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4 THE SOUTHERN WORLD, JULY 15,1882, mould our public school system; with such capitalists as Huntington and Gould, surely with our public lands unoccupied, millions of cattle sheep and horses, iron and coal mines, we can safely say we are upon the threshold of a grand future. INQUIRY COLUMN. Large Yields of Oats, Editor Southern World.—I see in your most valuable paper, of June 15tb, mention of enormous yields of oats by various gen tlemen of your State and elsewhere. I hare been an oat raiser for a number of years and never have been able to secure such immense yields. Hoping you will allow me the kind privilege of securing information through your paper, I have the following questions to propound to my brother far mers who have been so peculiarly blessed with those big yields of oats, and those questions are: 1. What kind of soil sown in? 2. What variety of seed? 3. What amount of seed sown per acij? 4. What kind of fertilizers and how much applied per acre ? 5. What time Bown? If any one will be generous enough to answer tbe above questions it will be greatly appreciated, and 1 have no doubt but wbat it will prove a blessing, not only to me, but thousands of others. The oat crop in tills section is very good this year. J. L. Blanks. Hurricane Creek, Lauderdale county, Miss. Wo trust that several of our most success ful oat growers—those who have made large yields ulluded to by our correspondent, and can tell him how to do likewise. The above letter arouses a slight suspicion that the au thor is somewhat doubtful in regard to the heavy yield of which he has heard. Let us hear from the growers of these big crops. R. Wheat Harvest In April. About the last of April a paragraph ap peared in the Montezuma paper to the eflect that a Mr. Whitsett, of Dooly county had already harvested ids wheat. Wishing to learn something of the circumstances of this early harvest we wrote Mr. W. a letter of inquiry and received the response which appears below. Our contributing editor also has something to say about the “Rainey" wheat.—[Ed. W. 0. Wiudbv.—I have just learned that a man named Rainey, in Schley county, once bought some seeds, among them he found a single grain of wheat, which he planted and hence the origin of the Rainey wheat. I secured a small sack last tall, sowed it on poor land, December 22nd and cut it for seed April 26th. It is a white wheat, hardy—Directed but little by rust and weighs sixty-two pounds per sealed bushel. This is all the information I have to oiler at present—will ascertain more concerning its origin if I can, and will give you the facts more fully. John H. Whitsrtt. Vienna, Ga. RAINEY WHEAT. This variety was originated, substantially, ns Mr. Whitsett’s letter (printed above) sets forth. We were farming in Schley county at the time, and Judge Rainey—not a very distant neighbor—gave us the history of the wheat as we stood together viewing its growth. He discovered among his regu lar wheat crop, a bunch that ripened far in advance of the general crop. This bunch he plucked, “rubbed out" in his hands, and carefully planted tbe following season. This was perhaps fifteen years ago. In a few years the wheat became badly mixed by careless ness in handling, and Judge R. again started from ono selected bunch. Hon. T. P. Janes, while Commissioner of Agriculture, pro cured a small quantity of this wheat from Judge Rainey, for his own farm, and was passably well pleased with it It is all that is claimed for it in Mr. Whitsett’s letter. It’s comparative exemption from rust, is not due to any special hardiness, but to its ex treme earliness. It is not a prolific wheat as it grows low and the heads are corres pondingly short We think it is worthy of trial by farmers whose localities are unfa vorable for wheat and yet who insist on growing this cereal. The address is Hon. T. P. Rainey, Ellaville, Oa. R. Sugar Cane and Ingar Mills. Editor Southern World—I want some farmer that knows something about cane- mills to answer me through the columns of the Southern World: 1. Has the Victor cane-mill any equal in capacity, strength and durability? Dure & Mauouri, vendors of the Kentucky mill, say they are superior to the Victor. 2. Another question: How much per thousand, are sugar canes averaging five feet in length, worth wheu molasses (sirup?) is worth 76 cents per gallon? Yantlyco., Ala. J. D. Grimes. Answer.—1. We invite the attention of readers who are posted, to the above in quiries. We have had considerable experi ence in growing cane and making sirup and sngar, in a small way, but never used a Vic tor, or any other than the ordinary Southern made two-roller mill. We have no doubt of the superiority of most, if not all, of the improved two and three roller iron-framed mills, over the ordinary mills that have been in general use. Doubtless, many of our read ers have tested one or more mills of different makes, and we hope they will give Mr. Grimes and other subscribers, the benefit of their experience in answer to botli questions. 2. It is difficult to give u satisfactory an swer to to this query, unless it were more explicit. If the cane is to be stripped and hauled, the price would depend greatly on the distance. We venture to say, how ever, that canes averaging five feet in length, would be well sold at $10 per thousand stand ing in the patch, not considering the loss to the farm of the bagatte or “backings" which is considerable. Fifteen thousand such stalks would be considered a good yield for one acre of cane in Southwest Georgia. This would be a stalk for every seven inches (rows five feet apart), and at $10 per thousand would amount to $150 per acre. Subscriber, Brownsville, Tbnn.—Is the enclosed sample Bermuda grass. If not, what is it? It runs on the ground and roots at every joint. Answer.