious conduct, giving advantage to the enemy. Better, far better, would it be to encounter the dangers with which we are supposed to be threatened, than to employ such means for averting them. But the truth is, that in relation to this matter, so far as respects actual insurrection, when alarm is once excited, danger is absolutely at an end. Society can then employ legitimate and se- vere effectual measures for its own protection. The very commission ot such deeds, is proof that they are necessary. Let those who attempt them then, or make any demonstration towards them, understand that they will meet only the discountenance and abhorrence of all good men, and the just punishment of the laws they have dared to outrage. It has commonly been supposed, that this institution will prove a source of weakness in relation to military defence against a foreign enemy. I will ven- ture to say that in a slave holding community, a larger military force may be maintained permanently in the field, than in any State where there are not slaves. It is plain that almost the whole of the able bodied free male popu- lation, making half of the entire able bodied male population, may be main- tained in the field, and this without taking in any material degree from the labour and resources of the country. In general the labor of our country is performed by slaves. In other countries, it is their labors that form the material of their armies. What proportion of these can be taken away without fatally crippling their industry and resources? In the war of the revolution, though the strength of our state was wasted and paralyzed by the unfortunate divisions which existed among ourselves, yet it may be said with general truth, that every citizen was in the field and acquired much of the qualities of the soldier. It is true that this advantage will be attended with its compensating evils and disadvantages ; to which we must learn to submit, if we are determined on the maintenance of our institutions. We are, as yet, hardly at all aware how little the maxims and practices of modern civilized governments will apply to us. Standing armies, as they are elsewhere constituted, we cannot have ; for we have not, and for generations cannot have the materials out of which they are to be formed. If we should be involved in serious wars, I have no doubt but that some sort of conscription, requiring the services of all the citizens (or a considerable term, will be necessary. Like the people of Athens, it will be necessary that every citizen should be a soldier, and quali. fied to discharge efficiently the duties of a soldier. It may seem a melan- choly consideration, that an army so made up should be opposed to the dis- ciplined mercenaries of foreign nations. But we must learn to know our true situatic n. But may we not hope, that made up of superior materials, of men having home and country to defend ; inspired by higher pride of char- 380 AGRICULTURAL acter, of greater intelligence and trained by an effective, though honorable discipline, such an army will be more than a match for mercenaries. The efficiency of an army is determined by the qualities of its officers, and may vve not expec to have a greater proportion of men better qualified for officers, and possessing the true spirit of military command. And let it be recollected that if there were otherwise reason to apprehend danger from insurrection, there will be the greatest security when there is the largest force on foot within the country. Then it is that any such attempt would be most instant- ly and effectually crushed. And perhaps a wise foresight should induce our State to provide, that it should have within itself such military knowledge and skill as may be suf. ficient to organize, discipline and command armies, by establishing a military academy or school of discipline- The school of the militia will not do for this. From the general opinion of our weakness, if our country should at any time come into hostile collision, we shall be selected for the point of at- tack ; making us, according to Mr. Adams’ anticipation, the Flanders of the United States. Come from what quarter it may, the storm will fall upon us. It is known that lately when there was apprehension of hostility with France, the scheme was instantly devised of invading the Southern States and organizing insurrection. In a popular English periodical work, I have seen the plan suggested by an officer of high rank and reputation in the Brit- ish army, of invading the Southern States at various points and operating by the same means. He is said to be a gallant officer, and certainly had no conception that he was devising atrocious crime, as alien to the true spirit of civilized warfare, as the poisoning of streams and fountains. But the folly of such schemes is no less evident than their wickedness. Apart from the consideration of that which experience has most fully proved to be true — that in general their attachment and fidelity to their masters is not to be shaken, and that from sympathy with the feelings of those by whom they are surrounded, and from whom they derive their impressions, they contract no less terror and aversion towards an invading enemy ; it is manifest that this recourse would be an hundred fold more available to us than to such an en- emy. They are already in our possession, and we might at will arm and organize them in any number that we might think proper. The Helots were a regular constituent part of the Spartan armies. Thoroughly acquainted with their characters and accustomed to command them, we might use any stri tness of discipline which would be necessary to render them effective, and from their habits of subordination already formed, this would be a task of less difficulty. Though morally most timid, they are by no means want- ing in physical strength of nerve. They are excitable by praise ; and direct- ed by those in whom they have confidence, would rush fearlessly and unques- tioning upon any sort of danger. With white officers and accompanied by a PROCEEDINGS. 881 strong white cavalry, there are no troops in the world from whom there would be so little reason to apprehend insubordination or mutiny. This I admit might be a dangerous resource, and one not to be resorted to but in great extremity. But I am supposing the case of our being driven to extremity. It might be dangerous to disband such an army, and reduce them with the habits of soldiers, to their former condition of laborers. It might be found necessary, when once embodied to keep them so, and subject to military discipline-^a permanent standing army. This in time of peace would be expensive, if not dangerous. Or if at any time we should be en- gaged in hostilities with our neighbors, and it were thought advisable to send such an army abroad to conquer settlements for themselves, the invaded regions might have occasion to think th it the scourge of God was again let loose to nffl ct the earth. President Dew has very fully shown how utterly vain are the fears of those, who though there may be no danger for the present, yet apprehend great danger for the future, when the number of slaves shall be greatly increased. He has shown that the large and more condensed the society becomes, the easier it will bo to maintain subordination, suppo.-ing the rela. tive numbers of the different classes to remain the same — -or even if there should be a very disproportionate increase of the enslaved class. Of all vain things, the vainest and that in which man most shows his impotence and folly, is the taking upon himself to provide for a very distant future—at all events by any material sacrifice of the present. Though experience has shown that revolutions and political movements— unless when they have been conducted with the most guarded caution and moderation. -have generally •terminated in results just the opposite of what was expected from them, the angry ape will still play his fantastic tricks, and put in motion machinery, the action of which he no more comprehends or foresees than he compre* hends the mysteries of infinity. The insect that is borne upon the current, will fancy that he directs its course. Besides the fear of insurrection and servile war, there is also alarm lest when their numbers shall be greatly in- creased, their labor will become utterly unprofitable, so that it will be equally difficult for the master to retain and support them, or to get rid of them. Bui at what age of the world is this likely to happen 1 At present, it may be said that almost the whole of the Southern portion of this continent is to be subdued to cultivation ; and in the order of providence, this is the task allot- ted to them. For this purpose, more labour will be required for generations to come than they will be able to supply. When that task is accomplished, there will be many objects to which their labor may be directed. At present they are employed in accumulating individual wealth, and this in one way, to Wit, as agricultural labourers— and this is perhaps the most useful purpose to which their labor can be applied. The effect of slavery has 382 AGRICULTURAL not been to counteract the tendency to dispersion, which seems epidemical among our countrymen, invited by the unbounded extent of fertile and unex- hausted soil, though it counteracts many of the evils of dispersion. All the customary trades, professions and employments, except the agricultural, require a condensed population for their profitable exercise. The agricul- turist who can command no labor but that of his own hands or that of his family, must remain comparatively poor and rude. He who acquires wealth by the labor of slaves, has the means of improvement for himself and his children. He may have a more extended intercourse, and consequently means of information and refinement, and may seek education for his chil- dren where it may he found. I say, what is obviously true, that he has the means of obtaining those advantages ; but 1 say nothing to palliate or excuse the conduct of him, who having such means neglects to avail himself of them. 1 believe it to be true, that in consequence of our dispersion, though indi- vidual wealth is acquired, the face of the country is less adorned and im- proved by useful and ornamental public works, than in other societies of more condensed population, where there is less wealth. But this is an effect of that, which constitutes perhaps our most conspicuous advantage. Where population is condensed, they must have the evils of condensed population, and among these is the difficulty of finding profitable employment for capital. He who has accumulated even an inconsiderable sum, is often puzzled to know what use to make of it. Ingenuity is therefore tasked to cast about for every enterprise which may afford a chance of profitable investment. Works useful and ornamental to the country, are thus undertaken and ac- complished, and though the proprietors may fail of profit, the community no less receives the benefit. Among us, there is