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

| not of the number of those who think that
our sea islands are ruined forever, and that
it is impraoticable, with free labor and the
danger of the caterpillar, to make the
planting of long even moderately
profitable. We believe that there is no
| sound reason why the sea islands should
not be made, by the continued and judioious
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 sen islands are of great
value, and that they can give good ao-
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 o market for purchases
and sales; they have all the facilities which
high degree Of civilization can give, and
upon them can be grown oil the fruits, veg
etables and plants of semi tropical climes
They are admirably adapted to system of
diversified agriculture. Upon them may
be produced we'll nigh anything, from fat
lamb to juicy orange Therefore is it,
and not because our great staple must needs
be Improbable, that we should not give
our faith to cotton alone, and that we should
eadeavor to turn to the best account the
latent powers of our islands, so as to have
many strings to our bow and 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 coils for about $40 per
ton In United states currency 4 would
not be necessary ~ expert tic Esparto.
The paper mills ID the North and South
would consume I'll that we could produo4.
South Carolina should be able to supply the
raw material to every paper mill in tn e
United States
Second. The hop, the cultivation of which
is very simple. It requires but little labor
except at harvest time, and is highly profta-
BILE, the principal expense being for the
poles upon which the hop climbs. And
hops, whatever the moral condition of the
freedmen, would not be stolen as other
crops are. In 1850, three and half mil
lion pounds Of hops were produced in the
United States. New York reported two
million Eve hundred and thirty-six thou
sand pounds and South Caroliua twenty six
pounds.
Third. The Palma Christi, or castor oil
plant, which should be 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 twenty 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 information in regard to
Ramie in o few days.
Fifth Garden truck for the markets of
Charleston and the Northern cities. We be-
lieve that the same labor and care which is
given to the planting OF cotton would, if
given to the sweet potato, Weld the farmer
as large an average profit ..s cotton itself.
All vegetables may BIO brought to maturity
on the islands weeks earlier than near Will
mington or Norfolk. They can be shipped
promptly and cheaply, and must bring high
prices.
The sea islands are, also, admirably
adapted to oil semi-tropical fruits, such as
the grange, the lemon, the fig, (Which is now
paying crop in California, and bids fair
to drive the Smyrna fig cut Of the .market),
the almond, the grape, the strawberry,
(both Of which last were successfully ship.
ped FROM Aiken to New York last spring
and summer, and brought large prices), the
olive, the pecan nut, (Which brings about
as high price per pouRd 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 cwn these lands: nDo not pert
eighty with your property. 1t is intrin-
"sioally Of great value, and the time may
"not be for off when their, value will be
"better known and appreciated"
We may mention here an observation
made by an intelligent Northern man, to
shew the value Of the situation Of our lands.
He said to the writer, while cenversing
about the future of the South: "Why, sir,
''it oosta more to insurs the productions Of
"the soil from Chicago to New York than
ut docs to trasspoys them from. Charleston
"to New York.p
We have, indeed, in our.favor, everyt thing
i that the hAuntv NJ Matinee 80. nv ~ .