—The specimen is the genuine Bermuda, a most valuable grass for summer pastures in the Southern States. It is not desirable where the winters are long, as the first severe frost kills it to the ground, and it docs not put fortli very early in spring. Its roots and rooted stems are perennial in the cotton-belt. J. 8. N. Bermuda Onus Need. J. S. N. seems to be at sea on the subject of Bermuda grate. It does seed in the South ern States. Seeds here on my own farm when protected from stock. I have here in my lot a small plat started from the seeds sown from my own hand. The seeds should be strown on well prepared ground after all danger from frost is post: say, about 15th of April, though, if well sheltered, may be sown earlier. Young Bermuda is very tender and easily killed either by cold or heat. The farmers of this section do not consider a farm complete without at least a ten-acre lot of Bermuda. For sheep hus bandry it is beyond comparison the superior of all other grasses. Sheep keeping in fine condition the entire winter on Bermuda grass alone, if like last winter; and the ex cellence of mutton fattened on it is unap proachable. If J. S. N. will send me his address I will send him sopie genuine Ber muda grass seed this fall. W. H. J. It is not a little remarkable that Bermuda grass has been grown in Georgia and other Southern States for the last century without being propagated by seed until now, and that W. H. J. should have gotten hold of a variety that produces seed. Is he sure that be has the genuine Bermuda— Cynodon dacty- lont We have a joint grass in Georgia which resembles the Bermuda somewhat, and is often mistaken for it. This does produce a few seed. The joint grass has generally only two splkelets on the seed stalk, while the Bermuda has from three to five, generally four. We have the Bermuda now in bloom and, apparently, ripening, but we search in vain for seed. If Bermuda had been producing seed in Georgia since its first introduction it would now cover the State. It would have been propagated by the droppings of stock and by washing rains, until it would have “taken the country.” But such has not been the case. It has only been propagated by the roots and stems, which have been shipped hundreds of miles for this purpose. If W. H. J. has a variety of genuine Ber muda, which produces seed, he has a bonanza to which a gold mine or cotton factory is a trifle. We have given the Geor gia Bermuda grass so thorough an examina tion as to be perfectly satisfied that it does not produce seed with us. We will be obliged to W. H. J. if he will send us to Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, Ga., a sample of his Bermuda grass in bloom, and a sample of the supposed seed when they mature. We have so often received speci mens of the joint grass under the name of Bermuda, that we will not be satisfied that W. H. J. has the genuine Bermuda 'till we tee a specimen of it. If he has the Bermuda we will wait with intense interest for a sam- ple.of the seed. J. 8. N. §orticultnral jfeeynrtmmt. Grape Culture. In the lastnumber of tbe Southern World the inquiries of W. R. G., and others, of Talbot county, Georgia, were partly answer ed. In that number they were carried as faros the planting of the vines. They wished also to know something of the pruning and cultivation of the vines, gathering, picking and shipping the fruit etc. While it seems presumptuous to attempt to answer these inquiries in a single commu nication, we will, nevertheless, attempt such an outline as will furnish the gentlemen making the inquiry an adequate idea of what they are about to undertake. Having been in “close communion" with the farmers of Georgia for the last twelve years, we ore pre sumptuous enough to believe that we know what they need and so far as we are able, we are ever ready and willing to contribute our “mite" to their fund of information. But to our answer THE FIRST YEAR after the grape vine is planted it should be cultivated just as a row of cotton would be. This no one understands better than Georgia farmers. If the proper preparation was made and fertilizers applied before planting, no additional fertilizers will be needed the first year, but as farmers are apt to neglect theso most important—yes necessary—pre liminaries, we will say that unless ample provisions are made for tho support of the vines for several years at tbe time of plant ing, annual applications of bone meal and ashes previous to the winter plowing will be desirable. If the soil is well supplied with vegetable matter, an application of five bushels of lime per acre will prove benefi cial. The second year. Some heroism will now be required to do justice to the vines. Beginners in vine cul ture can rarely be induced to prune with suf ficient severity. The vines if properly treated will have made some considerable growth the first year. At some time between November and March cut back to one cane with two well developed, plump eyes, and in the -pring when the vines begin to bud, pass over and rub off all except two vigor ous shoots. Have a stake six feet long, firmly planted by each vine. The most ex peditious manner of planting these is to prepare the stakes by sharpening one end, and blunting the other, of each stake—drive along the vineyard rows with a wagon load of these. The driver, of both wagon and stakes, stands upon the wagon, provided with a heavy maul or mallet, the latter preferred. The assistant holds a stake in position by each vine as the wagon posses through. The driver stops his wagon opposito the vino and standing upon his wagon establishes the stake with a few blows of his maul or mal let. When the new canes have made a growth of a few feet, pass through the vineyard provided with a bunch of soft strings, and tie up the canes to the posts or stakes, using care not to bruise tbe tender canes. Keep down the grass and weeds during the grow ing season and the work of the second