The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-06-16
From the Southern Agriculturist.
What should be the Chief Crops of the
In

Corn and cotton in the cotton planting States
have by common cusOTn become the universal
crops of extensive cultivation. How far this shift
is correct, not entirely proved by It's universal
lty, nor by the prejudIces which sustain il in the
the minds Of planters. Indian corn, Indigenous
to the soil, was perhaps the most enIent and
profitable when the country first settled, and
when an abundant and easily prepared crop, 10
supply the wants Of both man and beast, was a
requirement Of the times. ln this relative value,
1t srlI is the most valuable crop grown on the yr-
gin soils Of the Middle and Southern Of the Wes-
Tern States, ior 1t luXurates upon the vegeta bic
matter aboundIDg in soils, and with little pre-
paratIOn and indifferent culture, yields large re-
turns for labor bestowed. Such however, is not
the older States, where the cream of the
land has been stolen away imperceptibIy by the
most eXhaustIng systems TO which titled soil has
ever been subjected and, taking ten wears crop
ping together, the Indian corn crop is the most
uncertain can plant. 1t is difficult to grow on
any but virgin or alluvial SOIL and the droughts
OF summer, except in extraordinary and most fa-
voraDle seasons, cut it off 10 runous extent
L lie corn crib is called the store house of the
planter in the Sou,h and indeed it IS his main
dependence. But this is only because he is not
accustomed 10 interweave other crops with the
cultivation Of cotton. On improved and well pre-
pared soil, barley and wheat would yield more
bushels of grain of more value 10 the planter than
Indian corn. In fact, barley is the most valuable
grain which we cultivate at the South. If sown
at the proper season, it readily perccts itself from
the winter moisture in the earth, and yields hea-
vIiy IL is fine solllng for all kinds Of stock and
comes INTO harvest III May, time when few
days can be spared irora the cotton crop without
detrIment TO lis gro With production. Its grain
Is so well protected, that it is not liable to be
sPoh' by exposure TO the weather, and it may lie
any length OF time IN the straw, when drvIv
housed without being injured. A barley crop
SoWn with guanO. cotton seed, or well prepared
compost manure, after the cotton crop is gathered
in December and January, would come off suffi.
cieniIy early to sow the stubbie down in peas 10
be turned under in autumn, and the rotation Of
small grain with Tins system pursued would be
the best and most efficient mode OF improving our
lands. 1t would also be fitted TO the economical |
and easy cultivation of the after cotton CROP bv |
he PIo" ing under Of The heritage in the fall which
would be thoroughly decomposed by the next
spring.
Barley, ground and mixed with the straw, re.
laced to chatf by cutting machine is better food
or horses and cattle than any preparation of In.
Han corn, and tC those persons who have not
nIils' simply soaking the grain in wafer is fine
Tor feeding 10 horses. Swine fatten
hu Keep IN condIIon more easily Oh barley than
m corn. AS conclusive argument in its favor
more barley can be cheaply grown on an acre OF
improved dry upland, than can grow Of corn.
Y heat sown with guano in like manner after the
otion crop, would come in at a season when the
arveslng could be attended to without detriment.
nd after the cotton crop is laid by, and in the in
erVaI between that time and the commencement
picking, the threshing and preparing it for mar.
et or the mill, could be attended to without hin.
rance. The middIings shorts and bran of a .
Tge wheat crop, all mixed together, would 90 far
} feed the plantation stock, and negroes would .
elIsh wheaton bread a change for the corn
read usually allowed 20 them
We would, from these few reasons stated. and
ANY more needless to mention, recommend the :
'duclon OF The corn crop TO such degree as
ouid throw all lands not naturally producing In.
an corn well, into wheat, barley, rye and oats. ,
Z would then cultivate cur titled crops well and .
SIly, and the avenues the system would open for J.
'Provement would soon repay for the experiment !
know that these Recommendations will be met -
nh by all the objections which prejudice and the a
ranny OF custom engenders in those who ceave
old practices and theories, but as they are con.
etIons of true policy, have no hesitation in II
rking them. f.