The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-10-10

WHICH preserves It's ohiSu' oo'o' "'"
all the nutritive elements of the grass,
and is equal to the very best made
anywhere today and far superior to
the overripened grass straw from
which all the seed has been threshed,
which constitutes the staple found in
our Southern markets and is sold to
consumers under the name of hay.
Indeed, this claim is not SO well
established, that to the extent to
which this hay can be supplied it has
taken the place of Northern and
Western hay in the local market, and
is in growing demand in other por-
tions of the State. The meadows
yield an average of three cuttings
during the season, some seasons four
being made. The yield Per acre. if
mentioned. would be regarded by the
Eastern or Western hay maker as In
credible. The crop of the Riverside
meadows this season will be between
5000 and 10000 bales.
The other crops, which at River
side are merely subsidiary to the hay
crop, show the same results of intel.
ligent cultivation and rich soil
There are about seventy acres of corn
which is a marvel to the beholder
The stalks tower to the height of
twelve or fifteen feet, with immense
hanging ears of matured grain,
which viii! require tall man 10 reach
them and growth of fodder so luxu-
rant, that although planted Eve feet
between the rows, it is impossible to
see beyond few feet down the
rows. 1t is estimated that the yield
will reach fifty bushels to the acre
over the whole field. 4 portion of
this crop is grown on land from
which crop of oats was taken this
season averaging thirty.five bushels
per acre. No manure of any kind
was used on these crops.
As to the small area in cotton
twenty-five acres-cultivated by the
contract hands, elk acres per hand,
under the supervision of the proprie-
tor, is as fine ''patch, perhaps, as
can be seen this side of the Missis.
sippi to-day. 1t is FIVE feet between
the rows, the stalk averaging six feet
high lap across and are falling under
the weight of matured bolls, averag-
ing 100 to the stalk. Fifty bales is
at present safe estimate of the pro-
duction of these twenty-five acres.
Riverside has been favored this
season in having the management OF
a thoroughly competent farmer i'll the
person Of Mr.. D. E. Bolton, to whom
much of the credit is- due for the
splendid condition of its crop. All
the details of the farm show the
intelligent care and painstaking
which are so essential to success.
All work is Systematically done, the
most approved labor-saving machinery
is used, labor is economlsed and
judiciously directed aud controlled
and everything comes directly under
the daily supervision of Capt. Childs,
who gives the same constant and
careful attention to his farm interests
that merchant would to his store to
make it success.
An object of interest to the visitor
of Riverside is the live stock. A
flock of 100 fine sheep, as many fat
hogs and shoats, goodly herd
of work oxen, COWS and calves, all
sleek and happy, and fine drove of
horses, mules. and colts, mostly the
product of the plantation, reared at a
cost only Of such attention and sub
sistence, as the resources of the place
easily supplies.
A visit to Riverside will repay any
one interested in the development of
our farming interests and must i'm.
press them with the possibilities
which lie within the reach Of any
reasonable investment of money and
brains in the rich lands along our
rivers, so easy of development and so
accessible to market.
There are thousands Of acres of
this meadow along the Congsree
within few miles of Columbia, that
with the same attention which has
been bestowed on the Riverside farm
may be made equity productive as
hay and grain farms. and with the
facilities which will be afforded by
the improvement in the navigation of
the river, the example of Capt. Childs
is bound to be followed by others and
these rich fields made to pay the
largest returns for the investments
made in them The State
nisoracefill and DEGRADING.