The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-12-09

, future day. BY tcese IL appears Ina
, the deaths among slaves were less thai
among free blacks, 333 per cent; tba
births among the free were 353 per cent
less than among the slave; and that tn
net increase of slaves was 1903 per cent
greater than that of the free blacks
These statistics may be valuable as enab
lingius to approximate what will be, o.
what should be, the number of negro la
borers in the South during any year VI
to 1890 and to ascertain what effect free
dom has had on the mortality and tht
ratio of increase among the blacks.
Turning, now, from the laborer to hi'
work, we have to consider what system
of culture is the most productive -ano
here have no hesitation in saying that
the system which calls to its aid the ap
pliances of skill and science, will always
other things being equal, prove the most
successful. l do not propose to enter into
the, details of cotton planting, nor to give
the best plan for its cultivation, because
the same rules will not apply to all Iocaii
ties, and because time will not permit me
to do more than touch on the grand fun
damental principles which should govern
all intelligent planters. The problem for
our solution is how we can obtain the
minimum cost. We cheaper labor by in
creasing its productiveness, for while we
may in doing the latter have to pay high,
or wages we receive for tho work done
larger profits. - Our object should be not
| to enlarge the acres of cultivation, but to
make every acre. cultivated yield to its
highest capacity. The labor. with which
we cultivate one acre producing from 600
to 1000 pounds OF seed cotton, costs as
much as that which would make that same
acre bring 5000 pounds. Is it economy
to use labor, which is now money, SO that
it will only make from ten acres what it
can as easily make from fve2 If our Ia
borers cultivate ten acres to the hand, is
it not best to plant only half that quantity
in cotton, working our crops under tho
improved system which experience and
science have taught, and TO devote the
other moiety TO grain and grasses? These
propositions do.not admit ola doubt, and
the question then arises, how is the pro-
ductiveness of our lands to be brought to
its highest pitch? Here, again, refer
YOU to your own great authorities in
Georgia, only saying that the prime secret
of success in planting is in thorough pre-
paration and careful culture. A crop that
is properly planted is already half made,
and its subsequent cultivation is compar-
ativeIy easy.
:. But in order to prepare and cultivate
our land properly. we must use all the
means which modern skill and recent
science have offered. This skill has placed
in our hands improved implements OF
husbandry, while science teaches US how
to use them, what fertilizers to apply and
the best mode of their applications. 1t
was by means fiber labor-saving machines
that the North was able to keep up her
agricultural and mechanical interests du
ring the war, notwithstanding the heavy
drain OF her laboring population. Eng
land has increased the yield OF wheat four
bushels per acre by the use Of tho steam
plow, while McCormick's reaper performs
the work OF many men in harvesting the
golden sheaves. 1t should be source Ct
pride to us that these two great labor
saving machines, which are revolutions
zing the agricultural operations OF the
world, are the inventions of Southern
men; for BiIlinger, the inventor of the
plow, was 'al South Carollnian, and Nc
Cormick Virginian. If we hope keep
pace with the enlightened farmers OF other
countries, we must hasten to employ the
means that givo them success. Every nd
vantage of soil and OF climate is with us,
and if we fail in the great race the fault
will be ours. Let us then, my brother
planters, strive manfully for that suprem-
acy. which our kind mother, Nature her
self, intended US to enjoy. Let US prove
ourselves worthy of her benefcence; Let
US leave to placemen and partisans the
troubled field of politics to seek peace,
recreation and happiness in those more
congonial, more alluring and more honor
able ones given by her.
"N (! for the fevered city's glare and noise
Change not your purer scenes and calmer joys.
On the glad fields, if bounteous seasons pour,
In golden harvests, wealth unknown before,
Adoru your homes-with taste md skill impars,
New charms to nature by The help of art.
Teach plants of other climes, and stranger now
ers,
To breathe their fragrance on your na'i'c oo"Si0
With fairer herds the dairy's wealth increase;
On growing focks beslow finer fleece.
Give to the courser wings to sweep afar.
Your country's pennon through the fields of war.
Enclose, drain, till, with nicer hand, prepare
Field. medoaw, orchard, with increasing care.
Help, with more open hand the neighbor's need:
On With the plow, each generous feeling speed.
The genial board prepare with fresh delight
Yet warmer make each hospitable rite"
These are the calm and pure pleasures
which agriculture holds out; these are the
dnties il exacts from its votaries. Our
duty to our country demands that we
shonld devote all our energies, our hands,
ourIe our hearts, our souls to the restoration of
uro r,roener;tv: TO the ro-establishment of law
and order; OF smiling peace and tranquil
happiness, throughout all the limits OF our
,IrrI siortb Tat ,s lift lYer no from