no such difficulty. A safe and profitable method of investment is offered to everyone who has capital dispose of, which is further recommended to his feelings by the sense of inde- pendence and the comparative leisure, which the employment affords to the proprietor engaged in it. It is for this reason that few of our citizens en- gage in ihe pursuits of commerce. Though these maybe more profitable, they are also more hazardous and more laborious. When the demand for agricultural labor shall be fully supplied, then of course the labour of slaves will be directed to other employments and enter- prises. Already it begins to be found, that in some instances it may be used as profitably in works of public improvement. As it becomes cheaper and cheaper, it will be applied to more various purposes and combined in larger masses. It may be commanded and combined with more facility than any other sort of labour ; and the labourer, kept in stricter subordination, will be less dangerous to the security of society than in any other country, which PROCEEDINGS* 833 Is crowded and overstocked with a class of what are called free labourers. Let it be remembered that all the great and enduring monuments of human art and industry-=*the wonders of Egypt—=the everlasting works of Rome— were created by the labor of slaves. There will come a stage in our pro- gress when we shall have futilities for executing works as great as any of these-“»more useful than the pyrumids-=not less magnificent than the Meotic sea. What the end of all is to be ; what mutations lie hid in the womb i.f the distant future j to what convulsions our societies may be exposed—wheth* er the master, finding it impossible to live with his slaves, may not be con:* polled to abandon the country to them^of all this it Were presumptuous and vain to speculate, I have hitherto, as 1 proposed, considered it as a naked, abstract question Of the comparative good and evil of the Institution of slavery. Very far different indeed is the practical question presented to Its, when it is proposed to get rid of an Institution Which has interwoven itself With every fibre of the body politic } which has formed the habits. aLour. society, and is consecrated by the usage of generations. If this be not a vicious prescription, which the laws of God forbid to ripen into right, it has a jtlst claim to be respected by all tribunals of man. If the negroes Were now free and it were proposed to enslave them, then it would be incumbent on those who proposed the measure to show clearly that their liberty was incompatible with the public security. When it is proposed to innovate on the established state of things, the burden is on those who propose the innovation, to show that advantage Will be gained front it. There is no reform, however necessary, wholesome or moderate, which will not be accompanied with some degree of iuconvon* ience, risque or suffering. Those who acquiesce In the state of things which they found existing, can hardly be thought criminal. But most deeply crirnh nal are they who give rise to the enormous evil with which great revolutions in society are always attended, without the fullest assurance of the greater good to be ultimately obtained. But if it can be made to appear, even probably, that no good will be obtained, but that the results will be evil and calamitous as the process, what can justify such innovations? No human being can be So mischievoUs-=df acting consciously, none can l e so wicked as those who finding evil in existing institutions, rush blindly upon change. Unforeseeing and reckless of consequences, and leaving it to chance or fate to determine whether the end shall be improvement, or greater and more intolerable evil. Certainly the instincts of nature prompt to resist intoler- able oppression. For this reswtance no rule can be prescribed, but it must be left to the instincts of nature. To justify it however, the insurrectionists should at least have a reasonable probability of success, and be assured that their condition will be improved by success. But most extraordinary is it, when those who complain and clamor, are not those who are supposed to feel 384 AGRICULTURAL the oppression, but persons at a distance from them, and who Call hardly at ail appreciate the good or evil of their situation. It is the unalterable con* dition of humanity, that men must achieve civil liberty for themselves. The assistance of allies has sometimes enabled nations to repel the attacks of for- eign power ; never to conquer liberty as against their own internal govern* rnent. In one thing I concur with the abolitionists ; that if emancipation is to be brought about, it is better that it should be immediate and total. But let us suppose it to be brought about in any manner, and then enquire what Would be the effects. The first and most obvious effect, would be to put an end to the cultiva- tion of our great southern staple. And this would be equally the result, if we suppose the emancipated negroes to be in no way distinguished from the laborers of other countries, and that their labour would be equally effective. In that case, they would soon cease to be laborers for hire, but would scatter themselves over our unbounded territory, to become independent land owners themselves. The cultivation of the soil on an extensive scale, can only be carried on where there are slaves, or in Countries superabounding with free labour. No such operations are carried on in any portions of our own country where there are not slaves. Such are carried on in Bn. land, where there is an overflowing population and intense competition for employment. And our institutions seem suited to the exigencies of our respective situations, There, a much greater number of laborers is required at one season of the year than at another, and the Farmer may enlarge or diminish the quantity of labor he employs, as circumstances may require. Here, about the same quantity of labour is required at every season, and the planter suffers no inconvenience from retaining his laborers throughout the year. Imagine an extensive rice or cotton plantation cultivated by free laborers, who might per* haps strike for an increase of wages, at a season when the neglect of a few days would insure the destruction of the whole crop. Even if it were pos- sible to procure laborers at all, what planter would venture to carry on hia opeiations undi r such circumstances? I need hardly say that these staples cannot be produced to any extent where the proprietor of the soil cultivates it with his own hands. He can do little more than produce the necessary food for himself and his family. And what would be the effect of putting an end to the cultivation of these staples, and thus annihilating at a blow, two thirds or three fourths of our foreign commerce ? Can any sane mind contemplate such a result without terror? 1 speak not of the utter poverty and misery to which we ourselves would be reduced, and the desolation which would overspread our own por- tion of the country. Our slavery has not only given existence to millions of Proceedings. slaves within our o - >vn territories, it has given the means of subsistence and therefore existence, to millions of freemen in our confederate States t en- abling them to send forth their swarms, to overspread the plains and forests of the West and appear as the harbingers of civilization. The products of the industry of these States are in general similar to those of the civilized world, and are little demanded m their markets. By exchanging them for ours, which are every where sought for, the people of these States are en- abled to acquire all the products of art and industry, all that contributes to convenience or luxury, or gratifies the taste or the intellect, which the rest of the world can supply. Not only on our own continent, but on the other, it has given existence to bund reds of thousands, and the means of comfortable subsistence to millions. A distinguished citi-zen of our own state, than whom none can be better qualified to form an opinion, has lately stated that our great staple, cotton, has contributed more than any thing else of later times to the progress of civilization. By enabling the poor to obtain cheap and becoming clothing, it has inspired a taste for comfort, the first stimulus to civilization. Does not self defence then demand of us, steadily to resist the abrogation of that which is productive of sc much good ? It is more than self defence. It is to defend millions of human beings, who are far removed from us, from the intensest suffering, if not from being struck out of existence. It is the defence of human civilization. But this is but a small part of the evil which would be occasioned. After President Dew, it is unnecessary to say a single word on t-lie practicability of colonizing our slaves. The two races, so widely separated from each other by the impress of nature, must remain together in the same country. Whether it be accounted the result of prejudice or reason, it is certain that the two races will not be blended together so as to form a homogenous popu- lation. To one who knows any thing of the nature of man and human society, it would be unnecessary to argue that this state of things cannot con- tinue ; but that one race must be driven out by the other, or exterminated, ■or again enslaved. I have argued on the supposition that the emancipated negroes would be as efficient as other free laborers. But whatever theor- ists, who know nothing of the matter, may think proper to assume, we well know that this would not be so. We know that nothing but the coercion of slavery can overcome their propensity to indolence, and that not one in ten would be an efficient laborer. Even if this disposition v/ere not grounded in their nature, it would be a result of their position. I have somewhere seen it oh- served, that to be degraded by opinion, is a thousand fold worse, so far as the feelings of the individual are concerned, than to be degraded by the laws. They would be thus degraded, and this feeling is incompatible with habits of order and industry. Half our population would at once be paupers. Let an inhabitant of New York cm - Philadelphia conceive of the situation of their 25 AGRICULTURAL respective Slates, if one Sialf of their population consisted of free negroe?. The tie which now connects them being broken, the different races would be estranged from each other, and hostility would grow up between them. Hav- ing the command of their own time and actions, they could more effectually combine insurrection and provide the means of rendering it formidable. Re- leased from the vigilant superintendence which now restrains them, they would infallibly be led from petty to greater crimes, until all life and property would be rendered insecure. Aggression would beget retaliation, until open war — a n d that a war of extermination were established. From the still remaining superiority of the white race, it is probable that they would be the victors, and if they did not exterminate, they must again reduce the others Jo slavery— when they could be no longer fit to be either slaves or freemen. It is not only in self defence, in defence of our country and of all that is dear to us, but in defence of the slaves themselves that wc refuse to t emancipate them. If we suppose them to have political privileges, and to be admitted to tbe elective franchise, still worse results may be expected. It is hardly necessa- ry to add any tiling to what has been said by Mr. Paulding on this subject,* who has treated it fully. St is already known, that if there be a class un- favorably distinguished by any peculiarity from tire rest cf society, this dis- tinction forms a tie which binds them to act in concert, and they exercise more than their due share of political power and influence— and still more? as they are of inferior character and looser moral principle. Such a class* form the very material for demagogues to work with. Other parties court them and concede to them. So it would be with the free blacks in the case supposed. They would be u.