The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-27
IFRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENCE

ELAWooD, EDGEFIELD, 3. u, Marcn 70.
Since my last communication to you few
weeks ago, the weather continues unfavorable
for the farmer and planter. Snow is now fall
ing heavily upon the ground, and has covered
1t several inches deep, and continues to fell up
to four o'clock P. H., being the heaviest snow
we have had this winter. This will keep Inc
land go wet that no corn of consequence WILL
be planted this month; and but few planters
have any planted up TO this date. All vegeta-
tion Is fully month behind last year. The
peach. pear, plum and apple trees show 1t.
They are lust commenced blooming; and on
the 10th of February last year they were
further advanced than they are now. Many
good fruit year. hope it may prove 80; but
Ihave seen fruit killed by frost in May.
All vegetable gardens Look very much as
they do in January, as all the seed sown was
killed few nights ago, including potatoes,
which were up. So everything has gloomy
appearance at this lime with us. Very little
ploughiDg has been dGne in preparing land for
either cotlon or corn, as lhe lana mas osea ,i
inundated with water for the past 1ve
months, and what has been ploughed In clay
land is the worst for 1T, as IL Is equally as
hard as that which was not; and further,
when land has been covered win water
so long we cannot reasonably expect
large yield Of either cotton or corn, as we
have lost all the benefits Of the winter freeze,
the soil being beaten, packed and bleached
with so much rain. In TACT, there has been
more rain within the past five months In this
portion of the State than we had 10 the two
years of 1874 aud l845; the latter being the
dryest year ever known In the whole South
and West; corn being worth two dollars per
bushel (where railroads were not conveniently
during the following winter and spring. One
extreme brings on another, as 1t was then;
Hamburg, S. c., was completed inundated and
nearly destroyed, few years after this. by
the waters of the Savannah River. And !
fear that we shall have very dry spring and
summer, judging from past experience.
The wheat ana oat crop looks fair, consider
ing the severe winter 1t has passed through.
But these crops are not as large as they
should have been, or would have been could
the grain have been ploughed In.
present year will vary very little from last
year-perhaps little more cotton. stated
In nv last communication that thought there
would be considerably more cotton planted
the present year than last, and, upon general
information, fnd 1t will not vary much.
The premium melon raiser In this county,
Samuel Marsh, is going 10 plant heavy crop.
as be informed me a few days ago. Mr. Marsn
not only makes the biggest melons III the
County, but generally has excellent truit
also.
Our court has Just adjourned, after session
of near three weeks. No disturbance OF any
kind has taken place In old Edgefeld for seVe.
raj months past; all is peace and quiet with US.
Our Sunday schools are growing annually,
and much interest Is being taken In both
white and colored to train the young how TO
spend the Sabbath day. / find there is great
scarcity of the right Kind OF books, and not
eutfHciencv of any kind or the kind that has to
be used, as most cheapest and easiest books
are the most needed al this time. Old Noah
Websier's spelling book has to be used In San.
day schools for the want of others.
had the pleasure OF hearing sermon from
the Rev. Mr.. Mendenhall, now Of Columbia,
but formally from your city recently. Mr..
Mendenhall Is an able preacher, winning Inc
strictest attention from the whole of his con-
gregation, and never letting them lose the
thread Of his discourse during his delivery.
he is working for Furman Unlversitypor COL
lecting money for this institution, aud sue
ceeds well from what can learn. Another
young Baptist preach.r Is going the rounds In
the Edgefeld association, attending the differ
ent churches at stated days; his name Is La
mar, and from what can learn OF hlm-for /
have never heard him-he ls leaving favorable
impressions With all the churches he attends.
The Rev. Mr.. Jones, OF the Methodist per-
suasIon, In this circuit, has taken the place OF
the Rev. Mr.. Humbert, and has made good
Impression with all the churches he attends,
as I am Informed. Edgeheld village can
boast of two fine schools. viz: a male and
female. The principals Of both are natives of
the district. Doctor B. T. Minis has charge Of
the male, and Miss Dolby OF ahe female. There
are several colored schools In the district, and
geHarally we'll attended; some number as high
as sixty to eighty scholars. sEEEx.