The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-08-25
Springfield, July 8, ls4l.


SAVING CoTToN SEED. Much has been
written, and we'll written, on the impor-
tance of selecting, each year the best Corn
in the fields for plantig. But so far as we
know, there have been no experiments, IN
selecting carefully, the best Cotton stalks.
This subject seems to US to deserve more
attention than i, has ever received. The
experiments in selecting seed Corn, prove
clearly that planter mag make hisEorn
conform to any reasonable standard. IL
is we'll known, that he can make his Corn
mature much earlier, by selecting the
earliest matured ears for seed, few sac-
cessive years. Why should not the same
laws that produce this manifest! improve
ment in Corn, from careful selection Of
seed, effect a similar improvement in Cot
ton-in its earlier maturity, size of bolls,
&c.
1t would certainly be attended with
some trouble, but very slight improve
ment in each stalk of Cotton,(if this can
be effected, by a careful selection of seed,)
would make tremendous increase Of the
aggregate quantity and quality, Of the
whole crop, and repay ten fold the labor
Of selecting good seed.
NoPlanter or Gardener need be told, that
the Stand he is to have, depends greatly on
the sound, healthy condition of The seeds
he plants. And when we consider the
manner in which the great majority OF
Cotton planters save their seed, is il at all
surprising that there should be no outcry,
almost every spring. that it is hard to get
good stand! If this can in great mea-
sure be remedied, by careful selection
and preservation Of seed; it would cost
far less to take little extra trouble; in
saving good seed than to replant for a
good stand.
But not only the stand, but after-growth.
vigor, maturity and producliveness of any
plant, depends materially on the sound
and mature condition of the seed planted.
Sound philosophy, and long experience
prove this, beyond all doubt Let Plan.
ters compare their methods ofsaving Cot.
ton Seed for planting, with this we'll es-
tablished principle Of vegetation, and we
think he will be convinced, that the want
of a stand, in the spring, and large por.
ton Of his puny unproduclive stalks, in
the summer and fall, are owing more to
the condition Of the seed he plants, than
to the seasons.-Temperance Advocate.
SIGNS OF BETTER TIMEs.-l. All agri-
cultural produce commands fair, steady,
compensa,ing price, alike removed from
The depressed state which sometimes has
existed, or the unnaturalinaalation through
which we have just passed.
2. Speculation has had its day, and the
thousands who have been ruined, have had
time to repent at their leisure. The mass
OF the nation are convinced that honest
industry, and slow and sure profits, are
far preferable to the haphazard and de-
moralizing influence Of such haste 10 be
rich. -
3. Agriculture, It's evident, is assum-
ing its proper place in the estimation of
the public. This may be attributed in parl
to the knowledge respecting it, which has.
been distributed by agricultural journals,
and in part TO lhsresults Of the agricultu.
raj census. the results of which have de.
mons.ra.ed the paramount importance Of
this interest. 80. ss235t y. .1ts