->ed by unprincipled politicians, of irregular am- bition, for the advancement of their schemes, until they should give them political power and importance beyond even their own intentions. They would be courted by excited parties in their contests wnh each other. At some time, they may perhaps attain political ascendency, and this is more probable, as we may suppose that there will have been a great emigration of whifes from the country. Imagine the goveri ment of such legislators. Imagine then the sort of laws that will be passed, to confound the invidious- distinction whicH has been so long assumed over them, and if possible to obliterate the every memory of it. These will be resisted. The blacks will be tempted to avenge themselves by oppression and proscription of the white race, for their long superiority. Thus matters will go on, until uni- versal anarchy, or kakistocracy, the government of the worst, is fully estab- lislied. I am persuaded that if the spirit of evil should devise to send abroad upon the earth all possible misery, discord, horror and atrocity, he cottid con- trive no scheme so effectual as the emancipation of negro slaves within our country. PROCEEDINGS. 387 The most feasible scheme of emancipation, and that which I verily believe would involve the least danger and sacrifice, would be that the entire white population should emigrate, and abandon the country to their slaves. Here would be triumph to philanthrophy. This wide and fertile region would be again restored to ancient barbarism — to the worst of all barbarism — barba- rism corrupted and depraved by intercourse with civilization. And this is the consummation to be wished, upon a speculation, that in some distant future age, they may become so enlightened and improved, as to be capable of sus- taining a position among the civilized races of the earth. But I believe mor- alists allow men to defend their homes and their country, even at theexpense- of the lives and liberties of others. Will any philanthropist say that the evils, of which I have spoken, would) be brought about only by the obduracy, prejudices and overweanining self-es- timation of the whites in refusing to blend the races by marriage, and so cre- ate a homogenous population. But what if it be not prejudice, but truth, and! nature, and right reason, and just moral feeling? As I have before said,, throughout the whole of nature, like attracts like, and that which is unlike- repels. What is it that makes so unspeakably loathsome, crimes n.>t to be- named, and hardly alluded to ? Even among the nations of Europe, so nearly homogenous, there are some peculiarities of form and feature, mind andi character, which may be generally distinguished by those accustomed to ob- serve them. Though the exceptions are numerous, I will venture to say thati not in one instance in a hundred, is the man of souud and unsophisticated tastes and propensities so likely to be attracted by the female of a foreign; stock, as by one of his own, who is more nearly conformed to himself. Shakspeare spoke the language of nature, when he made the Senate and peo- ple of Venice attribute to the effect of witchcraft, Desdemona’s passion for Othello — though, as Coleridge has said, we are to conceive of him not as a negro, but as a high bred, Moorish Chief. If the negro race, as I have contended, be inferior to- our own in mind andi character, marked by inferiority of form and features,, then ours would suffer deterioration from such intermixture. What would be thought of the moral conduct of the parent who should voluntarily transmit disease, or fatuity, or deformity to his offspring? If man be the most perfect work of his Creator,, and the civilized European man the most perfect variety of the human race,, is he not criminal who would desecrate and deface God’s fairest work;, estrang,- ing it further from the image himself, and conforming it more nearly to that of the brute. I have heard it said, as if it afforded an argument, that the African is as well satisfied of the superiority of his own complexion, form andi features, as we can be of ours. If this were true, as it is not, would any one be so recreant to his own civilization, as to say that his opinion ought to- weigh against ours — that there is no universal standard of truth and grace- 388 AGRICULTURAL and beau y — that the Hottentot Venus may perchance possess as great per- fection of form as the Mccliceari ? It is true, the licentious passions of men ■overcome the natural repugnance, and find transient gratification in inter- course with females of the other race. But this is a very different thing from making her the associate of life, the companion of the bosom and the hearth. Him who would contemplate such an alliance for himself, or regard it with 'patience, when proposed for a son or daughter or sister, we should esteem a degraded wretch — with justice, certainly, if he were found among ourselves— and the estimate would not be very different if he were found in Europe. It is not only in defence of ourselves, of our country and of our own genera- tion. that we refuse to emancipate our slaves, but to defend our posterity and race from degeneracy and degradation. Are we not justified then in regarding as criminals, the fanatical agitators whose efforts are intended to bring about the evils I harve described. It is -sometimes said that their zeal is generous and disinterested, and that their motives may be praised, though their conduct be condemned. But I have little faith in the good motives of those who pursue bad ends. It is not for us to scrutinize the hearts of men, and we can only judge of them by the tendency of their actions. Th< re is much truth in what was said by Coleridge. “ I have never known a trader in philanthropy who was not wrong at heart some- how or other. Individuals so distinguished, are usually unhappy in their family relations — men not benevolent or beneficent to individuals, but almost hostile to them, yet lavishing money and labor and lime on the race — the ab- stract notion.” The prevalent love of notoriety actuates some. There is much luxury in sentiment, especially if it can be indulged at the expense of others, and if there be added some share of envy or malignity, the temptation to indulgence is almost irresistible. But certainly they may be justly regard- ed as criminal, who obstinately shut their eyes and close their ears to all instruction with resptet to the true nature of their actions. It must be manifest to every man of sane mind, that it is impossible for them to achieve ultimate success; even if every individual in our country, out of the limits of the slaveholding States, were united in their purposes. They ■cannot have even the miserable triumph of St Domingo— of advancing through scenes of atrocity, blood and massacre, to the restoration of bar- barism. They may agitate and perplex the world for a time. They may ■excite to desperate attempts and particular acts of cruelty and horror, but I( hese will always be suppressed or avenged at the expense of the objects of their truculent philanthropy. But short of this, they can hardly be aware of the extent of the mischief they perpetrate. As I have said, their opinions, by means to us inscrutable, do very generally reach our slave population. What human being, if unfavorably distinguished by outward circumstances, is not ready to believe when he is told that he is the victim of injustice? Is it not PROCEEDINGS. 389 cruelty to make men restless and dissatisfied in their condition, when no effort of theirs can alter it? The greatest injury is done to their characters, as well as to their happiness. Even if no such feelings or designs should be entertained or conceived by the slave, they will be attributed to him by the master, and all his conduct scanned with a severe and jealous scrutiny- Thus distrust and aversion are established, where, but for mischievous inter- ference, there would be confidence and good will, and a ster. er control is exercised over the slave who thus becomes the victim of his cruel advocates. An effect is sometimes proJuced on the minds of slave holders, by the pub- lications of the self-styled philanthropists, and their judgments staggered and consciences alarmed. It is natural that the oppressed should hate the oppres- sor. It is still more natural that the oppressor should hate his victim. Con- vince the master that he is doing injustice to his slave, and he at once begins to regard him with distrust and malignity. It is a part of the constitution of the human mind, that when circumstances of necessity or temptation induce men to continue ir. the practice of what they believe to be wrong, they become desperate and reckless of the degree of wrong. I have formerly heard of a master who accounted for his practising much severity upon his slaves, and. exacting from them an unusual degree of labor, by saying that the thing ((.sla- very) was altogether wrong, and therefore it was well to make the greatest? possible advantage out of it. This agitation occasions some slave holders to hang more loosely on their country. Regarding the institution as of ques- tionable character, condemned by the general opinion of the world, and one which must shortly come to an end, they hold themselves in readiness to make their escape from the evil which they anticipate. Some sell their slaves to new masters (always a misfortune to the slave) and remove themselves to other societies, of manners and habits uncogenial to their own. Ajid. though we may suppose that it is only the weak and the timid who are liable to be thus affected, still it is no less an injury and public misfortune. Society is kept in an unquiet and restless state, and every sort of improvement is re- tarded. Some projectors suggest the education of slaves, with a v.ie.v to prepare them for freedom — as if there were any method of a man’s being educated to freedom, but by himself. The truth is, however, that supposing that they are shortly to be emancipated, and that they hare the capacities of any other race,, they are undoing the very be.,t education which it is possible- to, give. They are in the course of being taught habits of regular and, patient industry, and this is the first lesson which is required- I suppose, that their most zealous, advocates would not desire that they should be placed in the high places of society immediately upon their emancipation, but that they should begin their course of freedom as laborers, and raise themselves afterwards as their capa- cities and characters might enable them. But how: little would what ar,e.