Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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BY E. B. MURRAY & CO. ANDERSON. S. C.. THURSDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER 13. 1879. YV-.^n is THE GRASSES FOE THE SOUTH. Hun- to Cultiva!o Thim-Ali Ks*:?7 Itcu.il Untare tho ?outh Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical Society and 8tat? Grange by I?. 1'. Duncan, Keq., of l.'uZuu County. When invited by tho executive com mittee to prepare something on the "Grauses" ihr this occasion, I said yes ! for as I had been experimenting with Kia s for the past ten years I felt as though I would bu at homo with this sub ject ; and then, again, it grown so well for me, and it seems like I can have more of it on less space than any ono I know in fact, I think Dean Swift would have called me a benefactor, for you remember he said, "that man was a benefactor who could make two olades 62 grass grow where only one grew before," and my neig .thors tell mo if I can get a little guano I will make forty blades grow where there never was any before. And then, again, I thought it would bo "just the thing" for a youug man like me to bo up hero reading an essay along with all the agricultural and Orange magnates of the laud, and furthermore, it bas become so highly fashionable to lo >k after and cul tivate, these Graugo and agricultural mcotiugs. All our great men "do. it," und who knows but what I may make a vote by it. Well, farmer liko, I kept putting off 'preparing for this occasion until suddenly there came a notice, "Sum mer meeting of tho Agricultural Society, secoud Tuesday in August, at Chester, S. C," nud I said to myself, "you had bet tor bo seeing about that essay." but of course I knew it was a small matter, and that anybody could write an essay on Srass. So ono of those Into hot days ia uly when tho thermometer was some what up in tho nineties in tho shade, I put a little table by a northeast window whore there was a little breeze slipping in between the blinds os though it was ashamed of being around on snell a hot day. I had chairs all around me on which were my F.scyc!c*>?dio, my bound copies of tho Aural Carolinian, American Agriculturist, ?tc. My "Webster's Un abridged'' had a chair all to itself. Then I said, now I'll write an essay that will furpriso the folks over yonder, and so I concluded I would write a very sci en ti (ic article, it would show more learn ing. Eut I found after writing a while .ibout clover, orchard graas, timothy, tall meadow oats, Rescue, Italinn rye grass, and last, but not least, our own dear old crab, that I was not displaying any scion tifie attainments whatever, and that I was only getting up a very dull and prosy concern. I then decided, as 1^ was pretty well "read up" on theso subjects, I would put together what I hnd learned in an elo quent and grandworded way, and that would toko ; but I did not get fur on that line before I found tbat that essay was going to bo a great mistake, und i awoke to tho sad, Rad fact that all my wits were badly in "the gross," and that in my con ceit I had consented to do ouo of the greenest acts of my life. It was too late now to turn back, my hand was already "at the plough." tho meeting waa on hand, tho essay had been announced, and if not forthcoming the epitaph yvould bo, "Whipped out by Gen. Green." So I just concluded, as I had been having Borne grass patches, I would write my experience in a plain, farmer-like maimer, bring it up hero to bo thrown into the heap produced by this meeting, and if it was productive of even a stimu lating thought to any farmer I would be more than repaid for my exertions ; and if there was no good metal in it, it could bo thrown into tho fire and burned with the rest of tho "stubble." I dare say in your reading of Ramsay's History of South Carolina this question ottered itself, "Where ?B tho necessity of artificial grasses?" For you read there about magnificent and endless forests, clear, pure streams filled with fish ; all theso thousnnd hills, whenever the leaves were burned off, would be soon covered with a luxuriant growth of native grass und a wild pea or vetch ; all kiudof game abounded. We of to-day think ic must, indeed, bo a romance as wo read of this picture, und then look at tho ono the face of our poor, dear old State prcscuts. Why in a ride of less than thirty miles across the coun try, from Union Courthouse to this place, whilst it may not literally be so, yet it seems os though nothing meets tho oyo but a sen of gullies, with islands of ball spots; andi hopo you won't smile, or the Society think me extravagant, wlion I say in como places these are BO thick that they seem to be on ton of each other, and the few spots left for tho broomsedgo and pines seem so lonely and sad, like tho man who found himself iu tho wrong ficv/, and wished ho had not como to be oft in such a hopeless minority. I had a gentleman on the Union sido of Broad Kiver tell mo sometimes he would got on one of those broomsedgo strips, on a long hill, and have to ride a quarter of a mile before he could get out. Now whilst wo ore all cognizant of the many drawbacks thora aro to thoso who aro trying to build up and improve a home in this dear old sunny South-for "with all the faults we love theo still" yet it is sometimes a struggle- to eop down a harsh feeling towards that genera tion which tho country's history tells of; "One gonoration spending its lifo pulling down, tho next ono at the bottom round to build up again." Pardon mo for reading from that histo ry : "Tho art of land manuring is little known and less practiced. The bulk of planters, relying on the fertility of the soil, seldom planting any but what is good, and changing lands when it begins to fail for tbat which is fresh, seldom givo themselves much trouble to keep their fields in heart. Beds of compost are rare. Sorao twenty yearn from thia writing (some soveiity-uvo years ago) there was no fixed price io Charleston for manures, and it was often given to the first who offoreu ?> carry it off." Could such a procev; give us any other sequel? And tho all absorbing question to every wide Awake farmer is, what is the quickest, surest and cheapest route by which I cnn recuperate these, old worn lands, make a competency for my self and family, and leave the latter something otherwise than gullies? My answer would be, our own native green ero ?i-1 and the artificial grasses. 