The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-08-26
Our Georgia Correspondence.
STONE MOUNTAIN, GA, August G..

During July intense heat prevailed
throughout the State. Some days the
intensity was so great that comfort, espe-
cially at noon, was impossible, even if
refuge was sought beneath ample shades
shutting out the scorching rays of the sun.
The zcphyrs, which played and rustled
among the leafy foliage of trees, were
heated and scorching. The thermometer
in the shade usually ranged from 95 to
100 degrees. Since the first of the pres
cnt month the temperature has been low
er. The nights are cool, resembling fall
season.
From nearly all parts of the State lex
cepting Northern Gcorgia) reports come
that vegetation is parching up, the earth
being destitute of moisture on account Of
continued dry weather. Some of these
reports are fearful; both corn and cotton
arc represented as withered and dying
out like exposed to hot fire. Through
Middle and Southern Georgia drought
has been prevailing for some time. In
various parts of these two sections of the
State, there have been repeated showers
of rain, and the crops are promising; but
these places, if we trust reports, are ex-
ceptions instead of the rule. Near the
base of Stone Mountain, for instance,
there have been good rains, and also in
some sections around, while there are
places near by suffering greatly.
One remark may here be made in re-
gard to the culture of corn. 1t is the
common impression amongst many farm
crs that corn requires much less culture
than cotton, and as to whether it ever is
hocd is matter of Indifference. This is
a gricvous mistake which every years
experience should teach every one who
attempts to raise corn. My own success
in raising corn has been good-raising
from 25 to 80 and 10 bushels on common
uplands without much manure. If ma
nurcd, it should be broadcast. Land
should be turned in the fall season awhile
before frost, if possible. 1t should then
be thoroughly and deeply ploughed early
in the spring, and planted Immediately.
After the corn is up, it should be thor
oughly ploughcd out, and the last yes
tiege Of young grass destroyed. Three
other ploughings then should succeed
after this-giving it four III all-within
from fifteen to eighteen days of each
other. The two first should be tolerably
deep, as the spring rains are apt to "run
land together" and the two latter very
shallow-the sweep being the best plow.
Corn should be nicely hood three times,
and not less. Nothing is more foolish
than drawing up potato hills around corn.
All that is necessary is simply to draw
the hoe lightly over the surface and de-
stroy the sprigs of young grass and weeds.
The culture should be level, and proper
distance given to the stalks according to
the capacity of the land. l do not say
corn cultivated on this method is proof
against drought, but do say that off one
acre so prepared and cultivated more
corn will be gathered than off three or
four acres cultivated in the bungling
manner usually employed by many of
our planters. Tryit.
Prof. Little and party are now making
an exploration of this State to ascertain
its material resources and physical pccu-
liaritics. They report the existence of
an abundance of gold in range of coun-
tics north of the Air Line Railroad also
plenty of copper may be found on the
Blue Ridge, and whet-stonc in abundance
in Lincoln county. Burr stone of the
best quality for mill-stones have been
found in large quantities in Burke and
Scrcven counties. A great many other
valuable deposits have been found. 1t is
now asccrtained that Georgia aboundS in
untold resources Of wealth. Undoubted-
" South Carolina and this State offer the
best inducements of any two States in
the Southern and Middle States. Time
will developc these varied resources.
What we specially need now is i higher
grade Of farming. Large plantations
should be divided into so and 100 acre
farms. The practice of hiring up a
large number of unworthy hands to cul-
tiyatc large plantation is hazardous,
and is often followed by ruinous results.