- 390 AGRICULTURAL commonly called the rudiments of education, add to their qualifications as laborers? But for the agitation which exists however, their education would be carried further than this. There is a constant tendency in our society to extend the sphere of their employments, and consequently to give them the information which is necessary to the discharge of those employments. And this, for the most obvious reason, it promotes the master’s interest. How much would it add to the value of a slave, that he should be capable of being employed as a clerk, of be able to make calculations as a mechanic ? In consequence, however, of the fanatical spirit which has been excited, it has been thought necessary to repress this tendency by legislation, and to prevent their acquiring the knowledge of which they might make a dangerous use. ilf this spirit were put down, and we restored to the consciousness of security, this would be no longer necessary, and the process of which 1 have spoken 'would be accelerated. Whenever indications of superior capacity appeared .in a slave, it would be cultivated ; gradual improvement would take place, mntil they might be engaged in a» various employments as they were among ■ the ancients — perhaps even liberal ones. Thus, if in the adorable providence of God, at a time and in a manner which s we can neither foresee nor conjec- ture, they are to be rendered capable of freedom and to enjoy it, they would be prepared for it in the best and most effectual, because in the most natural • andigradual manner. But fanaticism hurries to its effect at once. I have heard it said, God does good, but it is by imperceptible degrees ; the Devil is ipermitted to do evil, and he does it in a hurry. The beneficent processes of nature are not apparent to the senses. You cannot see the plant grow or the .flower expand. The volcano, the earthquake and the hurricane, do their work of desolation in a moment. Such would be the desolation, if the schemes of fanatics were permitted to have effect. They do all that in them lies! to thwart the beneficent purposes of Providence. The whole tendency of their efforts 'is to aggravate present suffering and to cut of the chance of future improvement, and in all their bearings and results, have produced, and are likely to produce, nothing but “ fierce, unmixed, dephlegmated, defeated evil.” If Wilberforce or Clarkson were living, and it were enquired of them “can you be sure that you have promoted the happiness of a single human being?” I imagine that, if they considered conscientiously, they would find it difficult to answer in the affirmative. If it were asked “can you be sure that you have not been the cause of suffering, misery and death, to thousands,” — when we recollect that they probably stimulated the exertions of the amis des noirs in France, and that through the efforts of these, the horrors of St. Domingo were perpetrated. I think they must hesitate long to return a decided nega- tive. It might seem cruel, if we could, to convince a man who has devoted .his life to what he esteemed .a^good and generous purpose, that he has been PROCEEDINGS* §91 doing only evil— that he has been worshipping a horrid fiend, in the place of a true God. But fanaticism is in no danger of being convinced. It is one of the mysteries of nature, and of the divine government, how utterly dispro- portioned to each other, are the powers of doing evil and of doing good. The poorest and most abject instrument, that is utterly imbeeiie for any pur- pose of good, seems sometimes endowed with almost the powers of omnipo- tence for mischief. A mole may inundate a province— a spark from a forge may conflagrate a city— a whisper may separate friends, a rumor may con- vulse an empire — but when we would do benefit to our race or country, the purest and most chastened motives, the most patient thought and labor, with the humblest self-distrust, are hardly sufficient to assure us that the results may not disappoint our expectations, and that we may not do evil instead of good. But are we therefore to refrain from efforts to benefit onr race and country? By no means: but these motives, this labor and self-distrust are the only conditions upon whieh we are permitted to hope for success. Very different indeed is the course of those, whose precipitate and ignorant zeal would overturn the fundamental institutions of society, uproot its peace and endanger its security, in pursuit of a distant and shadowy good, of which they themselves have formed no definite conception — whose atrocious philoso- phy would sacrifice a generation — -and more than one generation— for any hypothesis* f . . . ; - ■••'■;■' ' • ' ■ ' ' ■ . ,i v . : ■ _ • - ■ • . .. ■ < -■ - b< ® ’<3 Iffl W'J.)’ »>’<■ MARL. A LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF JEFFERSON' COUNTY. GEORGIA, BY J. II. HAMMOND. Silver Bluff, So. Ca. ) January 5th. 1846. 4. Dear Sir , — I embrace the earliest opportunity my other engagements have allowed me, of fulfilling my promise to comply with the request of your So- ciety, to give them such information as I possess in regard to Marl. 1 am happy to learn that an interest in this matter has been excited in your county, and if in what I am about to say, I shall fail to meet all tlx enquiries which might be made, it will afford me great pleasure to communicate more fully on particular points, at any time hereafter. Aware of the strong prejudice existing too generally among Farmers, against every thing near in farming, it may not be amiss for me to begin by saying, that however new to us Marling may have been a few years ago, it is in point of fact one of the very oldest agricultural operations of which we have any authentic record. Pliny, who wrote during the first century of our Era, mentions Marl as having been long in use among the Greeks, and also- in Gaul and Britain. He describes pretty accurately the appearance of all, or nearly all, the kinds of marl now known. He even specifies the peculiar effects of each on soils, and states the length of time these effects were sup- posed to last, which was from 10 to 80 years, according tO'the quality of the marl and the land marled. Varro, who wrote a century before Pliny, men- tions having seen fields in Gaul covered with a “ white fossil clay,” and also describes several varieties of marl as in common use. Although these various writers, because ignorunt of the discoveries of modern science, made great blunders in attempting to account for the extra- ordinary influence exerUd by this earth on vegetation, and to discriminate between its varieties, still it is unquestionable that the “ leucargillon" of the Greeks* the “ foscitia crcta ” of Varro- and the “ marga ” not require more. Seed cotton suffi- cient to make a bale of 400 lbs ; that is 1400 lbs. in the seed, will consume about three pounds, and most of that in the seed which is invariably restored to the land. If we treble this amount for the stalks and leaves, which how- ever usually rot on the ground, the exhaustion of lime by our heaviest cotton crops will not exceed halt a peck when every thing is taken off. Thirty bushels of corn will consume only about 1-J pounds of lime ; if we add six times this amount for the cob, shuck, blades and stalk, it will not require more than cotton or wheat. I am not aware that our cotton stalks, or our corn- cobs, shucks, stalks or blades, have ever been analyzed ; but I have, I think, 410 AGRICULTURAL fully allowed for the lime they may contain. And at these rates of exhaus- tion, 30 bushels of lime, which is about the quantity contained in 100 bush- els of mail that has 60 per cent., of the carbonate, will supply the wants of our usual crops, when much larger than we now overage, for 240 years, if the land was cultivated so long without rest or restoring any thing to it. The consumption of the crop then is next to nothing. The loss arising from other causes is undoubtedly greater. Quick-lime dissolves in 750 parts of water. A fall of 44 inches of rain, which is less than the annual average quantity that falls here, would afford water sufficient to dissolve 170 bushels per acre. Quick-lime when spread on land, however, becomes a carbonate, and nearly insoluable, too soon to lose to this extent. Still, a considerable amount might be lost in this way, by a heavy rain immediately after liming. Lime after being burnt, falls into a powder. Its minute particles are forced by showers, aided by deep plowing into the sub-soil, and much may be thus carried off. When these things . are considered, it is obvious that all the lime in land may in time be exhausted, as it has been from our “ drifted soils. But the chances of its duration are greatly increased by being applied in the form of marl. Being a carbonate, it is soluable by the carbonic acid in rain water only in small quantities, and ages must elapse before it could dissolve and carry off any great amount ; and not having been reduced to a fine powder, its particles are too large to be readily driven down into the sub- soil. below the reach of the plow. Without, then, assigning any precise limit for the duration of marl, I think it may be safely concluded, that the effects of a sufficient application, under proper culture, will last for a longer period than we can conceive ourselves to have any direct interest in the land to which we may apply it. With regard to what is a sufficient application, there is a great diversity of opinion and consequently of practice. Viewing it chiefly as a direct manure, in many parts of Europe, lime is applied at the rate of 8 to 10 bushels per acre annually — in others, at 10 to 12 bushels every third year ; and again, in other parts, at 40 to 50 bushels every twelve years. But as its indirect effects are as important, and far more numerous than its direct, and it is therefore an invaluable elementary constituent of soils, the true rule for its application undoubtedly is to furnish the soil at once, if possible, with as much as its constitution will bear, and to repeat the dose as frequently as the im- provement of that constitution will permit, since the more lime, every thing else being in due proportion, the larger the crops. Acting on this principle, many farmers in Europe put on 3 to 400 bushels of lime at once, and some- times 1000. Such liming is probably excessive there, and in our climate would be utterly destructive. Marl, however, containing from 50 to 70 per cent, of carb. of lime, may be safely used in four times the quantity we PROCEEDINGS. 