The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-11-02
Tas 1zaEyiaisIf n ASsiselEarsi HaiES-Ors-
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cess, = On the laird day the visitors xssFe
estimated at twenty thousand. On che
same day, the orator of the day, w. W.
Bowie, Esq, delivered the annual address.
In an eloquent vein. Mr.. Bowie traced
the rise of the effects of the State Agri-
cultural and Mechanics! Society OF Ma
,ryland. The improved culture In Ma
ryland, the improved residences of
farmers, the improved herds and focks
ALI these he thought could be traced to
that active agent-that moving power
the State Agricultural Society. In hor-
tionlture, too, he saw the influence of
the Society. Mr.. Bowie states that the
products Of the orchards alone, in Ma
ryland, for 1868, amounted to over $1,-
900, 900, and that the market-gardens
exceeded that amount. he alluded, also,
to the improved taste OF the people, as
illustrated in the desire of the public
mind for beautiful trees, shrubs and
flowers, with Which to beautify public
aud private grounds. AS to the i'm
provements in agriculture, proper. he
regarded this as most decided. Mr.. Bo-
vie lays down the following rules as those
generally agreed upon:
l. Clean and deep cultlre, with tho
rough pulverizstion.
2. Efectual draining by open ditches,
and under draining with tiles-that be-
ing every way the easiest, quickest, most
effectual. and beyond doubt the cheapest
and most economical, under any circum-
stances.
8. Pulverizing stiff, and compacting
light soils.
4. Free use of lime and the phos-
pha les with heavy manuring, in oonnec-
ton with as much shade as can be given
the land by coarse manure, straw, brush,
leaves. or, If possible, grasses. There
are several ingenious and beautiful the
ories as to the n,odus operdndi Of fertility
being impaired to the soil by the action
1T shade alone, but shall not detain you
by repeating the arguments in their sup
port. Upon this and kindred branches
of agricultural philosophy, Mr.. Clemson
has written eloquently and with great
ingenuity and power.
B. Thick sowing of mixed grasses when
the land ia seeded to lie in grass for forage
or pasture.
6. Top-dressing grass, instead OF turn
Ing under manure for crops. Home
made, long manure here referred to.
z. Bones, next to lime, is the most de-
sirable and economical of all fertilizers,
and hence the most remunerative.
8. JUDIC1oUs ROTATION IN CROPS. In
this matter every man is guided by cir
Ia 10 Ia
means, but as general rule, we do not
rotate enough or lot land lie long enough
in grass, by which three things might be
attuined-more stock, surer success in
clover and increased crops, with less hard
labor, although we would have more
light work. Cattle and grass hold to be
the cheapest and most permanent of all
fertilizers. Outlay is necessary, but homo
production of fertilizing materials should
not be neglected merely because foreign
or domestic manufactured fertilizers are
more easily applied and are easily OBJ
tained. 1t is good and judicious farming
to expond in bought fertilizers at least
four per cont. on tho whole cash valuo of
the. farm, per annum. besides top dressing
at least onc-fifth Of the arabic land with
a heavy dressing of such manure, straw,
chat, leaves, weeds, muck, clay, &C., as
can be furnished by the farm itself. He
who can pursue this course will, in five
years, be paid we'll for his outlay, and
have his land wonderfully improved in
fertility. Itshould always be remembered
to have manure there must be cattle, and
to have cattle there must be grass.
Mr.. Bowie next referred in just terms
to tho claims of the agricultural interest
upon the country and to the fact that
hitherto the legislators of the land have
failed to do justice to this vital branch of
industry. He commended to the Society
the following subjects as worthy of consi-
derationin connection with the agricuitu-
raj interest, viz: Public education; roads;
organization i'll behalf of agricultural in
terests, and internal improvents, such as
canals and railroads. In connection with
our approaching Fair, these matters will
be regarded with interest. There is, in
deed. u freshness and charm about agri-
cultural pursuits, which always invests
this branch with importance in the esti-
nation of refined and elevated souls
THE stateeman, lawyer, man of trade,
Rant for the refugo of some rural shade.