The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-08-18
MAKES SPLENDID CROPS.
Plantation of ID. w. Brown is a Mod.
ern EldOradO, Says Writer.
People.

Meyers Mill, Aug. 2.-Mr. Editor:
just want you to let me tell of a
little ride took a few days ago. 1t
was over in the lower part of Four
Mile township. in the corner where
the A. G. l.. joins the c. e. w. C. I
mad not been through the plantation
(the Mrs. Hattie Ashley place) in
many years-not since it was let to
negroes to crop On-and my impress
sion formed from what l saw then
made the pleasure and surprise of
again passing that way under the
management of its present owner, Mr..
u. w. Brown, very great. Where
about Is years ago I saw pitiful look
ing caricatures of crops in a riotous
growth of weeds and grass, l now be-
held broad acres Of corn UNSURPASSED.
even in the West, for it's uniformity of
fruitage and richness in color.
AS / stood on an eminence by the
roadside. there was spread out below
me 800 acres Of this corn, apparently
in one field. It was simply grand-in-
spring. The rows were about IL
or feet apart, the hills 20 or 30
inches apart, and I am pretty sure
there were more stalks with two or
more good ears each than there We're
with one. Mr.. Brown has since in
formed me that by judicious use of
cowpeas. deep plowing and crop ro-
tation he was able to make this corn
at a Very low cost, the fertilizers Gap
Piled at last working) consisting only
of 30 or 35 pounds of nitrate, mixed
! with equal parts of acid and kainit.
AS L had been meeting Mr.. Brown
every day or two at the postoffice and
had never heard before of this fine
corn, I am convinced that he is one
who would rather let his work speak
for itself.
Turning away from the corn, on the
| opposite side of the road was q field of
cotton. also green, well groomed and
promising, and have been informed
that the field was planted partly with
early maturing varieties. and partly
With late, which strikes me as an ex-
cellent plan, especially where labor is
scarce and unreliable. Mr.. Brown
plants this year half as much cotton
as corn. He shipped some very early
melons. for which he realized the best
prices. ,...... .. ..
| The plantation upon which Mr..
Brown lives is one of the most inter-
esting in the county. both on account
of its natural fertility and it's scenic
beauty Viewing the surrounding
country from a, hill on the place, I
could easily imagine myself among
the Piedmont hills Of upstate. South
ana West the view extends over a
scope of IL or Is miles. One can
trace the undulating, willow covered
course of numerous small streams as
they rise. among the hills which
mark the Savannah River escarpment,
then lose themselves in the swamps
OF the river. Then away over the
river one gets glimpses Of many a
green-crested hill against the hazy
blue of the distant skyline.
| In fact, the whole scene, both near
and far, so enchanted me that found
myself longing for the privilege of
getting me u tent and obtaining per-
mission to pitch camp in this modern
Eldorado for just few days sur
cease from work and worry. 1 feel
sure that would get results equally as
happy as from resorts of greater
fame.
Hoping you will pardon me for tres
passing on your time and space, am,
| Yours.
- Medicus Agricola.