Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-03-19
From the South Caraliaiaa.
GEN. McDUFFIE'S CROP.

And he geve it as his opininion, "lhat
whoever could make two ears Of corn, or
two blades Of grass, 10 grow upon spot OF
ground where only one grew before, would
deserve better of mankind, and do more
essential service to his country, than the
whole race Of politicians put together"
Swift.
Mr.. EDIroR:-The account which ]
propose to give you Of Gen. McDufie's
crop, and the economy of his plantation,
has far different aim, than the praise of
that distinguished individual. 1t is done
with the hope Of stimulating the young
planter, anu others who have ''seen SER
vice." but are not too old to profit by
good example, to persevere, till they can
produce like results.
The most effeclual check to emigration
that slow disease which has deprived
our State of so many of her sous, and 80
much of her wealtli--is to prove how pro-
duclve our lands at home can be made:
And in estimating the produciiveness of
lands, or particular plantations, let us keep
our eyes, not alone on the cotton crop,
which if deficient, so materially affects the
nett income Of The planter.
Gen. McDuhie last year worked seven
ty hands, and made FIVE hundred and
thirty -four bags Of Cotton, or something
more than seven and half bags TO the
hand. He also made eight thousand
bushels of Corn, two thousand bushels of
Oats, eighty bushels Of Wheat, and qusn-
tiry of Cow-Peas: and twelve thousand
pounds nett pork was produced, from hogs
raised on The plantation. One hundred
and fifty head Of cattle supply The planla-
ton bountifully with milk, butter, and
beef; one hundred and thirty sheep furn-
ish fine lambs and fat mutton, aud wool,
to aid in making the winter clolbing; aud
some four or fvo yearliug colts attest lha,
saving in the purchase Of horses is not
forgotten.
On most places, where unusually large
crops of Cotton are made, it is at the ex
pense Of every thing else: but, from the
above statement it will be seen that cotton
was not The only large crop made on the
Generals plantation. Many bushels of
Oats have boen sold, and three thousand
bushels of Corn could be spared. 1t is
part of the economy Of this plantation, TO
use fewer horses for the plough, than is
customary on most others.
The General has great deal Of manu-.
ring done, and il is an encouraging fact,
that from thiry.6ve 10 forty bushels Of
corn to the acre. are annually made on
fields which, FIVE years ago, were entirely
exhausted, and given up 10 slunled broom
grass.
Some may suppose, that the hands must
have been severely worked, to enable them
10 make SO much. Not so; but entirely
the reverse. Owing to the thorough pre-
paration of the land, previous TO planting,
to the skilful management afterwards, and
to lbe heavy manuring, which makes a
few acres do in place of many, the hands
are never hard pressed. As proof oft,
the writer OF this. has often seen some of
the most active of them, at the business
season, returning from the fell, and the
completion of their tasks, by o'clock in
the afternoon.
All things considered, expect the crop
which | have so hurredly described, is one
Of the hest, if not the very best, ever raised
in the State. ABBEVILLE.