1st. Whilst strictly speaking it is not properly a grass, it is generally accepted and treated os such, and that is red cul ver. Its uses are threefold-as a ferr''" zcr, a haymaker ?nd a grazer. Aaa it. tilizcr I am not prepared or competent to throw much light, that ie as to its scien tific or chemical action. You are well aware that Prof. Voelcker has been for many years making tho clover plant tho subject of special study. From an ab stract of a late lecture of the Professor, published in the Country Gentleman, I quote as follows : "In connection with othor field experi ments, one was undertaken to investigate the casses cf lbs benefit of growing clo ver aa a preparative crop for wheat. It is woli known in England that if fat mers cnn succeed in growing a good crop of clo ver, they aro almost certain of getting ti good paying crop of wheat. All agricul tural matters depond upon each other. Tf urn can nnnhla tho farmer to procure ?;obd crop? of clover, we shrJl placo him n the very heat position to obtain pay* inc crops of grain. Heneo it is conclu ded that tho best preparation, the very best manure, is a good crop of clover. Now, at first sight, nothing seems more absurd or contradictory f han to say you eau remove a very largo quantity of both mineral and organic looa from tb 3 soil and yet make it more productivo, tv? in tho case of clover. Nevertheless it ir. a fact that Ibo larger the amount of Miner al matter you may remove in a crop of clover, and tho larger amount of nitrogen that is carried ofT in the crop of clover hay the richer the land becomes." The explanation, as I understand it, is that by growing clover a vast amount of mineral matter is brought within reach, and rendered available to tho roots of the grain crops that otherwise would remain in a loeked-vp condition. Clover, by menin, of its long roots penetrates a largo mass ol soil, lt gathers up, so to speak tho phosphoric acid and tho potash dis seminated thoughout tho soil, aud wbon tho land is ploughed and the roots left in i the surface thoy 'cavo in an available con dition tho mineral substances which thu wheat plant requires; and whilst a largo amount of such matter is removed in clover, still tho amount rendered availa ble and left for tho succeeding crop of grain is very much larger than the quan tity removed in tho clover hay. Clover protects tho surface, hence it msy bo called a mulch. A thick mat of clover prevents the escape from the earth of fertilizing properties thnt would other wise bo wasted. Wo all know if a com mon board is left o 1 the ground for a fen' months, and no matter how poor tho soi!, a profitable amount of fertilizing materi al will accumulate under tho board. Just thia way docs tho clover plant bring up barren, worn-out land to a producing state. Possibly as much humus is kept back to the earth iu this way as is drawn from the air by tho leaves of the plants. Now, to como homo ou this subject, it seems to be the greatest complaint from our people against clover that it won't grow on poor hod. Well that is so, and neither will anything else that is of any value. I bavo often heard and read of things done on "land that wouldn't sprout peas," but I could never do it. We have nono of that kind of lam!, yet I have never found any ono who had failed with clover but what he had, os is usually done, sown it with small grain. The grain appropriated all the plant food that was available, and when its shade was taken away the little sickly clover Slants were too weak to stand the hot une nuns. Hence tho verdict, "roy land won't make clover." Every mau that reads ?B aware of the estimate put upon clover as a fertilizer throughout Europo, and many of our people saw during the war what it ?;ad and was doing for Virginia and Mary land. But wy timo will not allow me to go into any details as to these two sec tions. Now, I will be pardoned for sneaking of my own experionco, fu.1 it is al 11 real ly cnn say 1 know practically. In 1868 I cleared un, as we may Bay, three acres of pino old field that with favorable seasons and good cultivation would make about 500 pounds seed cotton per aero. Having been protty well ploughed and harrowed, a small amount of rotted cot ton Beed and stable manuro was applied, and clover, orchard grass aud timothy sown. For four years this patch was kept as a pp.r.ture. I don't believe if it had been left alone it would have reached np high enough to have been cut as hay without a heavy top dressing, and yet in the spring or summer it was just the piacr for a horse, mare, colt, or for the mules an hour or two on Sundays. After tho first two years tho timothy was all gone, little clover left, and the orchard groas ruled supreme. Since 177S tho said patch has been cultivated, first in grain and then in cotton, being fertilized at a cost of about $3.50 per acre each year. The crop this year was about thirty-seven bushels of wheat ; the year before it waa thibO bales of cotton. Tho past season, ar, we say, was a "bad year" for wheat . a our neighborhood. The same quali ty of land cleared about tho same time made an average of five bushels pei acre. Now I am satisfied that tho increase ol the crop hos always paid for tho manure used, and wo have three acres tS? land that made 500 pounds seed cotton now making just as cosily 1,200 pounds. How much that clever sod had to do as tho base of this fertility you have the facts and can judge. In 1873 I sowed threo and a half acret in barely in September, and brushed ic clover. ' I fed all the barely green bul about an acre and a quarter^whicn thrash ed out twenty-five bushels. For three yean the patch was kept ia clover, recslvis once a top dressing of plaster and ono ol acid phosphate. Tho first. crop cad year of- clover hay averaged two large wagon loads per aero. As soon as tut second crop began to seed tho hogs were allowed to run ut will on it until .acm f?ost. In Septcmbor, 1876, tho clove! sod was turned with a two horse plough ploughed ?g?iii with nsniili ploughs : ?5? bushels of cotton teed thnt had beer killed by being kent a few weeks in tin stables was applied, and tho patch agair sowed in barely. It was fed tho . samt way, and about the samo amount of lam thrashed out filly bushels and a fraction Did the clover make the difference? My exponentto timo of sowiug ii that September is our month. I havi fried several times sowing in the spring In February of 1876 I sowed clover on 1 field of twenty acres that had been sowe< the fall before, or rather, I should say tho winter, for it had been in cotton ant oats. The books said sow just afior : rain or during a light showor. It ha< been raining for about a week or morn and ono evening after a hard shower, tha I thought to be "the clearing off one," ] took a patent sower and put down in; seed!. In about an hour there came wha" you call a trash-mover, andi don't thinl it could have been many days before m; clover seed wcro listening to what th' "wild waves aro saying," for all c* ; stand I saved out of tho twenty wa about an acre, which was a sort of basin liko spot, tho rest hoing just rollin] enough to wash in a heavy rain. 2d. My experience as a grazer is ra thor differont from what I have hean from others For hogs, if th???? is or chard gr-.