Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-03-25
FRIDAY, MARCH rs, 1910.

hanson plan. 1t was a pioneer
movement on the part of Mr.. Cald-
we'll yesterday when he broke an
acre of ground with dynamite. So
far as is known nothing like ii has
ever occurred in the south. Quite a
crowd came out to see the dynamite
touched off and the soil of the field
stirred to its depths. The children
of the Ardella school turned out en-
masse to see the performance.
Among those from the city who went
out were, Capt. Chas Petty, c. H.
Henry, eX-Sheriff and Mrs. John
Nichols and a representative of The
Herald. The acre broken by dynamite
had been previously bedded up. A
large supply of well rOtted stable
manure swelled each bed TO large
proportions. In the water burrows
pieces of dynamite were dropped in
holes two feet deep and eight feet
apart. In each hole was placed
long glycerine-capped fuse. When
all the ground to be broken had
. been so loaded, MesSrS. Jesse Caldwell,
Joe West and Bradley took red not
irons, and each taking a row, went
through the field abreast touching
the fuses and exploding the charges
of dynamite. The charges were
eight feet apart lengthwise the rows,
rows. After the explosions, the
earth for a depth of from twenty
four to twenty-siX inches was thor
oughly loOsened and pulveriZed from
one hole to another. 1t was great
sight to see the dirt thrown upward
and the bosom of mother earth
heave and swell with each eXplo-
sion. Now that Mr. Caldwell has his
field so thoroughly broken up by the
ha will nrnrpp1 in order as
follows: He will subsoil by running
over il with a Coulter. Next, he
will run siX-tooth spring harrow
in the water burrows. Next, he Will
use a Cole planter and plant his corn
six inches apart. He will plant on
Good Friday. Next. he will apply
about three tons of meal and acid.
Next. he will follow out the William
son plan of cultivation. The cost of
breaking up an acre of ground with
dynamite is about $50. Mr.. Caldwell
believes that with the soil broken
to a depth of twenty-siX inches the
crop will not suffer on account OF
drought. On this specially prepared
acre he expects to make one hundred
bushels of corn. 1t was a giant un-
dertaking on the part of Mr.. Ca!d-
well to dynamite an acre or ground.
Over a thousand holes, two feet deep,
naQ 10 De uIilleu, anu cilNSl llA'S PS'
of sticks of dynamite placed in and
fuses added carefully. IF l should
succeed in growing a large yield of
corn" says Mr.. Caldwell, 1.-The eXper-
iment will be of immense value to
farmers everywhere. If a man does
not risk something he will learn moth
ing. l want to try and accomplish
q few things in my time that Will
help the farmers in the years to-
come" Quite a number of people
from different parts OF the county
were at Mr.. Caldwells yesterday to
see the novel performance of tear
ing up the earth with dynamite to-
prepare for planting corn. AT l2.So
O'Clock a dinner was served that
would have taxed the mind and in
genuity of a French chef. such
chicken, and ham! such homemade
pickles and preserves as graced the
board would be hard to equal any
where! Few things were served the
guests that were not made on the
farm. Mr. Caldwell is one of those
farmers who prides himself on raising
nearly everything he uses on the ia
BILE. and the spread yesterday was as
conspicuous for variety as it was for
quality and quantity.