The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-09-05

that no preventative was sufficient to keep out the
freshets, and as these generally came at such
seasons when the young rice could not Withstand
the rush of waters, they were gradually abandon
ed. AS before stated, the present rice lands do
not extend beyond the influence of the tide, or
twelve miles from the mouth of the river. AS the
lands above the tde-water became unsuitable for
the rice culture, the aten ion Of the planters was
directed to the marsh lands near the mouth OF the
river and adjacent to the ocean, About twenty
years ago efforts were made to reclaim this land
by dyking and drainage and rice plantations with
i'll q quarter of mile OF the broad Atlantic show
what success has crowned these efforts. These
plantations are secure against the salt water, and
receive by long Canals from the river and its tr-
buarles, whatever is necessary to flow the fields
Ihe whole country around the North SAntee
was abandoned in 1862, aud the fields became a
tangled mass OF rank vegetation. Owing also to
the dlsuse and neglect, many OF the banks were
broken, and the water flowed in q vast sea over
everything When the owners returned last year
they were almost appalled, by the ruin that stared
at them. The banks were 30 oyergrown with
canes, sedge &C., that it WAS almost impossible
to force their way through. Energy and ,letermi-
nation soon remedied these evils, and though at
present no planter has all OF his laud under cul-
tivation, yet considering the difficulties he had to
encounter, and the lateness OF the planting. the
prospect is by no means discouraginy. II one
can look forward to q glorious and prosperous
future Itnow only needs some settled concerted
plau Of labor, rigidy carried out, to make the
planter as independent as ever.
Among the other difficulties that always attend
the cultivation of rice, are the number Of "sora
or rice birds, that swarm upon the unprotected
fields. These little pests generally come when
the rice is in the milk, and suck the grain from
the husk and if not shot at or scared away, would
soon make sad havoc with the,crop. The Tins
when they are most violent in their attacks is at
early morn and dewy eve. At midday they retire
tno f1u oil 11otn t6Gir iah
spoils II is an amusing sight to ride over q rice
plantation during the rico bird season, and see
the various efforts used to frigbten the little
marauders away. Stands are erected in the tleds,
where the minder takes his position, and, at the
approach OF the enemy, smacks q huge whip with
wonderful effect, as tlo birds circle around him
fearing tn alight, aud curious to know what
new deyiltry man has been up to. Along the
banks the manmmas and children take their
stands, and by dint of shouting and clapping to-
getler sticks, succeed in frightening off q few
birds, wuo are too distant from the whip to feel
any terror Evor and anon the crack OF u gun is
heard, ant by continuing the walk, the drivers,
trunk milders, &C., are seen armed with every
variety of fusee from the old Alnt-ock musket to
the antiquated rifles that were used by the
Pilgrims when they slaughtered Indiaus
In order to becyen with the rice birds and to
repay them for deyonring the rico, wheneyeg they
are caught (and as the season advances they will
be killed by hundreds), they are eaten remorse-
y,
q fit dish for king or an epicure. Black birds
are almost as great nuisance as the little rice
birds, and are slaughtered in the same cannibal-
like spirit. Later in the season, when the rice ls
all harvested, the waters are black with the wild
duck indeed, these are often so thick that twenty
five have been killed at shot; but they appear to
be born insensible to fear, and pursue the even
tenor of their way regardless OF the number OF
enemies they have to encounter.
The Santee WAS historical for supporting the
Ha 1,1,
his tact and his cookery, soon secured many tine
meals for his hungry c0nJreres from its waters.
The fish leap from their native element and
often oaught BY the negroes without either hook
sa g psdRaSa Rh2s SaFsa IL he ser er
let nr eatfsh, beat upon the side OF the boat, and
the fish, attracted by the fire, leap into the air
and fall into the hands of their captors. The
alligator terrapin still are found
in the swamps and canebrakes. and occasionally
in tire yellow water.
Although this region has so many attractions,
it is almost certain death to sleep there during
the sickly season, and the planters of North San
tee have long been in the habit OF spending their
Summers on South Island This island extends
from the mouth OF the river, along the coast, for
a distance OF seven miles, and forms the southern
boundary of Winyaw Bay. " is only short dis.
tance by land from the rice lands, and is for that
reason, as convenient as McClennanvile for Sum-
nleT T6LfoAC. lHo l6lauu, liOlu lls pIoAiLuity W
the ocean, suffered greatly during the war, and
was only abandoned on that account. But few Of
it's former residents have returned and the altered
circumstances and change OF property makes it
soem somewhat different now to what it WAS in the
past. It is well wooded, sandy island, with
splendid sea view, as it fronts directly on the
ocean, and has always boen considered remarka-
bly, healthy. To the north is North Island, inhab
itod only by the lighthouse keeper and pilot, and
now used by the United States Government as
quarantine station
Georgetown is only short distance up the Bay,
and vessels to and from that port are constantly
seen passing.
The Clerk of the Weather has at last deigned to
smile benjqnantly upon us; the plug has boon re-
moved, and for the last four or five days We have
been favored with heavy showers. The cry now
is that they come too late; but wo respond, 'bct-
ter late than never" and three cheers Tor the
Clerk. VlATOR.
FALL AND WINTER CRoPs.-The following artl-
Gle from the Mobile Tribune may give our planters
some judicious hints in reference to fall and winter
crops OF grain which are 80 necessary now to help