The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1860-03-07
Correspondence of the Lancaster Ledger.
ESTATE PLACE. HEAD OF BIG SWAMP.
Lowndes Cou ntyALA., Feb. 90, 1860.

LowndeS Cou nty ALA, Feb. 70, 1860.
When concluded my last letter, | was
circulating among the flounces, ribbons and
For the past four days have been riding
and walking over the hills and through the
! swamps, over the deep plowed and well
prepared grounds, preparatory for planting
the cotton and corn crop's-a considerable
| portion being plowed with a large two horse
plow. The Lilley plow is the great and
effectual plow for the swamp and prarie
lands, it plows deep and turns well, upon
such soil its operations are fauliless. The
Long Grab is not equal to the heft of such
soil they say here the grab is better adapt.
ed to lighter and poorer soil. did not
exactly admit this, but | thought there was
some truth in the remark, because my ex.
perience reminded me, had never tried the
long grab on any soil but what was univer-
sally conceded to be poor-not from n
want of confidence in the grab, but because
the Homestead" was all alike as to the
| character of the soil. ] saw corn being
planted the 10th on a neighboring planta-
ton, none as yet has been planted on the
Estate" place, but the ground is ready and
II hand to day is engaged in selecting the
"seed." Tomorrow comes the new moon
and hit becomes degree or so warmer
"our corn" will go in the ground with all
the propitious signs which the Romans re-
garded ~ favorable to ear and top crops.
From Montgomery | came down the
Pensacola Rail Road ~ miles to Calhoun,
which in IN mir line is not over three miles,
but by the road probably four. II is about
five miles to Fort Deposit and better road.
From either depot can hear the whistle
Of the "lron Horse" very distinctly. 1t is
a delightful sound, almost as exhilcrating
as g.lss of champaign. From Montgom-
cry to Pensacola is l6O miles the Road
runs ll5 miles in Alabama and 45 in Flor
ida. The Road is completed at each ter
minus for some distance and the gap be-
tween ls being finished rs rapidly rs pos
sible. This will open up Qensncola,) an
entire new market to the Planters along
the Road ; and | am inclined TO believe
that Pensacola will, after the completion of
the Road, be the market for lhis region,
then the cotton will take natural direc-
tlon South. As IL is now, it goes directly
North to Montgomery and then South 10
Mobile. he Freight on bale of cotton
TO Montgomery is 60 cents from Calhoun
Depot, 81 miles, and rs cents from Fort De.
positc, 80 miles.-pretty high tariff for the
distance, but every person pays it. When
this road was projected, II was supposed,
that portion of Florida, in which Pensaco.
la is situated, would be annexed TO Aluba-
ma. This State is willing and anxious and
80 are the people Of Pensacola and of the
| territory around, but the State of Florida
! is opposed. Some Think Pensacola is des.
tned TO become great city. being vcry
healthy and having safe aud an extensive
harbCr, sufficiently deep for the heaviest
class Of vessels. | am not surprised that
| the people of the State Of Florida, are un.
willing To yield to Alabama so promising n
city as the future of Pensacola is expected
to become. Since the completion of this
Kan! Road and the people have began to
enjoy its convenience and realize It's advan-
tages the planters have become salts fled
with their location. Lands have advanced
from three to five times as much rs they
commanded 10 years ago, ranging in price
from $40 to S25 per acre
find all along the routr from lancas
Ter a t.lu L.. Al
IN private houses, and in the country, an
active, 2eaIona ard FsstIc~s disposition, to
acquire more property, greater wealth, to
expand, to progress, 10 enlarge, TO risk, to
speculate. | have almost seen fortunes
made since ] have been in the State
mean the talking part. 1t was accomplish
ed very easily. This mania is rather con-
tagious, hope TO escape the contagion.
have taken myself aside several times an d
delivered lecture 10 myself, advising to
keep cool, be quiet let well enough alone,
and such like. You may say as you please,
but there is at times benefit and an ad
vantage to be derived from the conserva-
tism Of FOgyism and Ninety
escape The pervading epidemic, (Which
! think shalD | will attribute the escape
to this conservatism.
The lands about the Estate are good and
productive. The swamps level, the hills
broken and numerous heavily timbered
with white and post oak. hickory, wahoo
poplar, birch, ash, some walnut, red bud
buckeye, pine, cotton tree, red and black
oaks. 1t is TO be regretted such strong
lands are so broken and hiley, but Il NAV
be, their unevenness contributes to their
production. have heard OF $40 and $40
per acre land, but not Immediately in this
neighborhood. | doubt the propriety oi
cultivating land worth that much, at least
tor Estates. Last season the Bud-worm
was destructive on the young corn and
caused in some places "bad stands"
saw gentleman trying preventive, which