Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-03
TIE OLD SCHOOL.
Aiken Corresnonlence.

Aiken Correspondence.
Alarge Agricultural meeting was held July 21st
at the Council Chamber Of the Town Tor City, Of
Aiken, at which thcro were several of the fair sex
of Carolina.
Dr.. MCDONALD, who is extensively engaged in
the cultivation of the Grapo was called to the
Chair, and Mr.. WooD was elected Secretary, who
is by the way, gentleman of polished and refined
manners,-of great enterprise, utility and activity
in accelorating the rapid march of the improve
mcnts of Aker,-of cultivated taste and intellect
and of liberal prctensions to literature and Classic
attainments.
Mr.. RAvxSEa addressed the meeting in IN elo-
quent manner on agriculture, and more especially
on horticulture, and on tho cultivation of fruit.
He gave very particular analysis of the peculiar
qualities of the soil-uf their adaptation, and Of
their mineral qualities and effects ue correctly
rotated, that waerc fruit was cultivated, partcu-
larly the Grapa in poor land, it yielded larger
profit with less labor than rich and fortilo lands,
with all the Disadvantages Of its being sickly and
unhealthy.
The different samples and varieties OF fruits and
vegetables wers systematically arranged and e1
bibited at tho fair. The large and beautiful mel
ones Apples, Peaches, Dcets, &C., &C., placed
OH gradually ascending shelves to public view,
and the handsome matured Grapes hung in fes-
tons overhead across tho ceiling, and every one
gazed on them with delight and admiration.
One Beet measured 27 inches in circumference,
another weighed l6 lbs. There were some water
melons exhibited, that weighed 80 lbs. There
wore l9 varieties Of Grapes and 20 Of Peaches,
besides Pears Apples, Nectarines, Figs, Filbcrts,
&C., &c.
With respect to Aiken and the surrounding
country, it is high, elevated and healthy. Aiken
is noted in the North and in Europe for its elevs
tod situation and salubrity Of climate. Persons
Of cmacated sume Of delicate health, worn down,
frequently pale, emaciatod with consumption, aud
where it is not too deeply scuted in the system,
recover their strength and health, and afterwards
attain the life Of good old age. There arc many
uow, who cum tmke retrospective gluncc ut Aiken
and say thero it is, where in the blessing of God,
they recovered their health by inhaling its high,
dry and oleva.ed atmosphere, and its salutary and
invigorating effects on the system.
Aiken coutuins Mt lcaston thousand inhabitants,
four Churches-onc Baptist, ono Methodist, one
Presbyterian, and one Episcopal Church-three
large Hotcls--ono excellent we'll disciplined Mill
tary School--anothcr good School in tho Town
Academy of Aiken, supcrintendcd by u Teuchrr
of high reputation for bis liberal and Classic Lit
erature-also, two three very respectable Female
Schools, superntcnle,l ly Ladies' of high reputn-
ton to Literature. Tho main or business part Of
the city is occupied with neat little Council
Cha,nbcr-und large and extensive stores owned
by active and energetic merchants, who by their
ntiriug zeal to business, appear to be d"iny well,
prosperous and happy.
In the summer season = largo number from
Charleston, and other sections Of country where
it is no, healthy come here for the warm summer
months to enjoy the invigorating influence OF IT'S
healthy atmosphere. In addition to these, bow
ever, that visit us in the winter and summer, for
transitory period for health, there are others Of
means and weulth that have located themselves
permanently in Aiken, and in the surrounding
country, and have converted tho barren lands to
Weld as much us the rich and fertile lands of other
sections of country. Among these gentlemen is
Mr.. Gregg, who has an extensive Peach orchard,
which yields him on an average, every second
year. ton thousand dollars-Mr. Purvis, whose
orchard yields four or five thousand dollars
Mr.. Ravcnel, DR.. Croft, W. G. Mood, j. J. stced-
man, Mr.. Mathews, j. D. Lcsare, L. S. Benson
aro extensively engaged in the cultivation of the
Grape and Peach. DR.. Mcdonald and Judge
Robertson ulso have large vineyards and all ex-
press their entire satisfaction at the large income
from this easily cultivated crop.
T cannot omit to mention Il most delicious sam
ple of Isabella grhpo have seen from the or
chard Of the clever and worthy Mr.. Rogers, the
indefatisublo Post Master of Aiken. Though the
grape was only one year old, II was full, rich,
large and lu1uriant, aud VIII bo much larger
when it is another year Old
Let those who love rich lands and large profits,
with all the disadvantages of sickness and i'll
health, remain where they are, but let those who
appreciate healthy climate and an invigorating
one-an elastic and buoyant spirit, come to Aiken
and the surrounding country, even though it bo
poor and barren and let them with small means
and labour, cultivate the Grape and Peach, and
they will soon render their condition more pros
porous md happy; they will have superior ad-
vantages of others in moro sickly and unhealthy
regions; they will have the combined advantage
of health md prosperity and they would thus
render Aiken md it's contiguous suburbs tho Oasis
Or Garden spot Of tho world.
JOHN c. sAEEEHAN.
Ms- John J. Jones has been nominated rs the