Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-06-14
year, moro thickly settled, and its culti,a-

Nv" 10 Po'uSo o'' thC SdSt ptIilefdI lOIcSlS
which cover the land, must necessarily
disappear before the woodman's axe.
The consequence is, that in few years
we will begin TO feel the want Of the ne
cessary wood and timber for our farming
purposes, and see the utility Of setting
out plantations of the more valuable
forest trees. Indeed, am aware of the
existence Of this want of timber on some
of our sea-islands, and fertile rice lands,
and it is particularly to the planters of
those sections that address these re-
marks.
The best method of cul.ivating the
Pride of India, thatI have yet discovered
is the following. Run a plough in a
straight furrow, and return, pIoughing up
another turow 10 the one made, then take
hoe, and at the distance Of eight feet,
open hole about one foot wide along the
ridge, which fill with we'll rotted manure
from the stable, or heap of compost, into
which drop four or five berries. This
should be done in Marchor April. Gov
er them lightly and attend the young
plants US you would cotton, keeping down
grass and weeds, and pulling up the weak
and slender shoots, leaving but one of the
most healthy and vigorous. Go over this
twice in the course Of three months,
with plough, turning over The furrow to
the plants. The young trees will rapidly
grow to the height of six or eight feet.
During this time, you must occasionally
strip off the leaves and lateral shoots, in
order to train the stems to certain length.
Keep them merely straight twigs to which
they will naturally tend, until the next
spring, when you will direct them to grow
as upright as possible, keeping down
weeds and grass as in the year before. In
this year they will attain the thickness of
about twelve inches in circumference
and by the next spring the height oftwelve
or fifteen feet. The growth may, how
ever, be improved by the use of The hoe
and manuring. They may now be per-
mitted to put out lateral limbs, suffering
the mos! vigorous to continue, and taking
off the weak ones while young, with
pruning knife. This will preserve the
quality and beauty Of the timber making
it fit in fifteen years for all manner Of
furniture
The value Of the wood cannot be too
highly appreciated. 1t may be sawed into
boards from twelve 10 eighteen inches
wide, fit for almost any purpose, or. into
wainscoting Of the most beautiful shades.
1t is light sonorous wood, not opt to
split, and capable Of a very high polish.
1t is entirely dirested OF any resinous
matter, and thereby fittedto receive the
most beautiful varnishes. 1t possesses
powerful vermifugous qualities, and there
by lifted for al furniture of the bed
chamber, as no bugs or any other insect
will infest il. The texture or quality of
the wood may be improved by being
thrown on land of a clay bottom, but VI
grow well on the Ioosest sandy Ioam. 1t
should be raised from the seed in the
manner 1 have described. If f.ransplanted
its tap-roots will newer grow, and the
quality of the wood is much impaired.
Besides, twill be more apt to be blown
down, being supported ONLY by lateral
roots, these taking their sole Pabuum from
the rich loan on the surface, and giving to
the wood soft spongy texture.
As an article for fence posts, can
safely recommend it rs one ofthe cheapest
and most durable. In this latter quality
it approximates more nearly to cedar
than any wood know. 1t may be
planted where the fence is intended to be
run, and your rails may be nailed to the
body Of the tree. The suPerfluous
branches will afford an excellent fire.
wood.
The foliage esthis tree, afFt rds whole
some provender for cate. Horses, cows,
hogs, sheep. &c. will eat the leaves
sreedily. When dried and mixed with
hay, l know of no better medicine for
cattle OF every kind. Such are the vermi-
fugous qualities Of the entire tree, that |
never fail to give it to my animals every
spring. \ few leaves given to horses once
or twice week, will afford them a most
beautiful coat of hair. A decoction Of its
rood administered in small doses to chill
dren every morning for nine days, will
eflectually destroy worms in them.
A correspondent Of yours has already
testified as to the excellence of Pride of
India leaves and berries rs manure; and
also as preventive to bugs. To his tes-
timony,I can safely add my own. | have
tried both experiments, and have exper-
fenced the most beneficial results.
With every wish for your success, Mr..
Editor, I subscribe myself
COLBERT.