The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-11
From hc SOuihcrm CuiGcuior.
Southern Farming----No. l.

During recent trip to Upper Georgia,
we enjoyed the pleasure of visiting several
OF our most cntcrpriSinw agriculturistS, and
prc>umlng that an account Of the proprcss
OF improvcmcntin in that section will intcrcs,
our readers, we give brief sketch of all
that seemed most noteworthy in the prac-
tee otthc gentlemen upon whom we called:
RIvERDANK FARM-FLoYD County, Ga.
About one mile from Rome. on the east
bank Of the Oostanaula River, lies "Riv-
"rbank the garlen-tarm of DIR. George
NJ. Battey. This beautifully situated
farm is of limited extent, and when #
passed into the possession of DR.. Battev.
(ahoWl two years sincr) WAS very much
mpoverished-a great portion of it having
been an "lndian field" which had been
cultivated on the scalping system Of the
Cherokces, beyond the memory of the
" oldest nhabilant."
Under the improved system Of the pre-
sent owner, howcvcr-a system based ON
the tnndamcutal principles Of modern SCI
cnlliic farming, viz: drep pioming and hiqh
mH""'tng,comhmcd with proper rotation
OF crops, and the adaptation OF specific
co'nPoetS to special cl"pS, the old field of
the aborignrs has greatly altered its char
actcrand appearance and when We walk
cd through it, II heavy crop of E,rurian
W heat waved its myriad heads Of gold,
and long rows Of dark-grccn and stately
maize tossed aIoft their rustIing banners
TO the passing breeze.
The Eiruian Wheat grown bv DIR.
Battey, originated, we believe, in Italv.
1t has been cultivated at "Riverbank" frr
two years; is very beautiful white va
ricty, with strong, bright straw, of viror
orous growth, and greatly disposed to
spread or "tilcr." The present crop was
sown III drills one foot apart, and gaye a
fine stand covering the ground in "A
much more perfect manner than by the
o'"H1'y system of broadcast sowing:
Pcrtormcd as the latter operation mostly
Is, without regularity, with the ground
only partially prepared, and without the
nse OF sufficient quantity of sced) We
do not know the amount of seed required
for an acre, by the drilling method of DIR.
B., but should suppose it less than by the
common method while the stand" is
more uniform, and the seed, being more
evenly covered, is almost certain to veg
etate and grow off well. This field of
Etruran Wheat, when examined by us,
showed scarcely trace of rust or smut,
and we should have no hesitation in set
ting down the yield at twenty-five bushels
per acre, unless some atter-caIamity over
took it.
The Corn crop OF DIR. Battey was also
looking unusually fine; with thick, heavy
stalks, and leaves Of that rich, dark shin
ing green that indicates deep culture, and
an abundant supply Of the plant in the
soil. Ten bushels per acre would, we
suppose, have been considered a fair Weld
from this land, three years ago; but # the
present crop does not produce at least
four or live times that amount, we shall
be greatly disappointed.
a fine field of Oats next claimed our at
tention. The variety grown by the Doc
tor-the White Imperial"-is one of the
most productive, luxuriant and thrifty
that we have noticed. The straw is tall
and strong, and bears very long, branch
ing and weII-hlled head, the grains of
which are unusually large. This variety
OF the Oat while growing, presents a
beautiful appearance. 1t is Of siIvery
gray color, and when the bright rays Of
the morning fall upon the dew-gemmed
held, and its ton thousand "liquid diam
ondS" gIimmer in the sheen Of the '.glo-
nous King Of Day." the effect is one of
rndoscribable briIliancy and magic lowell
ness. CIhere are some people who see
no beauty in such sight as this, aside
from the market value Of the crop-but,
aIas' how poorly the jingle the almighty