THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
191 
reach those treasures, or but barely skim their 
surfaces. How many thousands have ruptured 
all those endearing ties and fondly cherished re- 
membrances which bind every man to the land 
that gave him birth, and the home of his fa- 
thers, and, after many sacrifices of the earnings 
they have been years accumulating, taken up 
the line of march to a distant and new country, 
encountering all the privations and hardships 
necessarily incident to a long travel and a life 
in the wilderness, in search after virgin soil, 
when, by lengthening their plow points a few 
inches, perhaps they might have found it in their 
old, and, as they supposed, worn out fields. 
The plow is of more importance than any other, 
and we might say, than almost all others toge- 
ther, of agricultural implements. Of so much 
importance is it, that by the manner in which it 
is employed may be very fairly determined the 
character of the planter and his success. In 
preparing our lands for a crop it is of almost 
paramount importance to plow deeply. The 
advantages arising are very great. It enables 
the roots of plants to penetrate a greater depth, 
and, by encouraging ramification, they are 
made to occupy more space, consequently their 
chance both lor moisture and sustenance is pro- 
portionately augmented. By aeration of the 
soil too, chemical changes take place that other- 
*wise would not or could not, which not only 
generate an increased amount of food for plants, 
but also an additional quantity of caloric or 
heat, which is highly promotive of vegetable 
growth. For instance, a quantity of undecom- 
posed vegetable matter lies so deeply imbedded 
that it is not reached by the surface plow; as 
soon as the subsoil plow reaches it the oxygen 
of the atmosphere combines with the carbon of 
the vegetable, thus generating car^owtc acid gas, 
one of the chief supporters of vegetable life. 
In this process, as all know, is generated a large 
quantity of heat. The benefit of subsoil plow- 
ing will be clearly seen during dry weather in 
securing moisture by capillary attraction from 
below, when we cannot get it from above, and 
thus continuing the growth and preserving the 
green color of the plant, when otherwise it 
would be checked in its growth and turn yellow. 
If a shower- should chance to fall too, under 
such circumstances, its benefits would be much 
more lasting. We think we cannot recommend 
too highly the subsoil plow as a meliorating 
agent. One constructed by a good smith would 
answer all the purposes of the cast iron one, 
and would cost but a dollar or two instead of 
from S7 to $9, which is the cost of the latter in 
Mobile. A bar of iron properly curved and 
flattened at the point alter the fashion of the 
coulter will answer all purposes. 
Wm. Cunningham, 
John Gaillard, | r, 
MARk McMillan, Committee. 
Murdock McCoRvy,J 
Talbot County j^gricultural Society. 
The Talbot County Agricultural Society met 
according to adjournment, it being the Anniver- 
sary of the Society; the President, Jesse Car- 
ter, being in the Chair. 
On motion, the Committees on the various 
subjects, previously assigned, were called upon 
to report, and those not prepared with written 
repoits were instructed to make verbal ones. 
The Committee on Grains made a short ver- 
bal report. The Committee on Roots and Gar- 
den Vegetables reported, and their report was 
received. The Committee on Soils failed to re- 
<poTt. The Committee on Stock reported in part, 
and the subject was referred back with the addi- 
tion to the Committe of James Z. Dismukes. 
The Committee on Domestic Manufactures re- 
ported, and their report was received. 
On motion, 
Resolved, That a copy of the report upon 
Roots and Vegetables, and also that upon Do- 
mestic Manufactures, be forwarded for publica- 
tion in the Southern Cultivator. 
The Committee to obtain an orator reported 
that Gen. Hamilton, of Alabama, had been re- 
quested to address the Society, but that in his 
reply he stated that important business arrange- 
ments would not permit him to be present at our 
Anniversary — that he would, however, take 
pleasure in addressing the Society upon some 
future occasion. 
B. Hill, Esq., being called upon, responded in 
an able, practical address. 
The Society was then in recess for an hour 
and a half. The Committee to examine the re- 
ports, stock, and articles exhibited, and to award 
the premiums, then had a meeting and made the 
following report : 
To Alexander Leonard, for the best acre of cotton, 
2,025 lbs., now gathered .$3 00 
To J. G. Smith, for best acre of second low ground 
corn, 46 bushels 2 00 
To T. F. Montgomery, for the best acre of upland 
corn, a fraction over 45 bushels 2 00 
Wm. V. Collier, for 2d best do., 45 bushels.. . . .honors. 
