The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-01-03
THE GREAT CREATIVE INDUSTRY.
Its Attractions, Capabilities, Wants, Ad
vantages and Disabilities.
NUMBER III.

successful cropping may be had upon the
same lands throughout an indefinite
series of years, then the preservation of
our own soils is worth attempting. But
in the absence of such proof does not
the constantly decreasing productiveness
of our fields admonish us to such rem
edy? Failure could not be dishonorable,
and achievement would be glorious. The
proposition of profitable crops with in
creasing fertility is not contradiction to
our reason, to fact or to experience. Ma
ture is continually tending to reproduc-
tion, fecundity and enlargement. Else
men and animals could multiply to
certain extent and there stop. The pop
ulation that country can sustain has
never yet been accurately ascertained.
Maximum cropping has never been
reached, for the elements of fertility are
not decreasing but increasing. The un-
cut woods by the annual fall of the leaf
is enriched; the unbrowsed prairie is
made richer by the decomposition of its
luxuriant grass; the untramped field
turned out to fallow rapidly recuperates.
The rains and winds make their perpetu-
oil contributions to the fruitfulness of the
earth. Besides these universal agents
of fertilization we have the shell and
fossil on the beach, the manurial deposits
of innumerable birds upon the rocky
islets of the ocean, and beneath the crust
of the earth animal and vegetable remains
of thousands Of ages of highly fertiliz-
ing character. All to stimulate and in
crease production. Then the means are
not wanting to reclaim or the facilities to
perpetuate production. I do not hesitate
to assert that a fair knowledge of the in
gradients of our soils and an acquaintance
with their wants and capacities, not to
be ascertained by chemical analysis, but
by actual experiments with various crops
carefully made from time to time, and
diligent observation of the modes of ma
ture, that the agriculture of our country
would soon undergo complete revolu-
ton and be put upon the high road to
prosperity and the acquisition of wealth.
Suppose every acre of land cultivated in
Anderson County should annually have
added to its value or its productive Ca
pacity one dollar, how long before we
would become eminently prosperous? Is
it practicable to reach such a result with
the same expenditures that we are now
making? I believe that it is practicable,
and that, too, by very slight advance upon
the methods usually employed. The first
step towards the permanent productive
ness of soils and their lasting improve
ment is prevention from wash by rainfall
and waste by winds. Hence, retention is
the grand starting point the beginning
and the end to all successful cultivation.
That it is of the highest consideration
the SCARED and trenched fields, the deep
accumulations in our bottom lands, the
damned up and obstructed water courses
to the immense injury of agriculture, of
navigation, of the propagation of fish
all bear witness. Thoroughness in pre-
paration may obtain, fertilizers may be
most literally applied, and other details
carried out admirably, but if by windd .,r,d
food any considerable quantities Of soil
have been swept from the field, it is left
impoverished, and is the commencement
of decay which will speedily end in
utter sterility. Perfection in the art of
farming might be reached by perfect re-
tention. It is a first truth; cardinal
principle. It's necessity is so manifest
that it may be laid down as an axiom of
the science, yet the most advanced cult
vators only partially meet its demands.
Then let it be repeated that retention is
of first, last Importance to the agricultu-
raj art.
But it may be objected that no one has
control of the winds, or can prevent the
washing Of his fields. Admitted that we
can only approximate perfection in the
retention of our soils. This fact does not
Justify the almost entire neglect of the
use of the means to attain it. Let what
we see and observe around US, even ma
ture's process, be our guide book. 1t is
observable of our woods that there are
no gullies, or any considerable washing
takes place. The tendency is to stop, to
fill up, to revitalize. In the hollows oc
casionally, after ages of accumulations,
soils may become a few inches thicker
than on the hill tops. But not unfre-
quently the heights and sleeps are equal
ly rich. Here, then, is lesson taught
US by natural laws that should not be ig-
nored or rendered improbable in our
hands. Cut down the native forest, cul-
tiyate the first year, then results slight
loss from wash. Not very serious injury
from the same cause will likely take place
the second year. But continue the cul-
tivation without using the preventiyes
and the washing, teaching process be-
comes widespread-rui irretrievable fol-
lows. Such is the punishment affixed to
the violation of natures laws. Gullies
and barrenness come close on the wake of
continuous clean cultivation.
The above illustrates what is and al
ways was true in the main of the farming
of South Carolina. Farmers have all
tie while resorted to expedients. They
have sought for immediate gains instead
of permanent advantages. The aim has
Uteu dL ldplu dCCuUlu1ouio1, az ouooS'1
wealth instead of the gradual improve
ment of thin lands. thus laying the foun-
dation of long future prosperity. Ifnow
we have acquired knowledge by expert
ence, and accept the logic of facts, our
highest endeavors and aspirations as
farmers should be to contribute to the
comforts and conveniences of our farms
and families. Whenever we do this we
will have reached the turning point,
which will begin to bring wealth and
contentment. Then let us aim to produce
all the prime necessaries as well as the
luxuries of life, to adorn and ornament
our homes and make them beautiful and
attractive. +.
AYERS AMERICAN ALMANAC is now ready
for delivery by the druggists, and we are free
to say that we have read this welcome WIS.,
itor with satisfaction and profit It con-
IL oT form Of