The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-02-18
81 2 III Germ q.
From the Charleston Mercwry.
TO THE PLANTERS g. FARMERS
. OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
AT the late meeting of the State Agri-
cultural Society, the following Resolu-
ton was adopted, viz. "That the Pre-
sident be requested to communicate to
the public, before the, planting season,
such information as he may possesses,
or which it may be in his power to col
lect, in relation to the means of modify
ing the effects of drought on Indian
Corn and other provisions"
1t is necessary for me to premise, that
what l shall say concerning the use of
the plough is mainly derivative From
several causes, the planters of the Sea
Islands are but slightly acquainted, in
practice, with the value of that great ag-
ricultural implement. 10 give the cx-
rer!ence Of the highest authorities is,
therefore, on my part'an imperative obli-
cation. 1t is proper also I should in
this place observe that, in consequence
of assiduous endeavors to obtain facts
from supposed reliable sources, in which
I have signally failed, this communic;,-
ton, which would have been made at Il
much earlier period, has been delayed,
but not too late, it is hoped, 10 be. e.wholly
Improbable.
Satisfactorily to elucidate the matter
Of the Resolution, would involve n mi
mute examination of many of the topics
connected with the science Of hus sbandry
AS am certain, however, it was not de-
signed or intended that my remarks
should take so wide Il scope, l shall only
briefly advert to those principles and
their operation upon which some of the
most valuable results in husbandry rest.
Ali the earlhs have considerable
attraction for the fluid which the almost
phere contains The very best soils
possesses this power in the highest de-
gree; hence, it may with certainty be
assumed, that the measure Of their fer
tility depends chiefly Oh their capacity
to absorb moisture. In determining
their value, however, on the head, two
other properties have 10 be noliced,- the
quantity of water which is essential TO
their saturation, and their power of re-
tanning it.. In all these respects, clay
and sand occupy antagonislic relations.
The former imbibes the aqueous vapors
like sponge and parts with them re-
luctantly; when dry, it constitutes
compact mass; from the closcn sss Of its
texture, the dissolvent action Of the air
is excluded, bv which putrefaction is re-
tarded. The latter is iriablc and sep
tic; from the solidi.y of its PARTICLES and
their want OF coherence, water filters
easily. In the adoption of exped,ents by
which to secure these carths supply of
moisture, different processes, in part on
ly, it is advisable to pursue. From their
predominance in the State, shall direct
my attention prominently TO claycy Or
ominous soils. What then, are the
means which reason and experience as
sure us are the best calculated to attain
the end in view? l answer, deep plough
ing; thorough pSlverization of the soil /;
abundance Of manure; and the use Of
salt and retentive asnospherical absor-
-bents
l. Deep pioughing. The roots of
plants should be allowed - extend them
selves in every direction. The deeper
they penetrate, and the wide1their rami.
-fications, the greater will be tie absorp-
ton of nonrishment. The AVERAGE
depth of good soils is about 6 inches.
Every inch added increases its val,e 8
per cent: so that the soil where the ve-
:geta6le layer is l2 inches thick, lis wosh
fhaif'as much again as that in which 4
lis only6 inches.* 1t is consequently
obvious that whatever, from this cause
may be itsenhanced value, if not reached
at some time in the progress of cultiva
:siony ythe remainder is in effect a eapu
nsoriuum. BY deep ploughing the ca
piritylof the whole soil is called forth
-aWhi!e It enables the earth, through, tn
agency ofsair and water, to inhale' at
,raospherical manure, by diminishing tn
aorcs Of the SUMS rays it lessons; materi
'aiiy it's stexhalations: lshould the sub
strssum, which perhaps in every, in
stance contains,the principles of fertility
ibeskroken;still ,as a general proposition
1.-The mest signal benefits; lprospectively
) ,ssE ssfOf isnsn iafe1v NAV confidently h