The specimens are mostly in blocks, cut two feet in length, giving a section of the trunk, with bark attached. These were all sent to the workshops of the South Carolina Railway, in Charleston, and, under the supervision of Mr. George H. Gramling, were prepared by taking off a section from one side equal to about one-fourth of the diameter, to show the grain and texture of the wood, and were then polished in the best style of the art. It excites surprise and admiration to see the beautiful graining of most of our woods, and the high polish they are capable of. Each block and plank have labels securely tacked on, giving the botanical as well as the local name of the tree, the County where collected, and the name of collector. Considerable attention has been drawn of late in this country, and especially in the older settled States, and those of the prairie region, to the subject of Forestry-the best means of preserving or renewing the original forest growth—and their increasing value in the near future. The time has come when the old careless habit of indifference to the value of our timber lands, so common in all new countries, must give way to a more judicious system, or our supply will soon be exhausted. The Government has recognized this danger, and at the last census of 1880 provision was made for a thorough examination of our forest supply, and at the same time for a series of minute and careful tests to be applied to all the "woods" of the United States, with a view of ascertaining their economic value. This department was entrusted to Prof. C. S. Sargent, who was well qualified for the work, from his long connection with the Arnold Arboretum, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. In Vol. IX of Census Reports, just published, is that portion devoted to Forestry. This volume, of nearly 600 pages, is full of valuable statistical information, to all who may feel an interest in the subject, and will be a work for reference to all lumbermen, mechanics, car builders, and other architects employed in wood work. It contains a descriptive catalogue of all the forest trees of North America, exclusive of Mexico, numbering four hundred and twelve species. Then follows the tables of the various tests applied to all these woods. The tables embrace the tests for "Specific gravity and ash"-"Fuel value "-"Strength of wood ""Tannin value "-and "Behavior under compression." As these tests have been made by experts, we may expect them to be careful, accurate and trustworthy-and the tables will, therefore, be always available to those who may wish to consult them for the economic value of any species of tree in the United States. The Agricultural Grasses of the State. BY H. W. RAVENEL. Written for the Exposition Report of the Department of Agriculture. South Carolina, from her peculiar topographical situation, similar to that of her two adjoining sister States, North and South, presents great variety of soil and climate-the Eastern and Southern portions resting on the sea level, the Northwestern portion running up to the mountain tops of the Blue Ridge. This diversity of soil and climate gives great diversity of vegetable life. Along the lower belt, extending for some one hundred miles or more, from the coast to the falls of the rivers, and coinciding generally with the tertiary formation, the surface is mostly flat, with a gentle rise upwards. Here the light and sandy soils predominate, though there are large portions of it covered with swamp lands of the greatest fertility, along the course of the rivers and creeks. From the falls of the rivers, and upwards towards the mountains, there is a rolling surface mostly of red clay, rich in mineral elements and susceptible of great improvement. In the Piedmont region and mountain valleys there are soils specially adapted to all the rich pasture grasses and clovers of more Northern regions. It is true that the lower belt, where the light soils prevail, is not well fitted for such grasses, but there are substitutes to be found in the more hardy perennial-rooted Bermuda and Means grass and in the Vetch and cow pea. The native grasses, and especially those thoroughly naturalized foreigners, viz, the crab and crow-foot grass and the Japan clover, are found everywhere. In the vast alluvial swamps of the lower belt, there are thousands of acres of the richest fertility, only needing the spade and the plough to bring them into the highest state of culture, and to furnish a supply of the best hay for the needs of the whole State. It should be borne in mind that it is not so essential that there be any great variety of grasses in cultivation at one time, except for a succession through the season, as it is that the best be selected-the most productive and the most satisfactory as ascertained by experience throughout the State. The Japan clover takes care of itself by seeding abund antly and thus extending its area, affording a very fair pasturage during the Summer months. The Vetches are also well climatized, and when once established in cultivated fields yield an annual crop of very superior hay. Of the field grasses of annual growth, crab and crow-foot thrive. and yield abundant crops of hay where the soil is in good condition for their