The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-10-12
LETTER FROM THE SOUTH.
AUGUSTA, Oct. list, 1872.

AUGUSTA, Oct. list, 1872.
DEAR WHIG:-Leaving Columbia, S. c.,
for this place at half past two o'clock in
the afternoon, and arrived hero at half
past seven, the distance being IS miles,
the country through which we travelled being
planted principally in cotton, gives the
appearance of being sprinkled with light
fall of snow, although the thermometer
will not allow any one to indulge in the
fond hope of cold weather. 1t is a novel
sight to see the colored laborers of both
sexes, and all ages, gathering this great pro-
duct of the South. Why don't some inven-
tive genius contrive labor saving machine
for picking cotton? To be sure it would
be attained with great difficulty, but would
electric telegraph or cotton gin, and what
one man has done, certainly another can
do, and the man who could invent such
machine would be held in as high estima-
ton, Especially by these poor laborers), as
Watts, Morse or Whitney. Knowing
full we'll the necessity for such a desirable
article have, during my leasure moments
invented fifty machines for the purpose of
picking cotton, but like the Yankees per-
petual motion, in had only one fault, and
that was it couldn't work.
1t is amusing to see the coiored laborers
stop, and stare, at the iron horse as he goes
laundering along, wondering no doubt
why he is in such great hurry as it is
characteristic of the blacks never to be in a
hurry, they much prefer stopping and talk
ing with any one they meet no matter how
urgent their business may be, and if sent
on an errand and told to hurry will mutter:
"What de debble de hurry for Some
years ago 1 heard Artemus Ward deliver
his famous lecture, "Sixty minutes in AT
rica,' and after speaking of every thing
else finished his lecture by remarking that
there were number of roses in Africa but
principally negroes; and this reminds me of
having digressed from the subject of cotton,
which within the last three years has been
eoual to nine hundred millions of dollars.
The crop is gathered from the latter part
of August, until frost comes, which event
in the far South does not happen until late
in December 1t is necessary to gather
this staple as it ripens, consequently it
requires constant attention, for field may
have pods open and ready for picking to-
day, and perhaps some more tomorrow
and then may not have any more ready for
q week. and SO continue for month or
two.
A considerable portion of this years. crop
is planted on shares that is the owner Of
the land furnishes the seed and implements
and the negroes the labor, the latter receiv-
ing one third of the crop as his share; but
the negro generally has small patch for
himself in which he is sole master, and
this patch has received better attention
than that planted on shares. 1t has been
reported that the obstruction of cotton by
worms. is greater this season than ever
before, this kind of report is circulated
every season by interested spectators for
the purpose of keeping up prices. If such
was a fact the leaves and stems would be
entirely bare, and from appearance the
worm has not done as much damage as
usual, although every year more or less
damage is done by this insect.
As night approaches we cross the bridge
over the Savannah river and arrive at our
destination. GRAY BEARD.