The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-07-29
The Reclamation of the Bottoms,

There is hardly farm anywhere tnat na'
no bottom land upon 1t. Whether 1t be large
or small there will usually be some land or
IL that may be called "bottom" land. 1t IL
not even necessary that there be stream 10
there is, and when we speak OF bottom land
We have in mind the lowlsnds bordering
streams.
These lands constitute one OF the most val.
liable of the farm assets. On them the best
corn can be grown, and the best grass: When
all the other fields are becoming dry and
thirsty, the bottom is still green and flourish
Ing. II is only In very long droughts that
they suffer. On the bottoms, too, good TIM
ber Is frequently found growing. Il =.
Some times we will find only small
branch running through the farm, and then
the bottoms will be called branch bottoms.
haps. as larger ones. are very good indeed,
and will make excellent corn with right cul-
ture. Not being subject to overflow IN periods
OF rain, they stand In no danger from This
source. In this respect, they are TO De pre-
ferred 10 the bottoms along the larger
streams.
What we wish to consider here is how best
to treat the bottoms to attain the best results.
For It is practical results that we should aim
all OF them, for like other lands, there Is in.
finite variety In them, both as to soil and silt
uation. Often II will be found that the bot.
toms have been practically abandoned az cul
tivated fields, owing TO the frequent overhows
Of the streams on which they lie. This IL the
most serious menace in their cultivation. In
some cases the overflow might be averted by
proper ditching. In others 1t could not, and In
this case II may be best not to attempt Guilt
walton. However, If the water spreads out
over wide area, 80 that 1t does not become
very deep, the overflow is not disastrous, and
1t may be possible 10 cultivate such bottoms
very successfully. Indeed, some OF the best
bottoms are OF this kind. The overhows
serve to keep them fertile by depositing silt.
But II the flow OF the water Is rapid, the re.
verse takes place, and the soft upper layers OF
soil are carried away.
In many cases 1t will be found best to util-
lie such bottoms as pasture. There ls much
land OF this kind a little further down in our
a1 Good pasture. I although @ The periodic leo overflow
muddy the grass, rendering II temporarily
dangerous for the stock to eat II. AS soon as
good rain comes, it will be safe for grazing
utilize bottoms that are too fiat or marshy for
cultivation. II timber Is growing, 1t will per-
haps be best to let 1t remain:
Even II no ditching can be attempted the
stream should be kept clear OF debris This
can be done without great labor, and II will
help TO prevent disastrous overfows. II 1t Ia
possible to ditch the main stream, 30 much
the better. In many instances the bottom
lands as well as the uplands, have suffered
from Encouragement or neglect. Being fat
and naturally more fertile than the uplands,
1t is not 30 easy to exhaust them. These allu.
vial lands along the streams are the richest
washings from the higher ground. This be-
Ing true, we should appreciate their import
ance, and endeavor to reclaim them for cultl.
vation, wherever possible. As suggested
above, by clearing the streams OF the debris
that lodges In them, overfiows will not 30 cas-.
lily occur. :,
draining. In some parts OF the country tile
draining is practiced, but 1t has not yet been
tried here. 1t is expensive. but when proper
lv done, will last for years, repaying the ini-
tial cost OF laying many times over. Tile
draining Is superior to open ditching, IN that
1t offers no obstruction TO the plow, the rows
reaching over the hidden drains as II they
were not there.
In every case, the individual should study
the bottom land, to see just what can be
done to secure the best results from them. II
they have suffered from overfiows. then pos-
sibly some way can be found TO lessen this.
II they are too fat or marshy for cultivation,
then perhaps pasturing will be the best way
to utilize them. Then. too. as already out
lined bottoms are valuable for the trees that
grow on them. In some cases, especially
where subject to overflow. 1t will be a far
sighted policy TO leave them In woods, II al
ready covered with forest.
One acre OF bottom land is worth several OF
upland. This being true, we should give our
best efforts towards bringing out their full
possibilities.
A rotation OF crops Is not so essential on
bottom lands, as on the uplands, as they are
better supplied with all the elements OF fer
tility, and are much deeper. But even here
change is beneficial. The planting OF peas
will help the bottoms and the sowing OF
grain on them. Those that have been in oul-
tivatlou for long time would be benefited
by changing them 10 pasture.
We never think OF fertilizing the bottoms
very much. but IT will be OF decided benefit
TO do this, II they are Of only medium fertil.
ity.
While the usual method Ia to pillow the boi-
toms with one.horse plows, 1t would unques.
tionably be better TO turn them with two.
secure better drainage, and deeper seed bed.
II the turning were done In the fall, there
would be the added advantage OF incorpo.
rating with the soil the corn stalks and other
vegetation, which II left till spring, would
probably be burned. and 80 largely lost.
areas OF swamp lands, which II cleared and
drained, would be highly productive. South
Carolina has large areas OF this kind In 1ts
lower counties. All together, the swamp lands
of the United States form an area Of approx
mately l70. 1000 acres which II drained (as
home of large population. Such reclaimed
land would be the most fertile In the coun.
try, and as nearly inexhaustible as 1t Ia posi-.
BILE for land TO be. 1t has been urged that If
the General Government can undertake irri-
CATION In the West, 1t would be within its
scope to drain the swamp areas In other sec
tions The future will decide this. Whether
done by the State or the Nation, 1t would
make homes fol q large population. It 10
hardly possible for private enterprise TO ac-
complish this work unaided. The time is ap-
preaching when every available acre OF land
population. 1t Is almost certain that when
the pressure OF population begins to make 1t
self felt, the swamp areas Will be drained and
be converted into fertile fields.