172 
THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
us ol I’iis, ihe Atlieus district, sis^n our nauies, 
requesting tlie Legislature to pass a law giving 
us the privilege of excluding these miserable 
depredators, that “ make night hideous,” from 
our district. Let us agree upon the provisions 
of a bill which will insure the success of the ex- 
periment so tar as it may be impeded by dogs. 
Clarke county has led lorward nobly and 
successfully— the first to propose, adopt and urge 
on the great rail way system in this Stale. The 
money of her people has been laid down to ef- 
fect it, and at great personal sacrifice. There 
is no parallel in monetary affairs to the patience 
and tn lurance of her people under the adverse 
circumstances which have impeded her enter- 
prise. Clarke county stands the noblest exam- 
ple of the manufacturing interest in the South. 
Their capital was pressed into it when it was 
deemei hazardous if not chimerical, and her 
manufactured produce is now gre iter than in 
all the Stale beside. Let us take one more step 
in advance of public opinion— Lt us be fearless 
of the result. If we cannot induce politicians 
to do their duly, let us do ours. We have no 
hope of obtaining a dog law to protect the 
whole State; let us then protect our little dis- 
tiict. As lor myself, I am not above the influ- 
ence or party feeling; I may admit that I might 
be considered rancorous; but notwithstanding 
the admission, 1 am vvil.ing to nledge my vote 
to any man of any party, to forward these ends, 
regarding the matier as one of the highest in- 
terest to the people. This county, as well as 
those immediately north of us, are not adapted 
to cotton, except in a slight degree, and they 
become less so every succeeding year. We 
are, therefore, I might say, driven to make 
something else, and it is fortunate that we have 
a resource which promises so well. Separate 
from the individual profit to the wool-grower, 
tl e interest and prosperity of this lown and the 
merit of a good example, will, by success, ex- 
tend the action of the law to other districts in 
this county, and to other counties. These few 
counties can make nothing else on a large scale 
— and I might say that the population favors 
the project, because there is not a sufficient in- 
ducement in the present worn out condition of 
the lands to employ a large Negro labor; and in 
this business the poorest man can employ some 
capital and reap a reward which, under existing 
circumstances, he cannot do. Any man can 
own a lew sheep. The very poorest can make 
something with less trouble than by any other 
means, if he is proiected from devouring dogs. 
Let us go to work and counsel with our neigh- 
bors and settle among ourselves what we can do 
for the country. 
If vve cannot induce the whole country, let 
us reason with a part, and that part our own 
neighborhood. And in our consultations we 
may present forcible opinions to each other. 
It appears to me we would come to the point at 
once. We do not wish to raise wool to 
make broadcloth, at least not at this time. 
We can make such as is suiiable to the ex- 
existing state of manufactures. They cannot 
make broadcloth now, and never will unless 
we justify them in obtaining men and machine- 
ry, and this they cannot do unless there is a re- 
g*ular and full supply to retain these requisites 
in their service. ’ The wool we would make 
would be such as they want now, and they 
would manufacture the description of goods 
which we want. If we cannot get broadcloth 
we can wear Southern kerseys and satinets, 
and we should merit much more, dressed in that, 
than if we were lull rigged in superfines from 
Old or New England. 
I believe such privilege or proleclion, call it 
as you like, would raise the price of land when 
it was in operation. I am certain on this point. 
Perhaps there are 10,000 acres oflandinthis 
district utterly useless as a smrce of income to 
the owners. The most of it the owners would 
not acknowledge as their property il they were 
not “ stirred up wdth a sharp stick” by the tax 
collector. But, poor as it is, every acre of it, 
perhaps, would pay to the owner two or three 
dollars per annum, without any enrichment of 
soil, if permitted to use it in the manner propo- 
sed. This is more than the land is worth now, 
or ever will be, without this change. My opin- 
ion is, that the privilege extended to one or more 
districts would induce people to come within 
the limits w'ith their money to be so invested. 
The town, the manufactories and the people, are 
all to be benefitted by such a movement. Let 
the unanimous petition of the district place us, 
if possible, for the third time, at the head of a 
great enterprize. N. 
Athens, Oct., 1845. 
Suggested Plan for Improving Soil. 
Mu. Camak: — In the South, to be successful, 
we must have an agricultural literature of our 
own. The same plan of operations isnot equal- 
ly well adapted to every section of this exten- 
sive country. That which answers an excel- 
lent purpose in a cold latitude may succeed but 
very indifferently in a warm climate. Theo- 
ries in fanning may many times appear beauti- 
ful upon paper which turn out most badly in 
practice, I would give more lor the experience 
of one intelligent practical farmer than for a 
thousand theories that have never been tested by 
actual experiment. The experience and experi- 
ments of the best and most sHccessful farmers 
of this section of country is what we want. 
Will the farmers and planters of this region 
withhold this information any longer. I would 
fain hope not. Come, gentlemen, let your com- 
munications adorn the columns ol the South- 
ern Cultivator— a paper that will well com- 
pare with any agricultural paper published ei- 
ther South or North. 
So far as my observation has extended, in the 
South we have three kinds of agricultural doc- 
trines taught. One class of individuals says, 
wear out your land and move away. Another 
says, use prudence by resting the land and 
other means so as to make it last as long as you 
conveniently can, and then move. Others say, 
so manage as to improve both the soil and crops, 
I believe the last to be the sounaest doctrine. 
