cription REDUCED to TWO DOLLARS Per Annum in Advance DEVOTED TO Agriculture is the nursing mother of the Arts.— Xenophon. Tillage and Pasturage are the two breasts of the State.— Sully. CH: B. WILLIAMS, WM. L. HILL, Editor and Proprietor. General Agent. »x New Series. RICHMOND, VA,, DECEMBER, 1868. Vol. IL— No. 12. Agricultural Department: Aufumnal Fairs of 18G8 Colonel Sutherlin's Address at the Border F-iir.. "> Address of Dr. Mallet, of the University of Vi'ginia, at the Border Fair Augusta Couniy Fair '.. The President's Address of Welcome to the Members ol the Society Address of Hon. A. H. H. Stuart. Appointed to Dedicate the Grounds to the Sociely General Echols' Address on Occasion of the Tournament Short Account of the Rockbridge Fair.., Some of the Reasons Why so Little Encouragement is Given to Agricultural Periodic^— Teachings of Science, by Dr. Tho-'. P. Atkinson Report of the Gadsden County Agricultural society, of Florida, on the Culti- ^ vation. of Cuban Tobacco, & 5 Hints and Queries About Home Manufactures Is the Close; Breeding of Stock Injurious? By J. B. Biddle, M. D., of Phila Horticultural Department: The Results of the Year 741. Grapes and Virginia < 743 The Scuppernong and Flowers Grapes, by Rev. T. S. VV. Mott, of N. C. Mason's Stranger Apple— Its Orign— by J. Ravenscroft Jone- A Few items on Pear < "ulture, by David L. Evans, of Maryland Goodrich Potatoes How to Obtain Young Tret s for Planting The Scuppernong Grape South of the Potomac, by Dr. J. J. Thaxton, of Milton, North Carolina Mechanic Arts: The Little Gisnt Stump Puller— Notice of— By Smith Webb, of N. C Broadcast Seeder— Notice of 709 V 709 712 718 719 721 726 728 4 729 732 737 7bS 74S II 744 749 7o0 753 753 r s <"° 754 c 757 Editorial Department: General Meeting of the Virginia State Agricultural Society Calif d by Hon. Willoughby Newton, President 758 To Our Readers 759 The Nortolk Convention— Notice ol 760 Errors Corrected 764 Book Notices 764 FERCHJSS09I' «fc B1»Y, Prin <&Sk m NOAH WALKER & CO. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL GI*0-THIB3Et; 1315 Main Street, . RICHMOND, V A. . Chief House— Washington Building, 165 and 167, Baltimore St., Baltimore, Md. Branch Houses — Petersburg, Va., Norfolk, Va., Washington, D. C. feb — ly ilTlMOil lliltll v JMP01I!lir SISCO BROTH&RS, * No. 14 North Charles street, corner of Fayette, Baltimore Md., MANUFACTURERS AND DEALEBS IN MASONIC, 1.6. 0. F., RED MEN'S, SONS OF TEMPERANCE AND AEE OTHER SOCIETIES' H&l§4 JEWELS* -&€., &fe EK^" Paticular attention paid to FLAGS and BANNERS. Designs furnished free. Send for Price List. sejfegly DAVENPORT & CO. Office No. 1104 Main Street, oyer National Exchange GENERAL AGENTS IN VIRGINIA, FOR THE GOLD CAPITAL $16,000,000! Will Insure on most favorable Vterms BUILDING or MERCHANDISE in CITY or COUNTRY. All claims paid on proof of loss without abatement for interest. Will BUY and SELL STOCKS and BONDS and NEGOTIATE LOANS on fa- vorable terms. fe- _' _J)AVENPOBT & C0^_ WEST 8c JOHNSTOir Have RESUMED BUSINESS in the NEW AND ELEGANT BUILDING <3"ixs»t above tlie Post Office, And offer for sale, as before and during the war, a- large and varied stock of BOOKS 1 ALL DEPARTMENTS OF LITERATURE; As also a well selected stock of STATIONEEY of Foreign and Domestic Manufacture, Usually kept in a First-Class Establishment. A call from the Public is respect- • fuTry solicited. » BINDING and BLANK BOOKS executed to order fl g^ " Subscriptions received for the " Planter and Farmer./' ORDERS promptly attended to. Address WEST & JOHNSTON, mh- Bookeellers anfl Stationers, two doors above F. O. °KiCHMOtf», Va. J THE SOUTHERN PLANTER & FARMER, DEVOTED TO Agriculture, Horticulture and the Mining, Mechanic and Household Arts. Agriculture is the nursing mother of the Arts.— Xenophon. Tillage and Pasturage are the two breasts of the State.— Sudey. OH B. WILLIAMS, . . . Editor and Propriet OR. New Series. RICHMOND, VA., DECEMBER, 1868. Vol. II- -No. \l Autumnal Fairs of 1868. There has been such an agreeable variety of these exciting and inspiriting'entertainments the present season, that we have been obli- ged to depart from the order of dates, in their publication, in order to keep well abreast of current events, and so to dispose of our space as to give the fullest possible accounts of them. In our last we presented the speeches of Gov. Vance, and of Com. Maury. We now return to the Border Fair and indulge our readers with a lengthened synopsis of Mr. Mallet's speech, preceded by the well conceived and patriotic salutatory of the President, delivered at the opening of the fair. Danville Va., October 20th, 1868. Colonel Sutherlin, the President, at 12 o'clock delivered the fol- lowing address : Fellow- Citizens, — It is with much pleasure that we welcome you on this interesting occasion. Our first annual fair was a success beyond the expectation of its most sanguine friends, but it was by no means equal to the immense gathering of people and the great collection of articles that you see here to-day. The spirit manifested here by the vast concourse of people before me, numerous contributions designed to facilitate and cheapen labor, the large number of improved breeds of stock of various kinds, and, above all, the great display of valuable, ingenious, and beautiful articles contributed by our noble women, should greatly increase our hope for the future of the country and stimulate us to renewed energy and fresh determination to push forward in the confident VOL. II — 46 710 THE SOUTHERN [December expectation that intelligence and energy if properly directed will, yet accomplish for North Carolina and Virginia what they have always done elsewhere, and bring us independence, happiness, and pros- perity. Neither pains nor labor have been spared to make the fair both attractive and useful, and we appeal to all present to appropriate it to their individual benefit. To agriculturists I would say, witness the experiments made, examine the various articles on exhibition, and procure such of them as will increase the profits of your farm. You cannot hope for success if you shall any longer allow your old prejudices to influence your action in this matter. Take hold as a new people in a fresh country, with everything to learn. Let the systems pursued in other and different days be abandoned, adapt yourselves to the necessities of the times, and prove to the world that you deserve success even if you fail to win it. Many persons are disposed to give up in despair unless their own political views prevail. To all such I would say, let the approach- ing election for President go as it may, you cannot hope to prosper in business unless you put forth a proper effort, each individual for himself. We may reasonably hope that in any event we have seen the worst of our troubles. We have nearly, if not quite, touched bottom. The next turn of the wheel will be upward. The country cannot any more endure the paralysis of one section than the human body that of one side. The South, now disabled and paralyzed, must be restored to vitality, or the whole must perish. Therefore it is but reasonable to hope that whoever may be exalted to the high position of President of the United States will so far forget party as to view with a patriot's eye his whole country, and adopt a policy that will speedily place all the States of the Union on an equal footing, and use his power and position in restoring the country to prosperity and peace. This is an under- taking that would command the confidence and support of all good people in every portion of the country, and could not fail of success. If it shall prove that these opinions are well founded, and the people of the South meet the question in a proper spirit of concilia- tion, we may then look forward hopefully for the dawn of a brighter era. Thus restored to the Union, we may reasonably expect that, through intelligent representation in Congress, among other benefits, the oppressive taxation upon our most valuable staple ; tobacco, will at no distant day be materially reduced, if not altogether removed; that with restoration of political and civil rights, the military will be withdrawn and the Freedmen's Bureau abolished, and that peace 1868.