12 
THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
From the So. Ca. Temperance Advocate. 
THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH. 
Mr. Editor;— You will oblige me by pub- 
lishing in your paper ihe enclosed remarks, 
■which I made at the recent meeting of the Mon- 
ticello Planters’ Society, together with the post- 
script. This request is made principally to 
correci any misunderstanding (if any there 
should be) of what I said on that occasion. 
Respectfully yours, &c., 
Nov. 12, 1844. VVm. J. Alston. 
Mr. President: — It is natural that one who 
feels a lively inierest in Agricultural pursuits 
when at home, should be attracted, when abroad, 
by whatever may be worthy of notice in the 
agriculture of the region through which he 
woul .1 pass. 
Accordingly, during my travels of the past 
summer there was no subject, except one, which 
engaged moreofi'ny attention than the agricul- 
ture, and its appurtenances, of the country 
through which I travelled. 1 saw much to in- 
terest, and perhaps have gained some useful in- 
lormation. 
1 propose to give the results of my observa- 
tions, rather than descriptions of what 1 saw. 
There was no idea more impressed on my 
mind by all that 1 observed, than this — that im- 
provement with the Northern people, is con- 
sidered as a subject of more importance, than 
with us. 
Ail classes seem to participate in the interest 
which is felt — amounting almost to enthusiasm 
— in regard to whatever may lend to develope 
the resources ol their country. This was stri- 
kingly manifested at the State Agricultural ex- 
hibition of New York. There, were displayed 
the fruits of the industry and the inventive ge- 
nius of an enlightened agricultural people- 
contending for prizes more honorable than those 
awarded for achievements in the Olympic 
games. There, were to be seen the greatest va- 
riety of best specimens of the agricultural pro- 
ducts ot that region — of stock ol the most ap- 
proved breeds— of domestic labrics ol the loom 
and needle— products of the dairy — models of 
the various implements and machinery used on’ 
a farm — a plowing ii>atch, more interesting 
than the feats ol the Turl—and in conclusion, 
the largest assembly my eyes ever witnessed, 
under a vast canopy, listening to one of the 
most profound and accomplished scholars of 
New England, discoursing eloquently upon 
agriculture and its votaries. 
Mr. President, 1 contemplated that scene — I 
may say that succession ol scenes, with no or- 
dinary emotions. I need not tell you 1 was 
gratified. In that section the cultivation of the 
soil, and the subjects connected with it, engage 
talents, science, capital and inaustry. The re- 
sult is, that whatever is undertaken, is apt to be 
well done; and prosperity crowns their labors. 
The traveller seldom meets with a poor crop, 
or a poor specimen of stock, of any kind. 
Everything evinces an enlightened husband- 
ry. Their crops are chiefly corn, wheat, oats, 
and other small grain ; potatoes, turneps, beets, 
cabbage, &c.; the grasses, clover, herd’s grass, 
timothy, &c. 
There are few of the above named crops 
which we may not produce with equal success, 
and in my opinion with less labor. Our natu- 
ral advantages are superior to theiis. Our cli- 
mate and soil are more favorable to the pro- 
duction of nearly all of the above enumerated 
crops, than theirs. If we cannot produce on all 
our soils, and in every season, as good Irish po- 
tatoes, we have our sweet potato, which is pre- 
ferable, and which they cannot grow. If we 
cannot raise c'over with equal success, we have 
our cow-pea, which is as good, and may be 
used as its substitute in improving ouriands; 
and as food for man and brute; and, what is of 
far more importance, we have in addition, our 
cotton and our rice. We can support all kinds 
ofstock at less expense than they. Our winters 
are not so severe, and as 1 have already stated, 
we may have greater suppli'^’s of food. Never- 
theless they excel u.s. They make larger crops, 
raise better stock, etc. And why'? It is be- 
cause their system ol husbandry is a more en- 
lightened one, and they are constantly making 
improvements. We should therefore, to this 
point, direct our energies, both individually, 
and as a society. 
In this connection I may remark, that one 
ot their most important improvements is, in the 
use of the plow. There is nothing upon which 
the success of the agriculturist depends more, 
than the proper use of this implement. Of the 
truth of this, the Northern farmers seem to be 
fully aware. The best models ol the plow, per- 
haps, in the world, are to be lound in the North- 
ern Slates. The most expeiienced and suc- 
cessful farmers there, I was told, will not use 
any but a laige sized plow in preparing 
their lands lor planting. These are drawn by 
at least two horses or oxen. The larger sized 
plow, used for breaking up land, requires lour 
horses or oxen. Those first mentioned will 
turn a farrow 14 inches wide and 7 inches 
deep. The last mentioned would of course 
turn a deeper and broader furrow. 
To deep and thorough pulverization before 
planting, as much as or more than to manuring, 
may be ascribed the greater abundance ol their 
crops, in comparison with ours. This abun- 
dance supplies them .with the means ot sup- 
porting, in the best order, all kinds ol stock. 
There is nothing of value, that their larms 
can produce, or contribute to support, which 
does not receive that attention necessary’ to raise 
it to the highest degrees of perfection. 
Peraranency ot improvement is regarded 
more by them than by ns. Their buildings and 
their fences — whether ol wood or ol stone — are 
made to endure. Often times the traveller 
meets with well built stone houses and fences 
made ot split rock, laid in mortar, as a mason 
would build it. 
