Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-09-25
farmers 4epartnlent,
Diversified Agriculture.

We conclude this week our extracts
from Gen. M. C. M. HAMMoNp's address,
before the Burke County Agricultural
Society, the first portion of which We
published in our last issue If the agri-
cultural readers of the -4aDertiser will
only heed the many useful lessons spread
before them by Gen. H., great profit will
ultimately be their reward. We extract
from the address as follows:
But besides manuring, other means
must be employed in order to loosen and
tighten up the soil on our level lands,
packed down by tillage aud the tread 0!
man and beast for series Of years. Mari
or lime will answer this purpose on the
surface, bat to stir it to proper depth
we must resort to the subsoil Pow. This
Plcw, counted the great discovery of
modern Agriculture, was invented in Eng
land many years ago: but revived in
Scotland recently, to serve the double
purpose Of looscnins stiff soils from u
10 % inches deep. and to drain off their
surface, which in this kind OF land, espc-
ciaIly in cold climates, retains too much
moisture. Its success has been complete.
both there and ut the North, and in some
instances double and even triple yield.
has followed Il single application. We
have IL good deal Of clay land, damp and
Consequently sour, cold, and compare,
lively unproductive, and this is the i'm
plemcnt required to drain it, All lands.
those the most worn especially. would be
vastly benefited by the use of this plow.
From what have observed, | am inclined
to think our lightest sandy soils would
amply repay its use. If there are any
on which it will fail in the long run, they
are perhaps only the most compact, and
the finest pipe clay, which would run to.
gether again at the first heavy rain. By
making it porous and light, We would
permit air and heat to penetrate and warm
and fertilze the land, while the loosened
soil would enable the roots to extend
wider and deeper in search Of nutriment.
The subsoil, also, as asserted by high au
thorisy, contains an iuexhaustiblc quantity
of earthly salts, used by plants, locked in
the embrace of chemical affinity, which
would be released by exposure to the
pulverizing and decomposing action OF
the elements. An application Of manure
to these soils afterwards, and jndiciou>
treatment subsequently, would insure and
proiung their restoration.
On our rolling land looking hideou,
with It's detormities of naked ridges and
sullies, the latter of which have carried
away 50 rluch fertility, and threaten to
extend far into the plains, we must resor'
to Hillside dtching. 1t has been prac
ticcd in the up-courtry with decided ad
vantage, and at whatever cost, rules should
be procured for its use berc before our
broken lands are utterly destroyed. Com
mon sense has governed some in the in
vention of successful method, but il
we lack energy to think for ourselves, OF
patience to experiment until crowned
with success, let special committee be
named to examine and report. or pre-
mium be offered for an essay, on the best
plan of operation.
We have extensive swamps and count
less ponds in our county, most OF then
vastly rich. The period has arrived whep
our attention should be seriously directed
to their drainage. For the most par:
this may be done with ease, as the fall
and outlets are abundantly sufficient. TE
commonest lcvelling instrument will an
swer to regulate our operations. Instead
of requiring manure, these swamp soils
could furnish large amount of peat and
mud for our poorer land, and retain af
terwards thickness of vegetable matter.
which ages of proper culture could moi
exhaust. They are equal, large portion,
of them, to the best lands of Louisiana
and Texas, and their yield on the second
gears cultivation, would repay all the la
Dor of draining and clearing.
From faithful prosecution of the gen.
cral plan have sketched, would sooI
flow innumerablc advantages of the high
est value; among the most important Of
which, would be the promotion of health
the choicest blessing OF life, and the con,
scquent increased happiness and value Of
onr laborers. The necessity of Absentee
ism, the chief obstacle to our progress, if
it could thus be removed, would lead to
every solid and lasting improvement.
Living permanently on our places, we
would feel deeper interest in our pursuit.
and rely moro on ourselves and less on
our agents. The worth and contcntmcnl
Of our people, who pcrtor,a cheerfnly
under The eyes Of their owners more than
they can be made to do for others, would
be enhanced; and, instead of devoting all
our energies to the worship of Mammon.
we would raise all ncccsSarieS within our
selves, and having less need of money
would turn moro fully to the cultivation
Of the intellectual faculties and social
affections, and the humane charities of
life. Our whole system would be changed
After restoring our lands and learning, as
would soon be done, that, all in all, our
condition could not be bettered by re-
moval to Texas, or Oregon. or California,
we would build more durable dwellings
and plantation houSes-extend our or
chards-ornament our gardens and yards
and having established SACRED HOME
for ourselves, our children and their pos
terity, would be permitted to enjoy in
their reality, the tranquil pleasures and
rural blessings, which poets and philoso-
pliers ola ages, have assigned to country
life.
1t may be asked, how is the planter to
find time to consummatc such system