The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-12-02

the subject, composed Of our most inlelli.
gent citizens in different sections, and the
establishment of journal under its aus.
pices. 1t is no less dictate Of patriot.
ism, than of interest that we should be as
little dependent upon others, as possible
In strict sense, W. can never be said to
be Independent, So ioug as wc look to
other regions for The very food which nur.
lures and sustains us. And it IS not 10 be
expected or cesired, that the time will ar
rive when the intercourse with our neigh.
bours, from an exchange Of products. will
be arrested, yet is mani(estly true, tina,
no consideration Of policy requires that
we should expend annually, hundreds Of
thousands OF dollars, for articles which
can be grown upon our soil, at a cost far
less than that which VIC now pay for them.
For many years tpo exclusive attention
has been devoted TO our staple, Cotton.
Blessed as we are with great variety Of
soil, admirably adapted to the culture of
many most valuabl products, with the
certain prospect Of a success that will
meet the wants Of our own people, it is
certainly in our power to lessen materially
the heavy tribute which we pay 10 others.
The indications Of public sentiment abun-
dainty prove that wholesome spirit is now
at work, and that day of better things
has dawned upon u.s. Many of our plan
ters begin almost to doubt the sanity of
that man who will make his cotton, and
buy every thing else. Many dissent from
the hitherto recciv ed maxim, in our agri-
cultural philosophy, that the most success
full planter, is he who sends the largest
number of bales TO his Factor. The
modest and unpretending farmer, who
makes every thing he wants, and by sure
Ind regular surplus adds steadily to his
properly, has forced himself upon public
attention, and contributed largely to diss-
pate general and mischievous error. Men
are now more engaged in making calcula'
tions upon the only safe basis, clear pro-
fit. Itis gratifyingto know, that the oc'
cupalion of Planter, always respecta-
BILE among us. has risen in public estima-
tion to dignity. not second to the learned
professions. The strongest desires now
prevades our community, to develoPe to
the utmost, the agricultural and other ma
tural resources of our Stale. Impressed,
as know you are, with the importance
Of this fundament interest, you will feel
it your duty 10 come 10 its aid, by all the
means IN your power.
AS conneccd with this subject, permit
me to direct your attention to the impor-
tance of Geological and Agricultural
Survey of the State. This matter was
brous hit 10 the notice of the last Legisla-
ture, BY Governor NOBLE and the State
Agricultural Society. | trust it will re-
ccive your most serious consideration, as
no measure upon which you will be called
to act, involves, in higher degree, the
general interest. South Carolina should
not be backward in promoting the cause
of science, by following the example of
other States OF our Union, as well as
other parts Of the world.
Apart from the immediate or more re-
mote advantages which are likely to ac-
crue to her from the accomplishment OF
this object, her reputation, as liberal
and enlightenedGovernment, requires her
to respond to the claim which the rest of
the civilized world exerLs upon her, to
contribute her proportion to the mass OF
information already accumulated. From
similar considerations, States, poorer in
resources, more limited in population, and
whose citizens are engaged in employ
ments less likely to be directly benefited
by the development of their physic al re-
sources, have literally undertaken and ac-
complished such projects. But South
Carolina is an agricultural State, and it is
lamentable fact, that from the want OF
correct informationn, and from the natu-
raj desire for the greatest immediate profit
without reference 10 future advantages,
large portion of her soil has been exhaus'
ted of its fertility, and thrown out of cul.
,ivation. A knowledge of the geological
structure Of our State, is the first and
mosl essential instrument TO arrest thi:
devastation. by indicating the position
of those calcareous and argrillaceous de-
posits, which are known to be widely
distributed throughout our borders; by
teaching the modes of recognizing, dis
linguishing, and applying them, in the
VARYING circumstances to which they are
ada,Ir~;, means will be presented of re
claiming thousands Of acres Of exhausted
land, which are now reproach to oul
knowledge and enterprise.
The exploration of Metallic Ores, is {
| m,,,or ,r rro.t imnortance Two Of these