VOIj. XVHI. no. 34. 



AND HORTICULTURAL REGISTER 



207 



-and of becoming aciiuainted with tlie most ap- cliea of industry have received an impulse, by 

 roved and modern practices in liusbaiidry — the , wholesome laws, the great interests of agriculture 

 pportunities of acquiring useful knowledge are , have been passed by almost with silent contempt, 

 bundant and cheap. One of these means and a It is now time for the State to dismiss from her 

 aluable one, is proffered him through the oxhibi- counsels this cold indifference, and to take such ae- 

 ons and publications of the^e societies. Another tion on the subject as will promote its success. In 

 3 the perusal of books upon agriculture and rural , exploring the causes which have retarded the pro- 

 conomy, which should form a part of social and ru- I gress of the State in population, wealth and imper- 

 il libraries. And another facility of acquiring this ! tance, none is more prominent than the utter neg- 

 seful knowledge, is afforded by the agricultural ■ leot of this primary pursuit It cannot be doubted 

 eriodicals of our country, which, besides contain- 1 that South Carolina once possessed a soil of unsur- 

 ig much that is instructive in the philosophy of' passed fertility. But tliis rich gift of a kind Provi- 

 imiing, are a record of the best modes of practice, dence has been, in a great measure lost, by a most 



nd of much that is new and important, in the vari 

 us departments of rural and household labor. A 

 olume of the Cultivator, of which I can speak with 

 ccuracy, contains about as much matter as five or 

 ix volumes of the popular novels of the day, and 

 wice as much as four numbers ofour literary quar- 

 3rly journals. The price of the Cultivator is one 

 oUar per annum. I verily think, that if the far- 

 ler would divide his patronage between political 

 nd agricultural journals, he would be a manifest 

 ainer, in his fortune and in his family — would be 

 lore happy in his business, and domestic in his 

 abits — a better manager and a more useful citizen. 

 Time will not permit me to go into the details of 

 lodern improvements in husbandry. These im- 

 rovements are groat, and afford the brightest hopes 

 ] the philanthropist and the patriot. No one who 

 an carry back his memory forty years, can with- 

 old his wonder at the astonishing improvements 

 rh'ich have in that time been made in the manu- 



pernicious course of husbandry. A large portion 

 of this once flourishing region, blessed too, with a 

 propitious climate, has been reduced to sterility. 

 Yet all hope of reclaiming and restoring to its won- 

 ted productiveness, our exhausted soil, is not in 

 vain. It is a beneficent provision of a good Provi- 

 dence, that beneath the surface of the earth are to 

 be found substances of the most fertilizing quali- 

 ties. Their discovery, however, requires the appli- 

 cation of science, and means seldom possessed by 

 individuals. It is in such a case, that a wise and 

 patriotic Legislature should extend its aid. But 

 to subserve fully the interests of Agriculture, the 

 Legislature should not confine its operations to a 

 Geological Survey alone. With this; should be 

 connected an Agricultural Survey. While the 

 former would bring us acquainted with all the sub- 

 stances which enter into the composition of that 

 portion of the earth to which we can have access, 

 the latter will elicit a mass of information in rela- 



acturing and mechanic arts, by reason of the aids lion to every thing that concerns agriculture. 



f science ; and those who can scan the future, 

 ?ill have no less reason to rejoice, in the anticipa- 

 ed advantages which are in prospect, from an im- 

 iroved culture of the mind and the soil, consequent 

 ipon a better system of education to' the agricultu- 

 al population, and the general diffusion of useful 

 :nowledge, which is likely to result from it. 



I will merely further remark to the farmer, that 

 f he would prosper in his business, he should study, 

 iractice, and adopt the better system of husbandry 

 vhich is abroad in the land, and which has already 

 p-eatly profited thousands, so far as his soil and 

 ;ircumstances will permit, — that he should drain 

 lis wet lands, economize his manures and apply 

 Jiem with judgment, — to cultivate well, what he 

 Iocs cultivate, — to alternate kis crops, — to extend 

 lis root culture, — to increase and improve his stock, 

 13 the products of his farm will permit, — and to 

 substitute fallow crops for naked fallows. 



In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to express 

 my hearty wish, that success and honor may crown 

 your efforts to improve the condition of your coun 

 try, industrial and moral, associate benefits almost 

 as intimately connected as cause and effect — and 

 that you may long live to enjoy the blessings which 

 are promised to him who truly loves his neighbor 

 and reveres and worships his God. 



SOUTH CAROLINA. 



