The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1848-03-15
From the Laurens Herald. +
ROTATION OF CROPS.
'FARMINNroN PLACE, Feb. 10, ls4s.

ny way OF rdndom ShOt, 10 your readers;
and especially those ofthem, who are in
tcrestcd in the accelerated progress, and
speedy development Of the science Of
agriculture, such rs is practically appli-
cubic to our section Of country. And as
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 indemnify
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 10 get
u full yield, and thereby rendering it more
Liable TO wash from want of due admix-
turc with litter. would suggest
olangc, by which we might more eilec-
tuully prevent our undulating lands from
washing away-continue to improve the
fertility Of the soil, and the eventual pcc,-
mary realization be equal, ifnot superior.
to our present mode Of proceeding in cul-
tivating our lands; SO injurious and cx-
hausting to the soil, viz: alternating with
small grain, corn, pcus, &C., more frc-
Qucntly, to assis, our ditchcd bulwarks in
preventing and altering the dolorous gul-
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 Il 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 il is Il mat
ter almost impossible to scare, or drive il
out Of the minds Of the tarucrs; and i,
would be much ado, if the railroad Doc
tor could work It out ofthcm, by sprnk-
ling gold dus. ut their doors and along
their borders, sufficient to count them -
or 100 for their corn and potatoes. You
may talk 10 f;.rmcrs of the propricty and
superiority ofu change in the relative
amount Of the growth ofthcir respective
products, and they will yield obscquious
assent 10 your suggestion; but the ensuing
fall, exhibits the snowy locks, in rs al,ln-
'lant prolusou us the preceding year
thus showing the influence Of habi, pnd
mania, by their practice, over their judg-
mont us acknowledged in theory,
Last year VIC looked down toward Co
could almost see in the windy distance,
the rich smoke from the pine knots o. the
low country, issuing from steam engine
in the distance our cars caught the
rumbling sound of the nvulncrabc wheels
-groanng under rich ladcncd cars Of
acceptable imports. And we had we'll
nigh begun TO trim and enlarge our or
churds-to save greater amour, Of potn-
TO sccd-io enlarge our strawberry and
planting -hcds-tn turn our patches into
gardens, and to increase the number of
our swine, poultry ant! kline, and 10 cause
the Indian iassc, and the snallgr
bloom of May and June to warc ,ri,lm-
phantlv Der our cotton fields; with which
to !ndc the returning car. But alas. The
Earring dscords Of sectional sciisi,ncss.
have h,!sl,cd the sound though harsh, vet
neutrality-suspicious. 10 the ear; and the
sigh, SO agniiccnt-bcu,iiiuI- grand
has vanished from the sight of our mental
visions, and seems Gas Il dream when Ills
past rs IL tale that has been iold." But
to return from This depression, us We can't
get the road now; let's raise some rice any
how. a COOL team can haul 50 or 100
bushels in Il rough state 20 Columbia; and
in This condition, it always ,!cn,nGs 81.
i'll our Metropolis. We have plenty Of
low moist lands that woul, suit the pro-
duction Of rice kindly. One Of my neigh
bours informs nc that he, by way Of en-
pertinent, planted one quart of rice in
drills on IL small spot Of new bottom; and
without cultivation, but slight dging
with the gardcn-hoc, it yielded s bushels
Of rough rice. One bushcl of seed plan
ted, probably requiring . acres of ground
would yield $50 bushels or 800 dollars
according to the price already specified
dcductng 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
scrvation, raised 80 bushels from one acre
with but very slight cultivation. In o,lr
sister district Anderson, the raising Of rice
is exciting considerable interest; the great
est impeachment is tho want Of suitable
mills for cleaning it. a friend related to
me, when speaking Of its importance, that
he was present nj meeting in that dis
trict--whcrc subscription for some ben
cvolcnt purpose was prcSrn,cd--whcn
several gentlemen said, they had no mo
ncy to give but if rice would be taken us
money they would subscribe; their propo-
siiion was accctcI to on their own terms
and their rice which was considered as
an ample equivalent soon turned into mo-
ncy. Last spring Mr.. Charles Key had
load of rice passing through this district
from whom purchased rs good clean rice
rs would wish to have, for $3.50 per
bushcl. In concluding these remarks
would carncstl y request others TO give the
public, through the colnms ofyour pnpcr,
the result and benefit of their cxpcricncc