The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-11-24
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otherdesirable quality for their respective
uses. The fine stock Of England, embra'
cling erery variety, is now Prorerbial.
& Inthe United States, Agricultural Socl-
eties have existed nominally, for aboa, hf-
sty years. & But defcc,s-in their orgnlzasion,
: the abundance and ohenpncss of Fant's' and
: other ycausrs-and amongst theIE. the fact
Z tha, most of our entcrPrising planters have
had their thoughts too much engrossed in
politics, Agricultural Societies have not
/. served such beneficial purposes as they
nigh, have done. 1t has only been OF
late, say within the last 10 or 20 years,
shat very decided advantages have resulted
from them in this country. At, the north,
their improvement has been very great in
deed, even sncIt as TO warrant the conclu.
SION tha, New England, in her steady and
.perseyerine habits, and her love of the
necdfal, will no, be long in attaining that
excellence in agriculture for which her
namesake, Old England is so distinguish
ed.
All these improvements are, and may
fairly be, ascribed TO Agricultural Socie'
ties, or their creatures, agricultural publl-
cations.
Agricultural Societies have been found
very efficient in exciting thought, enquiry
and, discussions; and improvement has fol-
lowed in their train. They have been the
means iof introducing into general practice
the improvements in culture, implements,
seeds, plants, stock and every thing else OF
value to the farmer or planter.
4 Socially, they have had happy effect,
in bringing planters together, improving
their acquaintance with each other, and
thus strengthening the ties that bind them
to one another and their country. For
this alone, they deserve support. as it will
doubtless, have the effect Of checking that
spirit of emigration, whose " tide in its
s,,rrent W. estward has already swept wealth,
population and patriotism before it, This
S reconsideration which addresses iiseli TO
,3she patriot and philanthropist, and many
present viii feel the full force of it, who
Save witnessed and experienced personally
she injury which our District and State
Ave sustained from this mad desire for
better land.
Agricultural Societies will, in another
>Syay, check this desire, by teaching us
That we can, by perseverance, aud less cost
.Lansa move to the west, make as good, or
better soil of our worn lands in $. Carroll.
latham we can find elsewhere. :.
This brings me to my subject-the I'M
1roycment of our culture aud lands-upon
4hich / had intended to dwell at some
GeDpth, but having already, exceeded the
limits which prescribed for myself. and
possibly tried your patience, Twill curtail
myremarks, and offer buta few suggestions
). on this head-which, thoughthey fail to
entertain and instruct. will, trust, at
least induce our members to take up the
study of the subjects. themselves, and
tive the Society at its stated meetings, the
results of their reading, observation and
: experience.
~ There are various modes of improving
our culture and lands recommended and in
practice, all Of which deserve consdera.
ison,, but few suit onr present system of
planting. as many of them apply more par.
1icularly TO farming.
!, In improving our culture and lands, the
principles laid down as fundamental are:
- ls.. ..1'hat the soil ought to be kept dry.
! or as free as possible from suPcrfiuous
moisture" 49,.
ed. ."Fhat it oughtto be kept clear or
free of grass weeds, and other growth nox.
ion. TO The plants in cultivation"
2l and lastly. "It ought to be kept rich,
sor that every particle ofmanure that can
be collected. ought to be applied, so that
The soil can be keptin state Of improve
ment, and capable Of increased produc.
tion.'
The necessity Of thorough draining, or
keeping the soil dry, the first principle
laid down. is go obvious, especially in the
culture Of cotton, that fear it might be
considered an insult to your understand
Sings and practices we're to urge your at
tention more particularly to this branch OF
plantation engagement. know that you
are all fully aware of the injury which
lands sustain from neglect ofproper drain
ing--.he injurious effects of water upon
most plants in cultivation-its interference
at a wet season, with the proper working
ofa crop, and the consequent injury to
the crop from not receiving the work in
due mode and time. know the practice. OF
planters in our neighborhood is to guard
against The evils enumerated, by paying
,1ke strietest attention to their drains, but