Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-03-07
A Farmers Winter Evening,

A Farmers Winter Evening.
We were so fortunate as to have been
relieved during the past week, from our
sanctum round of irksome duties of writing
to our farmers, by meeting with goodly
number of them and exchanging views on
the important topics of agricultural econo-
my, and deriving much information therefrom
The place was none other than " Rose
Cottage"-a name descriptive enough to
preclude further account of its chaste, be-
coming and ornamental, as we'll as comfor-
table style, to say nothing Of its well laid
out and beautifully arranged fairgrounds
and garden with its grouping combinations
of practical and ideal charms.
1t was winter in its coolest mood--Ther-
mometer 30e,-wind N. W.--ran gauge
threatened with snow--Hygrometer 100
above medium-the Barometer we forgot to
denote. The blazing fire places, piled on
high with oak, hickory and pine, were sur
rounded with venerable farmers of many
frosty winters, some of less mellow age, and
others of the " Young American" and wire
edge stamp. The matron danes and widows,
maidens gay, and their ardent beaux of
course, were there. The display of grace
and beauty of the farmers daughters (for
they deserve the name) is beyond the reach
of our quill. But Farmers! if you want a
wife ia no common want go up and see for
yourselves. If we could recall some forty
winter-scratch out
Well, while the young and the ardent
were enjoying themselves in the parlour, the
farmers, surrounding the fire in the sitting
room, discussed the unprecedented season of
the past fall and present winter, the advan-
tages and disadvantages of early and late
corn paintings, the best preparation of its
land and application of its manures. A
little time was allowed to Cotton, but we
were pleased to see that corn was the ab-
sorbing question, including the small grains,
wheat oats, barley, rye, &C.. for when far.
mers make "hog and hominy" their motto,
Pea Fowls and Pigeons,
Calicoes and Ribbons
will chime in to perfect the harmony. Just
about this time silence was heard in the
parlor, and the venerable old parson, in
solemn accents, was perfecting the nuptial
cord, that bound the farmers daughter to
farmers son, through all the good and bad
crop years Of after life--through rain and
drouth.
The usual congratulations, and kisses and
tears, and all that sort of formality, but little
disturbed our agricultural circle, and at it
again, we went. Draining and hillside
,ditching, Berkshire, Grazier, Suffock, Land
Pipe, Durham, Ayreshire, Devon, Scrub,
.Dunghill, Game, Shanghai and Brahma,
Plank Roads, Rail Roads, Steam.mills and
engines, Gold Diggings and CALIFORNIA;,
when lo supper was announced, and COM
pletely broke up the tie of our agricultural
circle, sine die.
So next morning, we harnessed Mass
Charlie" and were driving homeward with
large budget of more of realities than ideals
for the wife and " bairns," admiring the model
farms and cottages, and after crossing one
bridge we came to a second which so at.
tracted the ears of Mass Charlie" towards
its hand.rails, that we made closer obser-
vation and admit that its architect displayed
genius worthy of the highest cultivation.
A little more jogging landed us at home,
and after The joyful shouts Of the childer,
and little crying and scratching and fight.
ing over our budget, here we are in our
sanctum again, knocked into perfect pie,
and the devil waiting for more "agricuh
matter" But you must, kind friends, excuse
poor editor for not having any editorial
after being on such an excursion. Next
week we hope to be ourselves again--so
continue to get your planting ground ready,
and wait for further orders.