* with it, I think there i nothing better than clover. I 'ban ged hogs that netted two hundred am fly pounds that were raised nine month out of the twelve on clover and orchan grasa entirely. Some three years ago, I found mysoll after many dark "days and darker mot rows," living by myself, and you knot how things will get "mixed'*)'when thor ls nobody around but a man. Very ol ten the news from tho milk departmcn was, "Littlo Joe dun let de caf git wid d cow. and ho doa suck all do milk." C in the morning the dispatch would Ix ''Dey aint no milk dis raornin, some nig ger loft ' dcm 'cuppen' bars down la? night; if taint dat dey den jumped d fence, just like Mars Haygoodsay in hi essay, no know dat cow gwioe t?o." C course, being ono of these "sons of tb soil,-" who lins such a quiet, easy countr ?Uli? to lp??! HO f?r ???-J ?r-? tho world troubles and vexations, I therefore did not lose my temper at all, but said midly to my milker, you turn all those cows down in tho pasture with the dry cattle but the one with the youngest calf, and put her every morning in tho clover patch for about two hours, and tho oamo thing iu tho afternoon. In a short time I had more milk and butter from the one cow attended to than I waa getting frora the eight neglected ones, and every visitor I bad complimented mo on my milk, ore. But I will close this part of my subject with a statement from better authority. Arthur Young, who is considered tho fallier in Old England, states that he pastured sixty-four swine of various sizes on two acres of clover gro -"d, and they did well. Dr. Denne, tho hoad of improved farmiug in New England, says : "I suppose that one aero of rich lana in clover will sup port twenty or moro hogs, largo and small together, throughout tho summer, and bring them well forward in their growth. By ali menus have a doter patch. In my bumble opinion the grass proper for the South is orchard grass. I behove I am an enthusiast about this grass, and before I Bay anything of my own knowledge about it let me, ns the law yers say. give you some of the authori ties. These could be multiplied indefi nitely, but I will give you ono from John .Washington, of Virginia, in tho Southern Planter and Farmer. After expressing to some length bis surprise at Virginia farmers not raising more bay, instead of saving fodder, bo comes to speak of orchard gross, and says: "Toko for example au aero of land tho coming sprirg that will produce three to four horrels of corn, plough it deep, manuro it with good manure of any kind, seod on it from three quarters to one bushel of oats, (this quantity will shade the grass and not crowd,) putting thom in nicely, then seed on the fresh surfaco ono bushel of orchard grass- and ons gil lon of clorer seed ; pass over the surfaco with a light harrow or brush, and roll it with a roller or log of wood, and let it alono. If you can afford it, let the oats fall as an improver to both land and grass. After the oats are harvested seo that nothing grazes it until after the crop of hay has boen saved. "Now for the result. The nexfc spring or early summer, so soon as the orchard grass is iu blossom (notbrown or reeded! tho clover will bo ready also. Cut all for feed, or euro and put away as haj in placo of fodder. You may safely ex pect two or three thousand pounds ol nay. Suffer nothing to graze it under thc first of December, then Yet your cows rut 1 on it an hour or two each day in oner weather until the 15th March. Thu acre will supply the horses with moro ha and gross in the fall, winter, spring ant summer than any other grass yet intro duccd into Virginia. It is the only gras! that grows with us nil the year round except only when tho ground is frozen It is not as exhaustivo to land as timo thy. It will grow on any dry laud, no excepting a sand bank. And herc let rm say, the best grasses love a dry soil. W< usually seek tho bottoms and mob places to grow timothy. Why? Becaus tho gross is not well suited to our eli mote. * Nor are we the losers thereby BI long os orchard gross and clover or accessible. "The orchard gross will stand the inva sion of broora-straw. If you will prac tice a little patience and not suffer it t bo grazed until it has formed a sod, th? : ou can't hurt it except with hogs o ploughs. If any farmers aro usuall scarce of fodder about thc first of Jun or a little sooner, let them try on acr lot. It will be just in time for you wonts. If you wont a lot always gree for an idle norse to run in, this wi Bupply it; or green grass in winter fe your cow, this is the only grass that wi furnish it. Try it on a sand bank if yo can't do better. I have never been witt out a orchard gross patch since I corr menced with it in 1870. I have bad a acre adjoining my yard that has been i this gra?B for six years. It was used ei tirely as a posture. The fowls lived o most entirely upon it, and all thc etoc were allowed to run on it, os coon as would pet H. good start. "I ploughed it up this year for tl purpose cf reseeding, but more thoroughly manure it, as I really belie' if everything had been kopt ofi'the orchai grass >. ould hove reasserted itself. I hi another patch of four* acres that had be? in this grass for throe years. It ht been pastured so constantly by bogs, col and calves, and often mules that thought, as the saying is, 'it had run ou and I concluded that lato in tho fall would sow orchard grass ; that I wou manure it heavily with colton ec vd, so in oats and then this fall BOW again grass. Tho winter was very severe ai most of tho oats wero killed out but the spring I saw something putting in i appearance that I knew was not oats, RI I found on examination that I bad a fi stand of orchard grass. I mention tl incident to show tho hardihood of t plant. "My choice of timo for sowing is Se ton".b9r'. Sow with or best, if yi will do it, BOW it end clover by thei selves, t would, be glad if you ozv have seen some hO?B I hove raised almi entirely on orchard grass and ?lov They would maka believers if there i any doubting Thomases. "Our noxt best artificial grass, I tbii is Luceme. Some few years ago I sow a few handfuls of Lucerne seed in 6 corner of a clover patch, moro for euri ity than otherwise. I soon found if a kind of stock wore turned in the patch graze they would find the Lucerne si and seemed to prefer it. So I conclut] in tw-ranr* nf tt. IMU? fall T ??ok ar. ; garden spot of half an acre that was lit ally run away with nut grass and sow it in Lucerne. Now all the books si sow in drills two feet apart ; cultivate i til it takes possession of the ground, ) my idea boa alway? been in sowings forage crop to get ric! o? thu: cultiv?t)* So mine wrs Bown broadcast, it and I dock chicken-weed, eec, and had * liv time in the spring, JBot b^ putting i; hand every wet day and pulling up l weeds the Lucerne soon got the mastc and whilst it has not entirely killed < tho nut grass, ita dence shade has crowe mom of ti ou', thors anything ? havo e tried. I don't think it will stand our 1 