The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-17
S. C.
Thursday Morning, June II. 1863.
From a w.stcrn Edi,or.

cuhure, accompanied the Illinois editors
in their recent Southern excursion, and,
since his return, has written q. series of
very interesting articles, giving an ac-
count of the trip generally. with his
impressions of The country and the peo-
pie, and especially his views of the con-
dition of Agriculture in. the South, the
character and capacity of the soil, etc, &,
etc. The articles are written in kind
and generous spirit, but, at the same
time, with ffankness and candor. The
concluding article appeared in the Jour
nal OF. the 29th ult.. and, taking it for
granted that our readers would be
interested in learning what is said of us
and our country by a gentleman so kindly
disposed toward us, and of so much
intelligence, as DR.. Morse, wo make
room for the following extracts
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE.
Not much could be learned thoroughly
on this most important subjoct in such u
trip as we have described It is safe to
say, however, that the condition of agr-
culture in the South, so fur as we had an
opportunity to observe it, is very back.
ward There is q notable scarcity of
improved implements, and want of
skill for the use of them. We saw but
very little good plowing, most of it being
done with single mules or horses, with
cast iron plows of inferior shape, about
as large as our common corn plows
Plows with woo.len mould boards are
not uncommon in some localities. OF
I, nj g 70
are aware that different soils require
different plows, and that some soils will
not rs readily bear deep blowing as
others yet it is undoubtedly true that
nearly all soils may be improved by deep
plowing. With some. or perhaps most,
it is better to be depened gradually.
AS an excuse for using wooden mould
board plows, we heard it stated that they
could not get plows that would scour in
the cane-brake land. On this point we
asked st. Louis plow manufacturer,
who is extensively acquainted in the
South, who said there was. no officially
in making plows that would soour aud
do good work in the cane-brake land !;
they should be made of tool steel, and
he said, Southerh men will not pay the
price of them. They have been in the
habit Of buying their plows at about SIS
each, and will not pay $25 or $50 for
such steel pillow as would suit their
negroes like the plows they have been
accustomed to, aud dislike new things
They say our steel plows are very pretty
plows, but ''they amt mo account" We
certainly recommend little moro two
horse plowing for the South.
Another very notable feature is tho
grent scarcity of grass, clover, ETC. It is
evidently not rs easy TO grow grass at
the South rs ut the North. bnt we feel
confident that sufficient effort has not
been made in raising forage crops. That
rcd clever will grow there in many To-
oalities. wo thought was demonstrated
by the fact that we saw it growing along
the railroad, self-sowp; yet we did not
see field of clover. We saw Kentucky
blue grass doing we'll in Il cemutnr, at
Selma, but perhaps it would not do rs
we'll without shade. Lucernc, we are
confident. wonld do well on many of the
Southern soils. Ii moro forage crops
can be raised in the South, and more
cattle kept, n great gain may he effected
The fertility of the soil may be main
tanned by II greater variety and better ro-
tation of crops, as well as by the manure
afforded by cattle "No grass, no cattle;
no cattle, no manure; no manure, no
grain" is motto we'll worth consider
ing by farmers everywhere. There is at
present manifest]y great disposition to
agricultural improvement in the South,
probably much greater than ever existed
before-a disposition to cut up the i'm
mense plantations.
TEMPER OF THE SoUTHERNERs
Some of our readers will desire and
expect US to say something of the state
of feeling among Southern people. We
give it as our conviction, from all that
we have learned, that most of the best
men of the South-those whose opinions
are most valuable-are satisfied, rs they
repeatedly said, to accept the situation,
to let politics alone, and to direct their
attention to the industrial interests of the
country as the true source of prosperity.
We are we'll satisfied that, in the locali-
ties we visited, any Northern man may
locate for industrial pursuits, and be well
coined and we'll treated Ii he goes there
to seek official positions the case will be
quite different. That many mere adven
f,,ra o,,1 nrt1 1,1a 1,