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 711 and quiet will be once more enjoyed by a thrifty and contented peo- ple. Then we can, with the confidence of success, invite to our extensive fields of industry the intelligent agriculturist, the skilled artisan, and the sturdy mechanic, with their capital and enterprise, to aid us in making these two old States the most powerful in wealth and population on this continent. I think they are now the most inviting field for the immigrant to be found in this country. The low price of land, the cheapness of labor, the high price of the staple productions, will enable the industrious and prudent immi- grant to realize larger profits from any enterprise than he could in any other portion of the country. These advantages, with our internal improvement system — completed and in prospect of con- struction — together with the immense beds of coal, iron, and other valuable minerals found in nearly every hill and valley, cannot fail, when properly appreciated, to attract to our border immense numbers of those seeking new homes and occupations. In addition to the fertility of the soil and the other advantages of which we have spoken, these States are blessed with the most delightful climate known to the temperate zone. I cannot close these remarks without directing the attention of visitors from a distance to the valuable water-power of Danville — the superior advantages of this locality for the establishment of manufactures in every branch. In conclusion we desire to acknowledge our sense of obligation to the fair daughters of Virginia and North Carolina for the great in- terest they have taken in our enterprise, and for the aid they have rendered it, both by the liberal contributions of their handiwork and by their presence on this occasion. We feel that they are our near- est friends and companions — our ornament in prosperity ; and in adversity, our solace and support. It is, therefore, with the liveliest emotions of pride and pleasure that we welcome their beaming faces here to-day ; and it shall be our endeavor to win their approbation, with the assurance that whatever cause woman smiles upon receives the highest imprimatur of merit and success. May we all hope that before another annual fair of our Society the sea of troubles which now opposes us will disappear, and that we shall enjoy a sure and lasting peace. " Lovely art thou, 0, Peace : and lovely are thy foot prints, in the green valleys." " Beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him that publisheth peace." 712 THE SOUTHERN [December ADDRESS OF DR. MALLET. Danville, Va., October 21, 1868. The rain has fallen incessantly here to day, and proceedings at the Fair Grounds have been suspended. Dr. Mallet's address was fixed for to-day at the Fair Grounds, but owing to the rain it was adjourned to the Masonic Hall to night, where it was delivered to a large audience of ladies, farmers, and citizens. It gave much in- terest to the audience, and the Doctor was warmly applauded. Dr. Mallet, after a graceful introductory proceeded to discuss " The Relations of Agriculture to Natural Sciences." The speaker commenced by a presentation of the importance and multiform character of the occupation of the soil. We may be in- convenienced by any temporary interruption in the labor of other men ; but we suffer — often terribly suffer — when the labor of the husbandman fails. The terrible meaning of the^word " famine" had a vivid illustration in the scenes of Central India a year or two ago, when from the failure of the crops of a single season, the teeming population of a vast district lay down to die. Farmers grumble sometimes at the measure of success with which they are rewarded, yet there was more risk in almost every other branch of human industry than with that of the farmer. The objects of the industry of the farmer were few in number. The seeds, roots, leaves, and stems of some eight or ten species of plants and the flesh of some four or five species of domestic animals, are the materials upon which the vast majority of mankind depend for food. And from a still smaller number of vegetable and animal epecies we obtain almost all our supply of clothing. Such multi- tudes of men being employed in this limited range of tillage and production, it might be expected that the history of the art of agri- culture should be one of continuous and rapid improvement, and its principles at the present day should be universally agreed upon, the manner of applying them being only varied by climate and soil. This was far from the case. Other arts have grown and improved with more rapidity, and are better understood and practiced. In the earlier ages all arts were empirical — men consulted their individual experience, and the results of such effort as were found to be useful were repeated. These efforts were without the guide of principle, and soon found a limit to their attainments. All of art in this way transmitted from one generation to another consisting of a set of arbitrary rules, for which no satisfactory reason can be as- signed. Yet that these rules contained often much that was valua- 1868.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 713 ble as well as false, was true ; but even truth was so distorted or imperfectly stated as to be often positively mischievous. Thus the Romans taught that slaked lime was useful as a manure to fruit- trees ; while on the other' hand it was taught, little more than a hundred years ago, that ammonia was absolutely injurious to plants. The one statement was right — the other wrong. For neither was there an intelligent reason assigned, nor did either lead by well- founded inference, to any ulterior knowledge. Principles, however, were gradually taking the place of arbitrary rules, and by their application to any branch of industry it ceases to be empirical, and is elevated to the rank of a scientific art. That agriculture had rested longer than most other arts upon reasonable rules rather than clearly-ascertained and sensibly-applied principles, is a fact. The speaker referred to the elaborate system of hand- cultivation in China, carried on habitually without improvement, for the support of millions ; to the Hindoo, tending his field of rice as it had been for untold generations ; to the husbandman, raising with his scoop and ballance-pole the water of the mill for irrigation ; to the precepts of Virgil, still illustrated by the farming in Italy, as they were nineteen hundred years ago. Even in western Europe and in this country we find that though agriculture had not for a century been unprogressive, the advan- ces that had been made may be referred almost wholly to the class of improvements in the mechanical tools and appliances of agriculture — not to that of improved methods of agriculture itself. The effort to remove the stigma of empiricism and place this grand and ancient art upon a scientific basis was of an extremely modern date. It could not be dated back more than a hundred years. Chemistry had for sometime been well recognized among the sci- ences before its powerful aid began to be extended to the investi- gation of the principles on which rational agriculture should be based. The speaker referred to the discovery of the chemical functions of leaves by Priestly near the close of the last century, and of Sau- sern about the beginning of the present century, as a step of great importance towards a knowledge of the chemistry of vegetable life, and therefore indirectly of agriculture. He is referred to the able attempt of Sir Humphrey Davy to collect all the chemical knowledge of that day (1802) bearing on vegetable physiology and agriculture. But no individual had probably done so much to promote this kind of research as Liebeg in his work on the " Applications of Chemis- try to Agriculture and Physiology," the first edition of whose work 714 THE SOUTHERN [December was published in 1840. Bousingault's "Economie Rurale," which appeared about the same time, gave a further impetus to investiga- tions of this kind, and since then they have continued to occupy the attention of a large number of able thinkers and experimenters throughout the whole world. The Doctor went on to speak of the industry with which the problems to be solved had been attacked : the analysis of soils — of rocks from whose disintegration they were produced, the ashes of plants, manures of natural and artificial origin, rain water and drainage-water, &c, &c, The effects of manures on crops growing in natural soils have been observed, and their effects varied by the application of different quantities of fertilizing materi-als, &c. He referred to the numerous agricultural schools that had sprung up in Europe and this country, to the many publications on agriculture, the united transactions of societies, to the assemblages like that of to- day as tending to stimulate zeal and brighten the intelligence of the people. He referred to the attention given to the subject by Gov- ernments, especially France, who has her Minister of Agriculture. What progress, then, has been made in this branch of science ? If we were to listen indiscriminately to the answers of agricultural chemists of various schools, and from the practical farmers of va- rious countries, it might seem impossible from conflicting views to adopt any settled opinion. The efforts of the last forty years had mastered some highly important principles, which we are ready to no inconsiderable extent to employ as guides in agricultural prac- tice. Still the road to further knowledge stretches out far and untrodden before us. Dr. Mallet went on to speak of the variety of views presented by essayists, their dogmatisms, sweeping generalities, w 7 ith no knowledge of the recorded results of others' investigations, etc. Agricultural problems are of a complex character, and require the consideration of many conditions at the same time. So long as the chemist has to deal with dead unorganized matter, he finds but little trouble in arriving at certain and equally accurate conclusions* Hand him a specimen of metalic ore, and he will tell you how much metal it contains, etc. But this is all changed when you pass from the lifeless to the animal kingdom of nature, the conditions of whose existences are so intricately related that it is extremely difficult to grasp them all at the same time. He proposed to look for a mo- ment at the chief conditions in the life of a plant. A plant was an individual sprung up from its parent plant, inher- iting certain peculiarities and wants; it lives a few months or years, 1863.