suns hardly as wotl as clover, but stock are fond of it, as well aa clover, : its great advantages over clover is it no salivates, it is ready for use sooner In spring than clorer, it can be cut and green in the early spring, in tho surai made into hay, and in tho autumn ag cut and fed green. It is highly prized England, bot cab only bo cultivated tho southern counties. In Franco, Bpi Switzerland, Italy and In fact in all warm and dry countries of Europe, it the chief reliance for stock-feeding." But I am occupying too much tl and must hurry through. Timothy have ouly sown from curiosity and tit think it will stand our hot summ Hine . grasa. Italian rye, perennial grass, I have sown in a mixture of w tho seedmcn call a "Uwn grass." grew very welland flourished inordin . ?tiauc. Tull incudow oat isa good deal like and of the nature of orchard grass. I have never sown it. but have seen it growing. I should think it was not near so hardy as orchard grass. It is a luxuriant grow er in rich lund and beads out very much Uko oats, from which it takes its name. Of Bermuda I have no acquaintance, und from what I hear from thoso for whoso opinion I havo much respect, I can't say that my mind ?3 easily mado up about it. Bomo think it is tho "salvation of tho South," others can't speak of it with out losing their tempers; so a? wo havo none of it down on Tiger, I am will ing to remain a safo distance from Scylla and Charybdis, and watch it work ont ita destiny from afar. As to our own old "crab" I need havo little ' o say ; il is a familiar enemy and friend. For three months everything is "unuer whip and spur" to keep it down, and then whon you have an idea your fodder is going to bo "ebert" you are hunting around in your stubblo and rich spots to see if you can't save a little hay. But thia grass was so ably and thoroughly discussed ot the last meeting of this Soci ety that I feel that anything 1 might say would simply bo superfluous. I. come now, in conclusion, to what 1 think is indeed, the clover of the South, and that is the field pea. I believe, ali things considered, it is better for thc South than clover, both as a mnnurial agent and as Iced for stock in tho sum mer and fall. In saying this I don'i intend, if you will allow tho expression "to go back" on clover, but as you knov tho .field pea can bo grown successful!] in every scctiou and on almost all soifi throughout the South. Peas are essie sown, are sure to germinate, grow faste and a?oro moro protection to tho lani nt the right time than clover. Two crop can bo grown yearly on the Bama laud ii every Southern State. It is unsurpassed for fattening bogs, unsurpassed as agreei manure, and to crown all it will grow oi nil sorts of soil and won't bo Jong abou it any Where. It bas boen and is a won dorment to mo. Why ? Our farmer will not use it more, and I have though it was because it was so easily used and a BO little cost ; or it was not patented, o did not require come agent to come roum and sell the right ; and then, again, i is not something new under tho sun ; fn hear what Mr. Edmund Boffin said abou the pea in an address ho made before th South Carolina Institute, in Cha.lestoi in 1853, on tho subject of "Southern Aj ricultural Exhaustion ?nd its ?omedy: "The nativo, or Southern pea, (c it ought to bo called,) of such goner, and extensivo culturo in this and othc Southern States, in the most valuable fe manuring crops, and also offen peculit and great advantages as a rotation c :o\ Tho crop may be BO well made in yoi climate as a secondary growth under con that it is never allowed to be a primai crop or to havo entire possession of tl land. Ic will grow well broadcast, ar cither in thai, way, and still better tilled, is an admirable and clcansit growth. It is even better than clover i a preparing and manuring crop fi wheat. 1 have made this crop a mo important member of my rotation, ar its culture- ns a manuring crop has no become general iu my neighborhood, ai is rapidly extending to moro dista places. If all the advantages offered 1 this crop wero fully appreciated and ava cd of, tho possession of this plant your climate would bo ono of the great* agricultural blessings of this and t more Southern States. For my indivi ual share of this benefit, stunted ns it is our colder elimata, I estimate it as a ding at least one thousand bushels wheat annually to my crop." I The experiments made by Dr. Bc I other Charleston gentlemen with the p and tho ash-clement have been BO COI plete, and I might say to the uninitiat wonderful, ana have; indeed, now become facts of history, that any co; ments ou my part would bo prcsumpl GUS. In closing this subject I wiii allude one line of experiments I havo been f lowing for somo years. I havo been so ing my oats stubble in peas ; get a ?tn of oats, allow the peas and vines to ? on tho ground, and make a second cr of oats without sowing any oats ee Lost summer i sowed seventy-five ac of oats stubblo in July in peas, and a twenty-five acres of wheat stubble, J though tho oats wero badly killed by I severo winter, yet they made a bot crop than many who I knew paid 75 ce for seed and sowed in tho spring. In always make two crops of oats on all oats I sow. The wheat stubble was ? in corn, a<:? I can only say up to t date there is a marked difference in crop from other stubble not treated w the pea. If yon will only treat y land in this way you never can wear itt Just keep one-third always on thia "I of fare." I can now show you a beai ful staue of peas aud oats on all my fr oats stubble. In conclusion-for I know I ir be tiresome, but I do wish to something on this subject of grasses another light, an that is as an om ami Tho books, you know, speak of ornam tal grasses. How cheerless and uninvil is the ippcnrance around many of country hornea. A blue grass plot terrace, a border of these grasses, dil ent shaped beds of lawn grass, co m pc of blue, orchard, Italian rye and poroi al rye, cost so little in the end, und add BO much to "iooks," ?od gives ho no matter how humble, such a chi look.' I havo never yet found ? p with these things but I have atv found wide-awake people who "livei home." . I ask, in the name of tho love wo 1 to ?his dear old Sunny South-I can't our " homes be made attrac enough to keep cur young men on farm, instead of seeking their fnrti in our over-crowded towns and cities' A political economist has obsci that labor, unless.used at the momen production, is lost forever. In most cations it is impossible to produce yond thc day's needs. The doctor only cure diseases as they main themselves. Tho best lawyer cai anticipate next year's legal busii Tho carpenter ana mason cannot b houses cit capt os they aro wanted, so with our farmer ; ne can always IK vancimr: ha maw drain, subsc:., ? ixe; he"may plant treen, beautify homo, incrcaso his bank stock, foi farm is bis bank, until its produc Ia u?Uul?d Or