Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-10-11

pThe Postage must be paid on al comnu
nications.
From the New England Farmer.
Visit to the Farm of Elias Phinney
Esq, Lexington Mass.
We have in the farm of this gentleman
substantial proof of this efficacy Of "bool
farming" He assured US tha, his Interest
ia agriculture was first awakened by read
ing the N. E. Farmer. Having receivee
a classical education, he has, to be sure
the advantage Of our farmers in general
for whom SO little has been done by ed
ucation.-we were prepared, therefore, ir
viewing his premises, to witness something
little extra, from what may BE- seen or
well cultivated farms in general: but We
found that our expectations had not beer
raised sufficiently high: we were in fact de.
lighted and astonished TO be made acquain.
ted with the wonderful improvements which
have been effected on this place since he
began to cultivate il fourteen or fifteen years
since. 1t was then poor worn out farm
covered with rocks, whor,leberry bushes
and scrub oaks; while the lowlands were
inaccessible quagmires and alder swamps,
of the most unpromising descrption-the
whole farm, consisting Of l60 acres, not
afford,ng more than 8 or 10 tons of hay,
and all other crops in the same proportion ;
the fences out of repair, the fruit ofan infe-
rior quality, fit only for cider; and every
thing upon the place at skies and sevens,
as the saying is. II does lot seem hardly
possible that so much could have been
achieved in so short time. Il shows what
can be done by uatiring diligence directed
by science. 1t is complete triumph of
shook farming" over the old COURSE ofhus-
bandry, handed down from father to son.
Mr.. Pi,inney has had the boldness to strike
out of tho old path, and in some instances
persue course ofhis on invention. His
improvements may be divided as follows :
lst. in planting upon the green sward
without disturbing the sol.
I'd. In clearing and draining his waste
swamps and quag,nires. and converting
them into the most productive grass and
corn6elds.
Sd. In clearing his uplands ofrocks, and
laying them into walls Of the most durable
and massive description-subduing the
bushes ia tho unproductive pastures, and
bringing them into fertile fields.
4th. la his orchard Of apple trees, which
for beauty, thrift, aud produce can hardly
be excelled.
9Th. In his choice collection Of fruits OF
every desirable variety.
9th. In his improved breed ofswine.
7th. His barns and accommodations for
cattle. swine, poultry. &c.
To which may be added many other i'm.
provements of minor importance, but which
add to the in,eres', beauty, and profit oflhe
place.
The idea ofplanting upon the green sward
without disturbing the sod. has been ridi'
culed by writer in the N. E. Farmer, vol.
II, page 3l7-as being impracticable es.
pecialIy in the potato crop. We saw an
example ofthis operation, and one too ola
most perfect kind, which We should suppose
suficien, to convince the most sceptical. II
was 10 q lot of three acres of potatoes. On
the Goth of June there was heavy crop oi
grass upon the ground, in addition to which
twenty loads Of compost to the acre was
spread on, and at that time turned over
after ploughing, il was rolled with heavy
roller, Gan implement by the way which
should be in the possession Of every one
who calls himselfa farmer.) The potatoes
were planned in drills-had been hoed bu
once yet hardly weed was to be seen
nor spear grass daring 10 show itself, and
sufficient earth, about the plants, with every
prospect Of an abundant harvest. In the
spring this ground will be in fine order ,c
lay down again 10 grass. and lha, too with
out disturbing the sod /; or if advisable
planted with corn or any other crop.
Allowing the vegetable matter turned i'
equal to 90 loads Of compost per acre, W.
have with that spread what is equivalent tt
40 loads per acre. No wonder then tina
BY following this process continually, ht
should be able to cut from 2l.2 to 8 Il
tons of hay per acre, which he actually doe
from his grass lands. He has another ide;
which we think important for good crol
of grass that is, to SOW m abuudanc
ofseed. His rule is 20 lbs. of clover see
DER acre, together with liberal allowanc
of herds grass and red top to boot. Thi
would astonish most Of orr farmers
who can afford only from 4 10 10 lbs. pc
acre.
We saw a field Of six acres ofcorn. fro'
which crop of 80 bushels to the acre
estimated, and provided we have war;
weather sufficient 10 ripen any corn, v