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

A SHORT CHAPTER ON GINS.
Tho word Gin, is supposed by some
Phlologists to be a contraction of engine;
but Milton and Shakespeare both speak of
gins as synonymous with traps and suares,
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 iniquitous things. The e-ils 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 its
source, but there is no doubt that very
much Of the ill-temper and inpatence of
the planter Of the long staple, is justly at
tributable TO this cause. There are many
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 tho 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
a 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.!
crsb!l-and preserve his equanimity, and
you show me philosopher indeed. No
greater moral and physical boon could be
bestowed upon the inhabitants Of a wide
belt Of the seaboard of South Carolina
and Georgia, than by the invention OF
,ome implement which would separate
with facility the seed from the staple.
propose, if sufficient encouragement
be given, to prepare for the press, "7en
years among the Cotton Gins," which will
contain many graphic and pathetic do
mestic scenes. The retrospection Of few
years brings up world Of fond hopes and
blasted expectations; recollections of cogs
and cranks; rollers long and short; gudg.
cons, belts and bands. Ny first recollec.
tons of ginning are associated with mer-
riment arm ong the lusty foot ginners reck-
ing with
Beads Of sweat standing upon the bro~
Like bubbles on late disturbed stream.n
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 barrel gin, which endeayored to
make lighter to the mule BY attaching
heavy pendulum, operated upon by a
crank and cog-~heel. The difficulty WAS
to adjust the speed Of the mule to the
swing Of the pendulnm. All being ready
however, tor the first trial, the mule was
started and went too fast, the beast Of
pendulum gave heavy swing the wrong
way, tie frame work be ng insuflicientIy
braced, tottered, and 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 bearing 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 took to Burns, long
roller gin, here troubles were ten times
multiplied. Many time have risen in
.he morning, with temper rs bland as
the soft southw which enjoyed for a
few moments in the piazza, before seat.
| HS h1 sch W pS"AisSe opPos'to eue OFiRut
face Of the mother Of the blooming little
ones, who were syeing wistfuIIy 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
house. Being impatient to learn my
fate, l rushed to the door: "Well, what
nowI" "Bsrsiaeus say sis, dat de gin sir,
is doin dreadful bad sir" "What is the
msttssl' Nobody kin tell sir, he der
chaw up the seed and spi. um out like oil
the wul sir" "Did he screw down the
rollers properlyr" "Yes air, he screw dem
tight and he screw dem slack, no use, still
he keep cLaw UP the seed" "Go tell
Bsvtmcus he aod tho bvrus' gip may g