Henry Collier, for the best brood mare ..tS2 00 
Z. B. Trice, “2d “ “ “ 1 00 
Z. B. Trice, best horse colt between 1 and 2 yrs old. 3 00 
Henry Collier, “ “ 1 year old and under.. 2 00 
E. Culpepper, 2d “ n u “ ..I 00 
Z. B. Trice, for best mule colt, 2 yrs old and under. 3 00 
J. Z. Dismukes, “ “ “ 1 “ “ .2 00 
Wm. V. Collier, for best Hog 2 yrs old and under. .2 00 
E. H. Warthen, “ Pig 3 months old 2 00 
Mrs. James Dismukes, for the best counterpane. .. 1 00 
Mrs. “ “ best article of woollen jeans. 1 00 
Mrs. r. F. Montgomery, for the best bed quilt 1 00 
“ “ “ “ “ fly-brush 60 
“ “ “ best embroidered gaiter shoes. 50 
“ ‘ “ for best article domestic Wins, 
<Muscadine,) 50 
Mrs. T. F. Montgomery, best domestic silk gloves, 25 
Mrs. Henry Collier, best article of sugar cane, honors. 
The Committee stated, as a part of their re- 
port, that such was the beauty and excellence of 
the articles offered by the ladies, nothing but the 
want of funds (it being but the infancy of our 
existence as a Society,) prevented them from 
awarding handsome premiums, and entertain 
the hope that at the next anniversary we may b 2 
able to bestow such premiums as the merit of 
the articles may demand. 
Their report was adopted. 
The ladies to whom premiums had been award- 
ed through Mr. Montgomery, requested that, as 
their object in offering articles of their own man- 
ufacture was to encourage the Society, their pre- 
miums might be returned. After which, the 
thanks of the Society were returned to the la 
dies who had contributed to the exhibition, and 
also to those who had encouraged the enterprize 
by their presence at its first anniversary. 
The Society then proceeded to the election of 
officers for the ensuing year. 
Jesse Carter was elected President, and John 
Neal, James Dismukes, Z. B. Trice, B. Hill, and 
Wm. B. Marshall, Vice-Presidents, and T. F. 
Montgomery, Secretary and Treasurer — the two 
offices having been by action of the Society 
blended together. 
A Committee consisting of T. F. Montgomery, 
Henry Collier, Z. B. Trice, Samuel Hart, and 
Wm; V. Collier, was appointed to report at our 
March meeting, the articles for which premiums 
shall be awarded at our next anniversary. 
The Society having increasing confidence in 
the ability with which the Southern Cultivator 
is conducted, and of its indispensable necessity 
to the promotion of Southern Agriculture, ap- 
pointed E. H. Warthen, B. Hill, J. C. Leonard, 
Jesse Carter, Z. B. Trice, Jefferson Riley and 
Persons Walker, a Committee to obtain subscri- 
bers to the Southern Cultivator. 
The Society instructed each one of its mem- 
bers to use his utmost exertions to obtain at 
least one new member to the Society before our 
March meeting. 
The Secretary was instructed to make an ab- 
stract of the proceedings and forward it for pub- 
lication in the Southern Cultivator. 
Jesse Carter, Pres’t. 
Thomas A. Brown, Secretary. 
Talbotton, Nov, 15fA, 1816. 
Fair of the Farmers* Club of Monroe Co. 
The Farmers’ Club of Monroe County held 
their first Annual Fair at Forsyth, on Friday, 
23d ol October. The Club met at 10 o’clock, 
A. M., according to adjournment — Rev. D. 
Smith, Vice-President, in the Chair. The 
President appointed the following Committees 
to award premiums: 
071 Slock. — Messrs. John Pinckard, Wm. C. 
Jones and Allen Cochran. 
On Domestic Fabrics. — Messrs. Daniel San- 
lord, Stephen H. Martin and Cyrus Sharp. 
The Club took a recess until 2 o’clock, P. 
M., to giv3 time to the Committees to award 
the premiums. 
The Club re-assembled at 2 o’clock, P. M. 
