The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-05-24
EAGLE POND, Nav &c

|
lake there is practically no bottom, and
myriads of fish disport where once gam
boiled the frisky lamb, the tricky mule,
the clumsy kline, and the happy negro.
In the space of few seconds the trans
formation was made, and what was one
day firm land became bottomless pond
of water. Somewhere about 1871 this
section of country was convulsed by a
terrific earthquake shock, more devasta-
ting than that which swept through here
thirteen years ago. As the result of this
seismetic wave the bottom dropped out
Of the populous, building covered plain,
and Eagle pond was formed. 1t is not
related whether the negroes, the kline,
the mules, the horses and the pigs were
also engulfed, but it is to be hoped that
there was warning tremor of the earth,
and that all escaped in safety to higher
ground. The course of the earthquake can
readily be traced for miles by means of a
chain of similar "sinks," some of which
contain water, while others are mere de-
pressions in the ground. 1t is probable
that the water comes from some gigantic
underground lake, or possibly river, for
there is neither outlet or inlet to the
pond, drought rarely effects it, and it is
only after continued heavy rains that its
waters rise and overflow its banks. The
water is pure, and cold, and limpid, and
while other varieties of fish are found
there in abundance, am told that trout
cannot live in its depths. So much for
Eagle Pond and its strange, weird his
tory.
There was very fine turnout at the
picnic, and from random talks that l had
| with the farmers present, learned sew
eral new things. For instance, had
| demonstrated to my satisfaction the fact
that an ever-bearing mulberry tree, ten
years old, will fatten hog to killing
size and weight with the addition OF
little corn just before killing time, and
an intermediate pasturage on field OF
peas and pindars. The mulberry gives
fine flavor to the pork, and as the tree is
hardy one, and will begin bearing at
two or three years of age, it would pay
our farmers to set out mulberry groves.
Sheep will thrive well in this section of
the country; they require but little care,
except at lambing time, their wool is
staple and always saleable product, and,
because of the mildness of our winters
Spring lambs" can be brought to mark
etable size and weight at time when, in
the Northern markets, they will COM
mand prices that will pay richly. have
talked sheep farming to many OF our
planters, and am usually met, when l
urge the establishment of fold and flock,
with the stereotyped objection:
"There are too many worthless dogs IN
South Carolina to make sheep farming
pay"
Then, because of lessons learned else
where, I combat this argument with a
piece of intelligence which may be news
to many of my readers. Sheep and goats
will fraternize and herd together, and if
they are reared in companionship from
lamb and kid age up will become staunch
friends. The sheep is timid and falls an
easy prey to a mutton-loving canine.
The goat is fighter from way back, and
a muscular old Billy" is more than
match for the most blood-thirsty sheep
killing dog that ever lived. Take flock
of one hundred say, one-fourth being
goats-nannys or billys-and the three
quarter sheep portion will be immune
from the fangs of the mutton-eating cur,
for the goats will battle for their woolly
brethren till the last rattle out OF box,
and woe be it to the canine who tackles a
flock of sheep thus protected. There Is
very little profit in the common goat,
but if farmer will start his flock of
sheep guarders with native nannys and
Angora billys, he will in short time,
grade up his stock until, as fleece produc-
ers, they will become more profitable
than the sheep. 1t is true that sheep
thrive best in mountainous countries, and
are more subject to disease in low, flat,
moist sections like ours, but sheep farm
ing has been made to pay in South Caro-
limo in the past and can be made to pay
again if it is begun and followed intelli-
gently.
Last week l had occasion to make a
long drive among the Edisto swamps be-
low Midway passed through hundreds
of acres of grass -carpeted savannahs,
upon which large herds of meat cattle
could be proftably grazed. Next to good
roads and better schools, one of my hob
bvs is stock-raising, and a man has only
to sit down and figure the thing out and
he will see, with our ideal climate and al
most imperishable grazing grounds, that
the industry could be made to pay and
paw handsomely. Cattle raising for beef
alone could be made profitable, but if a
dozen or more farmers would combine,
provide themselves with dairy herds,
erect a creamery in some central location
and manufacture cheese, they would not
long complain of hard times, low priced
cotton would cease to ill them with ter