The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-22
Wednesday, May %, 1889.
Model Agricultural Paper.

II there is one paper in South Carolina
whose general makeup would furnish
strong reason for the establishment OF the
Clemson Agricultural College, 1t would be the
Cotton Plant, u would-be journal of that kind,
published bi.,peakly in Greenville, S. {. We
do not mean to say, that, like the famous
"coon-dog," the triple batch OF editors sig
nalize their fitness for their vocation on the
ground that they are "tit for nothing else" for
we believe the senior made good country
editor, whatever may be his fitness for the
Baptist Courier-butwe do affirm that 1t would
be difficult to find in the editorial fraternity,
q set OF more visionary theorists; men less
qualified by previous training TO 1nstrucl
practical farmers in the details OF their call
ing, than those who, to the Sunday eltuslons
OF the Baptist Courier, add the ol-Weasly suS
pestions of the Cotton Plant. What know they
of cotton planting? and who are these who
presume to instruct the farmers of Abbeville G
IN the culture Of their staple product?
Twas once said OF q presumptuous lord
that he would attempt anything. "Cut for
stone in the bladder, or command the chan
mel fleet :" but we doubt whether the conf
dent lord, would have attempted to edit the
Cotton Plant, with the smallmodicum OF asri-
cultural knowledge, which these seifsufficient
editors possess. But "fools rush IN, where an
gels fear to tread
"But, don't pine, brother, experience Is
worth a agreat deal properly invested" Begin
Mt the lowest round of the ladder; commence
with ''ruta bagas" and after Il years expert
ence, you may be prepared to instruct your
readers not only in the gathering but in the
cultivation OF the plant. A four years course
in the Clemson College, with some practical
experience during vacation In the cotton
patch, may put you in the way OF editing the
an agricultural journal. This Is absolutely
necessary. The Cotton Plant needs the infu-
sion OF some good agricultural blood, or II
must pine away sickly existence, and fail
to mature any fruit in that favorite Fall sea-
son OF our editors, when not only the har-
vests are to be gathered, but trees are to be
"transplanted."
"If you have bad cause abuse plaintiffs
attorney" seems to be the rule, under which
the editors of the Cotton Plant, are acting. In
stead OF answering the reasons assigned by US
for the mode of tree-planting adopted by
ourselves and others-drawn from a wide and
successful experience they resort to the weak
eat of all devices-ridicule and vituperation
and in 80 doing, get themselves befogged in
the following cloud OF nonsense:
"The utter recklessness Of the remarks Of
our Abbeyille neighbor gives unmistakable
evidence Of two things:
"First: That Intelligent farmers, fruit grow
ers and others who plant trees, attach no I'M
portance whatever TO what the Press and Ban
ner says editorially on this or klndred SUD.
jects. A., ,., ,,
Bonner fully realizes that such is the case, ana
is, therefore, exceedingly unm1ndful OF the
correctness or soundness Of his articles on
this line, knowing they go for nothing with
the average reader"
Is this not putting the cart before the horse
with vengeance7 We might conceive of the
readers Of the Press and Banner disregarding
its sentiments on the ground Of their utter
recklessness;" but 1t is the merest nonsense,
to say that the editor indulges in reckless
statements, because they 60 for nothing and
fall on needless and disbelieving ears. Here
Is an alleged action without a motive-a re-
suit without an adequate cause; and we SUBJ
nit that whatever the editor Of the Press
and Banner, may be, he is certainly not a
natural born fool OF that sort.
But we must desist. 81 have given you
reason, but am not bound to furnish you
with an understanding" "Some minds" said
certain Virginia orator, "are like the lands
on the Rappahannock; they are poor by ma
ture, and they are made poorer by cultiva
tion :" and after such display of logic on the
part Of the editors of the Cotton Plant
we are almost inclined to doubt whether
even full agricultural course in the Clemson
College could supply the existing deficiency.
and qualify them to edit that paper properly
Wonders however never cease and nearly all
things are possible; and such a result would
60 far to overcome our opposition to that
muchIsuded, and well-abused institution OF
OF the future-the Clemson College. We
might be even induced to risk the tuition fees
1--WE shall see."