411 can use quick lime. The usual dose of marl of that quality in Virginia, varies from 2 to 800 bushels. But more can be applied even in Virginia than here. The hotter the climate, the more caution is necessary in the first dose at least. Though this is greatly dependent on the condition of the land to be marled. In the hot and dry climate of Egypt, the fruitful Delta of the Nile contains 25 per cent, of carb. of lime, which is equivalent in one foot depth of soil, to some 20,000 bushels per acre of marl containing 50 per cent.: but that soil is much deeper, and its vegetable mould inexhaustible. Depth of soil, and the amount of vegetable matter in it, must chiefly regulate the quantity of marl. M. Puvis has given an interesting table in reference to this. He thinks that we may give to a soil three inches deep, 40 bushels of marl, containing 60 per ct. of carb. of lime, or 50 bushels containing 50 perct.; and to a soil six inches deep, 80 bushels at 60 per. ct., or 100 at 50 per ct. He does not refer to the vegetable matter, or other ciicumstan- ces of the soil. I presume that the depths of the soils you cultivate range between the extreme s stated, or at least that you seldom plow, and w'ould not, therefore, mix the marl deeper than six inches. I think the amounts he speci. fies are very safe. As some of my lands are similar to yours, and our cli- mates the same, I will give you my experience on this point. I began to marl by putting 200 bushels per acre, that averaged about 60 per ct. carb. of lime. On old mulatto land, with a soil about six inches deep, and con- taining about 4 perct. of vegetable matter, I have not yet, after four years, perceived an injury from it. On lighter land, containing less vegetable matter, and a soil four to five inches deep, I discovered marl burns the second year. Previously to this discovery, however, I had taken the alarm, and reduced the quantity to 150 bushels, on land similar to the last mentioned. On all the thin spots I perceived the “ marl burn” from this amount. I then further reduced the mar! to 100 bushels per acre, from which I have as yet perceived no injury. Being now about to finish the marling of all my open land, it is my intention to go over it again, and to add 50 bushels per acre at a time, until I have given to all 200 bushels. I shall by no means, however, venture to do this until, by resting and manuring, I have also furnished to it addition- al vegetable matter. I think I may safely recommend you to apply 100 bushels per acre, of the richest marl you have, to any land that now gives you remunerating crops» and 200 bushels, or more, to your best lands. If they are low and sour they will bear still more. I am now putting 250 to 300 bushels on some swamps 1 have drained, which have several feet of vegetable mould. I should not be afraid to put 1000 bushels per acre on such land — though here 1 think quick lime would be the best application, as it would hasten decomposition. It is always most convenient to apply marl to resting lands, and it is also a great advantage to secure, by this means, a new coat of decaying vegetation 412 AGRICULTURAL to start with. So new grounds should be marled the first year: if marled before clearing it would be better still. Very old and exhausted land should be rested two years previously to marling ; and in all cases, thin knolls should, if possible, be manured when marled. But a little experience will furnish you the best guides in this regard — you will soon discover all the dangers, and learn to apply till the remedies. Experience will also teach you in a very short time, the best and most convenient methods of digging, carting, and spreading marl. There are some difficulties connected with digging from marl pits, which, with the means of overcoming them, are stilted in Mr. Ruffin’s work. They arise chiefly from water, which must be drained off, or pumped out, according to circumstances. I have no experience on this point. My marl is cut from the face of the cliff at Shell Bluff. It is estimated that if a strata of marl is 12 teet thick, 12 feet of covering may he removed to procure it, without haz- arding too much. But should you find marl, you need not apprehend much danger of working through it. The great formation of which it is a part, is of unknown depth. Over 100 feet of it is exposed at Shell Blufi'; it has been penetrated more than 300 feet in Charleston. In hauling out marl, the most economical method is to use carts with two mules or horses. In a cart properly made, they will haul 18 bushels at a load as easily as one mule will haul 6. The carts should be made with three shafts, so as to divide the weight of the load equally between the mules, and the tread of the wheels should be 4 inches — axle-trees of iron. In putting on 100 bushels to the acre, the land should be divided by furrow's into squares 28 yards each way. This will give 6 to the acre. A load of 18 bushels to each square will rather exceed 100 bushels per acre, but some will always be lost. The full effect of marl cannot be felt until it is thoroughly mixed with the soil. Hence the first year, little is to be expected from it, and it seldom reaches its maximum until the fourth crop — not always then. Its effects may be hastened, and what is also important, rendered equal, by spreading it with regularity over the land. It is best, therefore, to sow it broad-cast with the hand. Each labourer should take his square and spread the pile, using a tray or board to assist him. A hand will spread 9 piles, of 18 bushels each, in a day. The distance to which marl may be carted depends altogether upon circum- stances — one of which is the quality of the marl — another, that of the land ; others, the facilities for digging, state of the roads, &c. Along the coast of Scotland, it is transported by sea from 80 to 100 miles. I have been very recently informed, that at a single marl bank on James river, in Virginia, 10 rigged lighters are now engaged in delivering marl to a distance of from 8 to 20 miles up and down the river, receiving 3 cents per bushel for it, though it is much inferior to ours in quality'. The marl I use, averages PROCEEDINGS. 413 about 60 per cent, of carb. of lime. I cut tbe whole of it down at Shell Bluff, and boat it 12 miles up the Savannah river, re-land and cart it. I have marled about 700 acres within a mile of my landing here — but I have hauled some marl 4 miles, and have spread it on about 500 acres, the near* est part of which is over three miles from the river. This is of course very expensive; but I think it profitable, notwithstanding. If 1 could lay down any rule to regulate the cost of marling, it would be this : That where land is deficient in lime, it would he a safe operation to expend an amount equal to tbe present value of it, if so much should be necessary to marl it sufficiently. This rule I suggest upon the principle, that it would be profita- ble to pay twice for land, if you could thereby double its production without materially increasing the cost of cultivation. You will naturally inquire, whether any one might reasonably calculate on doubling the production of his land. by marling. I believe he may, if the marl is judiciously applied and the proper system of after cultivation adopted. I have seen but few statements of the actual results of marling in Europe. It is said ir, gereral terms to produce a great increase, though occasionally it is mentioned that the crops were doubled. So perfectly established is the use of lime and marl there, that everyone who can procure them, uses them as a matter of course. It is not considered an experiment, and tables of results are not therefore given — at least, I have seen none. A few years ago, Mr. Ruffin addressed interrogatories touching tbe effect of marl as ex* hibited in tbe crops, to a number of the most respectable farmers of Vir* ginia, who had used it, and received answers from twenty-two, many of whom had marled extensively and for a number of years past. These answers were published in the Farmer’s Register and in Mr. Ruffin’s Re« port on his Agricultural Survey of South Carolina. Their marl was of various qualities, applied in varions amounts per acre, and on different kinds of land, which bad been subjected generally to very severe cropping before. No one of these estimated the increase of his crops from marling at less than double, and some of them rated it as high as 400 per cent. I have no doubt, that under favorable circumstances and good management, the last mentioned increase, enormons as it is, may be often realized. The pros- pect, however, of doubling the crop with reasonable certainty, is promise enough one would think, to set every one to marling who can do it within the cost I have mentioned. I have not myself, yet doubled my own crop by tbe use of marl, nor might the practical results of it, which 1 ought to state, be so striking to a careless observer as he might expect, after all I have said on the subject. They satisfy me, however ; and I feel perfectly certain that in a short time, the crops on all the laitd I plant, will be at least doubled, from the effects of marl alone, and much more than doubled, in consequence of other additional applications I am making. I commenced marling in 414 AGRICULTURAL November, 1841. 1 marled only 175 acres for the crop of 1842, the resul'S of which 1 reported to our State Agricultural Societ\, as 1 did those of 1843, on the same land. They were published, and some of you may have seen them — l will therefore only repeat the tabular statement of those years, and add to it that of the past year. In 1844, these lands rested. The experu ment marked No. 1, was made on mulatto land lying on the river bluff, which in appearance, and perhaps in most other respects, is much the same as the best upland cotton soils in your county which have been as long in cultivation. Experimr nt No. 2, was on light, sandy soil — the sand is very fine, but altogether, the soil is as inferior as any probably that you plant in cotton. 1 could scarcely have selected lands less calculated to give the marl a fair chance— -both having been cleared more than a century ago — badly scourged, and of course greatly exhausted of vegetable matter. Experiment No. 1. Mulatto Land. 1842. i Seed Colton. Less than mmarhd acre. More than unmarltd acre. Per d.‘. Acre not marled. 1111 lbs. Do. marled 100 bush. 846 “ 265 lbs. 30. Do. do. 200 “ 100-3 “ 108 “ 10.7 I)o. do. 300 “ 1318 “ 207 lbs. 17.7 1843. Acre not marled. 493 lbs. Do. marled 100 bush. 654 “ 161 ibs. 32.6 Do. do. 200 “ 759 “ 266 “ 53 9 Do. do. 300 “ 841 “ 348 “ 70. 1844. Rested. 1845. Acre not marled. 324 lbs. Do. marled 100 bush. 4^1 “ 157 lbs. 48.4 Do. do. 200 « 584 “ 260 “ 80.2 Do. do. 300 " 642 “ 318 “ 98. Experiment No. 2. Sandy Land. 1842. Less than unmarled Corn ‘ acre. Mote than unmarltd acre. Per ct. Acre not marled. 