94 JOURNAL OF THE 



For a decade and more previous to this date the more intelli- 

 gent planters in South Carolina had become deeply interested in 

 the recent improvements of modern agriculture. A number of 

 agricultural societies were organized in different regions of the 

 State, and here these planters met together for discussions of vari- 

 ous topics relating to their profession. The doctrines of modern 

 agricultural chemistry concerning soils, the adaptability of crops, 

 manures, and especially calcareous manures (marls, etc.), were 

 taking root among a few of the more intelligent planters; but 

 they felt the need of more information and of having some bet- 

 ter informed person show how to put these doctrines into practice. 



For several years an agricultural and geological survey of the 

 State had been advocated by R. W. Roper, chairman of the 

 legislative committee on agriculture; and now the demand for 

 such a survey had become quite extended. Accordingly at the 

 session of the Legislature of November and December, 1842, 

 Governor James H. Hammond, one of the more intelligent and 

 progressive planters in the State, in his annual message to the 

 Legislature, urged the establishment of such a survey, and his 

 recommendation was seconded by memorials from several of the 

 agricultural societies (S. C. Agricultural Society, Wateree Agri- 

 cultural Society and Milton Laurens Agricultural Society). 



In December* (1842) the General Assembly authorized the 

 establishment of an "Agricultural Survey of the State, '^ * * 

 for the examination of our soil, discovery and application of 

 marl lime, and developing all other resources and facilities of 

 improvement"; and "as a means of testing this salutary meas- 

 ure," appropriated the sum of $2,000 a year for two years, auth- 

 orizing the Governor to appoint the surveyor, "who shall report 

 all geological information which may be incidentally collected." 



It was further authorized in the establishing act that the results 

 of each year's survey be reported to the Legislature, and that 

 copies of the reports be distributed to every agricultural society 

 in the State.f 



*Dec. 14, in the House of Representatives, and Dec. 17, in the Senate. 

 fExtracts from the Acts of South Carolina, 1842, pp. 92 and 93. 



