The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-09-07
PROGRESS IN MEcKLEN-
SSHH SSHHEg, g, N0RTH HCAR0LINA..--THE WORKING

! HaViuS business call to Charlotte last
week, we made use of the opportunity thus
afforded for taking look.at the surrounding
country, to note the progress of our neigh.
bors, and to inquire into the workings OF
the new fence or stock law in that section
10 make good beginning, we started
under the care of Capt Wadsworth, direct.
ly to his celebrated farm, situated to the
west OF Charlotte, just outside OF the limits
OF the town. We were prepared to see a
first class farm, but did not expect to find
one so complete in all its arrangements, COM
blnlng such a number of small industries,
under one general management.
Capt. Wadsworth has adopted the true
system of farming, for which. our country is
1 adapted-that of mixed husEandry; prac.
| ticing system of rotation, under which corn
and cotton are followed by small grain.
which in turn are succeeded by clover and
the grasses. Concentrating his manures
upon the cultivated crops-corn and cotton;
his thorough preparation for, and cultivation
OF. these crops, insures fine yield, and
leaves his fields in fine condition for the
grain, grass and clover which are to follow;
and the lands are virtually at rest, and rapid.
ly recuperate by the accumulation of vege-
table matter, while protected by the last
named crops, although furnishing large
quantities Of hay for his stock Stock rails.
ing is also part of this system of mixed
husbandry, and he runs dairy farm as
part of his system, having one of the most
convenient, commodious barns, with all
modern arrangements, for the protection and
convenience Of his stock.
lie pays particular attention to the pro-
duotion'of fruits of all kinds,-such as ap-
pies, peaches, pears, plums, cherries and
grapes, having fine vineyard of the last,
for which he finds a ready market in Char.
lotte, turning the remainder, if any, into
wine. Hogs, turkeys, geese, ducks, chick
ems, pigeons, &C., are raised in large quanti-
ties, and the large flock Of from seventy-five
to one hundred turkeys, scattered over
pretty meadow, was alone sight worth 60
ing to SEQ. This farm is worth an article
in itself, being model for this country,
which every one should initiate, leading rs
it does, in the right direction, and showing,
as forerunner of better days, what can
and will be done with this favored country
OF ours under more intelligent and more
perfect system of agriculture
There are said to. .ha-manu- -fina farms and
much fine stock around Charlotte, but after
visit to one of her. gold mines, which is
now in successful operation, we turned our
attention to an examination and inquiry in.
to the operations of the new fence or stock
law. This law has been in operations in
the adjoining county (Cabarrus) for three
years, and farmer from that county told
us that it was now giving general and almost
perfect satisfaction; and that no injustice
was done to any one under the new order
of things. 1t has prevailed in some town
ships of Mecklenburg for several years, but
it was difficult to pass it in and around
Charlotte, as every one owned cow or two,
for which they had free pasturage. 1t pas.
sed, however, last winter, and nearly every
one acknowledges that it is better, and the
only complaint that we heard was, that the
Ssa tGS SHs Ss netdn aad that
their pastures in readiness before the crops
were planted. We talked with white and
black, landlord and landless, and all acknowl-
edged that when the contracts for another
year are made, every inconvenience will BIZ
arranged, and every one satisfied with the
justice and fairness Of the new law. Among
the results, or effects of the new law, we
may mention that all of the vacant lands
around the town have been put under cul-
tivation and made to produce fine crops
dairy farms have been established, and milk
and butter can be purchased for less than it
takes to feed cow, (milk now selling at 25
cents per gallon); permanent pastures have
been established around the town in which
COWS can be pastured st reasonable rates
and besides, since the stock have been en-
closed, vegetation is more luxuriant, and a
cow tied ont to a stake with long rope can
easily pick enough grass to keep her in good
condition, at this season, without feeding
The farms and fields that were under fence
remain so, but all around Charlotte fields are
to be found without fence and there is a
small patch of corn on Main Street. near
the centre Of the town, without fence
which remains untouched by man or beast
and in few years we expect to see her beau.
tiful yards and lawns unprotected by any.
thing save hedges, or very light ornamental
fences.
Our observations and inquiries in Meek.
lenburg only serve to strengthen the con.
viction long felt, that the stock law is exact
/ ly what is need ed to nut our people upoD