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 715 and dies like ourselves, returning to mingle with the elements whence it was derived. The plant is stationary, inhaling two elements — earth and air. Pushing further and further into these, continual increase of size is the law of its life ; while animals, on the contrary, increase in mass only during the period of their youth, attain a limit of physical development, and afterwards exhibit a gain and loss of material which mutually balance each other. The plant may be said to possess a mouth, a stomach, and lungs, though it has no heart or brain. Its business is simply to live and grow — to store up in precious forms matter and force which may at a later day be expanded by the higher orders of creation — the inferior animals and God like man himself. To fill so lowly a place in the system of the universe, what structures of perfect adaptation and wondrous beauty have been created ! Basking in the light of the sun, continued the Doctor, its leaves drink in from the air carbonic acid, a noxious gas to the animal, but sustenance to the vegetable world. And while the carbon is fixed in new forms of combination, producing with hydrogen and oxygen, or water and nitrogen of ammonia, the great bulk of the plant itself, the remaining portion of the carbonic acid — oxygen is given off again into the atmosphere to freshen and renew it for the support of animal existence. From the air also are received the vapor of water and certain other gaseous forms of food ; though these are probably of minor importance. This air is, for the prac- tical purposes of agriculture, almost beyond our control. In the green- house we may create an artificial atmosphere about a few choice flowers, but on a large scale this is impossible. Happily, the chemical composition of the atmosphere is everywhere very nearly the same, and plants everywhere receive from it the same supply of gaseous food. The Dqctor went on to speak of the direct and indirect influences of the atmosphere on plants through its various gases, and its vapor of water or dew and rain ; which sinking beneath the surface, are presented to the roots of plants, in a condition to be by them absorbed. The extent to which the crop enjoys the benefit of this indirect influ- ence is largely within our own control. It can be affected by the depth and thoroughness of tillage, and by proper arrangements for subterranean drainage ; also, by the admixture of soils of different degrees of porosity, and by the application of certain kinds of manure. He proceeded to enumerate the different substances absorbed by the roots of plants, and of what a number of them arc composed. 716 THE SOUTHERN [December We find by the ash of wheat that it contains large amounts of sillicic acid, phosphoric acid, and potash; Indian-corn, lime and magnesia; in the alkalis, phosphoric and silicic acid predominate. Turnips require a larger supply of sulphuric acid than many other plants, and tobacco makes heavy'demands for potash. The silicic acid of wheat exists almost exclusively in the straw, while the phosphoric acid is almost all found in the grain, and the potash is common to both. Peas contain but a moderate amount of lime, while their leaves and stems contain a great deal of the same ingredient. Dt\ Mallet went into a cursory view of the differences of compo- sitions of plants, and the different amounts of the same substance absorbed by them at different seasons. In the main, he concluded that particular mineral substances in particular proportions are ex- tracted from the soil by each particular plant. But if one of the essential mineral constituents of a certain plant be absent from or deficient in quantity in a soil, though all the others be present in abundance, that plant cannot be made to live and thrive upon the soil in question. The speaker argued that, this being the case, it should be easy to determine whether a piece of land is fit to support a given crop or not ; and what is of most practical importance, if not fitted by na- ture for the purpose, it would seem equally simple to render it so by artificial means. It may be that some of the mineral constit- uents needed for a plant may not be in a soluble state — a state that is indispensable for the support of the plant. This defect may be obviated by the manner of cultivation. The fallow and the rotation of crops assists to pulverize and decompose the constituents needed, and after a time the soil thus becomes suited to the plant that was not adapted to it a few years previous. Continuing his remarks on this branch of the subject, he explained the difference in soils, the evils from washings and from too compact soils, how the soluble constituents are lost by washings, &c. ; how the organic matter of the soil, by the gradual process of decay during which carbonic acid and ammonia are produced, furnishes from the earth a supply of these essential substances, additional to that which is drawn from the atmosphere. Mechanically and chemically, continued the Doctor, we can to a large extent, change the character of the soil at our pleasure. And thus supply its natural defects and increase its productiveness and value. Dr. Mallet, at much length, expatiated upon the mode of supply- 1868.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 717 ing deficits and correcting or balancing excess of chemical sub- stances in soils. It would be unjust to him to essay a condensation of his clear views. In the course of his remarks he suggested that where there was an absence of silicic acid it might be produced by burning refuse wood upon the soil, and heaping clay upon the fire, which after burning, being scattered over the land, would supply the deficient soluble silicic acid, and wheat and other cereals requiring this acid might be grown with success where they would not have thriven before. The Doctor spoke generally of manures, some of which might be considered medicine. For instance, iron pyrites, by the oxydizing action of the atmosphere, produce copperas, soluable in water and injurious to plants; heated with lime, this copperas in conjunction with it, becomes sulphate of lime or gypsum, while the protoxide of iron set free rapidly absorbs more oxygen, and becomes peroxide of iron, which is at least harmless. The Doctor continued his review of the life of plants and the effects wrought by chemical substances upon their existence at some length. These views, showing the importance of science as an aid to the farmer, Dr. Mallet went on to state the difficulties in the way of the employment of the teachings of science. The chief one was that the- farmer demanded concrete rules for special cases of agri- cultural practice, which he showed to be impossible from the vari- able and infinite combinations of soils. Another difficulty was the liability of farmers in adapting scien- tific knowledge to cultivation to forget some one of the conditions imposed, and thus lose the benefit of the whole. But these diffi- culties, the speaker contended, could be mastered with care and perseverance. Dr. Mallet laid down these propositions as essential to good farming : 1. More thorough pulverization of the soil, and to a greater depth. 2. Efficient drainage by means of tubular draining tiles. 3. The more extented introduction and use of improved agricul- tural implements and labor-saving machinery. 4. More strict attention to a systematic rotation of crops — pains being taken to discover the order of rotation best suited to the soil. 5. The more extensive cultivation of root crops. 6. The more general, liberal, and yet properly economical use of manure. 7. More pains taken in the preservation and use of animal ma- 718 THE SOUTHERN [December nures. This should not be allowed to be exhausted by being washed while scattered over the stable-yard. The liquid manure should be also saved. 8. Take care of the forest, and where exhausted restore them by artificial means. 9. Care in the choice of seeds — extend the varieties and improve the breeds of animals. 