The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1848-03-15
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From the La,re,is Herald.
ROTATION OF CROPS.
IrAnmuNNroN PLACE, Feb. 1e, ,1s4s.


ting is fast approaching, allow one, who
makes no pretensions in writing for pub
lie scrutiny,-to offer few suggestions,
by way Of random shot, to your readers;
and especially those ofthcm, who are in
tcrestcd in the accelerated progress, and
speedy development Of the science of
agriculture, such rs is practically appli-
cable to our section of country. And us
our staple commodity is still growing
cheaper, and yet seems TO be monopolizing
our time and energies; for which present
prices do not yield sufficient indemnity
leaving out Of The consideration, the en-
haustion of our lands by continued ser
les Of Cotton crops, without alternating
with some other growth having to keep
the soil exposed and clean in order to get
full yield, and thereby rendering it more
liable to wash from want of due admix-
ture with litter. would suggest a
ohangc, by which we might more eftec-
tually prevent our undulating lands from
washing away-continue to improve the
fertility OF the soil, and the eventual pccu-
mary realization be equal, not superior.
to our present mode ofprocecding in cuI-
tivating our lands; SO Injurious and cx-
haustng to the soil, viz alternating with
small grain, corn, pcus, &C., more frc-
qucntly, to assist our ditchcd bulwarks in
preventing and altering the dolorous gull
lied aspect, which the hilly land Of Caro-
lima has, too long, been wont to assume,
and that too, from want of small
amount ofvcry necessary care and pains,
which have such direct and important
bearing upon our farming interest.
But the influence Of habit is SO great,
and the Cotton mania, is such Il prevailing
epidemic in this latitude, that it is Il mat
ter almost impossible to scare, or drive it
out Of the minds Of the farmers; and it
would be much ado, if the railroad Doc
tor co.lid work it out ofthcm, by sprink-
ling gold dust at their doors and along
their borders, sufficient TO count them rs
or 100 Tor their corn and potatoes. You
may talk to farmers Of the propricty and
superiority ola change in the relative
amount of the growth Of their respective
products, and they will yield obscquious
assent 10 your suggestion; but the ensuing
fall, exhibits the snowy locks, in as ahun-
dant proiusion rs the preceding year
thus showing the influence Of habit und
mania, by their practice, over their judg-
mont us acknowledged in theory,
Last year VIC looked down toward Co
lumhia, from Grccnvillc aud Laurcns, and
could almost sec in the windy distance
the rich smoke from the pine knots Of the
low country, issuing from n steam engine
in the distance our cars caught the
rumbling sound of the invllncrablr wheels
-groaning under rich ladcncd cars Of
acceptable imports. And We had we'll
nigh begun to trim aud enlarge our or
churds-to save il greater amount Of pota-
TO sce,l-to enlarge our strawberry and
planting rhcds-,n turn or patches into
gardens, and to increase the number of
our swine, poultry and kinc, and to cause
the Indian tasscl, and the small grain
bloom of DIay and June to wave tri,n-
phan,!v Ger our cotton fields; with which
to 'adc the returning car But alas, The
jarrng discorhs Of sectional scItishncss.
have husl,cd the sound though harsh, vr,
Observation-Disclosures 10 the ear; and the
sight so Observation-Disclosures grand
has vanished from the sigh, Of our mental
visions, and seems "as dream when tits
past, us IL tale that has been told" But
TO return from This DEPRESSION, as We can't
get the road now; let's raise some rice any
how. a gool team can haul 80 or 100
bushels in a rough state to Columbia; and
in this condition, it always demands 81 :.
i'll our Metropolis. We have plrrty of
low moist lands that would suit tho pro-
duction Of rice kindly. One Of my neigh
bours informs me that he, by way OF en-
pertinent, planted one quart Of rice in
drills on small spot Of now bottom; and
without cultivation, but slight diging
with the gardcn-ho it yielded s bushels
Of rough rice. One bushcl ofsccd plan
ted, probably requiring = acres Of ground
would yield $40 bushels or 800 dollars
according to the price already specified
dcducing from the expenses, only, of
transportation, which would, of course
have TO he deducted also from any other
commodity to ascertain its net proceeds.
Another gentleman, under my own OBJ
scrva,ion, raised 80 bushels from one acre
with but very slight cultivation. In our
sister district Anderson, the raising Of rice
is exciting considerable interest; the great
est impeachment is tho want Of suitable
Mills for clcaningit. a friend related to
me, when speaking Of its Importance, that
he was present nt meeting in that dis
trict--whcre subscription for some ben
cvoicnt purpose was prcscnlcd--whcn
several gentlemen said, they had no mo-
ncy to give but if rice would be taken as
money they would subscribe; their propo-
siiion was ncccdcd to on their own terms
and their rice which was considered ns
an ample equivalent soon turned into mo-
ncy. Last spring Mr.. Charles Key had
load of rice passing through this district
from whom purchased as good clean rice
nc | wOuld wish N hnyo for go m nor