E. G. Cabaniss from the Committee on the Im- 
provement ol Land, and Dr. S. W. Burney 
from the Committee on Seeds, read their re- 
spective reports, which were ordered to be pub- 
lished. On motion of W. S. Norman, Esq., 
Resolved, That Committees which are not 
now prepared to report on the various subjects 
assigned them, be allowed until the first Tues- 
day in February next, to submit their reports. 
James S. Pinckard, Esq., according to pre- 
vious appointment, then delivered the Annual 
Address on the importance of Agricultural Im- 
provement. On motion of W. S. Norman, 
Esq., 
Resolved, That a Committee of three be ap- 
pointed to request of Mr. Pinckard a copy of 
his address for publication. 
Messrs. W. S. Norman, R. P. Trippe and 
W. H. Bankston, were appointed that Com- 
mittee. 
PREMIUMS. 
The following premiums were then awarded ; 
Orren S. Woodward, for the best brood mare. . . .$5 00 
Reuben Wright, 2d “ “ “ .... 2 00 
W. H. Bankston, 3d “ “ “ 1st honor 
Edmund Jackson, 4th “ “ “ 2d “ 
Wm. Rutherford, for best colt from 1 to 3 yrs. old.®3 00 
Edmund Jackson, 2d “ “ “ 1 50 
John J. Pass, 3d “ “ 1st honor 
Edmund Jackson, for best colt under 1 yr old. . . .®2 00 
Wm Jameson, 2d, 1 year’s subscription to the South- 
ern Cultivator. 
John J. Pass, 3d best..... 1st honor 
Rev. D. Smith, for the best Bull, (full Durham, 12 
months old $5 00 
Dr. S VV. Burney, 2d do., f Devon, 4 yrs old 2 00 
Orren S. Woodward, best Mule colt 2 00 
Mrs. Mary V. Hardy, best piece of jean goods. 8 yds 2 00 
Mrs. Frances Banks, 2d “ “ “ 7i “ 1 00 
Mrs. Mary V. Hardy, 3d “ “ 8 yards, 1st honor 
Mrs. Olley M. Bunckley, 4th “ 2d honor 
Mrs. Caroline Chambers, for 1 elegant quilt ®2 00 
Miss Ann Chambers, “ “ “ 2 00 
Mrs. Sarah West, two handsome counterpanes... 2 00 
Mrs. Elizabeth D. Smith, for 10 pounds of excel- 
lent Butter 1 00 
The Club then adjourned until the 1st Tues- 
day in November next. 
H. Phinazee, President. 
E. G. Cabaniss, Sec’y. 
Influence of Agricultural Fairs. 
The following remarks are by the able editor 
of the New York Tribune, who was present at 
the Auburn Fair. We commend his senti- 
ments to the especial consideration of those 
farmers of Ohio who think there is little or no 
benefit to be derived from Agricultural Exhibi- 
tions : — Ohio CuUivator, 
Auburn, Sept. 16, 1846. 
This is the great day of the Fair, and a bright- 
er, pleasanter was never enjoyed by mortals. 
The cloudless sky and the Iresh green earth 
harmonize in producing rare external beauty 
and cheerfulness; the showers of night before 
last have cooled the atmosphere just sufficient- 
ly; the people of central and western N. York 
have assembled by tens ol thousands, and still 
every train, every thoroughfare teems with hun- 
dreds more pouring in. Never did Nature and 
Man more cordially concur in giving zest to a 
popular holiday. 
1 have been over the grounds, of course, see- 
ing much to interest, and but for the enormous 
multitude gathered, which seems to me uupa- 
ralleled at any former Fair, I should have seen 
much more. 1 could say something of the ani- 
mals here exhibited, but, believing Col. Skin- 
ner can speak of them to better purpose. Heave 
them to him. For the present, I will proffer a 
few suggestions on the influences and uses of 
the^e annual fairs, or rather a few thoughts 
which this one has elicited. 
Mental indolence is the chief danger of the 
farmer’s condition. It is possible to exist in 
his vocation with very little thought. Plowing 
this year and next the fields that were plowed, 
perhaps by his father, thirty or forty years ago, 
and harvesting therefrom, substaiitially, the 
same grains and vegetables, the lariaer is in 
