The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-28
AGRICULTURAL.
What should be the Chief Crop of the
Smith

What should be the Chief Crop of the
South.
Corn and cotton in the planting States
have by common custom become the uni
versal c; ops ofeXtensive cultivation. How
far this shift is correct, is noqentirelv prov, d
by. its universally, nor by the preiudi-
ces which sustain it in the minds or plan.
tiers. Indian corn, indigenous to the soil
was perhaps the most convenient aud
profitable when the country, was first set
tied, and when an abundant and easily
prepared crop, to supply the wants of both
man an beast, was requirement of the
times. In this relative value, it still is the
most valuable crop grown n the virgin soils
OF the Middle and Southern Of the Western
States, forft luxuriates upon the vegetable
matter abounding IN new soils, and Will
little preparation and Indifferent culture.
yields large retu ms for labor bestowed.
such, however, is not the case in the older
States, where the cream of the land has
been stolen away inperceptibly by the
most exhausting systems to which TILED
soil has ever been subjected and, taking
ten years cropping together, the Indian
corn crop is the most uncertain we can
plant. II is difficult to grow on any bnt
virgin or alluvial soil, and the droupbts
.ot summer, except in extraordinary and
most favorable seasons, cut il of TO n
ruinous extent. The corn crib is called the
store house Of the planter in the South,
and indeed it is his main dependence.
But this is only because he is no, accus-
toned to Intervene other crops with the
cultivation OF cotton. On improved and
well prepared soil, barley and wheat would
yield more bushels Of grain Of more value
to the planter than Indian corn. In fact,
oirley is tho most valuable grain which
we cultivate at the South. II sown at
the proper season, it readily perfects itself
from the winter moisture in the earth. and
yields heavily, 1t is fine soiling for all
kinds OF sock, and comes into harvest in
May, time when few days can be
spared from the cotton crop without det-
riment to its growth or production. Its
grain is so well protected, that it is not
liable to bespoilt by exposure to the wealth
er, and it may lie any length of time in
the straw, when dryly housed, without be.
ing injured. A barley crop sown with
guano, cotton seed, or well prepared com
post manure, after the cotton crop il gath
cred in December and January, would
come off sufficiently early to SOW the stub
Die down IN peas to be turned under in
autumn, and the rotation Of small grain
with this system pursued, would be the
best and most efficient mode of improving
our lands. II would also be fitted 10 the
economical and easy cultivation of the
after cotton crop, by the plowing under
OF the herbage in the fall, which would be
thoroughly decomposed by the next spring.
Barley, ground, and mixed with the
straw, reduced to chaff by a cutting
machine, is better food for horses and CAT
tie than any preparation of Indian corn.
and 70 those persons who have not milk.
simply soaking the grain in water is 4
flne preparation for feeding 10 horses.
SWINE fatten and keep in condition more
easily on barley than on corn. Asa con.
elusive argument in its favor, rnore barley
can De cheaply grown on an acre of i'm
proved dry upland, than we can grow Of
corn. Wheatsown with guano In like man
ner after the cotton crop, would come in nj
o season when the harvesting could be at.
tended TO without detriment, aud after the
cotton crop Is laid by, and in the inter
val between that time and the commence
ment ofpicking, the threshing and pre-
pairing it for market or the mill. could
be attended 10 without hindrance. Tbs
middlings, shorts and bran OF a large
wheat crop, all mixed together, would So
Tar to feed The plantation stock, and ne.
grocs would selish wheaton bread aa a
change for the corn bread usually allowed
TO them.
We would, from these few reasons ala
sed, and many more needless TO mention,
recommend the reduction of the corn crop
to such a degree as would throw ali lands
not naturally producing Indian corn we'll,
INTO wheat, barley, rye and oats. We
could then cultivate our titled crops well
and easily, and the avenues the system
would open fof Improvement would soon
repay for The expefiment. We knowtba,
these Recommendations viii lie met win
by all the objections which prejudice ana
The tyranny Of custom engeaders IN thoss
'sho cleass 70 old practices, but ne thew
are convictions oftfae policy, we have no |
hesitation 10 making them.