10. Experiments in agriculture, directed by combination and intelligence. The Doctor called attention to the movement of the University in behalf of agriculture. That institution is now engaged in the erec- tion and equipment of a chemical laboratory, soon to be completed, which will rank amongst the most complete in America, and which will afford all necessary means for scientific researches connected with agriculture, so far as these can be carried on within laboratory walls. Dr. Mallet invited farmers to aid in researches by experiments in the open fields, and he begged any willing to co-operate in this way to communicate with him. He explained the great advantages to be looked for from this co-operation. Referring rapidly to the bright prospect now that the people of Virginia are aroused to a sense of the necessity of improving their agriculture and restoring their exhausted lands, he expressed the hope that in a few years all traces of past neglect and public misfor- tune will have been effaced, and renewed prosperity will cover the face of the " land we love." Dr. Mallet was greeted with applause at the close of this very graceful and scientific address. I have, I fear, but imperfectly con- densed it for the reader. Having now revisited the scene of the second grand achievement of the Border Agricultural Society — gathering up the fragments that nothing be lost — having paid our respects to the President and Dr. Mallet, by reproducing so much of their addresses as came within our knowledge through the remarkable and well-directed enterprise of the press of this city, we pass on with like purpose to survey the field of the recent triumph of the Augusta County Fair. On Tuesday morning, the 27th of October, at 10 o'clock, the Corporators of the Augusta County Fair assembled on New Court- house street, preparatory to marching in procession on horse-back 1868.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 719 to the Fair Grounds, half a mile from Staunton. The procession ■was formed in the following order : Chief Marshal— White Rosette and Scarf. His two Aids-^with White Rosettes. Band — in Wagon. Guests and Speakers — in Carriages. President Augusta County Fair — Green Rosette. Executive Committee — Blue Rosette. Secretary and Engineer Augusta County Fair — Red Rosette. Board of Directors — Blue Rosette. Standards and Bearers. Corporators — two by two. Assistant Marshals — with Red Scarfs. Corporators' Families — in Carriages. Corporators' Families — on Horseback. Assistant Marshals — with Red Scarfs. Citizens Generally. All decorated with their appropriate badges. After arriving at the large building erected on the farther extremity of the race-track the ceremonies were commenced by an appropriate prayer by Rev. Mr. Baird, after which the address of welcome was delivered by Colonel John B. Baldwin, President of the Augusta County Fair. The following is the substance of his address as furnished by the reporter of the Richmond Whig : THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS OF WELCOME. Colonel Baldwin, in one of his most felicitous speeches, welcomed the vast concourse to the grounds of the Augusta Agricultural Society. These grounds, he explained, were the donation of the people of the county, having been purchased by means contributed by them in sums of one hundred dollars. It was only since the 1st of May that, by voluntary subscriptions of the people, the funds had begun to accumulate ; and when it was borne in mind that much work had to be done on the grounds after they were pur- chased, buildings erected, &c, they would readily account for, and excuse any incompleteness in their condition. What had been done in the formation of the Society and the preparation for this exhibi- tion, the condition of the country being considered, argued that there is some vitality in the old county yet, and proved that when the citizens of Augusta gave their sanction to any enterprise they are ready to back it with their means. He claimed for them a creditable public spirit and county feeling. 720 THE SOUTHERN [December Though this is an agricultural district principally, said the speaker, this is not in a strict sense an agricultural, but an industrial Fair, for the exhibition of the industrial products of the country. Its object is to promote energy and economy and thrift among the peo- ple, and it addresses itself to no peculiar class of labor, but to all classes. When it was first proposed to hold a fair, there were some who thought the time unpropitious, since the future was so full of uncer- tainty, and that we should wait until the affairs of the country were settled. He was glad that their counsel did not prevail, and that the majority held and acted upon the opinion that no time called so urgently for efforts to promote industry and the products of labor, as when we had least to expect from the administration of public affairs. Before the war the people of Virginia were mainly occupied in agriculture, and even those engaged in vocations other than tilling the soil, looked forward as their highest ambition, to spending the evening of life in the calm pursuits of agriculture. The war, in its results, changed our system of labor and rendered agriculture some- what less attractive, and the people now are, in some measure, dis- posed to turn from farming to manufacturing, mining and merchan- dising. We are now in the beginning of the process of diversifying our labor, in the transition state from a purely agricultural to a mixed agricultural and manufacturing people. Whatever else may result or fail to result from the war, it is obvious that it is daily pro- ducing a change in our agriculture. We of the Valley thought it a dreadful calamity when our barns and mills were burned and our stock destroyed, but even this has not been without advantage, in the manly and irrepressible energy it developed. You have built large barns and mills, and the fruits of your energy and skill have come to be so recognized, that the same power that issued the order to apply the torch to your mills, now orders that no flour shall be used by the troops in Virginia but that having the Staunton brand on it. Old-time implements of husbandry are being substituted by those of improved design and greater efficiency, and although it took two or more crops to restore the ravages of the war, the Val- ley is to-day benefited by the changes that have occurred. Now is the time for the people to meet and compare ideas, to learn what improvements have been made in the machinery of farm labor, and what advance in the system and science of agriculture. At such a meeting, it behooves us to forget politics, by which we have been so often misled in the past, and to direct our attention to 1868.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 721 the practical affairs of industry. Besides, it is one of the good effects of such meetings as this, that they make the people better acquainted with each other and cultivate a spirit of social kindness. The war brought us closer together, and engendered kindlier feel- ings towards each other. He wanted the people, too, old and young, once a year, for a few days, to leave their toil and devote themselves to recreation, to fun and frolic. The present gathering is full of promise to the county and to the Valley — it is full of animating and suggestive hopes for the future. In conclusion, he expressed the hope that all present would find the occasion one of pleasure and profit. After music, Colonel Baldwin introduced Mr. Stuart, to whom had been assigned the duty of making the Dedicatory Address. ADDRESS OF HON. A. H. H. STUART. Felloiv- Citizens, — The duty of delivering the address of welcome, on this interesting occasion, has been appropriately confided to my friend, Colonel Baldwin — I think I hazard little in saying, that he is the author and founder of the "Augusta County Fair." To his zeal and energy, seconded as they have been by the liberality and public spirit of the people of Augusta, we are indebted for the suc- cess of the enterprise. Every one will, therefore, recognize the propriety of calling on him to deliver the inaugural address at the commencement of the first exhibition. He has performed his part in a manner which, I doubt not, has been acceptable to all who had the pleasure of hearing him. We have now arrived at the second stage of our proceedings. We are about to dedicate the grounds which have been purchased, to the use of the Fair, and I have been called on to say a few words in connection with this auspicious event. Why I should have been selected to perform this interesting task may not, at first view, be entirely clear. But when we advert to the nature of the duty to be performed, and the obvious propriety of entrusting it to one of your most skilful, experienced and suc- cessful practical farmers, I modestly infer that all doubts as to the reasons for and propriety of selecting the person who now has the honor to address you, as the organ of the managers, will immedi- ately vanish ! Accepting this as the true explanation of my appointment, I now tender my thanks to the managers for their favorable estimate of my merits as a farmer ; nor can I withhold a word of compliment to their sagacity, in discovering, and officially proclaiming to the public, a fact, that otherwise, might have remained unknown, except to my immediate neighbors. 