The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-12
A GEORGIAN IN ABBEVILLE.
His Remarks on What He Saw and
Heard while i'm South Carolina.

Hfs Remarks on What He Saw and
Heard while i'm South CaroliDa.
Editor Press and Banner:
Not long since |. was my good fortune 10
mass through sections OF your county tnat l
had never before seen, and also 10 pay your
beautiful town short visit. II you Will az
low me 10 intrude little on your valuaole
crriticisms upon the various things that came
under my observation. and at tne same t.,Iie,
TO offer some practical suggestions. Wnicn,
trust, may prove of benefit TO the good peo-
pie OF Abbeville county.
feel very reluctant in attempting to crit
icise people who are older and wiser than
myseif; but still 1 shall have realized the
fuitillment of my fondest anticipation. when
| If ever, / have the sweet consciousness thaI
INV humble labor has not been in vain.
Abbevile, indeed, has been, and Is Sill, q
grand old county: II was, In the hist3r,e 5,,I
past, the home o! Huguenot fore.iatners; lot
| nIshing as IL did, safe and happy retr. at
far away from the cruel and bloody persecn'
tions that had been instigated by wild "a
| naticism in their htherlsnd.
soil, stilI the very sound OF the words "Bor
deauy." "a bbeville," and "South Carolina, "
| is music to my ears. The strong ties Of an
cestral relationship, by which my heart ls
still attached to this sacred spot OF eartn, tne
| Abbeville. know thou art blest with great
natural resources, excellent commercial ad.
vantages; and thou hast rendered thysel
famous insthe worlds history; SILL II nave
somewhat against thee"
KING COTTON.
The most discouraging sight that noticed
| in Abbeville County was the almost absolute
corn, sorghum, and other food-producing
crops. I DO MT believe 1 would exaggerste
were TO say that saw forty acres of cotton t
every one acre of corn, for fifteen miles on
l. Il thA oil Mn
good people can afford TO raise cotton at pres
ent prices TO pay western men to keep their
corn cribs and smoke houses, and deal out
their rations 10 them-on time-I am at q
That modern invention has rendered IT pos.
sible to extract pure leaf lard" from cotton
seed, still the sop" does not 60 very we'll
without little lnorsel OF bread. II some
which cotton seed meal can be converted into
good edible biscuits and ginger-cakes. We cot
ton planters will certainly "be 10 IT."
Another complaint that wish to make
ly destroy Ing their lands by their present
ent system OF cultivation. What we're once
fertile fields are now almost barren plains. l
actually believe 1t will require three, or even
four acres, In many places, TO make one good
bale OF cotton.
European lands that have not rested sin.
gle year In more than century, are said to
be better to-day than ever before.
EXHAUSTED LANDS
Why do our lands become exhausted and
have 10 be turned out after only a few years
cultivation? l fear that large majority ol
most, OF my own State, have failed TO give the
proper attention TO terracing their lands.
This fact IL much more apparent since the
adoption of the stock law and the removal
OF the fences. We notice that farmers, al
most without exception, run their rows too
much up and down the hills, and even pillow
down the banks along the roads. 1t does moi
require very close observer TO see that the
sO is gradually rs sliding of for considerable
Now, II the rows were run as nearly level as
possible, and then narrow space left un
broken around the ends and allowed TO grow
up In grass. we would soou lind that our lands
would wash comparatively little.
Some OF my neighborh have adopted plan
that il becoming deservedy popular. which
think, IN far superior 10 either terraring Oh
hillside dtcniRg an VILE spirit Level Level they
through their fields TO insure perfect level
i,ir all the rows, thus causing each row TO bold
Its own portion Of water. ! am satisfied thai
growing Oh land thus worked and other land
subjected 10 undue drainage. The land seems
not only 10 retain Its fertility, but 1t also re
mains looser and easily worked. On billy
luuds. OF course, it becomes necessary to put
In many short rows; but, Notwithstanding
this fact, I have seen the plan sufficiently
tested TO justify me in say ne that it can Be
made success.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
gard 10 the public school system OF your
State, that is, If Abbeville county furnishes o
fair specimen OF It's operations. II have
been correctly In formed, you employ your
teachers at stipulated salary, which, too, is
rather small. whether they have few or many
pupils. We pay our teachers so much per
scholar, thus throwing more OF the responsi.
oility upon the teacher, and making II more
interest In the success Of his scchool. As u
rule, l believe our teachers are more
thoroughly prepared and receive better pay
than yours.
THE LIQUOR LAW.
was truly glad TO hear so many favorable
comments on. your new "liquor law: While
1t may need some slight notifications still
feel quite sure II will eventually result I'm
incalculabe good to the old Palmetto State
OUR LONELY TOWN.
You have lovely town, which Ia To be con.
gratul on its fine railroad facilities, and
also on the probability OF large increase OF
population by the establishment of the g., c.
& N. car shops within It's bounds.
AT LEBANON.
had the pleasure Of attending school ex.
hibition at Lebanon, In which the children
acquitted themselves In a manner that re.
1ecled credit upon their worthy teacher. and
at the same time did honor to themselves
No doubt some OF those very boys and girls
will yet fill high and honorable positions.
MARTINS MILL.
I also attended picnic. at the noted and
picturesque old Martins shoals. Here I was
the recipient of the unbounded hospitality OF
the noble ladies of that community. My
heartfelt thanks are due and are hereby ten
courtesies shown me on this occasion.
Now, In conclusion let me say, Abbeviile
county, South Carolina. is the dwelling place
OF some of the best people, the most intelli,
gent children, and the prettiest and most
lovely young ladies on earth.
Begging pardon for this Intrusion, and
thanking you for your patience. am your
humble servant, A Georgian.
Iavoraft Jnlv 9TH 1909