17 bush. Dot- marled 100 bush, , 21 “ 4 bush. 23.5 Dot do. 200 21 4 “ 23.5 Dot- do. 300 “ 184 " 14 “ 8.9 PROCEEDINGS* 415 1843. Seed Cotton. Acre not marled. 361 lbs. Do. marled 100 bu>h. 451 “ 90 lbs. 24.9 Do. do. 200 “ :-?84 *• 23 “ 6.3 Do. do. 300 “ 173 “ 188 .* 108.6 1844. Rested. 1845. Acre not marled. 230 lbs. Do* marled 100 bush. 317 “ 88 lbs. 37*7 Do. do. 200 “ 301 •* 71 “ 30.8 Do. do. 300 “ 159 •* 71 <» 44, G The first thing that will strike you on looking at this table, will be, that the Crops have regularly and excessively diminished, from the time the land wa9 marled. It might be concluded that I had ruined my land by marling. Such I will candidly own would have been my own conclusion, if fortunately I had not kept these unmarled acres to test the success of my operations* Disastrous as have been the three last crop seasons in this section of country, I would not have believed it possible that there could have been such a falling off" from seasons alone, and I should have abandoned marl, in spite of the experience of the rest of the world as injurious at least to my soil. But great as lias been the decrease of production on all the acres, it has been far greatest on the unmarled ones. That of the others has comparatively steadily increased, except the 200 and 300 bushel acres in No. 2, both too heavily marled, but both recovering again under the rest of 1S44. In No* 1, the acre with 100 bushels has increased from 30 per cent, below, to 48.4 per cent, above the unmarled one — making an actual comparative increase of 78.4 per cent. The acre with 200 bushels, has in the same way in* creased 90.9 per. cent. Both these acres are decidedly inferior to the other two in No. 1, and have, I do not doubt, produced this year double what they would haVe done without marl. The other two acres in No. 1. are a pretty fair test of the influence of marl, being as nearly equal in quality as could have been selected. The sandy land, in time and with proper man- agement, will, I am certain exhibit results fully as favourably as the mulatto land. It was too far exhausted when marled. I did not reserve test acres on any other fields, but I feel sure that they have derived equal advantage from the marl, in proof of which 1 could state many facts to one present on the spot, which it would be tedious to mention and explain fully in this letter. I will only state one : The unmarlbd'acre in No. 1, is one of the best acres I plant. In 1842, it yielded 1111 lbs. The average of my- whole crop crop that year, was 666 lbs. per acre. The last year, the same acre, after 416 AGRICULTURAL a rest, prod need 324 lbs. The average of my crop was 391 lbs. per acic. Thus, the yield of the unmarled acre, was in one instance 66.8 per ct. above and in the other, 20.6 percent, below the general average— making a dif- ference of 87.4, percent, in favor of the marled lands. Let me add that in 184-2 the unmarled acre in No. 2 produced 8.8 per cent, less than the average of the crop, tn 1843 it fell to 37.6 per cent., and in 1845 to 70 per cent, below the general average. If these facts may be assumed as data, on which to base a calculation, had the last year been as favourable in all respects as 1842, the average of mv cotton crop must have been over 1200 lbs. of seed per acre, and of my corn crop over 28 bushels per acre This however is only a paper calculation, and 1842 was a fine crop year. Time will reveal the truth. I cannot give you a better evidence of the firmness of my faith in the vir- tue of marl, than to state, that notwithstanding the discouragements of the last three extraordinary seasons, 1 have, at great expense, brought up from Shell Bluff, within four years, over 300,000 bushels, carted it out, and spread it over about 2300 acres of land ; and am at this moment as actively engag. ed at it as ever. Nor do I look forward to a period when I expect to cease using it to a considerable extent every year, either on fresh lands, or in in* creasing the dose on those already marled. It would be leading you into error, however, to leave you to suppose that I rely solely on the marl to im- prove my lands. Rest, in connection With it, is indispensable, and manure becomes far more beneficial. I have, accordingly, by opening more land, and reducing my planting, enabled myself to rest, annually, one third of my fields. And I have already hauled out and mixed together, for the coming crop, 96,000 bushels of muck, and 48,000 bushels of manure from stables and sta- ble yards, hog and ox pens, &c., having yet about 20,000 bushels more to carry out before planting. 1 shall not only endeavor to increase this amount of manure every year hereafter, but also, by clearing, and reducing the land in cultivation, to rest, as nearly ns may be requisite, each field, every other year. Indeed, the management of land, after it is marled, is of the utmost consequence to the efficiency and profit of marl. Though lime is itself a portion of the foo I of plants, and therefore a manure, this is perhaps the very least of its virtues. Its indirect operations are far more important. It is the grand agent that prepares for the crop nearly all the food which the earth furnishes. It is the purveyor general — no — the Fanner must fill that office ; it is the “ chef de cuisine ” that selects the ingredients, mixes, and seasons almost every dish to suit the delicate appetite of the growing plant. It is from the materia's placed in the soil by nature, or the industrious husband, man, that this skilful artist draws the rich repasts it furnishes ; and it could no more furnish them without these materials, than your cook could make your PROCEEDINGS. 417 ■soap without joints and spices. The larder of the marl must then be amply supplied. The means of doing it are rest and manure. The great gain to the farmer is, that having once engaged in his service this powerful, untiring, and almost universal agent, he may safely exert himself to the utmost of his ■ability to supply it with every thing necessary to carry on its important ope- rations. Seizing on whatever is valuable, it preserves it fro* waste — com- bining with the utmost generosity the wisest economy, it not only yields to the plant all it requires, but stimulates it to ask more, while it is inaccessible to demands from all other quarters. There is no fancy in this — Theory and experiment unite to prove it true. And I trust that no great length of time will elapse before marl shall have written its own Eulogy in indelible characters over all the broad fields of your •county. Permit me to conclude this letter, for the great length of which I owe you an apology, by returning my acknowledgments for the honor you have done me in electing me an honorary member of your Society, and by wishing -each member of it the utmost success in his agricultural pursuits. I am, very respectfully, Your ob’t. serv’t. J. H. HAMMOND. Hamilton Raiford, Esq. Corresponding Secretary of the Agricultural Society of Jefferson Co., Georgia. 27 ' , ' . TO THE PLANTERS AND FARMERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, At the late meeting of the State Agricultural Society, the following Reso- lution was adopted, viz : “ That the President be requested to communi- cate to the public, before the planting season, such information as he may possess, or which it may b© in his power to collect,, in relation to the means- of modifying the effects of drought on Indian Corn and other provisions*” It is necessary for me to premise, that what I shall say concerning the use of the plough, is mainly derivative. From several causes, the Planters- of the Sea Islands are but slightly acquainted, in practice, with the value of that great agricultural implement. To give the experience of the highest authorities, is, therefore, on my part an imperative obligation. It is proper also I should in this plaee observe that, in consequence of assiduous en- deavors to obtain facts from supposed reliable sources, in which I have sig- nally failed, this communication, which would have been made at a much earlier period, has been delayed, but not too late, it is hoped, to be wholly unprofitable. Satisfactorily to elucidate the matter of the Resolution, would involve a minute examination of many of the topics connected with the science of husbandry. As I am certain, however, it was not designed or intended that my remarks should take so wide a scope, I shall only briefly advert to those principles and their operation upon which some of the most valuable results- in husbandry rest. All the earths have a considerable attraction for the fluid which the at- mosphere contains. The very best soils possess this power in the highest degree ; hence, it may with certainty be assumed that the measure of their fertility depends chiefly on their capacity to absorb' moisture. In determin- ing their value, however, on that hand, two other properties have to be noticed, — the quantity of water which is essential to their saturation,, and their power of retaining it. In all these respects, clay and sand occupy antagonistic relations. The former imbibes the aqueous vapors like a sponge and parts with them reluctantly ; when dry, it constitutes a compact mass ; from the closeness of its texture the dissolvent action of the air is excluded, by which putrefaction is retarded. The latter is friable and a septic; from the solidity of its particles and their want of coherence, water filters easily : In the adoption of expedients by which to secure these earths a supply of 420 AGRICULTURAL moisture, different processes, in part only, it is advisable to pursue. From their predominance in the State, I shall direct my attention prominently to •clayey or aluminous soils. What then, are the means which reason and ex- perience assure us are the best calculated to attain the end in view ? I answer, deep ploughing ; thorough pulverization of the soil ; abundance of manure ; and the use of salt and retentive atmospherical absorbents. 1. Deep ploughing. The roots of plants should be allowed to extend themselves in every direction. The deeper they penetrate, and the wider their ramifications, the greater will be the absorption of nourishment. The average depth of good soils is about 6 inches. Every inch added increases its,value 8 per ct..; so that a soil where the vegetable layer is 12 inches thick, is worth half as much again as that in which it is only 6 inches.