The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-11-21
An Essay on Farming as Adapted to Upper
South Carolina.
BY R. NJ. BURRIss.

BY R. NJ. BURRIss
The commonwealth of South Carolina has
always borne features peculiarly her own. In
war and in peace, South Carolina proper is the
type of a true, dignifed Southern manhood.
Alike distinguished for dignity of purpose and
readiness of action, she has cherished high
toned honor, the most refined principles of So
cial character, and noble hospitality. Now,
aside from these merits, and taking her as a
section of country, we maintain that few can
bear higher test for agricultural advantages
than does Upper South Carolina.
In support of this, we regard it unnecessary
to treat the subject in detail and only neces-
sary to sketch the capacity of this section in
farming interests, leaving the conclusion as to
relative profits to be drawn therefrom.
A country eminently suited to successful
farming does not imply merely fertility OF
soil, but combination of conditions most
favorable to that occupation. These condi-
tions are
1st. A soil and climate adapted to the growth
of at least one of the staple crops-cotton,
corn, wheat, &C.
End. A convenient market.
9rd. Climatic conditions of health. -
This section is not strictly within the "cotton
belt"; yet large per centage of the soil be-
ing composed of silicates which readily absorb
the heat of the sun, the deficiency in Southern
latitude is thereby made up to the plant. With
intelligent cultivation, these lands will produce,
at low average, 700 to 800 lbs. cotton per acre.
A geographical survey of this country will
discover that it is magniicently watered by
creeks and rivers. These afford fair proper
tion of excellent corn land and in some cases
it is we'll adapted to cotton, yielding 1900 lbs.
per acre. '' ''.'
This has an advantage over more southern
latitudes as wheatgrowing country, from the
fact that cold climate is one of the prime ad-
vantages to the growth Of this crop; and by
improved culture, it has been proved that 1t
can be grown proftably.
The above leading crops, in their favorite
latitudes, are more or less subject to disaster.
Here the wheat crop is rarely ever damaged
from the fly. Rust may, with as much propri-
ETY., be regarded a hereditary disease of the
grain, as produced from any other cause; and
if further experience corroborate this, it can,
of course, be obviated in any country. The
banks of our creek and river lands being high,
they are not so liable to inundation as the most
renowned farming lands of this class.
Other very formidable enemies are the boil
worm and caterpillar; yet the crops in upper
South Carolina are seldom injured by these
visitors. We can account for this fact upon no
better theory than that warm and moist tempe
ratures are necessary to their extensive and
effectual propagation; and the fall season here
we find, is rather the reverse of these condl-
tions.
Water-coulses, webbing the whole up-coun-
try, afford another local advantage, inasmuch
as they are conductor of moisture and rain.
In connection with our forest land, these give
superior advantages over some prairie lands in
bringing about this result.
Upper South Carolina, as we have shown, is
adapted to diversified farming. Root crops
grow to perfection, and all cereals are we'll
adapted to this latitude. - ~"tan -
As crop, oats are being slowly substituted
for corn, the most expensive crop to the farmer
in this section. Land that will produce one
barrel of corn to the acre, will yield from ten
to fifteen bushels of oats, atone-fourth the cost
for labor and pound for pound are regarded
better stock food. -
The experience of-recent-years has proven
our low lands admirably suited to the cultiva-
tion of rice-sixty to seventy-6ve bushels being
obtained per acre. Limited experience has
also evinced this section favorable to the growth
of fallow crops, especially clover and orchard
grass. On fresh land, these need very little
artificial manuring
The facilities for transportation have con-
tributed in giving us ready markets-markets
at fair prices for any of the varied products,
from pound of cotton to pint of pindars
In addition to the merits of this section as
adapted to successful farming, our genial cli-
mate makes it most delightful home. We
are neither oppressed by the extremes Of North
ern and Southern climates, nor the heavy at
mosphere of low and fat situations; but enjoy
a golden medium, crowned with a luxury of
early and late fruits, clothed with bracing
atmosphere, imbibing her life-giving breezes,
it is, in truth, the isle of prosperity, the Eden
of America.
WHAT CONSTITUTES MAsoNRY?-It clothes
the naked, visits the sick, and comforts the
distressed. The hand of a brother is always
open omen to relieve a worthy distressed brother;
80 long as one is worthy to remain member of
this order, so long he is entitled to its benefac
tions. The mystical future with its unknown
reservation is before us. No man can fathom
] Laa- ri 10 To.