The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-05-02
epring nasstfnr, ,yrzshs-st.ss, Axvse.l-
tural 6ocloty.

bernian Hall, Charleston, at 10 O'Clock.
The Presidents Moi. II. W. Woodward,
called the meeting to ordersa and quo
rum OF delegates being present, the so
ciety proceeded to business.
The President read O Communication
from the South Carolina Agricultural So.
cisty, inviting the members OF the con-
yention to an excursion up the Ashley
River. and stating that the steamer
Emile would leave South Atlantic wharf
at half-past 8 o'clock, Thursday morning.
General Hagood submitted a-report
suggesting. enhieots for discussion at the
next meeting OF the society. ~i.St'
I: The committee, appointed to examine
the Treasurer's annual statement, re-
ported that they had examined the same
and found it to be correct.
d Mr.. J. B. Moore, from the committee
appointed to report plan for the con-
solidation OF the State Auxiliary Joint
Stock Company with the State Agricul'
tQral Society, submitted report en-
bodying plan OF consolidation. The
report was adopted.
A resolution offered by Mr.. P. S. Eel
der, Of Orangeburg, was adopted, in
straoting the executive committee to
take the necessary steps to exclude all
kinds Of gaming from tho fair grounds.
On motion of Col. D. W. Aiken, the
following delegates were appointed to
attend the convention, to be held in At
lanta on the Goth OF May: Delegates
Thomas Taylor. f.;ohlsnd; J. NJ. Eason,
Charleston, and r. NJ. Sims, of York.
Altsrnates-A. W. Waring, Of Darling
ton: F. A. Conner. OF AbbevilIe, and i.
3; O.. Cash, Of Chesterfield.
The resolution introduced by Mr.. J.
3. Moore was adopted, instructing the
executive committee to take tho neces-
cary steps towards organizing the society
as body corporate, under the Aot of in
corporation passed by the General As
sembly.
Essays were then read upon the vari-
ous subjects selected, which will in due
time be published in the columns of the
PHGNIx. lecture from Professor
Charles o. Shepard was attentiyely
listened to by the convention.
a vote Of thanks was passed to each OF
the gentlemen who read essays, and to
Professor Shepard for the Instructive and
Interesting lecture.
-2On Tuesday, the following essay was
read by NJ. l.. Donaldson. Esq, of
Greenville, on the subject of ''AIachinery
in Agriculture" which elicited warm
dispussion:
There is, perhaps, no subject bearing
upon agriculture at this time which has
stronger claims upon the earnest atten-
ton OF Southern farmers than shat OF
the Comparative advantages, OF labor.
saTin S. .iseeoha:ae;I. end f. e. adaptability
to Southern labor and products" Only
q few years back in the history of South.
ern agriculture, this subject was one OF
minor Importance. The necessity of
substituting mechanical for human labor
was but little realized, because of the
and suf1ioiency of the lat
ter, under the old and established sys.
tenn Of labor which then existed; and the
implements of Southern agriculture have
ever been characterized BY their rude!
ness and simplicity, it being generally
conceded the best economy to construct
upon each farm, and in the cheapest
manner. all the implements needed for
its cultivation; and with these inferior
implements, and labor go abundant, the
natural tendency was to extensive super
tcial culture rather than thorough high
farming. But the great political revoin-
ton which has recently taken place in
the United States. resulting in the com.
plete disruption Of the old labor system
In the South, has necessitated an entire
change in her agricultural economy.
The old and beaten track has been
blockaded aud must be. abandoned.
{ A new era has dawned. portending
steady elevation il the scale OF agricul-
tural science never before known in the
South, and it shall be our aim to offer
some suggestions as to the course to be
adopted and the agency to be employed
which would conduoe most successfully
to the attainment Of this desired end.
There are abundant evidences manifest
throughout the Southern Statos of
rapid reaction from the paralyzing eff
fects of the late war upon agriculture,
and as the scarcity and ineiiciency OF
the present labor system becomes more
obvions. every channel through which
relief may be hoped for is eagerly ex.
plored. There is certain feverishness
and speculative tendency apparent
among Southern farmers, coupled with
many changes OF both theory and prac-
tice, oil Of which gives indubitable evi-
dence OF great lack somewhere in the
elements essential to stable and in
creasing prosperity, and as a natural
consequence, deep interest is aroused
on tho NuaafiOp ~ oro{;oY &Lo :~>