The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-02-15
THE PHOSPHATE QUESTION.
SOMETHING MORE on AN INTER-
ESTING TOPIC.
"A communication from Maj. r. w
Woodward.

Woodward.
Afessrs. Editors: In suggesting
that the phosphate extortion be con-
sldcred either in mass meeting or
before the Democratic clubs, if was
not my intention, as you seem to
think, to divert Democracy from it's
Etrue and legitimate channel, aud
make it again of bud odor, by having
it dabble in phosphates. Far from
lt-for havc lively and not ploas-
ant recollections of time not re-
motely in the past history Of this
county, when Democrats had an
exceedingly bad smell in the nos
trils Of some Of our people. You
mi ;ht have savel your homily on
the dlV,es vi Democratic clubs, for
assure You tlat I shall be one of
the last to lamp Ir the political eff
cl incy Of these associations. NV
lles WIS this-th,t it might be in
convenient for our people from all
parts to assemble in the courthouse.
and that it would suit better when
t1a'o clubs had mst and transacted
ali political business and adjourned,
to do as is lone 1T the Greenbrier
Cab, nee0 as ciLizcns and discuss
all matters Of interest to the COM
nunity. If this rule does not pro-
vail generally amongst the clubs,
let me suggest it, and your club
meetings will be of much moro in
terest and useful ness.
You have also somewhat strained
my position when you lty down rs
Il proposition of mne, "that fertili-
zeaeasSha hatcver thor price, are q
curse / DON'T think this !,giti-
mate deduction from my article,
although [ do assert thlt ut present
prices, and at all previous rates,
they have only paid the sellers !;
what might be done with Ioaoer liv.
ana prices, and if used judiciously
and moderately in conjunction with
composts, is u problem which agri..
cultnraiists will now have to solve,
and l am not willing tnlt | shall be
put upon record as having prcjudgod
adversely Of the scheme. 10 say
that there are mono of the clements
of fertilizer in these compounds,
would bo to deny the experience of
every farmer in tho land, and to
come directly in conflict with the
accumulated wisdom and knowledge
OF scientists, and to ignore the pl;in-
est teachings of agricultural cle,a-
istry. And yet, call for the name
of one man who has enriched his
lands by their uso-sololy. Now,
Alessrs. Editors, the SCIENTISTS
say that the usual pIanta-
tlon compost-pile lacks many of the
essentials of good manure, and L
shall not doubt them for the world
owes too much to these men, and l
have too much respect for their
opinions, and too little knowledge
myself to come in conflict with them.
But call as above for those who
have enriched their lands by their
use, and you will be answered by
legions of farming men from the
mountain to tho seaboard, and you
will tinl that those who report the
richest lands havo used the most
compost. This docs not authorize
us to say that these manures might
not have been better, and these
results attained more quickly had
we made judicious admixture of
phosphates or chomlcals, but it
does prove clearly that barnyard
manures, per Sc, are vastly superior
to all guanos, phosphates or other
merchantable commodities known
as fertilizers. Then, again, examine
the lands Of those who have been
the largest users of the phosphates,
and yon find invariably that where
these lands have not been rested,
deterioration, .. e., loss Of fertility,
has been the result, and I can pro
cure affidAvits from US good farm
ers as are in the land, certifying to
the fact that no results were visible
from it's application upon land
which had been constantly used
thus-proving beyonl perldventure
that phosphates had exhausted the
fertility, or that manufacturers have
swindlcd the community. 1t is
more charitable, and believe more
correct, to ascribe the cause to the
first term Of this proposition. We