The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-08
LABOR AND THE CROPS.
Practical Hints for the Times.
ELMwooD, EDaEFIELD. s. c.,
lime 6. 1870.

ouhC ", 1OiV.
all is bright with the planters and farmers
at this time. The recent rains, with warn
growing weather, have produced wonderful
effect upon the different crops In cultivation al
this time. The stands of cotton, together with
the size up to the present time, are better
than for many years past; the quantity planted
is equal to that planted last year, and perhaps
greater; and blooms may be seen In this district
in few days hence. The different manures
used the present year also promise to pay q
great deal better than the past. The cultiva-
tlon and labor are decidedly better, Us the
laborers begin to find ont that we'll culti-
waited field yields them better pay than one that
is half done. Also the laborers are
beginning to try to excel one another
in keeping their crops Clean Of grass;
aid are doing their ploughing and hoeIng
to perfection in the sandy portion of the dis
trict. The Columbia and Augusta Railroad
runs through portion of these lands, which
are considered the garden portion of the dis
trlct.
The corn crop looks we'll and promises a
large yield for the quantity planted at this
time, and should the seasons continue as they
have done for the past three weeks, up to the
middle of July next, there will be three times
the quantity made of the same land the pres
ent year than was made last, and the quantity
planted is perhaps greater than the past year.
But am one of those planters that differ with
many of my contemporaries In the quantity OF
grain and that of cotton planted. Why
not plant two-thirds In grain and one-third in
cotton, and live independently, and not have
our corn-cribs and meat houses In the West, as
has been the case for the past four years, aud
will continue to be so as long as thu. planter
continues this mode Of farming? Certainly
two-thirds of our crop planted in grain in the
best land will give us bread and meat plenty,
and to spare; and one-third In cotton will
give us Just as much money and great deal
less labor; and why not all do it Some re-
ply, sit will not do to plant corn. or raise hogs,
or stock of any kind, as It is so liable to be depre
dated upon so often" Why Is not cotton
deprecated upon as often But suppose
there being such large quantity on hand, Ills
not so easily missed. Now, If this be trnG,
would not the same logic work we'll In raising
a large quantity OF grain and stock of all
kinds But am depressing from my subject,
and will return to 1t.
The wheat and oat crops are very good. and
are being harvested at this time. Tie latter
the rains have brought out considerably, and
comes in at an opportlne time, us there Is no
corn IN the country lOr StOck' anu even h',il
the farmers have to buy their bread and meat.
/ have often thought, suppose we had no rail-
roads, what would be the price of corn with
us? Certainly we would have Confederate
prices. and no greenbacks to pay for the prime
necessities of life. and perhaps in the long run
might prove blessing, for we would have
only one of three choices to fall upon-elther
to make supply, or go where 1t Is, or perish.
But will return to my subject again.
The fruit crop will be very good-a supera-
bundance of apples, cherries and pears, and
good supply of peaches in the upper portion OF
the district. The lower or sandy portion
blooming earlier, was considerably thinned
out by the late frost But the never-failins
fruit crop is the blackberry, which can be soon
gathered in any quantities. must here add
that this fruit comes in an opportune time for
man as we'll as beast. and must eXclaim,
''While the fields are so green, and the Sky so
blue, marblue, parblue, what pleasant eXcur-
sion after blackberries."
The different melon crops will be large, and
of choice selection, Of the largest kind, the
vines commencing to flower.
Garden vegetables have been scarce through
the month OF May, but since the rains have
commenced, there will be any quantity In
few days SENES.