trebled in tho futuro. hundred thousand additional lawyers doctors were tot loose opon the com rou I do not feel ouro that the net result w bo more justice or leas disease and di while I am quite sure that the nati wealth would not be inorcssod thor but a hundred thousand enlightened ficient farmers added to those we ready have could hardly fail to add hundred million per annum to the \ erty which shall be the heritage of nhlldr?n_ I was surprised to hear this rep few days ago, when a farmer w. s u to plant somo shrubs, vines and gr to adorn the homo : "Ab 1 well, 1 'things will never do me no good ; I bc dead and gono before they como I don't behove in w?rkis-; fer other fe Was that selfish or menu ? It cert! was not tho spirit of tho old Scotch bards, "who sang others' fanio, hut left their own unsung.". An Eastern legend tells u i that once a Persian Pasha, perceiving an old man planting a fruit treo naked him his age. The peasant replied, "Sire, I am four year* old." An officer rebuked such seeming absurdity uttered to bia superior. "I did uot speak without truth," replied tho old man, "for tbo wiso do not reckon time by years lost in folly and the trifles ot* tho world. I count my true ago only that which baa been passed in serving the Deity and discharging my duty to my day and generation." The Pasha said, "Thou cannot hopo to see the tree thou art planting grow to perfection and repay thy lab?r with fruit?" "Truo," an swered the'sago, "but since others have plauted that we mght eat, it ia but right that I ahould plant for the benefit of oth ers," "Excellent," exclaimed tho mon arch, and the royal purse-bearer present ed to him who bad received the applause of bia sovereign tho customary gift of n thousand pieces of gold. Tho peasant prostrated himself on the <rrm>i.d and added, "O, King ! other mon's trees como to perfection in tho space of many years, but mino hos produced fruit as soon os it was planted." "Bravo 1" shouted tho Pasha, and a second purso was cast at the feet of the old man. "Thc trees of others ouly bear fruit once a year." cried tho old man, "but mino baa yielded two crops in one day." "'Tis truly beautiful to find ono so bumble and yet so wise," explained tho Emperor, aud a third purso foll from tho obedient hands of tho treas urer. The monarch galloped away saying, "Reverend father, I dm-e not ?tay longer, lost th> gen.nb and good sense should ex haust my treasury." Wo may not bo repaid, like tho old Persian, in purses of gold for labor of his kind,but lim consciousness of performing an act which sarao will gratefully enjoy who may tread in our footsteps hereafter should bo sufficient rowareL A Northern farmer remarked that ho considered his farm one thousaud dollars morn valuablo on account of an avenue of elm trees planted by his father. Per haps if uot for that one link, instead of a wide-awake, liva farmer, we should have had in eomo town or city ono moro ten cent (or three for a quarter) calico clerks. If tho past generation could have bnd moro of this spirit, there would not be so many worthless acres to ba re cuperated or left in cm idle waste of gul lie.;. Then lot us each and every one , uo something in his day and generation | to beautify tho waste places, until our own country homes shall bo ns beautiful and fresh as a ;:o\v spear of grass, and al) these thousand hills blossom and bloom like those of our many Northern States. There is a work and lhere is a reward for all. Let the fathers and brothers re elore our abandoned lauds, then will the mothers and sisters beautify these homos by planting Howers, shrubs and vines ; for as some one has beautifully said, "The breath of flowers ?B far sweeter in tho air whence it comes and goes like the warbling of music, than in the baud." Then let the perfumo of the rose, jasa mine and violet, and tho other thousand floral beauties of tho Sunny South, breathe around our homes in spring, summer nnd autumn. Then, indeed, will tho coming generation Bay, when magic pictures of the fertile West aro bold luriugly toward them, when our young men dream of fortunes beneath each city paving-stone : "My home, my own borne, I cannot and I will not leave theo. These fertile lands roy father res cued from their sterility. Thcso flowers my mother and my sisters planted ; here I .spent my happy boyhood ; here I re ceived my father's counsel and won my mother's love ; this is my own vine and fig tree. I will not forget thee 1 Let my right hand forget its cunning if I do not remember theo, let my longue cleave to i the roof of my mouth if I prefer not my J Carolina homo nbovc my chief joy." There is such a manifest justieo in the demand of the manufacturer? and work ingmen for tho abolition of convict lnbor that the platforms of political parties are compelled to recognize it, ?ntl the poo-, pie of all classes are coming to see tho iniquity of a policy which saddles tho expenses of our prisoners upon the in dustrial community and practically {daces workingmen on an equality with elans. .Schuyler Colfax Bays upon this subject: "There are in round numbers about 30,000 convicts in tbe various Stato Prisous of tho Union, of whom between 13,000 and 14,000 aro employed under contract in mechanical industries. At 40 cor.*-, per day, the earning of those contract convicts would be $1,000,000 per year. At $1.50 tho price for labor outisde, these mon would earn from ?56, 000,000 to ?8.000,000 per year. As the products of tho mechanical industries in the Unitod State? amount to about $6, 000,000,000 per year, tho bureau that collected these figures estimates that the injury done to honest labor by convict labor in thc United States must be small -but a few million dollars, or less than one per cent. But this represents only a lit)JO of the whole gricvanco, because it compels a reduction in the.wnces of the workers receiving higher nri.