722 THE SOUTHERN [December The people of Augusta, deeply impressed with the importance of doing all in their power to improve the system of agriculture in this and the surrounding counties, have purchased this beautiful lot of 21 acres, with a view of appropriating it, through all time, to the annual exhibitions of the products of the earth, and of the work- shops of our country. It is true that the primary object is the de- velopment of the agricultural interests, but we all know that the mechanic arts are so intimately blended and interwoven with agri- culture that whatever tends to advance the one necessarily increases the prosperity of the other. On behalf of the managers and trustees of the Fair, in the pre- sence of this crowd of witnesses, I proceed to dedicate and set apart now and forever, the grounds embraced within this enclosure to be held, used, and occupied for the use of agriculture, and the kindred branches of industry connected therewith. In proclaiming this dedication I cannot forbear from adding a few words in commendation of the wisdom and patriotism of those who made it. Agriculture is, unquestionably, the most important interest in Virginia. The census tables show that of the adult white popula- tion of the State, about one half are engaged in agriculture — of the colored population a much larger proportion — probably seven eights are cultivators of the soil. Of the residue of the entire pop- ulation, white and colored, much the larger number are employed in manufacturing or marketing the products of agriculture, so as to render them available for the uses of man. Agriculture is there- fore the substratum of all the other interest of society. It supplies the raw material and furnishes the market for manufactures and commerce. It is the Atlas, on whose shoulders the whole system of human industries securely rest. Surely such a vast interest as this, deserves all the considera- tion, and all the aid which intellect and industry can afford to it, yet, strange to say, until within a very recent period, there was no occupation which received so little assistance from the intelligence of our people. Science seemed to turn away from agriculture, as something beneath her notice, and it was left to languish, in the hands of surfs and boors in Europe, and of slaves and uneducated laborers in America. These continued, through centuries of dark- ness, to delve away, plowing, sowing and reaping, with imperfect implements, in the modes pursued by their fathers, until production was diminished, and the lands worn out, and in many cases, espe- pecially in Eastern Virginia, abandoned to broom hedge and pine. 1868] PLANTER AND FARMER. 723 Fortunately a new era has dawned on the world. Diminished supply of food has compelled Science and mechanic arts to lend their aid to agriculture. Intellect and capital have been brought to bear in its behalf, and already it is beginning to assume its appro- priate and honorable position in the front rank of the pursuits of intelligent men — Chemistry, philosophy, vegetable physiology, and the mechanics arts have all been enlisted and its allies and auxilia- ries — our soil has been analyzed — the philosophy of vegetable growth has been the subject of careful study. The nature and con- stituents of cereals and grasses and other vegetable products, have been ascertained ; and the food and culture which they respectively require for their full development have been anxiously enquired into — labor-saving machinery has been invented, and more perfect farming implements manufactured, and a new interest has been awakened in regard to the philosophy and practice of farming. The results are already visible, especially in the Valley of Vir- ginia, in an improved system of culture, augmented production, an ameliorated condition of the soil, and the enhanced value of our lands. Ev^ery farmer has been in the habit of making himself acquainted with the kinds of food most acceptable and beneficial to the differ- ent classes of animals on his farm. — The instinct of the animals in selecting what was most palatable to them furnishes a guide on this subject. But how few persons until recently, have understood that every tree and flower — every stalk of corn and wheat, and every blade of grass is a living thing, with an infinite number of mouths, in the form of pores, from the topmost blossoms to its lowest root, mutely, but constantly demanding appropriate food and drink [ How few have thought of the fact that the wants of these various plants are as diversified as their several natures ! and that what may be proper food for one is not adapted for another. We know, because we see that vegetables, like animals, droop and die when the clouds fail to yield the showers necessary to their healthful growth. But how many, even in the present day, are ignorant of the fact that lime, silica, and ammonia and phosphorus and soda are essential for the successful growth of corn and wheat and grass and potatoes. Yet such is the fact; lime constitutes a large element in the stalk of the corn and wheat, and silica or sand of the enamel which en- crusts and gives it strength to bear the weight of the full grown ear. How many, even of our farmers, when they find their hopes of a large crop of wheat on our heavy clay or rich alluvial lands disap. pointed by the failing of the luxuriant growth of straw before it matures, know that the disaster is attributable to the want of silica 724 THE SOUTHERN [December or sand in the soil, out of which Nature in her laboratory supplies the enamel necessary to give strength and stiffness to the straw. How many, even in our day, are ignorant of the fact that the failure of sandy land to produce large crops of grain or grass is caused by the abseence of the clay and lime and other elements necessary to nourish the plant. Science teaches us these lessons, and warns us of the necessity of studying the nature of our soil, so that when we ascertain their de- ficiences we may know how to supply them. But I forbear enlarging on this subject because it opens a bound- less field of enquiry. . I will simply remark to the farmers of Augusta, that the idea which prevails among many of them, that in our lime stone region there is sufficient quantity of lime for the pur- pose of agriculture is a grave mistake. Many years ago I was in- formed by that distinguished philosopher, Wm. B. Rogers, that the soil of the lime stone district of the valley was deficient in lime. If I remember aright, his theory was that in the convulsion of na- ture, the supply of lime which had been diffused through the soil, had been withdrawn by its affinity for carbonic acid gas and concen- trated and consolidated in the form of limestone rocks and hence there was less lime in the soil of Augusta than in that of Albemarle. In confirmation of this theory I will add that from my own obser- vation and experien ?e, I am persuaded lime is the most valuable and permanent of all our manures. But I must not be understood as maintaining the proposition that lime alone will furnish sufficient food for our crops. No animal, from man down to the lowest order of creation, can subsist for a series of years, on one single article of diet, and in like manner no plant can flourish if fed by one kind of manure. Plants like animals, require a diversity of food, but in my judgment lime bears the same relation as food to the vegetable kingdom that grain does to the animal. The object of dedicating these grounds to the purposes of agri- culture is, to awaken among our fathers an intelligent and philoso- phic spirit of enquiry and experiment and annually to bring them together to make the results known and to bear with them the sub- stantial evidences of their success in the form of animal and vegeta- ble products of their farms : to compare opinions as to the best sys- tems of culture, to impart information to each other and to inspire a spirit of generous emulation. Another object is to induce machinists and others to bring be- fore our farmers all useful inventions, in the form of machinery, to economise labor and promote production. 1868.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 725 In a word, our object is to build up and consolidate, on a firm basis, the prosperity of Virginia. There has been, I fear, in some parts of the State, too much giving way to a feeling of despondency ; too much of a disposition to fold our arms, and to call for immigration and for others to come and help us. I am not for calling on Her- cules, but for putting our own shoulders to the wheel ; I am, as we all are, in favor of immigration. All well disposed and orderly persons, who come to settle among us, will be well received, and kindly treated. But we must not depend on others for prosperity. • We must be the architect of our own fortunes. We live in an age of progress. Within the last half century, the world has made greater advances in useful knowledge than in the five preceding centuries. Within that time the Steamship, the Railway, the Telegraph, the Photograph, Chloroform, the Reaper, the Drill, the Threshing machine and Sewing machine have been added to the facilities of commerce, manufactures and Agriculture. Within that period my distinguished friend (Com: Maury) who sits near me, has discovered new worlds in the firmament above us, and sounded the depths of the ocean, and mapped its currents so as to guide commerce over the most distant seas, and diminish, by one half, the time necessary for a voyage around Cape Horn. Within that period new lights have been shed on Agriculture, and it has been raised to the dignity of a science. Let us see that we take no step backward. Let us stimulate enquiry and improve- ment by holding out every legitimate inducement. We the Farmers of Augusta, have here secured "a local habita- tion and a name." Henceforth, this will be a place of annual re- union. Here new ideas will be presented and discussed. Here the results of new experiments will be reported