The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-01-24
AayiGlitnral department.
SOITHERN AGRICULTURE.

SOUTHERN AGhlCULTUKE.
We copy iro?:; L'tel's Hiring .Age
the following "polished and humorous
account of the draining of lake in
Georgia, which appeared first in The
Sarannah RrprjIicGa:
The subscriber has a plantation of
several thousand acres, fifty miles below
Augusta, on the Georgia side of the Sa-
vannah river. Nearly in the centre of
this body Of land is or was Mobly's
Pond, a large, and in Scriven county a
celebrated sheet of water, sew, n miles
round and eight feet deep, heretofore
fruitful source of disease to the neigh
horhood and Of revenue 10 the doctors.
The upper half was an open plain Of
more than a thousand acres, where a
hundred steamboats, could ride in safety,
and where, from any point, a bird could
be distinctly seen. The lower section
is covered with cypress, whose rich TO-
liage and dropping moss, inirrcppting
the suns rays and ovcrshsdowing the
waters, presented to the view dismal
canopy above and a horrible landscape
beneath. Here millions obnoxious YER
min lived and Nounced and died. Here
the horned owl chanted his melancholy
dities. Here the white crane gathered
her food, built her nest, and reared her
young; and, when congrcgated by thou
sands on the branches ofthis nlagnif-
cent tree, resembled a vast shrubbery of
srringoes in bloom. The open parts
were the resort of innumerable wild
fowls, and were covered with countless
tocks of ducks, This loquacious bird
during the long winter nights, kept up
al eternal row; his carousals and iollif-
cation pcnicS transcribed everything
OF record in the achievements of Venus
and Bacchus, and We're almost match
for the uproarous frolicS of John Bull
and Brother Jonathan on the anniver-
sary birthdays Of majesty and indepen-
dence.
The alligator was the king beast of
this pontlne marsh; armed with for
midabIe tall and a pair Of more lormid-
able jaws, he was the terrsr of the wo-
men and boys and negroes. Compared
TO him, in bodily appearance, the orang-
ontang was teoufy, and the jackass
/ore|y. His most interesting position
was recumbent posture, with his up
per jaw elevated at right angles, and
his teeth shining in the sun. When w.
ing in ambush for his prey, he could
flourish an eye that would shame a cat
amount, and trunk the like of which
never ilounced in the waters of Phege-
thon Or Cocytus. This redoubtable an
imal was frequently to be seen proving
upon the banks with the agility OF the
hinropotamus, and floating upon the
waters with the stiffness of a serpent.
| strongly suspect that his reputation for
manlness had its origin in the writings
of the zoologist who, instead of mani
ru(0ting him gently as lap-dog, peep
ed at HIM through a spy-glass from
most respectable distance. Although
soldier among calves, and pigs, and
lambs, his courage and ferocity are EVIL
IDENTIFY ovcrrattd; it is seldom that
full! grown hog realizes the honor of be-
ing digcsted in his capacious nav. :"
The terrapin could be counted by
thousands, and the finest trout in Geor-
gia was there. TO this horde ofvermin
the draining OF Mo5ly's Pond was an
epoch. The fish, left by the rec-ding
waters in the weeds and grass, fell an ca
sy prey to the yul!ures. The terrapin,
unambitious of distinction among men,
plunged into the ditch and buried HIM
sell into the Swamps Of Savannah. The
duck, with heavy heart, mounted into
the air, and, like the skinner of the
seas" babe final farewell to this mem
orabe scene of his festivities. The al
ligator. "with melancholy steps and
Slow" no doubt reached some land of
promise where, free from danger and
the worlds malice, he could enjoy in
summer his mud hole, and in winter his
Hghtmood Knots.
Having stated somewhat prolixly, and
perhaps with too much levity, what
Mobly's Pond was, now proceed to
state what Mobly's Pond is. Seven
years ago, ''solitary and alone" | UNI
dertook to drain this body of water, and,
although out of pocket some $4,000
| do not regret the result The landed
estate Nond incIuded) cost $4,000,
and | am vain enough somrtimesto think
tl"t the spade has doubled its value.
Originally this pond was joint property,
but, from want of concord among the
ploprlctors, was seemingly destinedto
remain a nuisance to the end of time.
Eventually il fell into my hands, and
now, in this year Of our Lord, 1S49, so !
prolific ofprodigics, and so memorable