They know too the value of good roads. It 
is no uncommon thing to see one horse in a cait 
drawing a load, which it would require four 
hoises in a wagon to draw over such roads as 
we are compelled to put up with, between Mon- 
ticello and Columbia. We have to contend 
with no greater impediment to prosperity than 
the want of good roads ; and there is no subject 
which requires the attention of the people, of 
Agricultural Societies and of the Legislature, 
more than the amelioration of the roads, and of 
the Road law. There is nothing better calcu- 
lated to deter the enterprising stranger from set- 
tling amongst us, or to induce our worthy citi- 
zens to emigrate, than the difficulties which 
our roads present, in travelling, and in the tran- 
sportation of produce to mai ket. 
I only repeat what has by others been re- 
marked, when I say that the condition of the 
roads of a country may be viewed as an index 
of the degree of advancement of a people in the 
attainment of the comforts and refined enjoy- 
ments of civilized life. It this be true, we have 
ample room for improvement. 
While travelling over the fine roads of the 
North, and beholding the beautiful and pio- 
duciive farms — the hills as well as the rallies 
clothed in living green, or golden grain, my 
mind would revert to the worn out fields and 
gullied hills of my own State, and the contrast 
produced feelings of sadness, 
I determined in my own mind, if I should 
ever return home, and my life and health were 
spared, that 1 would endeavor, wdth renewed 
zeal, to change the system which had produced 
those saddening results. The more experience 
I have, and the more extended are my observa- 
tions, the more deeply am I impressed with the 
beliel, that the true interest of the Carolinian, 
1 may say the Southern planter, is, to raise all 
his supplies that can be produced at home, first, 
and then as much more cf whatever he may 
find profitable for market — whether it be cotton, 
grain, hay, stock, &c., as he may be able.' 
This change in our system would necessari- 
ly bring about an amelioration ol our lands, as 
well as an increase of our incomes. We would 
have more time and means for making manure, 
and permanent improvements of every descrip- 
tion, on our plantations. We v/ouldbe enabled 
to enjoy more of the comforts and elegancies of 
life, and all our supplies would be of a better 
quality. This occurred to me with much force, 
when I beheld the comforts and even elegancies 
with which families at the North and the East, 
m moderate circumstances, were sourrounded; 
and when I saw the abundance and superior 
' quality of almost everything necessary to sup- 
ply a good table. I shall rejoice to see the day, 
when we all can supply ourselves with as good 
food and raiment as we ever purchased from 
our brethren of the West and the North. I be- 
lieve we will then have more v/ealth — more of 
the real enjoyments of life — better roads — less 
hardships to encounter in disposing of our sur- 
plus produce— in a word, I believe we will 
then be a more prosperous, and happier people. 
W. J. Alston. 
P. S. By the above remarks, 1 do not wish 
to be understood as ascribing to the Northern 
people any pre-eminence of character— any su- 
periority in a moral or intellectual point of 
view. I merely allude to their superior attain- 
ments, derived from an improved system of 
husbandry, and the general improvement of the 
country. My object was to show wherein w’e 
of the South may improve our condition, and 
enjoy all the advantages of the Northern farm- 
er added to those of the Southern planter. 
In these times — when the price of cotton is 
lower than it ever was known, and the prospect 
is that it may never be much higher — it becomes 
a grave question, for the consideration of the 
planter, and which every one must tlecide for 
. him.se]r, whether it is to his interest to conLffiue 
: to increase the over-production of cotton, by 
planting larger crops in proportion as the price 
falls; to enable him* by the increase of his crops, 
to purchase his supplies, which may be raised 
on his plantaiion ; or, instead of this, to raise all 
his supplies, and then as much cotton or other 
produce for market, as he may be able. 
If the latter policy indicated be pursued, it 
will then be to the planter’s interest to adopt all 
available improvements in farming. 
W’lietiier the Tariff be reduced or not, no ob- 
.servant planter or statesman will deny, that 
large crops of cotton have invariably produced 
corresponding low prices ; vice versa ; and 
that, however much a reduction of liie Tariff 
may avail us, there is no cause which will con- 
tribute to raise the price of cotton so much as lo 
keep down over-production. This will be done, 
either by increasing the consumption of cotton 
manufactures, by diminishing the aggregate of 
the cotton crops, or by both causes operating at 
the same time. 
The reduction of the Tariff would to some 
extent, (not very great,) increase the consump- 
tion of cotton manulactures. The general use 
of cotton cotton bagging, insteadof that disgrace- 
ful article called “ Kentucky bagging,” would 
increase the consumption at least fifty thousand 
bales annually. On the other hand, the general 
practice, by cotton planters, of raising all their 
supplies that can be raised on their plantations, 
would contribute more than anything in their 
power, to the curtailing ol the aggregate of the 
cotton crops. 
The effects of a diminished crop by all, would 
be an increase in the price of cotton, and their 
supplies furnished at home, at a less cost than 
that at which they could be purchased, w.j.a. 
CORN BREAD. 
Take as much corn meal as you wish to cook, 
scald it well, by pouring boiling water over it 
and stirring it thorcugLly; then mix it to the 
consistency of batter, with milk; if it is pretty 
rich it won’t hurt it, but mind the mixing part, 
that it is thoroughly done, the more the better. — 
Put in one egg, a teaspoonful of salreratus and a 
tablespoonful or more of lard. Mix the whole 
thoroughly together, till the ingredients are en- 
tirely incorporated througli the whole ; mind, I 
say, the mixing, the more the better. It is now 
to be baked as usual, about three quarters of an 
hour, and you will have the finest corn bread 
you ever ate. — Western Farmer, 
