The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-06-30
SrAnrANpune, S. c., June, 1866.

the State, I thought it might not be
uninteresting to give your readers an
idea &C the growing crop; SO far as I
have observed it and heard from it,
together with other way-side observa-
tions of things; and what I may say
L think may be relied on as being cor
rect, as have taken pains to inform
myself, feeling deep interest in Che
prospects of our own sunny South.
On leaving Aston, passing through
that portion of Fairfield as far rs
Monticello, I noticed that crops had,
i'll the last three weeks, improved as
tonishingly. Wheat was being har-
vested, and will turn out full two
thirds of an average crop. Cotton,
though backward and grassy, had
very much improved, looking we'll
generally, and in a fine, healthy,
growing condition. OF corn, if sea
sons continue favorable, there will be
full average crop.
On reaching Monticello, the local.
ty of o large, well-conducted female
academy, under the management and
ownership of the Rev. J. Taylor
Aealy, for several years the popular
Baptist clergyman of our own city,
L found hustle and life among quite
number of joyful-looking bright
faced girls; in fact, there seemed
congregated here much of the beauty
and fashion of the District and sur
rounding country. On inquiry, !
found it was examination, and the
close of the first session of the insti
tuition. Friend Zealy attempted to
lay al embargo on me, and keep me
from departing, to remain and par
take of the bountiful hospitalities and
convivialities of the occasion; but
time, the great neutralizcr, having
wrought an unenviable change in Gu
pacity for enjoyment on such occa-
sions, (although an ardent admirer of
the dear angels, and everything they
control, had to decline and go on
my way, on the balance of my route
through Fairfield, Union, Spartan
burg and Greenville Districts. I
found the crops greatly improved
IN the last three weeks; and from all
L could learn from observation and
inquiry among the planters, we may
safely calculate upon full half crop of
cotton, thirds crop of wheat, and
full average crop of corn-dependent
upon the contingencies Of the seasons
from now out.
The freed labor, of which so much
has been said, in many places is doing
remarkably well-orderly, quiet, and
working we'll. A very intelligent
r,1opfnr fror, <ho f>.k;1o
Tigers of this District, told me the
freedmen were working for him bet
ter service than when they belonged
to him, and that he never had a bet
ter crop than that growing on his
plantation the present year; and from
intimacy with him, I know him to be
a systematic, successful planter, and
his crops have always been extra
good.
think have observed everywhere
what have IN our own beloved CITY
too many persons engaged in mer-
chandizing; inducing large and dis
proportlonate corps of consumers.
leaving to the class OF producers but
an emaciated brigade. This difficulty
must and will be overcome, rs North
crn creditors begin to press payments.
Al! this must be overcome and accom-
p.ished before the country can rcco-
Hei from the shock OF the revolution
through which we have just passed.
The products of the soil, being the
very germ and foundation of the
prosperity of country like ours,
must be fostered before we may hope
for any material improvement.
AS to freed labor. I may he largely
III the minority in believing it must
and will prove n success; but never
theless it is my opinion, made up
somewhat from observation made up
away from cities, towns and villages,
and from very plain common sense
view of the case. The lords of the
land, being the land owners, must.
beyond all sort of doubt, command
the labor Of the hewers of wood and
drawers Of water. Years must elapsc.
Gf ever,) before the African race,
formerly our bondsmen, can aspire
to any social position among us:
therefore, stern necessity must
force them to remain the laborers
of the country. Too poor to emf
CRATE if they desired it, own no land,
their future is inevitable. | most
unhesltatingly say to the owners of
the land, whether in or ont of the
Union make your arrangements for