* It is consequently obvious that, whatever, from this cause, may be its enhanced ■value, if not reached at some time in the progress of cultivation ; the remainder is in effect a caput niortuim. By deep ploughing the capacity of the whole soil is called forth while it enables the earth, through the agency of air and water, to inhale atmospherical manure, by diminishing the force of the sun’s rays it leaves materially its exhalations. Should the substratum, which perhaps in every instance contains the principle of fertility, be broken, still, as a general proposition, the most signal benefits, prospectively, if not immediately, may confidently be expected to enure from the operation. Deep ploughing insures the greatest product from the smallest given quantity of land. If by the use of one-half of the soil ten bushels of Corn per acre be obtained, it is reasonable to infer, all other circumstances being equal, that were the whole in tilttl, twenty bushels would be harvested ^ indeed a much larger quantity ought to be the result, for the deeper the soil the greater will •be the number of stalks, and the larger and more numerous the ears. The Maize, says Taylor, “ is a little tree,” possessing roots correspondent to its size, penetrates a depth almost incredible — 6 feet, it is known, have been reached. It follows that where, from the vigor of the plant or the friability of the land, the roots meet with no obstruction, the consequences of drought will be sensibly diminished, if not entirely prevented. It is believed that the rolling of the leaves of corn is attributable solely to the absence of mois- ture. This is an error. Scanty manuring or shallow tillage is as often the true cause. To render deep ploughing-)" effectual, it should take place in autumn. The expansive power of frost, and the mollifying influence of air and rain, and the action of these in breaking the continuity ot fibrous matter, are strong reasons in favor of tire practice. Whether it should be done once in " Thaer. t About 12 inches. PROCEEDINGS. 421 two or three years only, which, I believe, is the opinion of the most success- ful farmers of Great Britain, or annually, as is common in parts of our coun- try, is certainly as yet an undetermined point. 2. Pulverization. The soil must not only be made easily accessible to the descent and spread of the roots, but there should be such a disintegration of its parts, as to allow the free transmission of air. However rich in ingredients, these afford no nutriment to vegetation, until subjected to the combined action of heat, air and moisture — the great agents of decompo- sition. Unless freely supplied with oxigen, the remains of animals and vegetables do not decay, but they undergo putrefaction.* “ The frequent renewal of air by ploughing and the preparation of the soil, change the putrefaction of the organic constituents into a pure process of oxidation ; and from the moment at which all the organic matter existing in a soil en- ters into a state of oxidation or decay, its fertility is enhanced.” In a well compounded soil, water is presented to the roots by capillary attraction. As this increases in proportion to the smallness of the particles of earth, the ad- vantage of their complete pulverization is plain. It is equally true, that as food for plants must exist in solution, it is requisite to admit water to the roots by artificially reducing the compactness of the soil by tillage. From fre- quent working, therefore, the most favorable results may be anticipated ; indeed, it has been well observed, that a good stirring of the ground in dry weather is equal to a shower of rain ; for however strange it may seem, while it promotes moisture, desiccation is preserved. To aid in the increase and preservation of atmospherical vapor, the ridge system is especially recommended. The breaking up of the old furrows deeply, and making the new ridges on them, by which the two interchange places, provide a quantity of finely divided earth much greater than what is obtained in the ordinary mode. While the coming up of the corn is thereby facilitated, and the thrif- ty condition of the young plants secured, the depth at which the seeds of grass and weeds are deposited, prevents their germination, except in small num- bers ; hence labor and time in the culture of the crop are saved. In rela- tion to maize, the author of “ Arrator” sums up the advantages of high ridges and deep furrows in substance as follows : — The roots are never cut in one direction, and this great depth of tilth thus early obtained, by supersed- ing the occasion for deep ploughing in the latter period of its growth, saves them in the other. The preservation of the roots, and deeper posture, enable the corn much longer to resist dry weather. Litter thrown into the deep furrow upon which the list is made, is a reservoir of manure, far removed from evaporation ; within reach of the roots, which follow it along the fur- rows and calculated to feed the plants when in need of rain. The dead Leibig. 422 AGRICULTURAL earth brought up by the plough from the deep furrow is deposited on each side of it, without hurting the crop on the ridge ; further, by one deep ploughing, received by the corn, after it is planted, being bestowed upon it whilst it is young, and its roots short, and being nearly a foot from it, the roots of the corn in this way escape injury, andjthe effects of drought on the plant being thus lessened, its product is increased. It would appear from this condensed exposition of his views that, in the opinion of Taylor, one ploughing only, and that a deep and early one the growing crop requires. To clean and pulverize the soil, the harrow, skim- mer, or cultivator, alone should be used. Each might advantageously be resorted to in any stage of its growth, but in a parched condition of the earth, their reviviscent tendency would then clearly demand it. With regard to sweet potatoes, the plough may most profitably be em- ployed at anytime. When the shoots begin to wither, break up the space between the hills or ridges by running four furrows. The newly turned earth vvlil be found wet in the morning while before no moisture had been apparent. In a few days the leaves from being brown or yellow will assume a greenish hue, and new shoots ordinarily may be expected to follow. 3. Manure. The fertility of the soil is the first object to be attained by the farmer. For their dividing properties, all fossil manures are highly esteemed. Deep ploughing and lime, unaided by organic matter, it is well attested, have renovated, lands, that in the judgment of the former proprie- tors, were not worth the labour of cultivation. In reference to the special matter under consideration a judicious admixture of soils is of primary im- portance. Clay applied to sand assists it in retaining manure, and receiving the vaporized water of the atmosphere. To allow the fibres of plants to shoot freely, clay, sand and lime, acting mechanically by their mixture, are mutual manures to each other. Burnt clay may beneficially be substituted for sand. It has already been observed, that pulverized earth has a strong attraction for atmospheric vapor and that this increases in proportion to the minuteness into which the particles are divided ; but as the power of the most fertile soils, in this respect, is inferior to that of even the worst ordinary manure, it is evident, that “ for the mere purpose of withstanding long-continued dry weather, those plants whose roots have immediate access to organic manures, •will be much beitter enabled to absorb the necessary supplies of atmospher- ic moisture, than those merely vegetating in the unmanured soil hence, whenever fertilizers are employed in anticipation of drought, or to mitigate its evils, in either case,>the good to flow from their application, will depend in a high degree upon their abundance, and the materials that compose them. The richer the ingredients and larger the quantity more decided will be the PROCEEDINGS. 423 benefit. — Suppose in a propitious season, one acre, judiciously manured, to yield 50 bushels, and 5 acres, of the same natural strength, unassisted by art, 10 bushels per acre ; experiments and practice prove that in drought, the former produces generally not five.fold, but seven or eight times as much as the latter. I may indeed assert, that the difference in product will be com- mensurate with the heat and dryness of the weather. Whether manures should be buried deep or shallow, or lie on the surface, and whether they should be spread in a rotted or unrotted state, are questions which the occasion does not require me to investigate. The tendency of decomposing animal and vegetable matter is to rise in the atmosphere ; of fossil manures to sink. As it is known that coarse litter is better adapted to corn than any other crop : if employed when putrefaction has commenced, immediately before the period of committing the seed to the ground, or in the shape of long muck, to allow the frosts, rain and wind of winter, to prepare it for the putrefactive process, every portion of the decaying and fermenting fertilizer will be gradually absorbed by the roots and leaves of the plants. All the facts that have come to my knowledge sustain conclusively the prin- ciples and reasoning I have advanced. I repeat that every rich ground rarely suffers materially for the want of water, especially if it lias been pro- perly divided and loosened by artificial means. If therefore, the withering power of drought should at any time show itself on poor land, let the farmer instantly apply putrescent manure on the surface of the ridge. To the spreading of compost without burying it over the cereals during their vege- tation, the English attribute an almost magical influence. They assert that “ the plants may almost be seen to renovate and regain their verdure.” It is evident says Thaer, that not only actual advantages, but also security against evil is to be derived from the possession of an active manure of this nature, and without any sensible diminution of its value. Though the quantity may be small, yet the beneficial results, first indicated in the change of color in the leaves, will soon appear. In the instance of a planter of this place, whose crop was in a perilous condition from the excessive dryness of the summer ’44, one cart load only to the acre of stable manure, partially de- composed, was instrumental in producing a fine yield, while from the re- mainder of the field the harvest was very meagre. When the application was made, the corn had begun to tassel ; the stalks were small and the leaves yellow and curled. Although the former never increased in size, the latter soon exhibited a healthy green. This favorable indication took place before the first shower of rain, which was slight, and occurred about a fortnight after the trial of the experiment. The secret of my friend’s success is traceable to the fact that, as all fertilizers have a strong attraction for atmospherical moisture, he used the one, which of all others, in that respect, guano excepted, possesses the greatest power. 424 AGRICULTURAL A prominent error in southern husbandry is over planting. Manuring consequently as a system is not practised. This alone is sufficient to account for the smallness of the aggregate crop for the extent of ground annually in tilth. Reformation on this head is therefore loudly demanded. But until this ensue, what is to be done? In what way may the injurious operation of drought be modified, as well by the ignorant as the skillful, the poor and the rich ! 