Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-08-11
%arll1frs;' ! Golun1lt.
From the Country Gentleman
FRUIT GROWING AND WlNE-MlKlNG IN SOUTH
CAROlJSd.

Messrs. Edi1ors-l will say q few things about
this section of the country. Being constantly
engaged in experimenting plantation which
have purchased here, you need not look for 4
systematic description, but only few hints
drawn out on the spur of the moment. did
not come here for profit, but on account OF my
health; yet this section of country (poor and
piney as it ISL may be made place where health
and wealth may be acquired. The advantage
of the South have been too long overlooked and
the lands undervalucd; but within few years
some men have found that they and their father
before them, have been living in one Of the finest
fruit raising countries in the world, and did not
know it. A few entcrprising men have com.
menced the culture IT peaches for the New
York market, and have made immense profits
on what have been sent, and the people are be-
ginning to plant fruit trees in earnest. The
peach crop was never finer than it is this season,
md thousands of bushels of peaches will be sent
to New York from this neighborhood One
man has an orchard of 1000 trees, and there
are several containing from 5000 to 1000. That
the South is to be grape growing and wine
making country, is as sure as the sun continues
to rise and set. Lately it has been proved that
the grape can be grown here much easier and
more luxuriantIy than in Ohio, Missouri or Ken.
,tucky, and that it makes better wine than Is
made North. There are tSO vineyards near me,
one of 10 aud the other Of 20 acres, besides
several more Of less dimensions and many more
are being planted. The truth is the people
arc beginning to appreciate the value OF fruit
culture, and are commencing the business IN
earnest.
We are about forming lruitraising and wine
making society in this Section, and mean to show
that we have country peculiarly adapted to the
culture of fruit, and especially The grape, both
for food and wine.making. have set out TWEEN
ty acres in peach trees and grape roots this sea-
son, and hope 70 have the pleasure of sending
you box Of peaches and dozen bottles Of
vine some day. Ny plantation is on the South
Carolina Railrosd, III miles from Charleston,
and % from Augusta, Ga. There are some Pc
culiar features in this section which distinguish
it from most of the South at this distance from
the Atlantic. For diatance of 25 or 80 miles
along the railroad, and about the same number
Of miles in width, the lands are high and roling
some places being about six hundred feet above
tide water. You may find high hills, deep raw
ines and steep aud rocky pracipices together with
springs and swift running streams. OF COURSE
YOU must not expect to find Nsw England, bnt
much To please New Englandcr. 1t is Ger.
tainly perfectly healthy country, being so high
that the togs and miasma of the low country are
dissipated by the sun and winds before they rise
10 this height, and chills ard fever are scarcely
eyer known. Lands are cheap, from tSe 10 ten
dollars per acre, anG all in all, it lisa better eonn
lry for poor man to settle in than the far Vest
The climate is mild and delightful-the lands
easily cultivated, one horse being enough to
plow them-and all kinds of vegetables may be
raised with ease, and not one half the labor is
required that is necessary at the North. There
are traders on the railroad cars, who purchase
fruit, eggs, poultry, &C., at good prices-straw.
berries ut fifty cents 4 quart, and none were
sold this season for less than twenty-five cents
per quart. Turkeys from Is cents, To 81 per
piece. and chickens from 30 to IS cents each
eggs from u. to 371 cents per dozen.
The Flora of the country is beautiful, beyond
my power Of description, and the quantity Of
wild fruits cannot be raeasured or counted.
A. NJ. ID. r.
Aiken, Soaah Carolina, 1853.