Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-11-01
From the southern AgricuIiurlst.

From the southern Agricuturisl.
What ought the Agricultural Conrontion
do7 Being an Ans,csr 10 LeH'r on the
subject, addressed by one o the Dele
gates to t1s Editor ofths Southern Agri-
culturist. and nov published By request.
My DEAR SlR,-I cheerlully comply with
your request in suggesting "what will or
or ought to be the subjects upon which the
Agricultural Convention, TO be holden at
Columbia in November next, should act Z
doing SO, must premise that thesuggestlons
are not wholly my own but the result oil
frequent conversations had during the past
summer with agricultural gentlemen through.
out different portions Of the State. Against
nothing which ! suggest can the objection
Of novelty be urged. Impressed with the
belief that we are to learn and not 10 teath,
have merely presented what other States
have done, and leave the wisdom of the
plans to recommend themselves.
Never were our agriculturisIs better pre-
pared for useful and concerted action For
several years back, have in my editorial
relations with them recommended General
Convention, but not until the present have
they received the recommendation with such
almost entire unanimiiy. They have now
shaken off their slumber, inquiry is every
where afoat, and it is with view Of meet.
ing the demand that consent TO your use
of this letter, should it in your esteem merit
publication.
In its memorial, the Convention should
recommend to the Legislature -
First. The appointment Of an A gricultural
and Geological Surveyor OF the State. The
vast uilityof such an officer TO our agricul.
,urists is best exemplifed, when the duties
he would be called upon TO discharge are
stated. He would travel through each dis.
,rict of the State 10 routine, and survey. ls'.
IT, geographical state and circumstances.
Under this head, observations and re.
marks predicated ofthe observations of 9TH
CTS. might be made as TO the state Of the
climate throughout the year--its effects upon
animal and vegetable life, and its suitable
ness to the successful cultivation and pro.
duction Of different staples. The soil min.
erals, and face of the district might be "iso
considered with view OF presenting 10
our planters those tests of the kind aud char.
acter Of their lanls, which are far too expen.
sive for individual accomplishment.
I'd. Sm'e of Property. Underthis head
observations would be made as 10 the extent
of plantations in each district, whether large
or small; whether owned and cultivated by
resident or nonresident planters-by what
kind oflabor-whcther by slave or free-
and If by both, the relative productvencss
sfcach.
Sd. Buildings or Rural Architecture.
Observations might here be made as to tho
style of building in each district. Whether
best suited 10 the nature OF the climate, the
materials for hr,illing, or the purposes for
which such buildings are Intended. Under
this head an intelligent md observant sur
veyor might present suggestions. which
could no, fail Of producing among our plan.
ters an improved taste in The construction
and arrangement of their plantation build.
ings.
4,h. implements of Husbandry. An EMU
meration Of these might he made-new
ones, and proper Improvements on the old,
might be suggested-by the adoption of
which. much labor and time would be saved,
that are now injudiciously expended.
9Th. Labor or Power. What kind used
should be s'a.ed-whether manual. horse,
mule, oxen, or steam. and what sort best
adapted 10 the condition Of the district.
9th. Liue Stock. These ought to receive
particular attention. The different breeds
should be noticed, and the mode Of raising
and feeding, whether best suited to existing
circumstances.
9Th. Improvements. Under this head,
very particular marks should be made upon
the. roads. bridges, ferries. acater and land
carriages the disr,ct-and every means
Of improving tho same, whether by Sta'e,
Corporation, or individual exertion, should
be suggested.
These are some Of the duties which an
Agricultural and Geological Surveyor
Nigh, discharge. Igrant, that they appear
numerous, and even beyond the acquire
ment of one man but the difficulty is only
in our own imagination. Similar surveys
have been made in England, France, Bel.
GUM, Germany, and are now gong on sue
cessfully in Russia and ot"er portions ol
Europe. In our own country, they have been
partially conducted 10 several of the Safes,
and are now displaying their i'm mense u'Ili'
~ in The improved condition Of The agricul.
ture of Massachusetts. In that State, a