Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-07-04

predominant feeling, and the good work
stands still. 1t should be our province to
convince the people of the State that all our
lands are valuable and desirable, and it we
do this the work OF Improvement will then
manifest itself. Are not all the lands in
middle and upper South Carolina valuable
Compare their enhanced price with former
valuation, look at the comforts enjoyed by
our citizens, where they have health, pure
air, crystal water-and contrast these with
the bayou, mosquitoes, cholera and yellow
fever, which sconrge the Southwest. Look,
too, at the facility with which the rapidly
multiplying lines of railroads here convey
the products of the soil to market-and
think of some of our old friends out West,
who, because their magnificent riuers don't
happen "to rise," suffer for the business,
and even the common necessaries of living.
Are not all these things worthy to be weigh
ed in the balance of life When life, too,
is so short, and its rational pleasures at best,
and under the most favorable circumstances,
may be comparable cup of bitter waters,
sweetened with but few indulgencies and
little satisfaction. Here, where every man
is near to the highways Of the world-where
business or pleasure finds an easy transit to
distant points-where honesty is still respec.
ted and virtue admired, reveredand cherish.
ed-here, say we, is the land in which to
build and beautify homes-here to cherish
those we love-here to do ones part in the
brunt of life's ever active battle--here to lay
our bones beside the honored graves of our
fathers
Yes, gentlemen, we believe that the insti.
tuition you propose, will in great measure
controvert the evils an injuries done to the
State, from the causes adverted to above;
but, to do this successfully, requires great
energy, labor and foresight. Our old State
Agricultural Society was ridden to death, in
connection with aspirations for Office. Poor
old horse-and rider too-may you rest in
peace. We have no purpose which the
resurrection of your now almost forgotten
existence would serve. 1t was a gas socie-
ty, which-like all existences Of allotted pe-
riods-lived its time, and was no more.
The objects of State Agricultural Socie
ty should be of higher aim than to elevate
any one connected with it-save in the legi
innate pursuit of an industrial calling. 10
merely benefit the recipients of premiums,
is not alone the object for which such re-
wards are offered. The premium is only
the active agent which puts vitality into ex.
ertion, and inducing competition-thus ele-
Yates the mass Of observers to the same per-
fection in theory and principle, which the
successful exhibitor has attained and devel-
oped to the satisfaction of the society. Its
influence does not stop here-but observers
take home the lessons which their eyes have
stored up, and conversations and discussions
will follow, setting inquiry on foot, and bene-
fitting ultimately scores who never visit such
rural jubiees.
Here the best breeds Of animals can be in.
spected, and the proper selections made,
without running the risk of a venture which
might be unsuited to our climate and modes
Of feeding. The most valuable and best
adapted grains and vegetable products, with
the most successful and economical modes
of culture, would be before the eye of those
who wished improvement in this line. The
exhibition Of the domestic and manufactured
fabrics of the State, would give lessons to
the different sections, which could not fail
in being profitable. The neat handwork Of
the fair sex, always gracing such exhibitions,
like the light clouds which veil heaven from
our gaze, are great exemplars, and the tasty
patterns are speedily disseminated into The
most remote hamlets and rural homes. The
arts in taste, mechanics, and every class Of
ennobling toll; will bring their useful speci.
mems, and labor.saving implements and ma
chinery will be ready to aid the toiler to en-
large his operations with remunerating in.
huence. Not to such things alone do we
look for all the improvemert-but society
properly regulated, soon disseminates mass
of valuable information, which will be relia-
Bile texts upon which to predicate future
action. The genial intercourse between all
parts of the State-.the instructive interchange
of opinions upon all matters Of industrial
improvement and progress-wculd alone
compensate for erection of the proposed as
sociation, independently Of the solid advan,
tages which would accrue to those who
went into it, in order to benefit the country,
whilst they inform themselves.
The management, details and arrange.
ment of raising the means, proper Location,
and other incdentals, are important matters
to be looked into; but would extend the
limits of this COMMUNICATION too far, were |
to give you my particular views upon these
things. My whole heart and exertions shall
be with you, and l hope to see the true
6" bone and sinew" of the State in the Capt.
tol, on the second Wednesday of August
next. Let the people from every nook and
corner send up delegates, and where none
are appointed, let public. spirited men "come
up on their own hook" Every man counts
one in this work, and all will be welcomed
in the spirit of brotherhood.
With my best wishes for your success, l
am, very sincerely, A. G. SUMNER.
RAvENscRofr, S. c., June 20, 1855.
THE USE OF SNow.-The past severe
winter in its effect on plants, has furnished
some striking proofs of the protection affor
ded by snow. Several specimens Of the
tree box, some Of them seven or eight feet
high, are as brown as dead grass above the
snow line, while all below is as green as
emerald. The Japan Ounce, usually re.
garded as very hardy, although not destroy.
ed by the extreme cold, was so injured and
checked in its growth, that while the flowers
below the snow are an inch and half in
diameter, and in dense and brilliant clusters,