20 
THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
Gentlemen of the State Ag. Society of So. Ca. : 
In offering for the preoaium for “the greatest 
production ot Sea Island Cotton, having refer- 
ence to quality and valuation,” the undersigned 
begs leave to make the lollowing statement ; 
The ten acres of land on which the cotton wa.*^ 
grown is high and of a close texture. Origi- 
nally strong, it has been much impoverished by 
injudicious cultivation and management. On 
eight acres, Irom which 5440 pounds have been 
gathered, 160 piled single-horse cart loails of 
marsh were put in, in August, 1843, immediate- 
ly after being cut. These were not entirely co- 
vered, as is the usual practice, but a lew hoe- 
fuls of earth were placed on them at short dis- 
tances, to prevent the depredations of cattle, and 
some ol the most valuable properties ol the 
grass trom being washed away by rain. The 
cotton on the remaining two acres, was not de- 
signed to be mixed with the general bulk, for as 
they had been assisted only with pine straw, 
and a lew loads of salt mud, on one third of the 
land, there was no ground for believing that the 
yield, under the most favorable circumstances, 
would be large. 
These acres, it is confidently supposed, did 
not together realize over 400 lbs.; thus render- 
ing the product of the eight acres designed for 
the premium, in reality 5440 lbs., as already 
stated. In height, the plants on the latter ave- 
raged about 4J feet, while on the former not over 
3 feet. The mode of cultivation did not differ 
from that usually adopted by the grower. It is 
to the manure and the manner of applying it, 
that the undersigned would briefly invite the at- 
tention of the Society. 
According to the customary usage, the marsh 
cut in July or August, is piled up and not taken 
to the field until after the crop has been prepared 
for market. At that time it will be found that 
the quantity has been lessened one-half, and the 
quality much depreciated. By the scheme 
adopted by the undersigned, the grass was al- 
lowed to rot on the ground intended for cultivct- 
tion. In this way the saline and other ingredi- 
ents not evaporable were preserved. Bv expo- 
sure too, for several months, to the combined 
action of air, light and moisture, the process of 
decomposition in the spring is regular, and the 
matter becomes food for the plants early in the 
season. 
If a complete listing be given to the land in 
the summer, these results do not take place so 
soon, and when they occur, the decay is fre- 
quently so rapid, that injury to the plants, espe- 
cially if the season be variable, may with cer- 
tainty be looked for. The “blue disease,” 
(among other causes,) arises from excess of nu- 
triment, furnished by salt-grass, in a state of too 
high fermentation. Where the parts are allow- 
ed to be broken down, or fully prepared to yield 
to the power of the decomposing agents, by be- 
ing thrown into heaps of any size, or partially 
covered in the manner already stated, the under- 
signed has never known or heard of any other 
than the most salutary effects flowing from the 
practice. The plan of putting the marsh on the 
ground intended for the crop in sumnner, is much 
preferred, for thereby nothing is lost that is in 
the power olthe planter to save. Other decided 
advantages of a minor and different character, 
may be enumerated, to one of which only, he 
will now adyert. It is the only practicable mode 
of making an allotment of work to the laborers. 
The task lor each reaper is three piled cart loads 
per day, which, after being determined by the 
head cartman, who for this reason should be a 
faithful slave,) is immediately taken to the field. 
By this means the master is able to ascertain 
with great accuracy, the quantity of work of this 
kind which can be done by any number of men 
in a given time. 
The undersigned would further observe, that 
the season, though in general favorable to the 
cotton crop, v^as too dry tor high lands, and that 
although in other fields, naturally or artificially 
richer, a greater product per acre has probably 
been made, it is doubtful whether, looking to 
the anticipated yield in money, the labor of the 
grower will anywhere be better rewarded. 