4. Salt. In small quantities salt is a septic ; in large quantities, it resists putrefaction. Though not strictly germane to the subject entrusted to my charge, I hope I shall be excused for here stating the estimation in which this substance is held by many observant agriculturists. It destroys, they maintain, noxious weeds and vermin ; gives luxuriance and verdure to grass lands ; prevents the scab in (Irish) potatoes ; sweetens grass, and hastens the maturity of crops. Wheat and barley following turnips on land that had been previously salted, the ensuing crop, it is well authenticated, escaped the mildew. Fora top dressing for grass land, six bushels to the acre are re- commend ; for cleaning the ground preparatory to the putting in of the grain, sixteen bushels, it is said, may be employed upon fallows. An ounce of salt to a gallon of water benefits vegetables ; a larger quantity gives a brown color, and is therefore injurious. As a stimulant, salt should be mixed with compost, mud or loamy earth. Its great capacity for inhailing at mos* pherical moisture renders it peculiarly valuable in dry and hot weather. — For cotton, I have used it successfully at the rate of five pecks to the acre. Beyond that, its effects were adverse to the growth and production of the plants. Manure designed for corn, should receive, several weeks before it is put on the land as much salt as will furnish to every acre not exceeding one and a half bushels. If, however, none of the measures noticed in this com. munication have been adopted by the farmer, and his farm be suffering from the absence of rain let him sprinkle on the ridge of each plant or hill as much well pulverized salt as he can conveniently take up with his thumb and two forefingers. In a short time, the result, from my own experience and that of some of my colaborers, will be the same as though the ground had been recently moistoned with a moderate shower. How long the benefit will continue I am unprepared to state, for after every experiment of my own, rain fell from ten to fifteen days. I can only assert that, in the interval, the salted portion of the field was in every respect, much superior to the remain- der. 5. Organic absorbents. It is not merely necessary that atmospheric gasses should be inhaled by the agents which the vigilant care of the farmer may have provided, but to render his labors and knowledge more effectual, they must possess the additional merit of retaining them. The atmosphere PROCEEDINGS. 425 S3 the matrix of manures ; these, however, are so subtle and evanescent, that they quickly escape, unless elaoorated into permanency by the use of vegeta- bles, in a hardened form. The valuable properties of organic matter in a state of putrefaction, if buried in the earth, are absorbed by plants, and “ exactly that portion of manure which is lost by the custom of rotting it before it is employed, becomes the parent of a great crop.” The most common and yet the most esteemed retentive atmospherical absorbent, with which I am acquainted, is the leaves of the pine.* When mixed with farm yard or stable manure, especially if a little salt has been added, it forms a highly fertilizing compound. In attracting and preserving the gasses and vapor of the atmosphere, lies, however, its great virtue. In a drought, if applied a few inches thick around each hill of corn, considerable moisture, under the heaps, will be seen in 24 hours, and shortly afterwards, the field, should the farmer’s operations have been so extensive, will prove the efficacy of this simple experiment. At the late session of the Legislature, a member of the Senate informed me, that the last summer he employed pine leaves for his growing crop of potatoes with the happiest results. During the drought, he filled the alleys with this material. At the time of harvest pota- toes were found on the earth below the trash. Though unable to speak with precision of the difference between this sec- tion of his field and that on which no leaves had been placed yet the product of the one was far greater than that of the other. To determine a question of vegetable reproduction, in 1841, near Brest in France, on a few rods of poor land, unfilled and which received no ulterior attention, grains of wheat were strewed, and then covered with wheat straw about an inch thick. In despite of excessive droughts during the spring, prolonged ar.d several times repeated, while all around was drooping and uncertain, the pro- tected wheat sustained no injury. When the plants matured the straw was found to be “ more than 6 feet high, and in the ears were 50, 60, and even 80 grains of wheat of full development.” A satisfactory explanation of this experiment, remarks a French writer, is found in straw’ being a bad conductor of heat and a good conductor of electricity. The roots conse- quently were maintained in a medium temperature, and the moisture of the earth furnished by the straw, facilitated the absorption of carbonic acid from the atmosphere. As pine leaves contain a much greater proportion of nu- tritive juices, they should always be used if obtainable, in preference to the straw or leaves of other trees for any crop. Having already extended this communication to an unreasonable length, I will merely add, that the true and permanent interest of the agriculturist is * “ Oak leaves,” says Thaer, “ore not easily decomposed, and contain an astringent matter which is highly injurious to vegetation as long as the leaf remains undecomposed ’’ 426 AGRICULTURAL to be found in preparing against the vicissitudes of the seasons, and not, in weak and uncertain attempts to mitigate their influence. Deep ploughing, loosening effectually, the texture of the soil and a bountiful supply of appro- priate aliment, are the surest means for the accomplishment of that purpose. While a parsimonious u>=e of manure is sure to develop slender returns, it promotes slowly but inevitably the deterioration of the land. It is better then, to cultivate a few acres to the plough, or laborer, furnished abundantly with enriching materials, than treble the number without nutriment. These truths were practically enforced, in the palmy days of Egyptian agriculture. The Roman husbandman was considered blessed who owned 7 acres of ground. In England, 20 or 30 acres constitute a good farm, and in China for one- third of that quantity a large family is well supported. The grass lands in the immediate neighborhood of Edinborough rent for $100 the acre. In West Cambridge, Massachusetts, manure to the value of $100 per acre is supplied by many of the farmers, and instances are not unfrequent of ten acres thus fertilized, yielding in money $5000.* To us the full power of land is unknown ; indeed, no where has it been ascertained that there is a limit to production. The period perhaps has arrived, when not only the advancement of their pecuniary welfare, but it may be, the preservation of the domestic institutions of the South, depends on a radical change in the habits and practices of the tillers of its soil. If in relation to this State, the distressing visitations of the last summer have the effect of arousing the at- tention of our agriculturists to the necessity of union among themselves, with a view to a free and full interchange of opinions in matters pertaining to their common vocation, they may yet have ample cause to be grateful to a merciful providence, for the calamity with which they have so recently and heavily been afflicted. WHITEMARSH B. SEABROOK. Pres. State Agricultural Soc. of S. C. t Farmer’s Register. ft':- - CONTENTS. P roceedings of the Agricultural Convention. Constitution of the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina Proceedings of the State Agricultural Society, held at Columbia, Nov., 1840. Proceedings of the State Agricultural Society, held at Columbia, Nov. 1841 ... Proceedings of the State Agricultural Society, held at Columbia, Nov. Proceedings of the State Agricultural Society, held at Columbia Nov. 1843. Report on Col. Ward’s Big grain Rice, with correspondence thereon. Proceedings of the State Agricultural Society, held at Greenville, September, 1844.. Proceedings of the State Agricultural Society, held at Columbia, November, 1844.. Proceedings of the State Agricultural Society, held at Newberry C. H. July SO, 1845... ... Proceedings of the State Agricultural Society, held at Columbia, Nov. 1845 Anniversary Oration, of the State Agricultural Society ofSouth Caro- lina ; by Gen. George McDuffie : read before the Society, on the 26th November 1840, at their annual meeting, in the Hall of the House of Representatives. Memoir on the Cotton Plant, by the Hon. Whitemarsh B. Seabrook : read before the State Agricultural Society, on the 6th December, 1843 Essay on Malaria, by S. H. Dickson, M. D : read before the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina. 9 24 27 33 42 52 55 65 71 79 83 97 113 169 480 CONTENTS Anniversary Oration, of the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina; by Gen. James H. Hammond : read before the Society, on the 25th November, 1841 175 An Agricultural Address, by John Belton O’Neall : delivered be. fore the State Agricultural Society, 29th December, 1842 193 An Address, by John Belton O’Neall : delivered before the Slate Agricultural Society, at their meeting at Greenville, 11th Septem. ternber, 1844 213 Address, delivered by R. W. Ropef., Esq., before the State Agri- cultural Society, November, 1844 223 An Agricultural Address, by the Hon. Joel R. Poinsett : delivered before the State Agricultural Society, 27th November, 1845 241 Prize Report of experiments submitted to tfie State Agricultural Society of South Carolina, November, 1844 263 Report of the Committee on Manures from the Black Oak Agricultu- ral Society, by Fred A. Porcher, Esq 275 Report of the Cambridge Agricultural Society, on the situation of Whitfield Brook’s Plantation, and its claims for the Premium to be awarded for the best managed plantation Letter on Marling from the Black Oak Agricultural Society Marling Facts and Estimates, being a letter from Edmund Ruffin, Esq., to the President of the State Agricultural Society Analysis of Cotton Wool, Cotton Seed, Indian Corn and the Yam Potatoes : by Professor Charles U. Shepard 307 Analysis of Marls from the vicinity of Charleston, by Professor Charles U. Shepard 313 Report on a communication of Col. Davie, addressed to the Hon. Geo. McDuffie, W. Me Willie and W. B. Seabrook, on the reduc- tion of the Cotton crop 322- Memoir on Slavery, by Chancellor Wm. Harper.. . ... 32$ Marl — a letter addressed to the Agricultural Society of Jefferson county Georgia — by L II. Hammond... * . . 393 Letter from Hon. W. B. Seabrook, to the Planters and Farmers of South Carolina 285 289 305 419 ♦ * . Date Due M “£r r , ; V ; ' CAR Auffll i Y ■> % SOV 2 ■:, ’4f ' ' $‘3 7- Hi Form 335 — 35M— 9-34 — C. P. Co. 975.7043 S726P 305045 State Agricultural so a. of S . C . Proceedings of the Aaricul t- ural Convention. DATE ISSUED TO /C.'' — | if f? CAH Auj i - iirtl/ i A&l 975.7043 S726P 305045