Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-07-15
Geological survey.


To Hrs ExcELLENCY, DAVID 5. REID:
Sir: In nv last communication my remarks were
confined mostly to tae character of the better lands
and soils of Meekienburg and Rowan. These lanoS
probably the best in the State OF their eapaces as
whole or If their producing powers In the aggregate
are considered This view ! intended 10 express
notwithstanding the fact that in dry seasons they sui
fer more than others which are much less FERTILE
But these lands have not been fully tested, though
they have been cultivated for than halt centu-
ry, perhaps more than century lhey must nave
been highly productive when they were first titled
But it appears TO that great producveness does
not belong first series of years after tllage begins
1t is true that when new lands cleared OF the Tor
est that the first crops require no feTtZers Inc
growth is almost spontaneous The planter sows and
his harvest is sure. But when exuberance OF trrt-
ling matter is nearly exhausted and the soil begins 10
flag ii should by means be regarded as used up
that it must be abandoned and that new fields musl
be cleared. Instead of regarding the soil as having
passed lis best and most productive period, II shonIu
be considered as only shbdued and ready Tor the true
system of cultivation. The soils Of Eng land, which
have been cultivated eighteen hundred years, produce
more by the present system OF hnsbandry than tney
could have produced during their first years OF tllage
Parts of New England and New York yield greater
profit than they did at their first settlement. mean
that they will yield greater number of bushels OF
wheat and corn than when they were in Their virgin
state Hence, the idea that old lands compartIve-
ly worthless should be exploded, and the sooner TINS
| is done the better.
Now, to apply the doctrine to the Providence tract
the western Cabarrus, those lying between Concord
and Charlotte-and to these may be added the rlct
red lands of Uware and Caraway-l say to apply
this doctrine TO these lands, believe that they are
only subdued and that they are only just now ready
to yield their maximum harvest. No one, however
should misunderstood my views, for do not mean
that by pursuing the old plan of cultlvauon' Dy
reading in the old tract that these lands are capa
BILE of producing more than they do now but 1t is oy
tllage, by the of those appliances which are
truly modern that these results can be expected
have no doubt that many plantations whose yield Of
cotton is ordinarily 900 lbs. may be made to pro
duce 5000 lbs, and those which yield 800 lbs, L.
200 lbs. My opinion is based present modes anc
means, or present labor and present husbandrV-
If by :ght addition to modes and means, 2OOt
lbs. of cotton produced TO the why is 1t no
rational to suppose that by bringing all the presen
appliances of huShandry to bear upon tillage tina
such a result may be realized There is no doc
trine which is important to be inculcated as tn
foregoing. for so long planters look upon old SOILS
and old lands worthless, long their efforts VII
be defeated. But when once they are so satisfied o
the truth that old lands susceptible of improve
ment and especially, if they can be made to bellev
that by culture, they capable of producing NOR
bushels and more weight of corn and cotton pc
acre, than when the plough first broke up the sur
face, they will be ready for trying better system
and better modes of husbandry. Well, history sus
tains this view. All history relating TO agrlcultur
sustans it, 1t is but the experience of the expert
enced-of those who have tested the doctrine.
is true you will not see it stated in the words il
which have presented it now, for with me 1T IS
deduc ion from history | see it in the results O
English husband'y, and see it in the results of til
best husbandry both of the south and north in thi
country
] am Sir, most respectfully,
Your servant,
+. EMMONS.