From the fineness of the staple, it requires 
1500 lbs. in the seed to make 300 lbs. of clean- 
ginned cotton. At this rate, if the cotton com- 
mands the lowest price at which it has been 
valued by two distinguished factors in Charles- 
ton, (whose certificates accompany this,) the 
amount in money, per acre, will be, for the ten 
acres, -76 cents; or, for the eight acres, de- 
ducting 400 lbs. for the two acres unintentionally 
thrown in, $95.20 cents; making $761.60 cents 
lor the eight acres. A. H. Seabrook. 
The undersigned, factors and sellers of fine 
Sea Island Cotton in the Charleston market, 
hereby certify that they have examined and valu- 
ed a sample of Sea Island Colton, represented 
as the growth of the present year, and produced 
by A. H. Seabrook, Esq., of Edisto Island. 
The sample is of beautiful and extra quality, 
preparation good, soft, long and very fine staple. 
As no cotton of the same description has thus 
far been sold or offered for sale in the market, 
they are unable to affix a value to if at this time. 
By co.mparing Lire specimen with, similar cotton 
sold last season, they are decidedly ol opinion 
that it would have somsaanded then, from 70 to 
75 cents per Ik James 0'’Heah. 
Wm. M. Lawton. 
Charleston^ S. C.,,Nov. 21, 1844, 
I hereby certify that Mr. A. H. Sgabrook’s 
Colton, called the Clueen, aad produced from 
ten acres of land, was weighed in my presence, 
this sixteenth day ot November, 1844, and turn- 
ed out five thousand eight hundred and forty 
(5840) pounds, gross, Wm. F. Megsett. 
REPORT OF THE CAMBRIDGE AG. SOCIETY, 
On the situation of Whitfield Brooks's Plantation, 
and its claims for the Premium to- be awarded for the 
best managed Plantation. 
At the request of Mr. Whitfield Brooks, of 
the District of Edgefield, we have examinedhis 
plantation with all the minuteness and accura- 
cy, which circumstances would allow, and sub- 
mit the following Report : 
The land in cultivation is represented So be 
about 700 acres, ot which one-third may be de- 
nominated swamp and second low grounds, and 
the remaining two-thirds, high land, under one 
continuous line of fence, with dividing fences 
at convenient distances, separating the whole 
into fields varying from 30 to 120 .cres. The 
high land is in a clean condition, free from trees, 
logs, briars or gullies, and in a state of pro- 
gressive improvement by the rotation ot crops, 
and the application ot manure. The low land 
has been thoroughly drained by two main ditch- 
es of large size and many smaller drains, where 
the condition of the land required them. Culti- 
vation extends to the border of the ditches and 
branches, the latter having been straightened 
and cleared out, to admit the free passage of 
water. The land in cultivation, presents the 
appearance of an undulating valley, formed by 
the junction of several small streams, from an 
elevated point of which the eye commands a 
view of the whole area of the plantation, with 
the crop of cotton, corn and small grain, in their 
present condition. There is a raised and well 
made road, passing nearly through the centre of 
the fields, and branching off in various direc- 
tions, as necessity or convenience required. 
Gales are erected at every cross fence, which 
afford an easy passage to all parts of the plan- 
tation, We saw about 200 acres in corn, 250 
in coltoHj from 126 to 160 acres, which had been 
in wheat, oats, rye and barley, and about 90 
acres in wheat, rye and oats, lor the fall sowing 
of grain, all of which is in a state of apparent 
gradual improvement and skillul cultivation, 
having yielded a good crop the present year, 
notwithstanding the severe drought which pre- 
vailed in this section. 
We next directed our attention to his houses, 
fixtures and lots, of various kinds and sizes. 
