The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-07-10

James Island. s. c.. July 6.-I will
not attempt to comment on any OF
the selections for this week, but will
Try to give my rvaders some of the
impressions Of James Island and its
farming operations.
Yesterday the James Island Agri-
cultural Society held Its annual 4th
of July meeting. The feature of the
meeting that impressed me most was
the report Of the"Riding Committee. -
This committee of three had during
the preceding week visited every
farm on the island, and reported on
the condition of the crops. In addi-
ton. this committee presented a de-
tailed report from nearly every farm
eI. giving the acreage of each crop
and the amount of fertilizer used.
was surprised and pleased to note the
amount Of compost" (stable manure,
horse and cows) used. Almost every
fsrmer keeps as many cows as the
last years acreage In Sea. Island cot
ton will provide pasture for. In con-
versation with Capt. Rivers. the old
est and one of the most successful
planters on the island. he said that
he regarded farming without cattle as
but halfway work. The milk and
butter. the money return from sales
of the increase Of the cattle. being
but incidental; the great good bing
in the mechanical effect on the soil
by the tramping of the cattle, and
the promotion OF bacteria by the
use of the manure. without both OF
which there could be no successful
production of Sea Island cotton.
Another committee gave the result
OF last years crop In pounds of lint
cotton. which ranged from about 900
I'd $50 lbs. per acre. A committee of
the younger members of the society
was provided for at this meeting to
experiment In the use OF nitrate of
soda. SO that In few years there may
be no guess work about the right
quantity. II any at all. for the best
results. At present the usual guam
tity was so pounds per acre to stimu-
late rapid growth at first. Later ap-
plications promote weed growth and
prevent maturity.
After the regular routine business
was over several visitors were invited
&c address the meeting. Col James
Henry Rice on the Necessity Of Bird
Protection 1t was my first oppor-
tunity to listen to him. and 1 wish
him to address our Sumter farmers
sometime. Mr.. La Roche. Of Edisto
Island. presented the results OF the
investigation of the committee of the
Sea Island cotton growers in West
Indian competition. and the necessity
OF better marketing arrangements.
He drew very glowing picture. and
some members Of the Society thought
they should lay in a supply Of crepe
and go into mourning over the grave
OF Sea Island cotton culture. His dis
cusslon of the marketing arrange
ments showed the necessity of wider
cooperation than can be effected by
one society. Some of his statements
bear repetition for the warning they
give short cotton growers. Among
them: "The handlers OF long cotton
are not interested In obtaining the
highest price, for they are paid for
their ability to buy cotton cheap
hence they make concessions either
In grade or price to satisfy the buyer
whose agents they really are" DC
not We sellers Of short cotton know
or buyers who were paid cash prizes
by big export houses for their ability
to buy high grades cheaper than their
fellow buyers?
The next speaker was the inimt.
able Col. Jimmie" Armstrong whom
saw for the frst time, and who
found was an army comrade o.
my fathers In Gregg LIST Reg. S
c.. v. and could recall nearly ever,
man of the Pee Dee Artillery. which
was originally part OF the 1st Regi
ment. He said ne was an honorary
member OF the Society and all Of nj,
experience In farming was that az s
lad he Narrowed his parents feel
ings." and as youth "sowed hi
wild oats" No further attempt will
be made to report his remarks. Thos,
who have heard him can understand
that one must hear him and see hi
snow white hair and the beautiful ex
preston that fits across his rudd.