The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-08-29
A New and Wonderful Kind of
Cotton.

Of the Chronicle and Sentinel, who has
been Illuminating down in Southern
Gcorgl. and few miles beyond the
Florida line. tells wonderful story
about new kind Of cotton, which he
thinks is destined to put all others to
fight and rcvolutionize the entire
cotton culture
| rode several miles over the line, to
see new specimen Of cotton, and I
assure you Of my astonishmcnt when |
predict an entire revolution in the pre-.
sent growth Of that article, growing out
Of this Asiatic species, now being raised
upon small scale by Mr.. lIyack
Bellyminger, at Soap Floating Springs
six miles from the Georgia line. Two
yeas since, Mr.. IIyack receivcd in
letter from his brothcr-n. law, Mr..
Michael Grigic six seed. They were
obtained in the far fame Clsh ere
Valley, in Central Asia; two years
since-this being the thirl year Of
cultivation, resulting in ten acr,s the
present season. at once su sges stcd a
ntmc, which was prompted by its
similarity to cur orange tree, and the
owner, Mr.. lIyack Beilmin ger, being
pleased with the same, it will hereafter
he known as the Asiatic orange cotton.
This cotton tree, having nov its full
growth, is about eight feet high, and
will about match its size at the butt
end with the leg ofan old fashioned
spit bottom chair, tapcrins gradually
to tire top, and is of very enormous
strength and elasticity, and which en-
ablcs it to sustain the heavy weight Of
iiutagc TO which it is subjected. 1t is
planted in hills, fifteen ect cqudistant,
to g i've rooIr for its spreading branches,
which run out Oh all sides SIX or seven
icct. The leaf is the only feature close,
ly resembling our common plant |
must reserve, however, for another
letter. much that | desire to say, and
speak only OF the grown bolls. They
resemble very much in size and color a
large green orange, only much larger,
and arc attached to the limbs by a
strong stem, from one to two inches in
length. When open, it contains at the
base of the boil, in small cells, four or
five seed which might be mistaken for
small buckshot. The lint in picking
leaves the seed in the bur, which, of
course, avoids the necessity Of ginning
and is thrown, as picked, into packing
machines, so that each days gathering
is compressed into bales the same even
ing. When within 100 or 200 yards Of
this field, asked Mr.. NJ, for shot gun
to Kill one or two white cranes, as it
seemed to me there vas an uncommon
number OF them pcrchcd about on small
trees. "Iou will not have any USE for
a gun" he replied. "What you sec is
the few open bolls Of cotton, aul you are
not alone in suprosing them to be our
beautiful co; st birds and, sure cuou ,h
nearer observation proved him correct
The cotton hung pendent from the boil
three to four inches III rolls rs large as
n full-srown Bologna sausage five roll:
to the bell | looked in amazcmcnt,
aud could scarcely believe in the reality
Of what saw
| asked how much cotton will these
ten acres produce. was answered
promptly, 100 bales, or bale to each
row Of fourteen stalks. This, he con.
tinued, was the average production las
year. | continued by desiring to know
how much to the hand could be picked
in one day, aud was informed for grown
men 450 pounds Of lint, (therc being nc
sc.i,) or one bale, was regarded an
easy daily task. Now, gentlamcn, il
what | have said is true, arc we no
rapidly approaching new epoch in cot
ION culture? +? Five years will suffice t.
spread universally over the cotton area
ofthc South this wonderfully pro luctivo
species, and il it should prove lasting
aad not subject GAS many now kinds have
proycu) TO deterioration, it would not bt
unrcason; bic to estimate the American