growth. Thus it is seen that each and every section shows an aptitude for some special growth. In fact, nature is so bountiful that there is no portion of the State where, with proper skill and judgment, the farmer may not, if he please, raise his own forage, and be independent of all outside help. The Manufacturing Industries of the State. WRITTEN FOR THE EXPOSITION REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. I doubt if a single South Carolinian who visited his State's exhibit at the New Orleans Exposition did not feel a just sense of pride as he examined the specimens of its resources and products; nor was there one who was not surprised at their number, variety and excellence; or that did not find specimens of each agricultural, mechanical and manufacturing products that he did not know existed, or was produced in the State. There may have been exhibits from other States more expensively decorated, but I submit that there were none more interesting or with more varied and valuable products, or that attracted more attention solely upon their merits. Prominent amongst the attractions were specimens of the manufacturing industries of the State, and especially of cotton goods. Nearly all the mills in the State were represented and the specimens exceptionally good, and were highly complimented by all judges of goods who examined them. None excelled, if any equalled, them from any other State. The changed condition of our labor system since the war inaugurated a new inquiry in the South, and especially in our State, amongst enterprising citizens and capitalists, as to how their surplus capital could be most profitably employed, and the resources of the State best developed. The leading industry, from natural causes, always has been, and will always continue to be, agriculture. Labor-saving implements, and the cducation of the superior race in its science, and its practical application, by them, together with the experience by those engaged in it, have only commenced to be seen and felt. Great developments and prosperity will result from it; but whilst this is just as it should be, the labor and pursuits of every people, to attain the highest degree of prosperity of which they are capable, must be diversified. In our case, manufacturing in 1 dustries fortunately furnish the opportunity for diversifying their pursuits to any desirable and profitable extent. Experiments in that direction. have, in the main, been satisfactory to capitalists and furnished profitable employment to a large number of the people, who otherwise would have been unproductive. This is in its infancy in this State, but with proper direction is destined to assume immense proportions. The manufacturer of cotton goods finds a climate admirably adapted to the purpose, unsurpassed by any in the world, with a population willing and anxious for employment, out of which can be made as intelligent, skillful and reliable operatives as are to be found anywhere. Being in the midst of the cotton fields, in a country noted for its healthfulness, cheap living, and, as a consequence, cheap labor, together with an abundance. of cheap power, are natural advantages that cannot be disputed and can never be taken from us. Although, as stated, this industry may be considered to be in its infancy, there are now in operation in this State nearly 200,000 spindles, with a consuming capacity of about 75,000 bales of cotton annually, nearly all of which is produced in the vicinity of the mills, and perhaps $800,000 in money is paid to the employees annually, and forms a part of the wealth of the State. All sections of this great country that have grown rich and eminently prosperous have become so by the universal individual labor of the people, upon products which are sold in another section from that in which they were produced; the money received for which, being distributed amongst all those who contributed their labor in producing them, forms the material wealth of the people. It comes in no other way. Large manufacturing corporations are not indispensable to the greatest advantages to a community. Great numbers of small industries are perhaps the most profitable, because more people are individually interested in their success. There is not an inland town in all this great country, North, East, South or West, with a large population, prosperous, progressive, enterprising and growing in wealth and importance, that is not dependent in the main for its great prosperity upon its own manufacturing industries, large and small, by its own people, within its own limits. As conspicuous examples, Worcester, Mass., Richmond, Va., and Atlanta, Ga., may be mentioned. Where these do not exist, the town grows to a certain size, generally very small, measured by the retail trade of the immediate surrounding country, and there stops. The great city of Philadelphia, although not strictly an inland town, with a population nearly equal to that of the State of South Carolina, is purely a manufacturing city, with little commerce, except that which supplies the wants of the manufacturers and their operatives, and the sale of their goods. The same applies to all large cities, except those great ports that are built up and maintained by their commerce. |