^s before who labor at any of tho kinds of work at which convicts are employed. There can bo objections presonted to any and every proposition. But the least evil would result if the contract system in. prisons wits abolished, and tho convicts worked under tho authority of the officers, with the proviso that '.heir work should bo offered ar.? sold in the market at the current rates for sim ilar ?ates produced ound.ln. The market price then would only bo affected by the additional products of less than 15,000 convicts throughout the United States in manufacturing." We can only conjecture tho nature of the legislation which will be made upon this important subject ut the coming ses sion of the General .isscmbly. There is a growing sentiment in this State against the laws which permit tho Penitentiary Directors to lease out convicts to corpo rations and private individuals. The re cent barbarities practiced upon convicts nt thc stockade along the Greenwood and Augusta Railroad have opened tho eyes of our people to the working of a law which if it docs not sanction yet makes possible for such inhumanities to bo committed by brutal guards or overseers. One of tho first subjects which will demand tho attention of our law-makers will be this subject of convict labor. A search ing and vigorous investigation of the re cent outrages will be demanded. When a true expose is made, wo hove no. doubt that somo decisive action will bo takon. In the meantime it will bo meet for the people to write, tali: and think about tho question that enters so largely into our civil, social nnd commercial standing and life. We invite a full discussion of these questions in our coluraris. Lot all com munications be brief, pointed, decorous, and they will bo published; but if they Are the reverse they will not seo thc light. Convict Lnbor. - A negro shot and killed another negro in Elberton, Ga., ou tho 25th ult. THE NEXT PRESIDENT. Hampton ami Butler Think t lint Bayard hi the Mar. CvrrcTjtondence of the AVU J and Courier. CHESTER, October, 28. A.; the representativo of the JVetc? and Courier, sent to writo up the Chester Fair, boarded tho northward bound train of tho Charlotte, Columbia and Augus* ta Railroad at Columbia this morning, ho found South Carolina's two senators sitting together in the coacb. Gen. But ler wore his cork leg, and walked with tho assistance only of his walking cant. Senator Hampton was without an artificial limb, and a pair of crutches ut his sido told the story of bis unfortu nate accident. Ho looked well nnd hear ty, however, and joined with Senator Butler in tho expression of surprise as well ns gratification at their accidental meoting. Before I had time to exchange greetings with tho two senators tho train t/ae off with such a clatter as rendered <<?'..'! ViSit'oil u.'mont impossible. About fifteen mi'.e? from Columbia, however, tho train struck tbb steel rails, tho clat ter ceased, and tho representativo of tho iWtrs and Courier plunged at once in me dia? re? by asking both senators what they thought of tho Bayard boom. "THE BAYARD BOOM," replied Senator Butler, "I have nover had but ono opinion of it, andi have bad that opinion for several years. I thought Mr. Bayard should have been nominated by the Democratic party for tho Presi dency in 187G. Ho could havo beaten Hayes much easier th?-- Mr. Tilden. Senator Hampton, interrupting : "Yes, and I think lie can bent Mr. Tilden now in his own State. He can command moro votes Sn this country to-day than anv man in it." Reporter: "Is ho your choice for the Democratic nomination?" Senator Hampton : "Undoubtedly. I think him the most availablp man."' At this point tho hoiso interrupted the inter view, which, however, was renewed when tho train reached Winnsboro'. "How did Ohio atriko you ?" asked tho Reporter, looking nt tho two statesmen sitting in front of him. "Right between the eyes," quickly re sponded Gen. Butler, and Senator Hamp ton as quickly replied : "I think the de feat of tho Democratic party in Ohio a blessing in disguiso for tho country, es pecially if it secures tho nomination of Bayard." Reporter: "Do you think it will be likely to do that?" Senator Butler: "I don't know about that. I see from a letter published in thc flew? and Courier that Tilden is on what a correspondent describes os a "still hunt," and tho old fellow is so smnrt, and bas ?itch lot? of money, that it will be bard for Kelly and Cornell both to beal bim. Reporter: "Do you think that Mr Bayo rd will get the Southwestern Demo crats, among whom there seems to bc somo opposition to Bayard. Thcro ii Texas for instance, I don't think Bayard will get tho Taxas vote." Senator Humploh: "I don't koon about that. Thcro is of course opposi tion to Mr. Bayard in that quarter, but j think it will nil dio out. I don't ee< how there can bo two opinions on th? subject of vominnting Bayard." Tho Conductor: 7,AU out for Ches ter," and thia terminated the tripartite interview, for the present et least. A I'OST TRA/! DIAL CHAT. A committee of tho Agricultural Asso ciation met Senators Hampton and But lor at the depot and escorted them to th Cotton Hotel. After dinner your correa pondent managed to lock himself u| with tho Governor, as he is still called ii this part of tho country, sufficiently lon; to obtain from bim a very decided nm emphatic expression of lits views upoi tho Prudential question. Senator Hampton said that ho hnd i very decided preference for Mr. B&yun for President and for Senator McDonah for Vico Prosidontu In reply to th< question whether be thought that tba would bo tho Democratic ticket in 1881 hf. was not so emphatic. Said ho: "I the Democratic party aro wise they wil nominate that ticket; but whether the will do so or not, I, of course, can'., vsy, al though I think it probable." "Havo you ever before expressed the opinion?" I asked. Senator Hampton : "I havo not sai much upon the subject heretofore, be causo I didn't like to say anything for o against any candidato for tho Presidency but after our defeat in Ohio I think tb people ought to look urouud and se whether there is any strength in Bnyarc If Mr. Bayard can carry f.?w York an Senator McDonald can carry Indiana, w aro sure of the election." Reporter: "Then you are in favor c Senator McDonald fur thu Vice Pres: dency ?" Senator Hampton : "Yes, I think ho i a good man, ana as Indiana is tbo onl Western State that is Democratic I thin wo ought to place McDonald on the tic! et. It Mr. Bayard can carry New Yorl and Mr. McDonald I ndiana, we have ot ticket olected and three votes to spar but in addition to this Mr. Bayard ca carry New Jersey and Connecticut, whic will ttive us 18 electoral majority." Reporter: "Thnt is counting the soli South?" Senator, Hampton : "Of course, tri South will be solid, and should be soli for Mr. Bayard. Ho is the strongest ma in the South, and deservedly eo for tt reason that nc -has dono moro for tl South than any other Norther man. Ho cnn poli more votes i the North too than any other Demi erat, and ho will ?ot moro of the coi servativc Republican vote than any olin man that con be named.'' If ho can't can ??ew York then no other Democrat ca and there is an end to the whole que tion ; but I believe he can carry it. Pe sonally ho ia very popular in ?ne Sout ailuougu somo Southern senators soemt to think he was mistaken in fin&uci mattirs. But tho result of the Ohio cle tion nos proved that he was right, ai bas proven th-, cgacity and judgment tue men who supported him. His pop larity now m BO great that there wi scarcely be nny opposition to him. H character is so high that bis enemies ct say nothing against him. I think th with Bayard and McDonald tho Dcm eratic party aro os ?uro of the next Prei dentint election os anything human speaking can be." The Governor spoke at somo length this strain, and spoke very cheerful and hopefully. The interview was shoi ly afterwards interrupted by the appea ance of a committee who called to eacc the two senators to witness Pinafore. J. A. M. - A Mrs. Bradly, of Ell!. r unty,Te as, recently picked 609 pounds of cotb in cloven hours. Notice to druggists and storekeenci I guarantee Shrincr'a Indian Vcrmifn to destroy and expel worms from the h coan body, where they exist, if used c cording to tho directions. You aro a thorlzed to sell it os thc obere cenditloi David E. Foutz, Proprietor, Baltirac-i Md. AN ODD FISH. A Carolina Court en Seen bjr 0 Carolinian. Sjwlal Corrtrpondtnec Chronida and Consol ? tuthnalltt. EDOBFIEU>, 8. C., Oct 23. Tho term of Court which has just closed hore hos been such a very remark able one that I cannot resist the tempta tion to oo-'.