This doctrine cannot be carried into prac- 
tice, however, without manuring. The next 
difficulty is, how can that be effected by the 
least possible expense ot time and labor. Now 
for the practical part: I will take ten acres of 
perfectly exhausted laud — surface sandy with a 
clay subsoil. Next month I will sow half a 
bushel ot rye per acre, which I will turn under 
with a one horse turning plow, being careful 
not to cover so deep but that it will come up 
well. Next May, when the rye is not yet ma- 
tured, I will sow upon, and right among the 
rye standing as it is, two bushels of corn, (mixed 
with cow peas, say one peck,) on each acre. 
Then, when the corn is about tasseling, I will 
sow rye again and turn under the corn and 
peas. The tollowing spring, I will lay off and 
plant corn, and so soon as it comes up I will, with 
a turning plow, cover up for manuie all the rye 
that is growing in the spaces between the rows. 
Will any of the readers of the Southern 
Cultivator point out the defects of the above 
and communicate by means of the Southern 
Cultivator, a better method? The followingare 
some ol its advantages : The growing rye will 
keep the land from washing during the winter 
rains. It takes less of rye than of any other 
grain per acre to sow land. After the corn 
crop is raised, sow w'heat or oats or rye, and 
then corn and peas, broadcast, and turn under, 
and then a crop ot corn or cotton. By that 
means the land produces a crop every year ex- 
cept the first— that is, next year. By repeated 
plowings, in sowing and turning under the ma- 
nures, the land will be kept free of weeds, &c. 
How will such a plan do ? Intelligent farm- 
ers of the South, an answer is respec:fully re- 
quested. I have n^med a one horse turning 
plow, because all the most experienced farmers 
say that too deep plowing will ruin the land in 
this region. I ask for information. I make no 
pretensions to agricultural experience or know- 
ledge myself. Charles D. Davis. 
P. S. -—Should any one see fit to suggest ano- 
ther plan, the comparative expense and the mo~ 
dus aperandi is requested to be given. 
Sugar Caue~Iiiquiry. 
Mr. Camak: — A lew of us in the vicinity ol 
this place, who are your subscribers, wish your 
opinion on a subject about which we difl^er. It 
is the mixture of the two kinds of sugarcane. 
Where the green and ribbon cane have been 
planted very close to each other we have disco- 
vered a third kind, partaking of the nature of 
both the other plants, but not exactly like either. 
It has a blue color, but has not the stripes of the 
ribbon cane. In texture, it is softer than the 
ribbon and harder than the green. It contains 
more sap than the ribbon, but not so much as 
the green. But the sap contains more saccha- 
rine matter than that of the green, and not so 
much as that of the ribbon. Some of us think it 
is a mixture of the other two kinds, while others 
think they canliot mix, as they never bloom or 
bear seeds. As we have agreed to refer the 
matter to you, you will please give us your 
opinion ; and if you believe such plants mix, 
say, by what process in nature such mixture is 
effected. Respectfully yours, (iuisauE. 
BxLckeye, Laurens Co., Oct. 4, 1845. 
Liime* 
Mr. Camak: — Upon the suggestion of the 
Rev. C, W. Howard, 1 take the liberty of ad- 
dressing you, upon a subject in which I presume 
you will take some interest. We are preparing 
to burn lime in large quantities, under an im- 
pression that the demand tor agricultural pur- 
poses will be great when its value as a manure 
comes to be properly appreciated in Georgia. 
Our quarry is situated immediately upon the 
line ot the railroad in the valley ot the Cona- 
sena creek, Cass county. The rock is of a su- 
perior quality, and we have every advantage 
necessary to burn it with economy. We desire 
to obtain your opinion as to the probability of 
its being used by the planters of your acquaint- 
ance, and what will be the maximum price 
they will give for slaked lime per bushel. We 
should also be happy to receive your good offi- 
ces in making known through the Cultivator 
the fact of our being prepared to supply any or- 
ders after the first of December. As soon as I 
can ascertain the exact rate of freight upon the 
railroads 1 wish to insert an advertisement at 
fixed prices per bushel or barrel. The cost ot 
transportation is the main item., and I am alraid 
the Railroad companies will charge too much. 
We design at the outset to put the price as 
low as possible, as only in this way can it be 
brought into immediate and extensive use. 
The liberal use of lime as a manure, by lerliliz- 
ing the soil will increase its production, and 
thereby cause a large surplus to be sent by rail- 
road to market, it appears to me that this ar- 
gument ought to induce the companies, as well 
for their own interest as that of the agricultu- 
rist, to fix the rate of transportation at a mini- 
mum, 
Mr. Howard desires me to ask you to speak 
upon this subject toCol. Jehn Billups. He is 
a large planter, and one who, it is probable, 
would be likely to appreciate the value of lime 
as a manure. 
Please excuse any trouble an early attention 
to this letter may give you. 
Your obedient servsnt, 
Wm. Spencer Brown. 
P. S. At Vne advertised rates of freight we can 
afford slaked lime at from 25 to 30 cents per 
bushel ; ot course, as the rates are reduced the 
price will fall in proportion. 
Home, Floyd Co., Oct. 10, 184.5. 
Liq,uid Manure.— The Chinese, who are 
particularly skilful in the management of ma- 
nure, are extremely careful not to wmste the 
smallest portion ; and, according to Sir George 
Staunton, they prefer the dung of birds to that 
of all others, and next to that, night soil, which 
they apply in a liquid stale. 