and considered. Here the products of our farms, and workshops, and household in- dustry, will be exhibited and all necessary sales and exchanges of property effected. Here the best seeds of all kinds, the most im- proved breeds of animals, and the most useful kinds of machinery will be introduced and distributed through the country. To sum up all in the fewest words, I trust that this will prove to be not merely a place of exhibition of the products of labor, but it will be a mart of commerce, and a central point from which light and knowledge and prosperity will be diffused through all our borders. An ancient philosopher said, if you would give him a fulcrum and a lever, he could lift the world from its axis. Here on this spot, is our fulcrum — knowledge is our lever — let us seize it and lift from vol. n—47 726 THE SOUTHERN [December agriculture the mountains of ignorance and error which have here- tofore oppressed it. " The most attractive and entertaining feature of the second day's exercises," says the Staunton Spectator, from, which we copy, "was the delivery of Commodore M. F. Maury's address," which we printed in our last number. " Second in interest to these," con- tinues the Spectator, " was the contest for premiums by the Ladies of the Archery Club." Space will not allow us to dwell upon this 'novel and interesting exercise, but there are sentiments expressed in General Echols's very graceful and apposite address to the young gentlemen, which may not be let to pass off with the frolic and humor of the occasion, but deserve embodiment in a more enduring form. We, therefore, reproduce it in the pages of the Southern Planter and Farmer. The following is the address of Gen. Echols, to the Knights as specially reported for the Spectator : CHARGE TO THE KNIGHTS. Sir Knights : — I feel honored in being deputed to address you, the representatives of the youthful manhood and chivalry of Vir- ginia. The older men have already discharged their part in this great public demonstration. It is your turn now, as it soon must be, upon the stage of public affairs, to take the places so well filled by your fathers. Although this is but a mimic tournament, yet, if we improve the occasion properly, it, too, shall not be without its usefulness. You claim to represent the chivalric feeling ot the people of this great State, as the Knights of old claimed to represent the feelings of their countrymen. In the days of the olden Knights and of the crusades, the great object which they held in view was to rescue the sepulchre of the Saviour from infidel hands. There is an object for you to hold in view as sacred, and as glorious as that; it is to redeem your native State ; it is that you, who must soon assume the lead, shall conse- crate your lives to the redemption of the proud old mother of us all. I do not speak to you as a politician, nor advise you to take part in what is known as politics. I would, on the contrary, advise you to eschew politics, and look alone to the developement of the great resources of your State. Work for this, and this alone. Then, coming in this spirit, let us not regard this as a mere boyish pastime, but let it be understood that you come here this day to pledge your- selves to this cloud of fairy witnesses that you will exert yourselves 1868.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 727 as public men until your State shall stand redeemed from here desolation. She is to you a mother, although she sits as a widowed matron at her fireside, with her children slain around her, and her fields laid waste. It is our duty to forget the past, and now only to re- member that we are citizens of a great government, and that we should devote all that we have of intellect or of strength to promote the power, wealth, and happiness of our common country. It is true that one may not hereafter be able to look to our own dear old State as a political organization with her proud motto of Sic Semper Tyrannis, which has hitherto blazed forth so brightly, but we have it in our power to make her great in social and material wealth. " Let us then, be up and doing With a heart for any fate ; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait." If you have the ambition to follow in the footsteps of the Knight g of old, remember that, he, who was the most knightly gentleman, and whose name has come down to us through four centuries as the "spotless and the fearless" chevalier Bayard, has transmitted his name to succeeding generations, not through manly prowess nor skill with spear and sword alone, but for the great and high moral quali- ties which are the true test of manhood. If you wish for a model of more modern times that model has been before you for two days past — a greater than Bayard. He stands before the civilized world, not only "spotless and fearless" in time of trial and danger, but firm and self-possessed in the hour of mis- fortune. And, in this respect, he affords you a model equal to any ever before seen. If the French had Bayard, you have Lee. Emulate his virtues and you will be led to honor, because his is the path of honor, and of virtue, and of patriotism. You have, then, the strongest incitements to action which young men ever had. In the dark and bloody years now gone,, we hope forever, many of you have shown high courage. Show now that you hsve within you the power of endurance. Show that you have the determination to work out for your country a glorious future. Look around you — you desire the smiles of these beautiful faces, gazing upon you from this vast amphitheatre. These smiles you can only deserve by bravery, pru- dence, piety and patriotism. And as you deserve, be assured that you shall so receive the smiles and plaudits of youth and beauty. Gentlemen — I wish you God speed. I hope that you will, to- 728 THE SOUTHERN [December day, deserve the smiles and approbation of these young and lovely daughters of Virginia, -who surrround you. I trust that, as your lives shall come to a close, you may look back to this time, as the period when you first resolved that you would win the plaudits of your countrymen and women. Go forth then, to the mimic joust as gallant young Virginians. A Short Account of the Rockbridge Fair. A visit to Rockbridge county^ with its pure air and beautiful scenery, must be pleasant at any time, but most so when all this is enhanced by delightful Indian summer weather, such as was enjoyed during their Agricultural Fair week. The Fair itself was a great success — and when considered with reference to their isolated posi- tion as regards means of transportation — the best we have had in Virginia since the war. The reason of this is obvious in the fact that they possess in their President, Mr. Jacob Fuller, the most determined, intelligent and energetic advocate of all agricultural interests in the State. His persistent appeals to the people of the county as well as to manufacturers abroad; his system of awards (quite novel by the way) and his excellent arrangement of articles on exhibition, were attended with the happiest results, and there was no dissenting voice, but his own, when his name was proposed for re-election at their annual meeting, held at the close of the Fair. In spite of his protestations, it was determined by acclama- tion that no man in the community could serve them with the same capability. The same energy and continued harmonious efforts on the part of the officers and members of the Society cannot fail to keep Rock- bridge, as she now is, ahead of most portions of the State in the development of agriculture, horticulture, pomology, and the intro- duction of improved appliances for cultivating the soil, and all labor- saving machinery. Truly, Rockbridge is a highly-favored county, with a fine climate, a fertile soil, a conservative and industrious people, who exhibit great enterprise in developing their resources, and with Lexington in the centre, filled with institutions of learning — having, of course, the concomitants of high talent and pleasant society — it is, even minus the railroad which they are struggling for, a most attractive and desirable home. It would be impossible to mention all the instances of individual enterprise which came under observation, but a few may be taken 1868.