The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1873-08-13
The Fairfield Herald.
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EV'ERY WEDNESDAY,.
Cotton in California.

ErIIE aoLbEN STATE As A FIELD FOR
GROWING THE FLEEcY STABLE.
Major John J.. Strong has furnish
ed tho San Joaquin Valley Argus
with tho following comprehensive
statement Of the cotton crop in Nor
Eoed, Nlariposa, Fresno and Kern couh-
tics: e.,
ON THE MERGED.
The crops on tho Mercod River are
much futher advanced than at the
Hen1o Date tho past year, md than any
inpoctod by Major Strong. A heavy
>yiold would result from all tho plant.
ings if unmoIested by the bugs which
80 seriously damaged tho Strong crop
last year. Tho samo crop this year
would yield balo per aero if not
damaged by bugs. 1t has already
suffered mnch injury from this pest,
and they continue to dcprodato upon
it, 30 that no predictions as to yiold
may DO depended upon.
:EssTho crops on Mariposa crock aro
moro promising than at this season
last year, when tho average yield was
two hundred aad fifty pounds of GIN
ned cotton por acre. Tho first blooms
on tho Mariposa woro found on Will
cox's place on Juno %. Mr.. Wilcox
has aIne crop of 30.acrcs, which
Is in some respects tho most romarka-
BILE cotton Drop over produced in tho
United States and perhaps in the
world. Tho ontiro work, except tho
hooing, has boon performed Dy two
mon. The hooing COST |blGO and was
executed by Cinnamon. Much of it
was thinned to q stand at tho rate of
two and half acres por man per day
and "laid by" in May. Wo romcm-
bcr to havo noted somo two years
sinco some rather severe criticisms Of
tho statements put forth by Major
Strong through tho public journals to
to the clfcct that ono man in Culifor-
MIA would cultivate double the mum.
ber Of acres of cotton that woro culti-
waited by single laborcr in tho cot
ton Statos. Tie Wilcox crop cyidcn-
COS tho fact that laborcr hero will
cultivate moro than five times tho
nu uber Of acros cultivated by q labor.
er in that region. Actual experience
demonstrates results so far beyond tho
predictions Of Major Strong as to rem
der Statomonts which then seemed tho
extrayagant fancics of an enthusiast
truo and insignificant by comparison
Nor is this remarkable work oonfinot
TO single operator. IL. &. McClnre
has a crop of forty-Gvo aores-tho bcs
crop on Mariposa Crock-all tho worl
upon which l,o has performed himself
cxoopt the hoeing, which was dono b,
Chinamen at cost Of $l0O. Turno
g. Holm have a crop of fifty acre
henr tho foot hills, which is cquall
remarkable for tho economy will
which it has bocn cultivated, ant
which promises fine yield. The
crop OF Sampson Brothers, at tho fork.
Of tho Mariposa, comprise fifty acres
another two having performed tho en-
tiro work except hoeipg.
THE BANNER COTTON PLANTATION.
Tho largest crop on Mariposa Crcol
is that Of Major Strong, comprising
200 acres. which wo think will Civ,
an average yield of $50 pounds o
ginned cotton por nero. Tho Drop i
on tho lIazelton ranch, and tho plant
ing was attended, with 80 many diff
cul ties that thoy deserve mention,
but to show tho wonderful results t.
be developed by tho future in cotto,
culture i'll our State. The lIazolto
ranch lios Immediately upon Maripo
sa Crook, and large proportion Of i
is annually inundated by it durin,
the rainy season. Tho lands plante,
by Major Strong arc of this character
llo informs us that rs of tho 81
acres ploughcd was cotton field las
year, tho balance was q Jungle O
small weeds, sun flowers, old stubhlo
greon barley, oats, grass, 10. Pos
session Of tho Hazelton ranch wa
secured tho 9Th of March, and tn
first furrow was ploughod on tho 9tl
A large proportion of ground had nc
been ploughed for four yoars, an
was covered with tho swamp gras
known as "Mcrcod staight," tho root
very like those Of "salt grass" and q
difficult to break. The ground wa
first moved, then rakcd into winrow
and burned, then ploughcd and ha,
rowcd. Much of it could not b
burned because Of tho gren gras
wh,ch had grown up among tho dr.
stun and had to bo hauled off tn
)and. Whenever sufficiently olca
this green growth was fcd for ha
Tho ploughing extended throue
April and plunting was begun on ii
18th. Thus tho ploughing, plantin
moving and raking ali proceeded t
gethor. The planting comprising 81
acres, was finished on the 9th of
The ground, dry from tho vogotatie
with which it was covered, from la
ploughing, and the loose condition
wniCh it was loft hu tbo booyv so I , ,