The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-01-30
From the Charleston Standard.
A SHORT CHAPTER ON GINS.


but Milton and Shakespeare both speak of
gins as synonymous with traps and snares,
and the Scriptures denounce "the gins of
the workers of iniquity;" the kind of gins
here alluded to is not specified, and the
planters of long staple can conceive Of no
other than cotton gins, which all acknow-
ledge are very dangerous snares to the
temper, and consider all kinds OF gins as
very iuiquitous things. Tho evils result
ing from the gins are incalculsble, produ-
cling much inquietude and evaporation,
destroying the love Of households and dis
turbing the domestic peace. 1t is seldom
that evil can be traced directly TO it's
source, but there is no doubt that very
much Of the ill.temper and impatience of
the planter Of the long staple, is justly at
tributable to this cause. There are many
l doubt not, whose gins act as perfec: ba-
rometers Of the temper, aud the rising or
falling Of the mercury does not indicate
the state Of the weather more certainly
than the working Of the gin does the
change in the temper. The planter who
has been subjected to the ordeal of the
gins, and been proof against their assaults,
must be one in whom patience has had
very perfect work. Pope lauds the wo-
men who can keep their temper still tho
china falls; but show me the planter who
can hear tho seeds crushing-crick! crish.!
crish!!!-and preserve bis equanimi,y, and
you show me philosopher indeed. No
greater moral and physical boon could bs
bestowed upon the inhabitants Of wide
belt Of the seaboard of South Carolina
and Georgia, than by the invention of
some implement which would separate
with facility the seed from the staple.
propose, if sufficient encouragement
be given, to prepare for the press, "7'en
years among The Cotton Gtns," which will
contain many graphic and pathetic do
mestic scenes. The retrospection Of few
years brings up world Of fond hopes and
blasted expectations; recollec.ions of cogs
and cranks; rollers long and short; gudg.
cons, belts aud bands. Ny first recolec.
tons Of ginning are associated with mer-
riment among the lusty foot ginners reck-
ing with
Beads Of sweat standing upon the bro~
Like bubbles on late disturbed stream" :"
Ginning then appeared to me pas
time which those occupied in, enjoyed
Later in life changed my opinion, and
determined TO relieve the laborers by
horse power. My first experiment was
upon a barrel gin, which l en6eayored to
make lighter to the mule by attaching a
hesvy pendulum, operated upon by a
crank and cog-wheel. The difficulty was
to adjust the speed Of the mule to the
swing Of the pendulum. All being ready
however, tor the first trial, the mule was
started and went TOO fast, the beast Of a
pendulum gave heavy swing the wrong
way, tie frame work be ng insuflicien,ly
braced, tottered, aud the whole fabric came
crashing down, nearly killing the mule
and driver.
This raised such laugh against me
mong my young friends, that ! had not
the nerve to persevere. then adopted
the urge cog-wheel and barrel gin, which
was very heavy. Great was my chagrin
and modification at hearing Of complaints
among the ginners, that whereas, they
were formerly done task on the foot gins
early in the day, they now were obliged
to feed the gin until dark. The gin got
out Of order, and I took TO Burns long
roller gin, here troubles were ten times
multiplied. Many time have risen in
the morning, with temper rs bland as
the soft southwest, which enjoyed for a
few moments in the piazza, before seat
ing mysclfto breakfas. opposite the bright
face Of the mother Of the blooming little
ones, who were syeing wislfuIly the buck
wheat cakes which were being dipped in
the rich butter, when the waiter announced
the little black imp. Jonas; Immediately
all countensnces fell, for Jonas was the
usual bearer Of dispatches from the gin
hosss. Being impatient to learn my
fate, / rushed to the door: "Well, what
nowi' "Bartiweus say sin, dat de gin si-,
is doip dfssdfol bad sir" "What 10 the
mstterlS Nobody kin tell sir. he der
chaw up the seed and spit um out like ell
the wul s;r." "Did lie screw down the
rollers propsriyw "Yes sir, he screw dem
tight sad he screw dem slsck, no use, still
he keep chaw up the seed" "Go tell
Bsrameus he and ,be Bvrps gin may %