The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-03
THE GROWING CROPS.
PROSPECTS OF THE PLANTERS.
A Glance over the Southern Field.

We take the following summary of informc-
ton with regard to the present condition and
prospects of the Southern crops from the May
number of the Rural Carolinian. 1t is COM
prehensve and we'll digested budget ofinte,-
llgence that will be welcomed with eager in
terest by all classes Of our readers:
South Carolina.
Our reports from this State are more nume-
rous and full than those from any other. We
deduce from tlie heavy package of returned
circulars before us the following facts:
]. The SeaSon.-Returns Indicate that the
spring has been uncommonly wet, cold and
backward III most localities Four-flfths at
least ofs our correspondents report ''wet, y
Every wet" or 'wet and cold," to about
the middle of April. There are exceptions. "A
correspondent In York County reports "dry for
this season" Others in Anderson, Lancaster,
Edgefeld and Newbcrry, return "seasonable," /"
fine farming weather" "neither very wet nor
very dry" &c. On the whole, we may set
down the spring in South Carolina as toet, cold
and backward.
2. Preparation for Crops and Planting
In consequence OF the condition of the season,
as indicated In the previous section, the prepa-
ration of the soil was delayed and theplanting
was late.
8. The Small Grain Crops.-There is an in
creased acreage In the small grains, especially
oats, as compared with last year. Present
prospects at the time the returns were made
only moderate, as rule, but some report
them as looking exceedingly well.
4. Cotton.-It was too early when many
of our returns were made to enable cores
pondents to reply with confidence to our
inquiry in regard to!the acreage in cotton.
A majority of those who make returns on this
point set IL down as about the same as last
year. From Barnwell, Richland, York, New
berry, Fairfield, Marion, Chesterfield and
but, as might be expected, our returns are
often conflicting. One from Richland returns
the amount es less than last year. Probably
there is In the State only a slightly increased
acreage in cotton, compared with last year,
but better preparation Of the soil and heavier
manuring. Improved seed, especially Dick
sons, is more generally planted.
PLANTED as last year, we Judge, but there may
be q slight increase. The preparation OF the
soil and manuring, as In the case of cotton, is
better than last wear.
6. Rice.-In regard to this crop We have
few returns.
Z. Sorghum, &c.-The culture Of sorghum is
increased. but not largely. Broom-corn and
castor oil bean are being tried by few.
8. LGbOr.-The freedmen are reported as
very generally either under contract of some
kind or farming for themselves. Few Of the
women are in the field. Wages from five to
ten dollars month and rations, or from one
third to one-halt of the crop-generally one
third. Labor is almost universally scarce.
Very few immigrants are reported. Those
month, with board A great desire Is ex-
pressed for more, especially Germans.
9. Mdnuring.-The commercial fertilizers
have been used much more extensively than
ever before, especially Charleston made phos-
phatic manures.
10. Preparation Of the Soil, &c.-Improve-
ments in the use Of better implements and the
deeper and more thorough preparation of the
soil are very general and decided; but In some
neighborhoOds no Improvement Is noted. We
tr,ist that another year will find the progress
universal.
BRIEF EXTRACTS.
Anderson County.-Labor is very scarce In
this section. and. think, over the county
there is not more than one farmer In ten with
which there Is not hand. do not know OF
one but would employ one or more additional
hands If they could get them. ]. N. S.
EershaD COunty.-Let me make sugges-
tion for your ampliacatlon. Encourage, by all
influence in your power, the Introduction OF
white labor, both foreign immigrants and
'.tenant farmers" the latter from Jersey, If
we can get them. w. n. ).
lNe,cberry County.-I have cross Of the At
rican and native sheep which are very fine.
The wool is of excellent quality for domestic
purposes. The mutton Is delicious. The sheep
are large and we'll adapted TO our use. Wan
do. Wilcox & Gibbs's manipulated, Peruvian
and Phoenix, are the leading manures; many
others are being used, but these seem to be the
best. 1t is difficult to get the Wando, and
everybody wants 1t. There will be more used
this year than last. j. A. y.
Ciera,o Cou,,ty-Deep ploughing is the or
der pf the day in preparing the soil; but no
labor-saving implements have been introduced.
No improved stock except the Chester hogs
and the EsseY-Chester preferable. A. J. W.
Marion County.-Commerclal manures are
last year. The Carolina Fertilizer, Baughs
Phosphate, Soluble Pacific, Wando, Etiwan,
Phoenix and Navassa. Deep ploughing and
subsoing are largely on the increase. A few
cotton planters have been used, which have
proved satisfactory. Some Devon cattle, not
thorough. A good many Chester hogs, but
the Essex is becoming. popular. No sneep out
Grape-growing on a small scale Is becoming
pretty common; Scuppernong and Its allies
the principal vines. E. b. +.
AbGeuille COunty.-I never have heard OF so
much sllbsoiling before, or such an anxiety 10
use any implement that is considered "a No.
II few reapcrs, threshers, mowers, sub
soil ploughs, two-horse ploushs, are In use.
Au seem TO be pleased. The Chester hog Is
not liked here, but grade Chester and Berk-
shire, or Chester and Essex, Is considered the
hog for our county. The Merlno sheep are
liked There is large area Of land in barley
and clover, and the grasses generally, than
ever before. J. d. G.
williamsburg County.-The prosperity Of
our county, in q farning point of view, Is fifty
per cent better than when the war closed.
T. II. K.
York County.-In this section the freedmen
are working better, better stock Is used, and
better selection of seed is going to be plant
ed. Consequently. better crop is expected.
j. w. A.
Ne,ebe7y Cointy.-That lack Of labor will
force the farmers to introduce labor-savlng
machines, more thorough preparation OF the
soil, and q more liberal use OF fertilizers, to
insure better results from the area planted, is
apparent to all. 10 W. II.
Marlboro Coanty.-While planters and farm
ers are generally more careful in the prepara-
tion of their soil than formerly. but few are
beginning to use the subsoll plough ioL
of Murfee's subsoil ploughs offered for
sale at Bennettsrllle, sold out Immediately.
Labor-saring implements have not been lntro,
duccd here yet to any extent. ! have neara
of none of the more expensive KINDS. Ihere
is some improved stock in tile county, al
though but few Of pure breeds, being
mostly crossed with the common breeds. we
have cattle crossed with Devon, hoSs Win
the Chester county, white and Essex Out
few sheep and goats: and these OF the common