year is finished. The new canes will put forth bunches of grapes the second year, but not more than one to the vine, if any, should be allowed to remain, and this only on vines of extra vigor, the object now being to in duce a vigorous growth, especially of root surface, for future use. THE THIRD YEAR. Two canes were allowed to grow the socond year. During the winter following, cut back one of the canes to two eyes and the other two to four, according to the vigor of the vine. In early spring, rub off all surplus shoots leaving one vigorous cane on the one with two oyes and two on the other. One of these must be encouraged to grow for new wood for the fourth year, the other two to bear fruit. When the bundles of grapes are in the bud, pass rapidly over the vine yard and pinch back the fruitful canes two leaves beyond the last bunch, leaving the cane, which is to supply the wood for the next season to grow until it attains a length of several feet when it may be pinched back to increase Its stockiness. The details of each years’ pruning cannot be given here, but there is a general principle which must guide the vinttculturist which must be thoroughly understood by those who would attain success. It is this: Provision must be made each year in the treatment of the vine, for both fruit for the current season and wood for the next For the details of this part of the work the inquirers are re ferred to Mr. Hussman’s book on grape oulture—a very valuable little work filled with such practical details as the novice in grape-culture needs. The grape produces only on the new wood and the object of the culturist should be to provide this in full vigor for each season. OATHERINO THE CRAPES. If to be shipped, the grapes should be gathered in a fresh, firm, almost ripe condi tion, the degree of ripeness depending upon the variety and the distance' to which ship ment is to be made. For shipment or for wine-making, the grapes should be gathered when dry; for table-use we prefer them gathered while the dew is on them. There are packages of various sizes and forms to suit the convenience of the shipper and con. sumer, but no matter what the size of the package, it is of the utmost importance to have the grapes securely and fimly packed. As the gentlemen will have ample time to investigate this part of tbe subject, before being called upon to put it into practice, we need not go into details. Let us remark in conclusion, that we re gard the grape as the most reliable fruit grown in Georgia, and we believe, if prop erly handled, it may be made a source of great wealth to the State. The Commission er of Agriculture might render valuable ser vice to the people of the State by the publi cation of a short manual on fruit culture, in which he might give a select list of tried va rieties, and instruction for cultivation, handling for market, wine-making, etc. J. 8. N. Peeling Peaches with Alkali. E. G, H., Grantville, Ga. “Will you please inform me as to the best method of removing the peel from peaches before evap orating them. Have heard that a solu- lution of lime would be effectual. Any in formation will be thankfully received." Answer.—A strong solution of potash is commonly employed for the purpose, com mon home dripped lye or the concentrated lye of the stores will answer the purpose. . The proper strength cun readily be ascer tained by experiment. When the solution will promptly remove the skill without in jury to the flesh of the fruit the proper strength lias been attained. The fruit is placed in a copper wire basket and dipped into the hot solution and then intocold water after which each is rubbed over with the hand to remove any particles of skin still adhering. This method is much more eco nomical than peeling with a knife as it re moves the skin of the peach only without a particle of the flesh. There is a very simple little machine which retails ut twenty-five cents, which very effectively and expeditiously extracts tlie stone and at the same time slices tho peach reatly for drying. It takes out the stone witli less wuste of the fruit than can be done with tbe knife and slices tbe ]>each more uniformly than can be done without muchinery. Farmers having any consider able area in peaches or other fruit are again urged to procure some good evaporator and utilize all surplus. Besides utilizing the fruit and making it os profitable as by ship ping to distant markets without the risk of loss attending shipping the fresh fruit, the evaporator may be utilized for drying any of our summer vegetables for winter use. Okra, beans, squashes, potatoes and toma toes may be evaporated and stored away for use during winter when very few farmers have an abundant supply of fresh vegeta bles. After these vegetables are evui>orated all that is necessary to prepare them- for cooking and making them as good as when first gathered is to replace the water which was removed during the process of evapo ration. J. 8. N. Cnbbngc Worm and Lincoln Bng. N. A. G. Clinton, S. C. “Please Inform your many readers of Southern World, what will destroy the cabbage worm and the cooter or terrapin bug which is more de structive than tbe worm." There aro two worms which are injurious to the cabbage, viz: the green worm which eats the leaves indiscriminately and the striped worm, which confines its ravages to the bud, just as the cabbage is heading-up. aud really does more damage than the green worm, though never so numerous as the lat ter. The only remedy that we have found at all effectual against these pests, is salt used as such or in solution. It is said that Pyrethrum, called also Persian insect pow ders and Dalmatian powders, if mixed with water or made into a decoction and sprinkled over the plants, will destroy the worms; we have never tried this, though we have ap plied the powdered Pyrethrum without* effect. We have applied flower of sulphur anc(