Wilmington journal., 1869-07-16

in favor of concentration. It was vastly
easier to manure and cultivate a small
| farm and house the crop on it than to do
the same on farm double its size, even
though the amount produced were the
same on both. Many other observations
connected with the subjeet were offered,
and the idea advanced that where agood
| wild range was convenient, the INVESTMENT
| of surplus capital j., cattle could be made
profitable He contended that by detail
| ing boy with horse and cart whose eN-
| elusive business should be to drive out
| cattle TO the range and bring them up
| daily, and employing the interval in haul
ing into the cattle pen, wood, litter, muck,
&c, and by changing the pen every two or
| three weeks, large area could be fertiG-
zed by the teaching Of the elements of fer
tility, which would be carried down into
the soil beneath the pens and by the accu-
mutation above the ground of a great
quantity of excellent manure. He thought
| it safe calculation that iii u year fifty
head of cattle managed in this way would
manure half that number Of acres. During
seven months these cattle could be
supported in the range without e1-
pense, and during the remaining
! Eve months of Winter and Spring they
should be fed on roots and forage made Oh
the plantation. In addition to the manure
you would have the proceeds arising from
the sales of beef cattle, which, with good
and convenient market, and no disease
among the cattle, ought to amount to 30
per cent. per annum on the value of the
cattle. The milk and butter would add
still further to the profits. The merits of
that plan were now discussed by Major Q.
W. McClammy, G. E. Shepherd and D.
Mcmillan, Esqs. Major McClammy con-
sidered investment in cattle too uncertain.
in view OF the great mortality which had
prevailed In recent years and mentioned
the loss of forty head out of herd of sixty
| owned by his father and himself.
| Mr.. G. E. Shepard was of opinion that
sheep were better investment than cattle.
In this opinion Mr.. d. Mcmillan concur
red, and went on to make statement Of
| the cost of flock Of sheep he had purcha-
sed few years ago, and the amount and
value of wool and mutton sold by him from
the flock. amounting to profit Of nearly
| thirty-fve per cent. per annum.
The discussion was interrupted by the
announcement Of dinner, which was ruled
by the Chair to cut off all debate. (See
Hemsard PIP. 1886, and Jefferson's Manu-
al PIP. 999). The Club, after dining
sumptuousy on tho most excellent fare
provided by the ladies of Mr.. Nixon's
family, of which fare the pure juice of the
grape made without the addition of any
sacoharine or alcoholic matter constituted
an important feature, resumed and con-
tinued for some time the consideration of
the subject. After the discussion was
closed the chair announced Mr.. William
Kings as the place for the next meeting,
and the following as the subject for con-
sideration: ''What market crops and
what system of farming should demand
Our attention in the event Of the peanut
crops becoming unprotitable?"
d. Mcmillan, Esq, was appointed to
open the discussion and ". IL. Pearce al
ternate
Maj. G. W. McClammy then brought to
the attention of the Association the sub
ject cf manufacturing for its members a
reliable fertilizer, either from the Charles
ton phosphate or some other suitable ma
terial as a basis, and moved the appoint
ment OF a committee OF three to investi-
gate the me tier and report if convenient,
to the next meeting of the Associations -
This motion being carried Major q. w.
McClammy, DR.. H. III. Robinson and D.
Mcmillan, Esq, were appointed as the
Committee. On motion the presiding Off
cer, Mr.. r. X. Bryan, WAS added to the
Committee,
The prospect Of a shower of rain pre-
vented the customary visit TO the farm of
Mr.. A. L. Nixon, and the vineyard of Mr..
Alonzo Nixon, twenty acrcs in extent and
embracing many varieties of our most
valuable native grapca). A. specimen of
the B1inley plow Tone hofse) used en- the
place was examined by members of the
Club and highly recommended, but it's
cost-$I2, was de",ocl an obstacle to its
Introduction.
En- COM