An Agricultural Convention, consisting of dele- 

 gates fioni the various parts of the State of South 

 Carolina, assembled at Columbia on the 2fith ult. — 

 The Governor, in his speech, recommends the 

 adoption of measures by the Legislature for the im- 

 provement of agriculture, and particularly an np. 

 propriation for an agricultural survey. On this 

 subject he says : 



"It is a lamentable truth, that while other bran- 



which cannot fail to be highly useful. In other 

 countries, the utility of agricultural surveys has 

 been fully proved, by the valuable results. But in 

 carrying into effect such surveys, as have been 

 mentioned, the value of the results would depend 

 upon the selection of an individual possessing the 

 highest qualifications, combining a profound knowl- 

 edge of the subjects of investigation, a sound dis- 

 criminating judgment, and an untiring zeal and in- 

 dustry. The expense of such a project should not 

 be weighed against the incalculable importance of 

 the end proposed. Being deeply impressed with 

 the practical usefulness of such surveys, I earnest- 

 ly recommend that you provide for their accomplish- 

 ment. 



The following are the Governor's remarks on the 

 subject of Education. 



But while the developement of tlie physical re- 

 sources of our country should claim so large a 

 share of your serious attention, popular edncati(Ui 

 ought to hold the first place in your estimation. It 

 is knowledge, intellectual, moral and religious, that 

 constitutes the man. Without its possession, 

 wealth would be a curse, instead of a blessing. 

 Besides, the stability and penuanence of our repub- 

 lican institutions, have their on.y guarantee, in an 

 intelligent, moral and religious population. Hence 

 this important subject has commanded the warmest 

 regard of those who have preceded us. The estab- 

 lishment of the College, and the adi>ption of the 

 Free School System, are enduring- monuments to 

 the memory of those by whose sagacious efforts 

 they were brought into existence. — The former, 

 from small beginnings, has risen to a proud emi- 

 nence among the literary institutions of our great 

 confederacy, and is annually sending forth a band 

 of well-educated youths, the luture glory and orna- 

 ment of their country ; the latter, although based 



upon the soundest principles of a free Govorn- 

 nient, has not yielded all those benefits which its 

 intrinsic excellence so justly deserved. At your 

 last session, commissioners were appointed, in 

 every election district of the State, to examine and 

 revise the Free School system, and to report to the 

 Executive such amendments or alterations, as they 

 might deeni useful. Many of these commission- 

 ers, with a very commendable zeal and ability, 

 have discharged the important duty assigned to 

 them, while others have failed to make reports. In 

 obedience to your resolution, I have placed the re- 

 ports which have been iimde, in the hands of a 

 commission of two gentlemen, Professors Elliott 

 and Thornwell, to be examined by them, and a 

 system to be devised, and submitted to you, at the 

 present session. Their report, as soon as pre- 

 pared, shall be transmitted to you, with the reports 

 of the district commissioners. 



It affords me unfeigned pleasure, to announce to 

 you, that the College continues to answer the high 

 expectations of the State. It is rapidly advancing 

 in a career of prosperity and usefulness, which 

 must redound to the lasting benefit of the country. 

 It steadily increases in numbers, although the 

 standard of admission is higher than formerly. 1 

 ardently recommend this noblo institution to your 

 paternal and fostering care. 'The State ca.n only 

 expect to maintain its wonted high character, by an- 

 enlightened population, well grounded in solid 

 learning, and a lofty moral elevation. 



Jl R^dt worthy of the Farmer's attenlion.— -A - 

 most important axiom to be kept in mind by eve ry ' 

 farmer is, to break up and cultivate no arable Ian 4- 

 to be laid down again with depreciated strengtii • 

 in other words, no crop requiring.the plough or cul- 

 tivator and hoe should be put into the ground tha 

 present year which will leave the ground in a worse 

 condition than it was before the -work was begun- 

 It will, when adopted as a principle, be very easy- 

 for every farmer to make his calculation in any 

 crop requiring the hoe, so to improve the capacity 

 of.his land that it shall yield more than it has done 

 before. A. plenty of good barn yard, hog yard, 

 stable or compost manure will effectually do this 

 business on almost every retentive soil : in some 

 cases of low and wet grounds, the simp'e applica- 

 tion of sand or gravel with a small quantity of the 

 stimulating manures will accomplish every thing 

 to be wished: in other cases of sandy, porous soil, 

 the application of clay or other adhesive earths, 

 with tlie free use of plaster of Paris and some 

 stimulating manures, will do wonders. The -ob- 

 servance of the principle of constant renovatiork 

 will soon bring New England to rank with the 

 best cultivated districts of England and Scotland, 

 and even with the still higher improvements ex- 

 hibited in Flemish husbandry. — Gov. HilVs Ad- 

 dress. 



Value of Stilt. — An increased quantity of salt 

 used by the farmer in various ways would be of 

 eminent benefit. Salt ought to bear a less price 

 than it now does throughout the country. Much 

 of the expense of salt is in the price of transport : 

 it is a taxeS article, and assists in the revenues of 

 the government. I am confident that fine saltsjirin- 

 kled over the ground in the quantity of three or four 

 bushels to tlie acre will not only contribute to drive 

 oft' insects and other destructive vermin, but in most 

 vegetable crops will prevent blight. A sprinkling 

 of salt in the feed of most animals will contribute 

 to their healthy growth. — Ibid. 



