The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-01-29

the 9Th Of July, whether it could make
anything at all. The season, however, was
good, and when the plant escaped it leaped
into growth and huited beyond all expeeta-
ton, producing crop which I think my fac
tors books will show was very noarly bag to
the hand. 1t was, however, far behind other
crops in maturity, and the crop OF caterpillars,
so to speak, though growing slowly from the
at late period sufficient headway to do me in-
Jury. My crop alone was found IN the condi-
ton to sustain or grow them with facility. All
others were far too mature. Now, had the
season been such as to deyelope these worms
early in the growth Of the plant, it could
scarcely have made ten pounds to the whole
crop, or, indeed a pod of cotton. an impor-
the fact that late crops, though not really pro-
ducing the worm, yet in reality may nurture
hordes of the worms that would have otherwise
perished for want CT food.
II is true that great exciting causes
might produce and develop them without the
coincidence Of succulent crop to nourlsh
them, but, being at first few IN numbers, they
would come on slowly. and, perohance, with
hot and dry summer the first brood would not
appear in the crops at all, and even with wet
August it could scarcely appear before Octo-
ber-too late to do serious injury.
Bear it IN mind that these insects are hatched
and grown. The hatchlng depends on the
season. If The plant is very mature when the
worms are first hatched in any appre oiable
numbers, tie brood Of caterpillars fails for
want of proper nourishment. II, on the con-
trary, the crop is in favorable condition to
feed the tender young worms IN their differ
ent broods, the Matching, whatever it may be-.
is carried through the worm state without ap-
preciable diminution towards another brood,
while under other circumstances there would
have been largo diminution. Such dimi-
mutton at the first produces very appreciable
effect when the producing moths at the most
are few, (but few having escaped the vicissi-
tudes OF the year, When they become e1-
they should lose three-fourths of each brood,
enough arc still accumulated to destroy the
crops.
With the two past years we nave found it inn
possible to make our crops grow of. We have
had no spring, and just such seasons as our
past experience would have warranted us in
prounouncinG beforehand as best adapted to
the production Of the worm. The statement
about the eggs being found in tho pith of the
stalk is ridiculous and impossible for the little
moth that lays the egg is too feeble, and
has nothing wherewth to pierce the wood OF
the stalk.
On the whole, it seems to me that with va-
ried seasons, timely planting, genial springs
and we'll prepared fields we might reasonably
speaking more strictly, have no ground for
supposlne otherwise.
Slaior John Jenkins. OF Edisto, informs me
that his cotton planted on what is known as
salt or reclaimed marsh land entirely escaped
the ravages OF the worm, both IN '67 and '6S,
the worms proving very destructive on the
high lands Immediately contiguous.
This would seem to indicate the Tree use OF
salt as O preventative, but whatever good r.ay
be effected by such use, it should be remem-
bered that We cannot reach by an artificial
supply OF salt without destroying vegetation,
such saline condition ct the soil as that OF
the salt m ,rsh land, and thus, without consid-
ering cost Of large application of salt, we
must confess our incapacty to approximate to
the properties of the salt marsh without rem
derlng it unfit for all vegetation.
have observed myself the singular exemp-
ton from the rayages of the worm experienced
in 'GG, CT and 'eS, in a cotton field disposed to
rust. The soil OF this field has medium yell
low sandy loam, having nodules OF ferruginous
sand scattered over the surface, mixed with
the SOIL
In 1866 there was no appearance Of caterpillar
at all in the part VI this planted 1eld. In 1857
one COCOON anu one worm was alone seen. In
1868, the whole field being planted, the worms
did some slight damage, scarcely appreciable.
This field natures very early, and in ordinary
seasons, without manure, would probably rust
badly.
In one instance. then, we have salt marsh
lands exempted from injury for two years, when
the fields around were rayaged by the worm.
In another, in lands having iron largely incor.
porated with it, the same entire exemption Is
afforded in two consecutive years, and very
nearly the same in the third, whilst the other
fields were eaten up.
[ think, however, I have known ''salt land"
cotton eaten, and 80. also, that grown on
land disposed to rust, but never to the same
extent as on other lauds.
This article is summary of the very best in
formation 1 can give upon this subject would
be happy 10 answer any inquiry iu connection
with this matter. and will thankfully receive
information from any one who will commune
cate with me through 1HH NEWS Office, or 9TH
erwise. think it impossible to destroy these
insects. There may be wholesome results
reached by every effort towards promoting the
early growth OF the plant. My advice is not to
plant too soon, but simply 10 time. Cotton
well put in, from the 1st to 18th OF April, is
abundantly in time. have yet to learn any ad-
''' ~ JOHN ". R. POPE.
P. ST. propose, at my leisure, to examine
fo- your columns the following subjects:
[. The method Of cultivating long cotton,
and now far We may vary from the old approved
plan with safety.
2. A careful review of every mercantile ma
Qufe SOIu III CQc OHllCu WuII CdCu
ticle promises for itself; its constituent elc-
ments; its relation to the constituents ofplanLs
cultivated, and its relation to the many home
made manures hitherto used with marked sue
cess; its price, and it's relative economy in dis
tribution in the fields.
g. Prlce OF cotton, and its relative injury to
painters when compared with disaster arising
from natural causes.
l. Wealth of planter and spinner compared;
showing how the producer has fallen short OF
tho manufacturer IN profit.
5. Tho necessity OF cotton board, and
its organization.
G. Inc area of long cotton planted, and the
necessary reduction of crop of 1869, owing to
planters being obliged to resort to tho 'two-
day system" for want Of ,pital.
T. The necessity of the long cotton crop to
Charleston, Sc.
8. The economy of growing grain crops and
raising cattle in relation to price OF cotton as
enabling the producer to hold against buyer,
equal, in somo Instances, to half crop Of
cotton.
9. The growth Of manufactures at the South,
arising from the necessity OF investing, in some
way o small surplus of profits derived from
the raising OF cotton. Tho cheaper the row
material tho greater the inducements to manu-
facturc at home.
7 will with pleasure, retro from any one of
these subjects should any other writer under
take it.
AFFAIRS IN THE STATE.
Columbia.
Il - Il 4