*/e, criticise and satirize it, so as to "??ice it upon: the record," -for all time to come, as abounding in acones varying rapidly from the sublimo to.the ridiculous. Opening with the ?ragic and sublimo'Booth and Tonoy trii.l, in which genuine eloquenco was displayed, it closed with a ridiculous "mock session" on Sunday morning, at 4 o'clock, the bar furnishing tho sublimo-tho Court tho ridiculous! Since the memorable dayB of '76 Edge field bas bailed the advent of Judge Mackey much as she woutd a traveling circus, or to pervert an oM couplet we may say that UA little Mackey (folly) now and then, Ia relished by Uio best of men*' In Edgefield. where he was converted, or rather saw, th?i ii a aa a good timo to de sert Chamberlain, and successfully ride the political wave, from one pr.fly to another. It 1B not that Edgeuold docs not eco and appreciate the marked dif ference between this "relio of Radical barbarism" and tho other judges of this State. "It is not that his wit is rich or. rare, The devil of it is, how it came ibero." But if we interpret, it aright, it is be ean-o oe servos as a contrast-a strong contrast-to warn and remind the people of the day of their redemption ; of thc day "when tho Saxon wore tho iron col lar of tho Norman," or "when South Car olina bung like a rick jewel in thc Etbiop's ear." But really and truly Mackey is a wonder I A tort of univer sal genius, in facti for his record in shari shows bim to bo a natural filibuster ; ii border adventurer; a scheming politi cian ; a Badical proselyte ; a Democratic convert ; a foreign ambassador to Hayes' Court; a publio lecturer; an amusinp wag; a vulgar wit, and a sophistical monstrosity. We would also add ?. f * -but we have shown enough to pul him far ahead of anything you havo ovo in Georgia. Now wo have given the aniusiug aidi of the question, but we feel acrious whet wo see a Circuit J migo of South Caro lina playing the role of tho sensational ist; electioneering from Circuit to Oir cult, throwing asido Ina judicial dignity and spending bis Sabbath morning amusing crowds upon the public squar (tho subject of remark to every passer by) ; the retailer of vulgar anecdotes ! the partisan even upon the bench, wher he bullies the lawyers and juries, argue I with counsel, indulges in low, envi?n flings at 'other Judges (his superiors] ridicules tho Legislature (which eloctei him), and while uttering hts stale witti clams or doubtful law, is always castini his eyes around tho Court room to catcl tho cheap applauEO for which he is con stantly bidding. Making a great shot of his night sessions, ho really consume more time than any other Judge on th hench by his unnecessary and uncalle for efforts at wit ; h's quarrels with mern bera of the bar; his vain, voluminou and partisan charges to the juries. When we see this man sitting on th bench, with his head bobbing up an down (as ho talks like a lizard on a los who cares more for.an oft-repeated, wet worn witticism than ho does for a timi honored principle of law, and amusi himself, whilst he wearies the Jawyei and juries by tho sound of his own voie all of which is evidont to the people, wh are standing around freely cxpressin thoir opinion of "his Honor;" when n soe lawyers trying to avoid a trial of the cases for fear of his prej?dice (to ray tl least); and at last, when we seo one < tho oldest and ablest members nf thc bi making an affidavit that ho believes tl: Judge is prejudiced, and therefore a3kin a continuation of his case, we aro force to say, "this does not and could notocct with Judge Kershaw, Pressley, Wallac Thompson, or others on the bench. v/L are above suspicion, anti this man is ni fit to be n Judge in South Carolina." All of this, and more, occurred at tl lost sitting of the Court at Edgefield, ar though wo may thia timo "forgive" tba who ore responsible for tho election J auch mon, as a reward for politic treachery, we pray that no "political n cessity" may over make such anotb election even possible. This article mi seem hard, but the great question is t*ue ? What nearly every one heliev and many know, I havo written. ;.-AA??GUa CfJSIJE. Tho Portrait of General (Jordon Pr scntcd to South Carolina. Tho following letter tells tho partie lars. Tho portrait was boxod and plac? in the express office yesterday. The e press company, with its usual libcralit will convey it free of charge : ATLANTA, GA., Oct. 31,187Sh His Excellency W. D. Simpson, Govern of South Carolina : DRAU SIB: We have been request by Mr. Albert Guorry, "tho artist," dell.er to you tho portrait of Genoi John B. Gordon, painted and tender hy him. some time ago, tc the State South Carolina. In thus practically executing this gc emus and public spirited gilt of A Querry to his native State, we feel tb honor is due alike to Georgia and Sou Carolina. The illustrious public servie of General Gordon have won for him deserved national fame. His military and civic genius ba ; adorned the great Commonwealth Georgia, that had the honor to give bj birth, aad whoso civilisation, he worthily represents as a Senator. ? devotion to South Carolina and his n speakable agency in her restoration frc bayonet despotism to the blessings. constitutional government have endear him to the lasting affection and gratitu of all Carolinians for all time to como. Mr. Querry is an artist of whom t State of South Carolina may bo pro; He bas painted portraits that hi stamped him as' one^ of tho forem artists of the ago ; ho nos handled gr subjects with a master's touch, and mi imperishable pictures for posterity, s ho baa had no better theme for his bn than the gifted and gallant Georgi whoso noble and familiar form and lin menta he has painted asa "labor of loi and admiration. The portrait of Gordon by Querry i vivid aird magnificent work, true in li ness, a faithful reproduction of the'or? r.cl, and a brilliant artistic achlovomc It Ia a noblo gift, a fitting tribute liHal remembrance from a true son Carolina to his own State. It is the '''Alchemy',' of Carolina gen linkFno tHa iOAmr.fy of Georgia's sold statesman to tho tfiought of Carolin! as Carolina's cherished benefactor. We havo tho honor to bo, yours, v sincerely, Ac,, Signod