Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-07-29
Another Letter from Texas.
Written for the Advertiser.
Eur1w, Limestone Co., Texas,
July 10th. 1863.

Eurxw, Limestone Co., Texas,
July 10th, 1868.
Mr.. EDIToR,-Since the publication of my
letter to Ex-Goy. Bonbam in the Advertiser,
some months ago, I have received several
communications from certain good people OF
South Carolina, who wish to know if they
can get employment here; what prices are
paid for labor; which is best, to labor on the
farm, or herd and drive stock; &C., &C. /
have concluded to write you short letter for
publication, and thereby answer all their l2-
terogatories.
Those who wish to labor on.the farm will
not find any difficulty in getting employment
here. There is always demand for laborers,
and young men from the old States are pre-
ferred to the citizens of this State, as they
have more energy, industry and perseverance
than those who have been here sometime.
1t is. said that persons coming here, soon
become lazy and 'indolent, and will not work
like those fresh from the old States. The
people here usually farm or shares, and very
seldom employ hands by the year for stated
wages. I know of some few hands being en-
ployed at from $1,000 to $500 per month
specie-provisions furnished; but those who
farm. on shares usually average more than this.
A good hand can cultivate here from .25 to
40 acres of land, and generally realizes a
handsome profit on his labor. l know white
men here who have cultivated 40 acres, but
they had assistance in gathering in their
crops.
This loose sandy soil does not require tie
work of the rcd hills of South Carolina, and
the farmers seldom give their corn more than
one or two good plowings. If the seasons
are favorable a man can make in this country
more than lie can gather. During the cotton,
pickiag season, good hand can earn splendid
wages. Last Jear a short crop was made
here, on accouuto of the caterpillar; and cot
ton. was then selling at low price. Yet the
farmers paid from 15cts 10 sl0O, specie, per
100 lbs, for picking cotton, and furnished ra-
ticns besides. Those who are willing towork
can make moro money here than in South
Carolina, aud this fall will be favourable
time for you to come hither.
Bot if you do not wish to work, and that
hard too, would advise you to remain where
you are: this is no place for enjoyment, and
money will not flow into your pockets voluu-
tarily. If you cowe here during the fall you
will have TO risk your health for the benefit
Of your purse; though this vicinity has not
been very sickly during tie present year. 7
you have resided in a malarious country s5esi yen
eed not be afraid to come TO Texas.
would not advise any young man to herd
or drive stock, as this business is usually fol-
lowed by men who are too lazy and triliug
to work and the associations would be any
thing but pleasant or agreeable to persons of
any refinement. The company you would
keep would. be calculatel to lead you into
profanity, ntoxcation, &c. Stock men some,
times pay their hands very fair wages, but
persons coming here from the old States could
not get the pay Of old, experienced hands at
the business.
And now, Mr.. Editor, after few words as
to the crops, prospects for the future, &c.,
will close.
We have been blessed this year with splen.
did rains and favorable seasons, and the crops
are very fine. Forward corn is already made,
and the recent rains will be sufficient to make
the most O. that which is later. We can
now calculate with all safety upon en- abun-
dant harvest of corn. The farmers on the
Brazos have planted largely in corn this year
as they cannot rely on the freedmen to gath
er big crop of'cotton,) and l understand
their corn was never better: Cotton too is
doing spendidly and with favorable circum-
stances, promises an abundant yield. 1t is
now maturing very iuoI, Auo l o''oe''s -
beginning to open below here on the Brazos.
expect there is more cotton planted in this
portion of the State, and in Northern Texas,
than ever before. The wheat crop of Texas
is almost acomplete failure. The grasshoppers
last fall and this spring, together with the ex-
treme cold weather and the rust, almost COM
pletey destroyed it. I learn that most OF
the farmers expect to get their seed wheat for
sowing from the East. If we succeed in
making good crop of corn and cotton here
this year, this State viii again be in an easy
condition financially.
am not posted in politics, and you, per-
haps, know more Of the proceedings of the
Convention Of this State than I. Politics are
never discussed here, and the people seem, to
take no interest in the matter. l would be
glad to see my friends from the old States
here. Come on "Nuff said"
Yours, Truly,
B.F. QUITS.
BARBARIsM.-HenryM Means, colo ed man,
died in this city on Thursday night, and be-
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