The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1872-08-14
For the Herald.
SHEPHARDsToWN, ". Va,
Aupust 2nd. 1872,

SHEPHARDsTowN, ". Va,
August End, 1872.
DEAR FRIEND GRENEKER:
have received letters inquiring about
lands, &C., in this country, and I take this
opportunity and this methol Of speaking
word to the friends IN Newbery, who think
South Carolina one OF the poorest places in
the United States.
It is true that distance lends enchant-
ment to the view,' and that We ere TOO apt
to think all other places better than our
OWE.
have just been over large portion of the
famous Valley Of Virginia--the finest por-
ton of West Virginia, and the central part
Of Maryland. have seen the finest lands in
these three States, and the finest in the East
ern and Southeastern portion Of the United
States. have, within the last few days,
seen thousands Of acres that will make from
thirty to seyenty-fvc bushels Of corn per
acre: and wisL &c sey what I have often
heard others gay, and what your people will
not Believe, viz: that there are thousands Ct
acres in Newberry just as good originally,
ss the finest lands here, aud with the same
culture will make nearly IS much corn, from
fve to ten bushels more of wheat or rye, just
as much hay, to say nothing Of your supe-
rior advantages in cotton and climate. The
difference is not iu land but in the cultiva-
ton. Lands here that sell for from fifty te
one hundred ard fifty dollars per acre, ere
20 better in themselves than land that in
Newberry can be bought for ten.
While your people, in July, arc either toll
ing in their cotton rows, o. lying around,
these are hauling out great lots Of barnyard
manure, spresding it over the land, until the
soil IS almost hidden, and then turning it
under with three or four horse plows from
twelve to eighteen inches deep, thus making
q soil broken and pulverized to the depth of
twelve or fifteen inches. This land is put in
wheat this fell, and after all their work, they
get in return not more than ar average of
twelve or fifteen bushels of wheat. / speak
now Of the average farms. Now take
your best land, or your average land, and
cultivate it that way, and you will get thirty
bushels of wheat, and forty bushels Of corn,
or bale Of cotton.
There certainly can more money he made
by farming in South Carolina, with the same
labor, than in this country.
Our farmers there must come to some sys-
tenn Of farming, and that system must cut
their farms down to one-half per hand and
horse that they Eow have, and introduce
rotation of crops, by which the land will be
improved every three years, until it becomes
rich, and then it will be easy to keep it so.
There are rich farms here that were once az
DOOR as Maj Baxter's farm beyond the Gem
etery.
Farming too, is much harder here than in
Newberry-the soil is stiff ald requires
great deal Of narrowing and. rolling to pal
Verize it, while yours breaks up mellow
Much Of the farm labor must bc doII1 in the
fall and spring, in snow and ice and cold.
while you Geo enjoy the warm sunshine.
Timber is an item here, and every part Of
the most snarlly tree must he mauled up
into ire wood, while you waste mere than
farmers here use
The dwellings Sand barns are generally
good and must, on account Of the severity
of the winters, be made comfortable. Every
farmer here tries to have several three horse
plows, horse thresher, mower, horse
rake, horse drill, and some three or four
different kinds Of frames for hauling in his
crops. The consequence is, to buy one
hundred acre farm, and stock it, and get
ready sor farming Gs it should be done, cost
g man about ten thousand dollars. Then he
IS only ready to begin life Of toll, out Of
which le must make his support, but when
thus prepared, it is one Of the surest and
| happ:sst ways he can earn livelihood, and
ne q: once becomes the most independent Of
men.
Another difference is, the farmers them
selves labor. Some Of the most intelligent
and substantial citizens, graduates Of COL
leges, end public officers Of the County or
State, make hand in the farm, and it is
not dsreputable at all for gentlemen and
!adiee to labor. The consequence is, we
have but few drores, who spo-. their canes
| and change their dress three times day.
All, old and young. contribute to the wealth
Of the country, and the happiness and com
fort of the domestic circle, by doing some
Suing. And yet there are no people 70 be
found who enjoy life With greater relish
! than ours.
We have more social parties snd public
gatherings than you do, and our people en-
;oy each others society to the full.
In conclusion, let me say to my friends in
Newberry, altogether, you have one Of the
finest coun tries the sun ever snone upon,
but your farming system needs great improve
! nent, and your social system needs modifi-
cation, and then plenty and happiness will
reign in your midst in spite Of GRAFT OF
Greeley. We hope that Uncle Horace will
do better for you than Grant has done. We
| are stalking our cast up here on Uncle Hor-
! ace.
! Our doctrine is, he can't be raeaner, and
we know he is much smarter than Grant, so
we 60 for him.
Yours, &c., J. Fl.
Scorr DESERTS GRAST.-En speech at