The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-10-10
How Hay is Proftably Raised
in South Carolina.
An Example Worthy of Imitation.

in South Carolina.
An Example Worthy Of Imitation.
"a visit to the plantation of Capt
L. D Childs a. few days since has so
impressed me with the wonderful 1e-
sources and possibilities Of the lands
along our rivers that | believe a few
notes of observation will be of inter
est and perhaps profit, to the class of
your many readers, especially who
are anxiously seeking for some more
profitable crop than cotton at five
cents pound
ttThe lands of Capt. L. D. Childs
form part of the large plantation
cultivated for generations by the
Hamptons, and noted for their pro-
ductiveness. By the intelligent
management to which they subjected
under the old regime the thousands
of acres then under cultivation, with
It's hundred offs slaves, contented
and happy in the careful provision
made for their health and comforts !;
its abundant crops of corn and cot
ton and its stock of the finest cattle
and horses to be found in the South !;
presented, indeed, an ideal plantation
whose fame extended over the whole
land. On the rich meadows of native
grass were reared horses Of purest
blood, whose record on the turf 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.'''
Afterthe war the Hampton place"
passed into the hands of the late Col
E. D. Childs and since his death has
been retained by his sons, w. G. and
L. D. Childs, who for several years
cultivated it jointly. About six years
ago these gentlemen divided their
interests and the lands have since been
cultivated separately by them. Capt.
Chiids has devoted himself to the
development of his part as hay
and stock farm under the name of
Riverside, !" and the present condi-
ton of the place illustrates what can
be done in farming by the application
of intelligence, liberal expenditure
of capital, persevering energy and
personal attention.
About $50 acres of the place is
meadow, lying contiguous to the
river and subject to overflow by the
river in It's higher stages. This fact
would render It's cultivation in cotton
and corn hazardous, but makes the
condition most favorable for hay cul-
ture. and to this the intelligent mind
Of the proprietor has devotedit. The
problems to be solved were, first.
how to arrest the destructive effects
of the river freshets on the lands
itself, which at one point was threaten
ed with complete isolation from the
rest Of the plantation by the con-
stantly deepening and widening
channels which every succeeding
freshet cut across it; and second,
how to save the hay after being cut
from being swept away or ruined by
the sudden overflow of the meadow
Both these difficulties have been met,
and, after years of persevering labor
and. outlay, may .aos be regarded as
successfully overcome. BY planting
tbeqmck growing aterwillow along
the cl,aplels made by the gcurrent
when sheoveraoR cones eznahent
HIattress Has been fkofafed the
growing trees which arrests the sand
brought by the current and deposits
it along these channels, rapidly filing
them to the origina: level, in many
instances these deposits having
already reached Eve feet Thus the
inroade of the river have been
effectually checked and it's current
made to perform the work of restora-
tion.
The other problem. how to save the
hay has, for several seasons been fully
solved also and the crop is now har.
vested free from any danger of loss
from freshets to any appreciable de-
gree.
Hay making is conducted on the
most scientific processes and methods,
some of which, the results of observa-
ton 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
mowers of the most approved make,
and after being rendered and raked,
is ready. in sunny weather, in forty.
eight to sixty hours to be placed
sI .l.Ia 81. D,,r;p~ I'm