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 729 as examples. Among these, Mr. E. S. Tutwiler may be considered as having done as much for the county as any other. While many have been talking about what could be done, he has quietly and unaided established a successful cheese factory, from which is now being produced cheese of excellent quality, and for which the demand greatly exceeds the supply. He has also planted a vineyard, which is being yearly increased in extent, and from which he is already producing wine. In this undertaking he has been fortunate enough, or sagacious enough to obtain the services of Mr. Weiss, who has devoted his life to the art of wine-making, and now produces, in Rockbridge county, a which, it is confidently asserted, would take high rank among the best wines of Europe. But Mr. T. is not the only one who has engaged in the cultivation of the vine. Mr. Prud'homme has also a large and successful vineyard, and his wines command a high price. Mr. P. A. Davidson, with much zeal and energy, has started upon the same enterprise — has already planted seven acres of grapes, and will extend it still more this fall. By his courtesy, a pleasant afternoon was spent in the country — first in a visit to his farm, then to Mr. Tutwiler's vineyard — the evening being finished at the hospitable house of the latter. But this made only one of the pleasant days spent in Lexington, and added one more to the many regrets at leaving such delightful scenes. J. Some of the Reasons Why So Little Encouragement is Given to Agricultural Periodicals—Teachings of Science. Dear Sir, — Your favor of the 12th inst., came to hand yesterday, requesting me to give you some account of the " meadow country of Dan river," for insertion in the Planter and Farmer. I have written so much of late, which I have no reason to think has benefited any human being, that I am inclined to give it up entirely, and betake myself to something that may prove more profitable. If I were to write anything further for your journal, it would be an article to show why it is that so little encouragement is given to agricultural works, such as yours, and why our system of culture is so defective and, consequently, so unremunerative. It would not be difficult to show to any candid mind that the main reason is that our farmers and planters rely, entirely for success, on the sweat of the body, and not at all on brain sweat. They use their hands to the exclu- sion of their minds, and hope to accomplish everything they desire \>y hard licks, unaided by mature thought. In other words, they 730 THE SOUTHERN [December cannot give a reason for any of their operations, for they do not really know what they are doing. Like the quack in medicine, they blunder on, sometimes making, by accident, a happy strike, when they take to themselves great credit for accomplishing a result for which they are in no wise indebted to any skill on their part. I speak of 'the mass of our agriculturists, and would not apply my censure to the few, men of thought, who reason on this as they would on any other science. Unfortunately, this class includes but comparatively very few of those who till the soil. Most of our planters and farmers reject and denounce all " booh learning ," as they ternTall instruction published for their benefit. They take as granted that a practical man, from whom only they are willing to receive instruction, is one who has grown wise by the use of his limbs and not of his brains ; and if any one endeavors to explain to them the rationale by which ' any result is brought about, they reject his counsel, as the fruit of science, of which they have a mortal dread. They little think that the world is indebted to science and philos- ophy, for nearly all its comforts as well as its luxuries, and without the lights which they have afforded, it would now be in a state of barbarism. Science teaches that, to insure good crops and to improve the land, thorough drainage and deep and close ploughing are indispensably necessary, and that, without them, manure will fail of its desired effects, and yet they reject its teachings on this important subject, and go on to scratch and to scrape the surface of the ground, loosen- ing about as much as the next hard rain can wash away. Science teaches that those plants which have no tap root should be placed low in the ground ; and yet they plant their corn on a ridge, and wonder that it fires in dry weather and produces nubbins instead of large, long ears. Science teaches, again, that it is injurious to the growing corn to break all of its roots at the same time ; and yet how few are there who avoid this by ploughing every alternate row in laying it by. If the farmer will regard the teachings of science, he will learn that land, which abounds in dark brown gravel, is poisoned by an article which contains one of the ingredients of a valuable fertilizer, to which, if he will apply lime freely, he will convert it into gypsum or plaster of paris. The gravel containing a large quantity of sul phate of iron, and the sulphuric acid, which it contains, having a 1868.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 731 greater affinity for lime than it has for iron, seizes on the lime which he scatters over the ground, and forms the plaster of paris. This knowledge can. be obtained only from science, which he so much hates. Another lesson taught by science on this subject is, that loose dirt should he left equally distributed between the rows of corn ; yet not one in fifty of our corn growers regards its teachings, but the large majority of them prefer to heap the dirt around tlfe stalks, thus exposing to the sun the little feeders of the plants, and starving them nearly to death. There would be as much wisdom manifested by placing the food of your horse so high as to he beyond his reach. Such high feeding would soon bring the unfortunate animal to pov- erty and death. Science teaches, further, that it is as unwise to expect any plant to thrive when the ground around it is saturated with water, as to suppose that a man can live and breathe under water. How many of our planters reason from the fact that black being an absorbent of heat, therefore the keeping the surface of their plant-beds well covered with the fine dust from a coal kiln will keep the ground warm, and thus force their plants to maturity earlier than would otherwise be the case. I might extend this illustration much further, but, as I appre- hend that it would result in no good to any one, I will forbear. I will conclude, by saying that as long as the most ignorant amongst the tillers of the soil shall think himself a Solomon in all things pertaining to his calling, there will be little hope of his improvement. He will leave the world as ignorant of the process by which he has accomplished any result on his farm as the mule which he used as the agent in effecting it. Nor would he be con- vinced that any custom, which has long had the mastery over him, is wrong or injurious. He is like Byron's Prisoner of Chillon, who said — " My very chains and I grew friends, So much a long communion tends To make us what we are ; even I Regained my freedom with a sigh." As long as our agriculturists shall remain wedded to their old customs and to their hatred of all "book learning," your laudable efforts to instruct and benefit them by your monthly contributions — anything which savors of science — will prove a failure. There is only one source of hope that this fatal prejudice may be removed, and that is found in the altered condition of our labor. Since every man in the South must "root for himself or die," our people may become willing to avail themselves of everything which 732 THE SOUTHERN [December promises to lessen their toil, and so may become reconciled to the blessings of science. I hold that every cultivator of the soil should first possess him- self of a Bible and a good Commentary on it, and then subscribe to a good agricultural paper. They are quick to take one or more political papers. This is well enough, for we all should know what is passing around us in the political world ; but how slow are they to grasp at that which will teach them to make an honest living, according to the best lights of the wisest amongst us. The great defect and misfortune of most of our farming commu- nity is that to which I have alluded — their abhorrence of all " book learning." " They laugh to scorn the wisdom of the schools, And think the Jirst of teachers first of fools" Th. P. Atkinson. Danville, Fa., November lith, 1868. Report of the Gadsden County Agricultural Association to the State Association of Florida. (Continued from page 593.) We continue our extracts, from the "Quincy Commonwealth," of the above report. The cultivation of Cuba tobacco, the pea-nut, Irish and sweet potato, the sweet orange, Scuppernong grape and gardening for supplying vegetables to the Northern markets are the principal subjects referred to in the part of the report now in- troduced to the reader : But the most distinguishing trait in the agriculture of Gadsden county prior to the war, was the great attention which was given to the cultivation of the Cuba Tobacco. This culture w r as inaugurated by a worthy gentleman, by the name of John Smith, who emigrated from Virginia and settled in the vicinity of Quincy about the year 1829. His extraordinary success soon induced others to go into the culture, and in the course of a few years, the "Cuba Tobacco," became a staple product of the county, second only, if at all, to cotton. For a number of years immediately preceding the war, the production of this staple within the limits of the county, averaged from three to four thousand boxes of four hundred pounds each, annually, and readily commanded on the plantations in cash, from twenty-five to fifty cents per pound. The purchases were generally 1868.