Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-24
, BY FREDERIC j. HAsKIN.

~ HARLEsToN, s., CT. March 1.-THE south is
1 going back to its plantations. Lands that have
- lain fallowl for, generation being titled
again. and ong-deserted mansions repaired and opened
sometimes permanent homes oftener country
places and shooting lodges. Wide fireplaces blaze
on autumn evenings; halls that have been silent
fifty years filled with music and voices; swamps
and pine forests echo hunting parties and
the trumpetng bay of hounds. 70.
There is something peculiarly appealing about the
rehabilitation of these old mansions. of which
have stood through the whole American story since
colonial days. and sheltered soldiers
American After Lees surrender. variety of
conditions forced the plana
lions on the coastal plains The industry could
not stand the competition from the west Sea Island
cotton, which had long ruled market, dropped n
price. There money in begin
agriculture lines The people left their
and crowded to the cities. Now they have found pros
perity again. and they going back.
The movement is not primarily a sentimental
by any means few weeks ago three brothers
bought back 10000 which belonged their
family before the They going scientific
agriculture Companies have been formed to reclaim
the rice fields There two experts from the
uona department of agriculture in now advise
some Charleston men such project. They believe
that by strengthening the old dykes and using
pumps these rich alluval can be placed under
cultivation again. Other being divided into
small tracts and coonized.
Most unique is the Utilization of planta-
tions as hunting preserves. Nearly all IF
alive with game Deer, wild turkey foxes, wild fowl
and cartridges abundant within a miles of
Charleston. There is probably another city of its
size IN the United States that hunting
Now those which combine excellent game COW
ers with comfortable mansions being purchased by
clubs The old homes make excellent hunting lodges
Men from as far north Boston and far west as
ST. Paul gather here in November often bringing their
families with them and staying the whole
OF the clubs have thirty forty members,
OF game keepers The initiation fee is usually $4,000
to $4,000 and the annual dues from 500 $1,000
There many smaller clubs. large tracts
land are kept by individuals hunting grounds.
This conversion Of plantations shooting pre-
serves has many advantages. 1t keeps up and i'm
these historical hcnes brings inconsderable
amount of money to the south. and the game
For all of the clubs strict game laws
and vigorously suppress poachins.
Perhaps the most famous of the old estates which
ere being reclaimed those. of the coastal
islands where the planters of the famous Sea
Island cotton lived baronal style All that best
in the old southern regime be found in the pic
turesque life the island plantations. Here grew
peculiar very long staple which brought ~
pound in those days before machinery increased the
of the shorter staple The soil was very
rich. and the laborers were slaves Wealth album
dant and easily Hunting and social life were the
the planters who Travelled from island to
island great canoes manned by eight ten stalwart
negro oarsmen. These attained skill and
there frequent regattas which the from
different plantations raced for prizes. At night
planters journeyed the bay to Charles
ton their long decked with lanterns and their
negro boatsmen singing they rowed
For many years the greater part OF the sea
islands have been a tangled waste few planters
still live there and come town in prosaic motor
boats but for the most part the deer and the wild