Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-02-18
For the Yorkvllle Enquirer.
THE FARMERS, CLUB OF BETHEL.

At meeting of the Farmers Club OF
Bethel township, held on the fourth Satur-
day of January, the premiums offered for
the highest yields of lint cotton and the
largest quantity of corn raised on one acre,
in the year 1885, were awarded. Mr.. II. L.
Gillespie received the premiums for cotton
and upland corn and Mr.. S. j. Clinton the
premium for the largest yield of corn rails
ed on bottom land.
A resolution was adopted by the Club
that the reports of the successful contestants
be published in the YORKVILLE ENQUIRE
The reports are as follows:
Il. Z. Gillespie, on C0tt0n.-Land selected,
sandy loam with blue clay subsoil. Was
planted in cotton in 1884 and made a yield
of 800 pounds of lint. The land was turned
with side. shovel, about six inches deep,
in March. On the 9th of April burrows
were run four feet in width. Fifty bushels
of cotton seed and stable manure, and 800
pounds of Furman's formula acid was drill
ed in burrows and the land was bedded.
The same day planted the variety known as
Peerless. The first working was done with
a harrow the second with side shovel and
bow and the third and fourth with harrow.
The cotton was hoed three times. The yield
was $50 pounds of lint cotton per acre.
C0ln.-Mr Gillespie made the following
report on upland corn: Land selected, san
DIV with clay subsoil. Planted in oats in
1884 and made yield of Is bushels per
acre. The land was turned in February
with side-shovel, six inches deep. The lst
of April furroWs were run six feet in width.
Fertilized with 80 bushels of cotton seed
and stable manure, and 200 pounds of Fur
mans formula. Drilled nand land bedded
The first working was with side-shovel and
bow, shallow; second with same, and third
and fourth with harrow. Twenty bushels
of cotton seed was applied around the corn
at the second working. Planted the lst day
of May with common seed. Yield, 30 bush
els per acre.
Bottom Land.-Mr. Clinton reported
Land selected, loan, mixed with blue sand
and blue clay subsoil. Was planted in corn
| in 1884, and made yield of 40 or 80 bushels
per acre. On the 10th of April the land
was plowed with two horse plow and har-
rowed and bedded with side-shovel. On
the 18th of April rows were opened and a
compost, made of 60 pounds Of cotton seed,
200 pounds of Edisto acid and 100 pounds OF
kainit was drilled in, and corn Of the varie-
ty known as "Anderson," planted. First
working, May 1st, with harrow and hoe ;
second, May 18th, plowed with straight tshov,
ell; third, May 25th, narrowed; fourth, June
5th, one-half plowed, other half hoed with
SPADE. ALSO, WOTkeu WlIll plOW anu opdue
on the 10th and 25th Of June. Yield 80!
bushels per acre.
Mr.. Gillespie received premium of s2C
in cash for the highest yield of cotton, and
SIS in cash for the largest yield of corn on
upland. Mr.. S. J. Clinton received pre-
MUM of s15 for the largest yield of corn
on bottom land.
1t will be noticed that the yields are not
very high for an extra effort to have been
made. No doubt many farmers in our
county have exceeded our highest yield
but it should be remembered that 1885 was
the first year of our organization, and the
club Was organized so late that contestants
did not have time to make a very extra
effort to obtain high yield. We hope to
be able to make a more encouraging report
next year.
The annual meeting of the Club will be
held on the second Saturday of March next
Officers will then be elected for the ensuing
year. w. B. Wilson, Esq, of Rock Hill
has accepted an invitation to address the
Club at that meeting. All members are re.
quested to meet at the usual place by II
o'clock A. NJ, on the day above mentioned
All who may wish to attend and hear MIR
Wilson's address will be made welcome by
the Club
#. w. CAMPBELL, President.
Z. d. THOMPSON, Secretary.