The stable lot is of good size, well shaded and 
supplied with water from a well, near at hand, 
which is worked by a pump, and from which 
the water is conveyed by troughs. In this lot 
stands a large two story framed stable, divided 
on the lower story into stalls, and affording a 
capacious repository in the second story for fod- 
der and oats. On each side of the stable, is a 
framed shed, used as a shelter for the wagons, 
and lor the feeding of horses in summer. At 
the north end ol the stable, another shed has 
been erected about 30 feet square, with a trough 
and rack in the centre, for the use of the xhules 
in summer, having a large apartment above for 
fodder. These are substantial buildings, and 
well covered with shingles. Besides these, 
there is a line of lug buildings, extending Irom 
40' to 50 yard's fn length, with stalls for separate 
horses and oxen, and apartments for harness, 
having, in the rear a large shed lor oxen. This 
lot has a communication by means of gates with 
various other lots, as appurtenant to the stable, 
one of which is appropriated to oxen, another 
with shade trees and a stream of water, into 
which the stock is turned for rest or gentle ex- 
ercise. The third is a gtuve, neatly trimmed 
and cleaned,, which is Bsed for various purposes,, 
occasionally for cows and young pigs, lor sheep,, 
or for horses and mules that become either crip- 
pled or sick. His cribs are substantial and 
well arranged buildings, in a line with the sta- 
bles, and covered with shingles. The stable 
lot commnnicatss with the gi'a i'or, in which 
stand two framed gia ho'jses in a fine, each 
thirty-two feet squaie, with a passage between 
them of 20 feet, all under one cover and wel? 
floored, the passage answering the purpose oi’ 
drying cotton- and small gram, or as a shelter in- 
rainy weather for any kind of employment in. 
such seasons. Atone of the gin houses, and 
in connection with it, is- a framed building, two- 
stories high, in which are placed the threshing, 
machine and fan, for cleaning of small grain. 
These are propelled by machinery, and princi- 
pally constructed by the mechanics of the own- 
er. In the same lot is a two story framed bain^ 
designed for grain, the upper story of which is' 
ceiled, and divided into bins of 30 bushels each, 
for the reception o-l grain. On each side of the 
barn is a framed and enclosed shed with shingle- 
roofs,, for fodder, oats, «Scc. Near the gin house 
and cotton room,, stands the screw, having a> 
framed building around it, and so constructed, 
that one entire side may. be removed, to admit 
repairs of the screw. 
In (he rear of the gin house lot is another, 
(about one acre, now in small grain,), in which 
has been erected a row ofsubsia.nLial. buildings, 
extending, about two-thirds of one entire side, in 
which is preserved provisions lor the cattle, and 
immediately in the rear of this line of buildings, 
and fronting the south, is a covered shelter for 
cattle in winter, wi-th which is eon-necled a win- 
ter lot, having trees and- water,, and also a large 
trough, made of poles or logs, to preserve the 
food from the feet ot the cattle. In this lot the 
cattle are penned at night, both in winter and 
summer, and a supply of litter constantly appli- 
ed around the trough for making manure. 
Much attention has been and is devoted to ma- 
king manure, and the arrangemeBts are well 
adapted to this purpose. We saw in the horse 
lot seven large and substantial made pens, filled 
with manure, and three more in the cow lot, con- 
taining in all at this time not less than Irom 400 
to 500 wagon loads. 
The negro houses have been erected in a 
shade lot, in a parallel line with the stables and 
corn-cribs, about 30 yards in the rear, but at a 
convenient distance from them, and extending 
to the east, and presenting a front to the south. 
They are either framed or hewed log buildings, 
with framed roofs, having double brick or rock 
chimnies, plank floors, and stand from 30 to 50 
yards apart. In front of these buildings is a 
shade lot, from 3 to 4 acres, enclosing the loom 
house and well, and in the rear, a garden and 
poultry house, for each family ol negroes. The 
house of the overseer is a framed building, with 
three rooms and brick chirnneyp; and with its 
appendages, occupy the crown of ihe hill, and 
commanding a view of the blacksmith anct 
work-shops, the negro houses, stable lot and 
houses, the gin house, lot and buildings, and 
the cow lot and its appuitenances. The dwel- 
