Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-11-06
Iron the Yoykyille Enquirer.

"A reporter for the knQairer has
been up to see DIR. T. w. Campbell,
for the purpose Of getting some Of
that gentleman's ideas az to the: most
profitable and economical methods Of
farming. DR.. Campbell lives near
the Northwestern corner Of Bethel
township, about two, miles from Ca
tawba river, and bears the reputation
Of being not only one, of the most
successful physicians, but also one Of
tho most successful farmers in York
county. These high distinctions have
been won BY; careful, painstaking
labor, extending over a lifetime. His
knowledge and experience as a ply
sioian, of course, are not available for
the purpose of this article, but what
he has learned and advises as q far
mer, are well worthy of the considera-
tion of those who are striving for
the best results in that pursuit,
In order to insure to his opinions
that weight their Importance deserves,
it will not be out of place to sketch,
in a few words, an outline of what
the doctor has accomplished. Though
now enjoying handsome incomes,
both from his profession and planta-
ton of some six or seven hundred
acres, at the close of tho war DR..
Campbell did not own so much as
one acre of land. Not only this, but
he was under the necessity of, Dor
rowing ten dollars from a friend with
which to buy a license to practice his
profession, and for nearly a year
actually did not succeed in collecting
enough to pay it back. Nearly two
years later he bought his first tract
of land, on which he now lives, on
credit. This was in 1867, and apply
ing every dollar that he could scrape
together to the debt, it was not until
1877 that the final payment was
made.
Whom DR.. Campbell bought his
plantation it was, notoriopsly the
poorest in Bethel township. To-day
it is one of the most fertile and pro-
ductive in York county. The origi-
nal purchase money was paid with
funds derived from the doctors pro-
fcssion, but since that time tho plan
tation. itself has been made to, bear
all the expenses of its Improvement,
stocking, etc., az well as yield. a
handsome net income beside. It is
worth a tripof a good many miles
to sec it, and the farmer who cannot
learn a great deal by walking over
the place, and asking questions OF
its proprietor, is we'll up in agricul-
ture. Having built up his land and
wrought out his success on a line
based on the following, it is given
for all that can be made out of it.
Although a large and successful
cotton raiser, it is tho doctors expe.
rience that the profits of agriculture
in this county at. this time are in
grain and grass. Speaking of wheat
he says the country is making a great
mistake in not paying moro, atten.
ton to it's culture. 1t IL true that O
great many farmers have found that
ii does not pay; but with few excep.
tions it is neither the fault of the
seasons nor the land. The trouble,
as a rule, arises from a lack of pro,
per cultivation. 81 have been SOW.
ing wheat" he says, "overy season
for the past twenty-five years, and
during that time I have made but
two failures. Last year, from not
quite five bushels Of Ripley wheat
sowed. on ten acres Of land, I har.
vested 1870 bushels.
"But the bost wheat for our South.
ern climate is the Nicarauga. It is
the surest of making a crop Of any
I have ever had;any experience with,
and | have no hesitation in saying
that if each farmer in this country
would SOW just nj bushel of this
wheat for each member of his family
on fairly good land, properly pre-.
pared, he would never be under the
necessity Of buying a pound Of his
bread. This wheat, it is true, has
some disadvantages. 1t is a bearded
variety, and then it is SC, hard ant
finty that our ordinary mills cannot
grind it into fine -four without it,
being rnn through twice. 1t is tn,
yssy thing for the patent roller mills mills
however. This wheat contains yer,
little starch, and so much gluten tina
plain bread made from it lasts a
though II had been sweetened will
sugar.