The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-06

planting of long cotton even moderately
profitable. We believe that there is no
sound reason why the sea islands should
not be made, by the continued and judicious
cultivation of cotton, as thoroughly pros
porous as any district in the interior of the
State; but, at the same time, we feel that
there is weight in the arguments of the
thoughtful men who urge the long cotton
planters to refrain from placing their en-
tire reliance on their crop of cotton alone.
We know that the sea islands are of great
value, and that they can give good ac-
count of themselves, even if it were by q
freak of nature made impossible to pro-
duce upon them single bag of cotton.
Advantages such as are seldom possessed
BY any farmers anywhere under the sun,
belong to our rich sea islands. They are
within easy reach of a market for purchases
and sales; they have all the facilities which
high degree of civilization can give, and
upon them can be grown all the fruits, veg
etables and plants of semi-tropical climes.
They are admirably adapted to system of
diversified agriculture. Upon them may
be produced well-nigh anything, from fat
lamb to juicy orange. Therefore is it,
and not because our great staple mustIeeds
be uupro6table,-that we should not give
our faith to cotton alone, and that we should
endeavor to turn to the best account the
latent powers CT our islands, 80 as TO have
many strings to our bow aud make success
not probable, but certain.
The following are some of the natural
products which may be cultivated with
profit on the sea islands and sea-coast:
First. The Esparto grass, of which we
have already given some account. This
grass can be grown with as much economy
as hay, and now sells for about $40 per
ton in United States currency. 1t would
not be necessary to export the Esparto.
The paper mills in the North and South
would consume oil that we could produce.
South Carolina should be able to supply the
raw material to every paper mill in the
United States
Second. The hop, the cultivation Of which
is very simple. It requires but little labor
except at harvest time, and:s highly profta.
BILE, the principal expense being for the
poles upon which the hop climbs. And
hops, whstever the moral condition of the
freedmen, would not be stolen as other
crops az. In $780, three and half mil
lion pounds Of hops were produced in the
United States. New York reported two
million FIVE hundred and thir,y-six thou
sand pounds and South Carolina twenty-si1
pounds.
Third. The Palma Christi, or castor oil
plant, which should be q very valuable crop
for the richer lands, and particularly the
higher and well drained rice field swamp
lands. The ground is prepared as FOR other
crops, and The seeds are planted much in the
same manner as Indian corn The yield
varies from twonty to twenty five bushels
per acre.
Fourth. The Ramie, Of which we shall
be able to show samples to any of our read
ers who may wish to try it. We shall pub
lish some general infoi nation in regard to.
Ramie in few days.
Fifth Garden truck for the markets of
Charleston and the Northern cities. We be-
lieve that the same labor aud care which is
given to the planting of cotton would, if
given to the sweet puta.c. yield the farmer
as large an average profit as cotton itself.
All vegetables may be brought 10 maturity
on the islands weeks earlier than near Will
miugton or Norfolk. They can be shipped
promptly and cheaply, and must bring high
prices.
The sea islands are, also, admirably
adapted to all semi-tropical fruits, such as
the orange, the lemon, the 6g, (Which is now
q paying crop 10 California, and bids fair
to drive the Smyrna 6g out of the market),
the almond, the grape, the strawberry,
(both of which last were successfully skip
ped from Aiken to New Yc last apring
and summer, and brought large prices), the
olive, the pecan nut, (Which brings about
as high price per pound as upland cot
tony, and many others can, and we believe
will be, grown on the splendid lands of our
Sea islands. And we would say to our peo-
pie, who own these lands: ..Do not part
slightly with your property. II is intrin-
'sically of great value, and The time may
"not be far off when their value will be
'better known and appreciated"
We may mention here an observation
made by an intelligent Northern man, to
show the value Of the situation of our lands.
| He said to the writer, while conversing
abou: the future of the South: "Why, sir,
sit costs more to insure the productions of
'the soil from Chicago to New York than
s'it does to transport them from Charleston
''to New York"
We have, indeed, in our favor, ever, thing
that the bounty of Nature can give Yet
must we give the soil an opportunity to dis
play its varied treasures; and this caano,