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 733 made by agents of German houses, sent out from New York and Bremen. The great advantage attending this new enterprise, was that the principal labor required to save and house the crop came on between the laying by of the cotton crop and the picking season of the same, and the handling and boxing preparatory to sending to market could be done only in damp and rainy weather, when the laborers could not be employed in out-door work. It thus came to be esteemed by the cotton planters, as an extra crop, the avails of which, as a gen- eral thing, more than paid the entire expenses of the plantation, without, in the slightest degree, operating to curtail the staple crops of cotton and provisions. This culture was almost entirely confined to Gadsden county, whose soil and climate seemed peculiarly adapted to the production of the article, and to its introduction as a new staple, was she mainly indebted for her rapid increase in material wealth prior and up to the close of the late war; and if her citizens were in a condition to incur the expense, they would doubtless be ready to erect a monument to the memory of her worthy citizen, John Smith now deceased, more deserving of the homage and ap* probation of posterity, then are those which have been designed to perpetuate the deeds of military chieftains. With the change in the system of agricultural labor, induced by the results of the late war, the culture of the "Cuba To- bacco " has been almost entirely abandoned, but this abandon- ment will be of only of temporary duration, for it is emphatically, the "poor man's crop," as every member of the family, from six years of age and upwards, can be profitably employed in either the cultivation or preparation of the article for market. It is a fact vouched for by every member of this committee, and worthy of note by political economists, that in no civilized commu- nity, was material wealth more equally distributed than in Gadsden county, and this can be accounted for only on the principle, that a new employment was presented to the poorer class, which from its adaptation to their means, elicited effort, aroused their ambition for the attainment of social equality, and caused them to inaugurate the good work of "leveling upwards." The pindar or ground nut has always been successfully cultivated in this county, but only as food for swine. The tediousness of gathering, and the fact that the gathering season comes on at a time when we are most closely pressed by the picking of cotton, has heretofore prevented it from being adopted as a market crop. There is no doubt, however, that if made a specialty, and resort be had to improved implements for 734 THE SOUTHERN [December gathering, it could be made one of the most remunerative crops that could be grown. The results in the State of North Carolina fully attest the correctness of this opinion, and in point of soil and climate we certainly have the advantage. But Gadsden county does not rely alone upon her "field crops" for restoration to her former prosperity. A new business has been recently inaugurated, that of "gardening," and if the experiments of the past season afford any indication of the future, she has in that enterprise a most flattering promise of success. One of the first shipments of garden peas that reached New York the past season was sent from the vicinity of Quincy, and the remuneration is well calculated to excite and stimulate the enterprise of our citizens the coming season. On the same parallel with the cities of Jacksonville and St. Augustine, with a soil far superior in productiveness, with direct and speedy Railroad communication, there is no reason why this county may not enter into successful competition in this line of business. It is an established fact, that cabbage and all the root-crops are raised in as high perfection in Florida as in any part of the United States, and a further advantage is, that all of these products, with the ex- ception of the Irish potato, may be permitted to remain in the ground during the entire winter, without suffering any material in- jury from the cold. It is also an established fact demonstrated by actual shipments made during the season, the vegetables shipped by railroad from Quincy, have been delivered in New York on the fourth day after being started. The public have been educated to believe that the successful raising of the sweet orange is confined exclusively to the banks of the river St. John's, (the admitted pride of our State,) and to the country adjacent thereto, but it requires only a visit to the Apala- chicola river, the Western boundary of Gadsden county to dispel the illusion. The largest and finest oranges that the committee have ever seen or tasted, were raised on the banks of that river. The sameness of latitude and the great superiority of soil, give to that locality advantages which cannot be ignored. Since the close of the war great attention is being paid to the planting of the sweet orange and to the improvement and extension of the groves thereto- fore inaugurated, and the committee are credibly informed, that within the last four months five thousand dollars in cash have been refused for a grove of one acre in extent. It is within their knowl- edge that many individuals are now engaged in extending the cul- ture of the sweet orange on the banks of that river, and it is a fact worthy of being noted, that the insect heretofore so destructive to 1868. PLANTER AND FARMER. 735 the groves in other sections of the State, have never been known to infest the trees in that locality. This may be accounted for from the fact that the soil is of unsurpassed fertility, which keeps the trees in a healthy and growing condition and renders them invulne- rable to the attacks of the much dreaded enemy. The river com- munication with Columbus Georgia, affords an ample outlet, for all the oranges that can be grown on the banks of the Apalachicola river. Another source to which we look with confidence for a restoration to our former prosperity, is the cultivation of the Scuppernong grape. This is no untried experiment in this county. The neigh- borhood of Mt. Pleasant, situated about twelve miles west of Quincy, has been engaged in the cultivation of this grape for years, and now produces a wine which is pronounced by good judges to be equal to the best of the California productions and far superior to the great bulk of foreign importations which are imposed upon us, as the pure juice of the grape. Our people are now aroused upon the subject and in the course of a few years, Gadsden county will be as celebrat- ed for the production of wine as she has heretofore been for that of the Cuba Tobacco. Of the provision crops, the Indian corn or maize, is the great staple, and is chiefly relied upon as food, both for man and beast. In consequence of the great length of our summers, the climate is not as propitious, for the production of a large yield, as in more Northern latitudes ; there is no deficiency in the size of the ear, but for the reason above stated, greater distance has to be given to the stalks, to guard against the firing of the leaves and hence there is a diminution of the number of hills to the acre. Upon the lands usually appropriated to the production of this cereal (unless it has been greatly exhausted) from twelve to fifteen bushels to the acre is considered a good average crop, though upon first rate bottom lands from forty to sixty bushels are not unfrequently realized. Next to the corn comes the various varieties of the sweet potato. It is food for both man and beast, and is esteemed of great value on every well regulated plantation or farm, as affording great relief to the exactions upon the corn crib. It is of easy production, requir- ing less work than any other crop, and the yield is greater than that of any other crop planted. When properly attended to, and upon suitable soil, from two to three hundred bushels to the acre may be confidently relied upon. The sweet potato may be propagated by planting short pieces of the vine as late as the month 736 THE SOUTHERN [December of August, after the cultivation of the cotton has been terminated, and with one ploughing and propitious seasons, invariably affords fine rooting for the hogs in the fall of the year. Indeed the most of the pork made in the county is fattened in the potato fields. The cow. or field pea is another valuable auxiliary to the provision crop. It is esteemed a sine que non by every judicious and provi- dent planter, as it is the main reliance for fattening up the stock in the fall of the year.-. This crop requires no special appropriation of land for its production, as it may always be planted between the hills or rows of corn, without interfering with the yield of the latter. Nor does it require any special or separate cultivation for its production. Upon fresh land, or when the soil is in good heart, it is invariably sowed broadcast and ploughed in at the last ploughing of the corn and receives no further attention as to tillage. Where the soil is somewhat ex- hausted, it is best to plant it in hills or drills on each side of the rows of co^n at the second ploughing, and this gives it a working when the corn is to be laid by. Rice is also cultivated in sufficient abundance for domestic consumption, and the straw is very highly prized as forage, being far preferable to that of oats or rye. This grain flourishes finely in this climate, and as it delights in moist- ure, is usually cultivated on lands, which are too wet for cotton or corn. The soil an