by John H. Seals, \Y. I* C honn, Albert Howell, Charles H. \1 lia ut*, I. W. Avery, (cJeoreiaryExecut Department.! W. S. Walker, W, Hemphill, W. Izatd Hoy ward. GENERAL KKW8 SUMMARY. - Texas bas 8,674,000 sheep. - The* Confed?rale monument at Ma? co?, Co., ?.viii lo uuvailcd on tho 29ih iaitant. - The President bsa Issued a procla mation appointing tho 27th of Noyember , aa a day of thanksgiving and prayer, - Colonel King, tho great Texas cattle raiser, bas a pasture of ?37 tquaro miles, - which will supply food for 11,0,000 cat tle. - The increase of cotton export at Hew York thia 'year if thirty-eight per cent, over that of the earn? period last year. Georgia's gold mines yield over $1 000,000 a year, and tho work of getting out tho "yellow boys" is Increasing and expanding. - Tho Mississippi DomocraticrCon B?rvatlvo party has reduced the ordinary expenses of the Stato government from $706,873.42 to $220,100. - Governor-elect Charlea -Foster, of Ohio, says he ts not a cauoid?to for tho United States senaiorahlp, but will B?JV? out his terni a? governor, - Tho cholera ia rapidly subsiding ii: Yokohama, Official returns show up ward of 160,000 cases since the outbreak ia April, and 85,000 deaths. - Capt John.B. Wilder, a prominent citizen and steamship agent of Savannah,. Ga., was found dead fa bis bcd at tho Konuesaw ' Houso at Marietta, Go., No vember 1st ' . -- In 18C0 there were 1,311,246 banda engaged in the manufacturing industries of the United States; in 187.0 tho mini ner was 2,058-990 ; In 1880 tho number will not be lees than 8,500,000. - Gen. Chalmers ls 'announced' as a candidate for the Mississippi senatorship, . to succeed Senator Bruce, and be will Srobably make lt lively for Congressman ingleton, who ia his principal rival. - M?*s Maud Bs...1"* da???rhter cf i?^p. Banks, bas made bo dcbut"at Broollne, Mass., as aa actress ia an amateur com nany. She intends to go on the profes sional stage. The general was once an actor. -The great actress Recbcl bad a small" scar upon her check. - Io the estrcmo poverty of her childhood ebo one day te tho streot contested with a dog tho right to a bone with somo scrsp?o? Hic-at on ic. A bite from tho dog caused tho scar. - Assistant Postmaster New, of Pitta- . field, Mass., added $1,000 to his income ina year by removing- fresh postage stamps from letters, putting On those that bad been used jana selling tho stolen ones. Ho used the money in maintain ing his social pretensions.;. . - Two prizes have been offered by the Beyal Agricultural Society of England for now varieties of wheat, combining the Urgeat yield of grain and viiraw per acre, with smooth and thin husks, tull and white kernels, high specific gravity io tho seed, and with bright, firm; ana stiif straw. - Two women at Union, Tenn., had a duel in regular mau. stylo. They both fired at tho word, and ono hit a boy who waa climbing over tho fence with a, watermelon, dud tho other hit a calf in the field. Both having drawn blood they acknowledged that they bad received satisfaction. - Some firm in Germany b attempt ing to substituto paper for. wt nd in tho manufacturo of lead pencils, * 'Tho paper is B tee pod in an adhesivo liquid, and rolled aroona the core of lead to tho required thickness. 'Vfter tho paper is dry it is colored, ar.a lt resembles, when finished, an ordinary cedar pencil. -* It is a g?n?ration of old men which -tro ubi es the peoeo of Europe to-day. Prince GortschakoiFis 82, Lord Beacons field 74, Princo Bismarck 65, Count Von Moltke 7C>, and tho Emperor William 83. Tho youngest of the leading "figures in diplomacy aro old-Coons Andrassy 06 ond Count Schouvaloff 52. - There is ouo ci*??en of Miss???ppi who is doing a good work" for tho future of hts State and section. Dr. 0. M. Voi den. of Vaiden, Miss., is supporting abd ?toying tuition for Bavehly-fivo etudents u the Stato University afc, Oxford. He is a wealthy mon, f*nd ovary year gives thousands of dollars towards tho educa tion of tho youth of his Stato. - The Augusta Chronicls says: "Wo learn from a gentleman who hos fine cornfields on tho river, that tho grain was complotcly covered, and hos seen seriously damaged by tho sudden find co n?us overflow. Tho darnsgo to ono field aboyo Augusta was from ?l,200 to ?1, 600. wbilo several other plantations count up losses ot $500 and upwards. - There aro fifty-three cotton milla in operation in North .Carolina;, and the consumption for post year Is estimated at 38,434 bales, or 17,299,800 pounds. Ac cording to the figures of tho .National Cotton Exchange, thia was au increase of 16,641 balea''over tho previous \ year. Threo Iorgo mills oro now being crctded, with the wospect thaj othei? will be ad ded within the next twelvo months. - Tho oldest timber te- - the world, which has been used by man. ls aupposcd to be that found in tho ancient temples of Egypt It ls found as dowel-pins ia connection with a stone-work which is kn?wn to bo at least 4,000 years old. These dowels appear to be of tarmarisk or ithittim wood, of which tho ark io sold to baye been constructed, n sacred tree in ancient rsgypt and npw rarely found in the valley or tho Nile. -. Nearly 150,000 emigrants havo ar- - rived la tLis country since tho first of Jan uary, and it is estimated that at least 10, 000 more will como by tho end of tho year. Tn point of numbera the Germans laro first, and next, in the order named, I como Irish, English, Swedes, ScOioh, Norwegian*^ 8wl-?, Russians, "Welsh arid French. Tho commissioners of immi gration est?malo that upon an average tho immigrais havo brought $70 each in money and personal property to the same value. This would moko a total of $22, 260.000 thus brought into this country and distributed ia this year. -This is what Robt G. Ingersoll says bf the women: "I tell you warnen mo moro prudent than raen., I tell you as a rule, women Are more faithful tenn men -ten times as faithful aa mon. I ?never saw ? man pursue his Wife into the very ditch anddustoz degradation and toko her in his nrras. I never saw a maa stand at tho shore where she had been morally wrecked waiting for tho waves to bring back even her corpse to bia arms ; but I have seen woman with her white arms lift man from the miro of degradation, and bold him to her bosom aa though ho wore an Angel." I James Nash went into his log bani at Richmond, Va.', with a lighted candle. Ho was drunk. A heavy halo of hay, Against whic\ ho stumbled^ fell against tho door, and the candle ignited ??. Tho fire spread fast Noah yelled for help, but bis family could not got bira out, though ?hey could seo him. ?imiugb tba ?Ide cracks between the Jogs. Th ay threw water into thc building, but that only retarded, the fire slightly. NAH?I wonted desperately in his fiery prison, tiying to roll the bale away from thc door, and to put out th?, fiatrwu? hy elllng cora on then. He waa driven luto a corner, and thore slowly roasted to