Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-05-27
THE COTTON CROP PROSPECT.

THE COTTON CROP PROSPECT.
Numerous replies received by the State
Agricultural Department at Columbia, in re-
sponse to queries propounded by COL A. P. But.
Ter, Commissioner of Agriculture, to the spe-
cial correspondents of the department through
out the State, enable the Columbia correspon-
dent of the News and Courier to condense the
following general information regarding crop
prospects, which will be of more or less inter-
est to all classes Of readers.
A willingness is manifested in every county
in the State to sell real estate to bona .fde
settlers, at prices ranging from 81 to $50 per
acre improved, and from % cents to $40 for
unimproved lands, making an average of
about $l2, and 81, respectively. Flourish
ing agricultural societies exist in each county,
and there is growing interest in piscicuture.
The distractions in the various streams to
the free passage of migratory fish are being
RAPIDLY removed, and in short time it is
hoped that no cause of complaint will exist
in this respect. -.
Favorable reports are being received from
all sections concerning growing crops, and
the prospect for good fruit yield is said to
be fair.
Fertilizers have been used in larger quan.
titles than last year, and in some counties more
than any previous year. The stock and cat
tie of the State is reported as in good condi-
ton, no destructive diseases having made
their appearance in any quarter.
Planters are purchasing about the same
amount of Supplies as last year, and in the
majority of cases are resorting to the lien
system of securing advances.
Field labor is reported as more efficient,
and in only one county is any scarcity OF
labor reported, and there it is attributed to
the negroes renting more land than formerly.
The average amount of wages given is 50
cents per day, $6 to So per month and SIS to
$l00 per annum.
But little immigration is reported, and in
a few counties the tide of Immigration has
set in, and the newcomers being apparently
we'll pleased with their new homes
In Chesterfield county the stand OF cotton
is better than for several years. In Green
Vile county considerable attention has been
devoted to the improvement of cattle. Jerseys
being the favorite breed. York county will
have in operation BY the middle of November
next cotton factory of 6,240 spindles, built
entirely by local capital. In the eastern por-
ton of the county the area in cotton is twice
as large as that in corn, and the acreage in
oats is three times that in wheat In other
portions of the county the acreage in corn
and cotton is about equal
Horny reports plenty of cheap lands, good
ranges for stock, fair crops and convenient
markets.
The Clifton Factory, in Spartanburg coun-
ty, is expected to commence operation in Oc-
tober next, with 5000 spindles
The introduction of new varieties of sor-
ghunl in Abbeville, together with the i'm
provements in the manufacture of syrup have
given this industry renewed impetus with.
in the last year. A yield of 5000 gallons OF
syrup is predicted in one section of the county
within radius of one mile. Fertilizers have
been largely used in this county, it being es
timated that it will require one,third of
large cotton crop to pay for the fertilizers
purchased in the vicinity of one station on
the Greenville and Columbia Railroad.
In Fairfield there is an increased inquiry
for lands, and greater interest apparent in
the restoration and preservation Of old lands,
also in the planting and cultivation of Or
chards and vineyards. Considerable atten-
ton is being devoted to grasses 5000 pounds
of dry millet having been obtained from one
acre near Winnsboro'.
Reports from Aiken county indicate that
the farmers are in better condition, pecuna-
riy,. than at any time since the War, and
from present prospects will be enabled to
make their own terms with commission mer-
chants another year.
Gratifying reports as to crops of all kinds,
health, labor, lands, &C., were received from
Darlington, Chester, Chesterfield and New
berry counties.
In Georgetown county labor is more set
tied, but still uncertain. Rice commanded
full prices last season, and on the whole the
rice planters are more hopeful
One gentleman in Oconee county harvested
last week 1852 pounds Of cured red clover
from one-third of an acre, and with good
seasons this clover can be cut once or twice
more this year. Timothy hay and lucerne
are also grown to large extent.
The correspondent from Colleton county de-
votes considerable space to the lands and phos.
phate beds in that county, and his letter will
be published in q handbook of the resources
of the State, to be published by the commits
sioner.
At the last meeting of the board of agricul-
ture, a resolution was adopted instructing the
commissioner to ascertain from the various
railroads leading from New York to South
Carolina their lowest rates of fare for immi-
grants to this State. In response to these in.
quiries the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta
Railroad and its connections agree to take i'm
migrants ut the rate of II cents per mile; the
South Carolina Railroad will bring them from
New York to Columbia for $40, and on to
any way stations at 2 cents per mile. The
Airline Railroad is actively engaged in in
ducing immigration, having an agent in New
York The road is anxious to cooperate with
the State authorities in this matter, and agrees
to carry immigrants to their destination for
II cents per mile.
Correspondence of the Yorkyille Enquirer.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.
CHESTER, S. c., May 24.-We have wish
ed for rain for some time past, and last Sat-
urday it came plentifully-it being the heav-
loot f,ll &c win .ro boya bod horo fnr como