The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-09-25
ABSOLUTELY PURE

set the pace for the famous racers of
the world of that day, while the crops
of cotton and corn produced rivalled
the best yields on the famed Missis-
sippi bottoms"
passed into the hands of the late Col.
l.. ID. Childs and since his death has
been retained by his sons, w. G. and
l.. ID. Childs, who for several years cul-
tivated it jointly. About six years g
these gentlemen divided their Interests
and the lands have since been cult
waited separately by them. Capt. Childs
has devoted himself to the develop
ment OF his part as q hay and stock
farm under the name of "Riverside,"
and the present condition of the place
illustrates what can be don in farm
ing by the application Of intelligence,
q liberal expenditures OF capital, perse-
vering energy and personal attention.
About $50 acres of tho place is mea-
dow, lying contiguous to the river and
subject to overflow by the river in it's
higher stages. This fact would render
its cultivation in cotton and corn haz-
ardOus. but makes the condition most
favorable FOR hay culture, and to this
the intelligent mind of the proprietor
has devoted it. The problems to be
ooiNSo "|iO, htoU ~" w "ltSoO OIS
destructive effects of the river fresbets
ON the lands itself, which at one point
was threatened with complete isolation
from the rest Of the plantation by the
constantly deepening and widening
channels which every succeeding
freshet cut across it and second, how
to save tho hay after being cut from
being swept away or ruined by the
sudden overflow of tho meadow. Both
| ~ 400 4 IN ~, So, la,,, l~~Nx ~ .,l
after years of ~persevering labor and
outlay, may now be regarded as sue
cessfully overcome. BY planting the
quick growing water willow along the
channels made by the current when
the overflow m u permanent mat
tress has been formed by the growing
trees which arrests the sand brought
by the current and deposits it along
these channels, rapidly filling them to
the original level, in many instances
these deposits having already reached
five feet. Thus the inroads of the
river have been etfectually checked and
its current made to perform the work
of restoration.
The other problem, how to save the
has, hay for several seasons been fully
solved also and the crop is now har-
vested free from any danger of loss
from freshets to any appreciate de-
gree.
Hay making is conducted on the most
scientific processes and methods, some
of which, the results Of observation
and experience, are peculiar to this
plantation. At the proper stage of
growth, usually when about two feet
high, the grass is laid down by now
ers of the most approved make, and
after being rendered and raked, is
! ,,Anl,, -, /, ;, xrnnfhn, -, f~nt,, ~ oh 4
to sixty hours to be placed under tho
Sheds for curing. Immense sheds have
been erected in each meadow Of capa-
city sufficient to receive the hay cut
on hat meadow. Under these sheds
are racks, in compartments, construct
cd Of light framing timber, the first
or lower floor, which is of joists only,
being raised about n foot above the
highest freshet water mark. The hay,
when brought from the field, is lifted
from the wagons by horse power, con-
veyed by carriers running on steel
ways the whole length of the shed,
and is dropped in any Of the compart-
ments desired. AS each is filled to the
height OF fOuT feet, Il iiOoring Of loose
Stats is laid above it, the ends resting
on the framing timber at the sides.
Upon this another layer of hay is de-
posted and their operation is continu-
cd until the compartments are all
filed to thereof of the shed. BY thuis
arrangement, as the nay dries and
settles down in layers q free ~circula-
ton of air Is secured through the en-
tire mass under the shed, all surplus
moisture is ~evaporatcd and the posi-
bilitics of mildew or rot etfcctually
prevented. BY these means II hay is
produced which preserves it's bright
color II all the nutritivo elements of
the grass, and is equal to the very
best made anywhere today and far su-
pcrIor to the ovcrripcncd grass straw
from which all tho sced has been
thrcshed. which constitutes the staple
found in our Southern markets ind is
sold to consumers under the name of
hay. Indeed, this claim is now SO we'll
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 portions of the State.
The meadows yield an average of three
cuttings during the season, some sea-
sons four being made. The yield per
acre, if'mcntioncd, would be regarded
by the Eastern or Western hay maker
us incredible. The crop of the River
tween $4,000 and 10000 bales.
lHc OJllcf crops, WHICH aU lllVofSluC
are merely subsidiary to the hay G op,
show the same results Of Intelligent
cultivation and rich soil. There arc
about seventy acres of corn which is q
marvel to the beholdcr. The stalks
tower to tho height of twelve or fifteen
feet, with immense hanging cars of
matured grain, which will require u
tall man to reach them and Il growth
OF fodder SO luXuriant, that although
planted five fect between the rows, it
is impossible to sec beyond Il few feet
down the rows. 1t is estimated that
the yield will reach fifty bushels to the
acre over the whole field. "A portion of
this crop is grown on land from which
a crop Of oats vas taken this season
averaging thirty-five bushels per acre.
No manure of any kind was used on
these crops.
AS to the small era in cotton
twenty-five acrcs--cultivatcd by tho
contract hands, six acres per hand,
under the supervision of the proprie-
toy, is as fine u "patch," perhaps, as
can be seen this side of the Mississippi
to-day. 1t is five feet between the rows,
the stalks averaging six feet high lap
across and arc falling under the weight
of matured bolls, averaging 200 to the
stalk. Fifty bales is at present a safe
estimate of tho production of these
twenty-five acres.
Riverside has been favored this sea
son in having the management of II