Newspaper Page Text
22
THE SOUTHERN WORLD, NOVEMBER 15, 1882.
Written apeclelly for the Southern World.]
THE PHENOMENA OF THE CLOUDS.
The stratus cloud Is most commonly ob
served at night, aud in the fall and winter
seasons of the year. It usually overspreads
the heavens with a dull leaden cast for dnys
and even for weeks at a time. Few, if any,
have escaped the Indefinable feelings of de
pression it sometimes produces in the feel
ings. It hangs lowest of all clouds in the air;
for when it rises to higher altitudes its den
sity is lost, and if it does not break up into
cumuli it vanishes in the various cirri forms
already described. In warm weather it fre
quently is seen from sunset to sunrise, pro
duced by the spreading out and descent of
the cumulus clouds from higher elevations,
when these are not dissipated and do not
entirely vanish before sundown. In the
morning it is the fog cloud that envelopes
us with its dry mist, or that is often seen
rising from low places, rivers, etc., moving
upward and spreading out in every direc
tion, either rolling up into the cumuli, or
disappearing in the sunshine, followed by a
calm, clear sky.
In summer the stratus gives us most of our
settled rains, and in winter our prolonged
snow storms.
The tendency of the stratus to break up
into tlie cumulus or to roil up into the folds
or blocks of the nimbus, or of the latter to
form the stratus, often produces local show
ers, or very heavy rains. This cloud is
seen at times moving with great velocity
above while at other times it nppears to be
perfectly still, and these features occur re
gardless of the state of the air below. But it
is the only cloud that gives us a heavy con.
tinued wind of great velocity, and often with
such force as to be very destructive to life
and property. It is usually the great storm
cloud, sweeping the country from one end to
the other beneath it as it rushes forward
in its flight onward. In the rapidity of its
movements not unfrequently does it present
the appearances of being torn or ripped into
shreds; through the rents or openings the
sun's glare pours of a day alternating sun
shine and shadow, or in the night the flick
ering pale light of the stars or moon peer out
ever and anon upon the earth’s solemn
scenery, haunted as it were, by the weird
spectres of its mist forms of the air.
The cumulus, cirrus and stratus clouds arc
primary divisions. The first may always be
known in whatever shape by its heaped or
piled up appearance; the second is distin
guished by its thin,,haze, or thread-like char,
actor; and the third is easily made out by
its horizontal extension in all directions of
varied thickness and density.
These are called primary clouds because
there is considerable uniformity In their
appearance. They are not primary because
they form immediately from the rising va
pors of the earth. This they may do, but as
I have stated either of these clouds may be
formed from the other or the secondary
formations; and, therefore, I think a better
division would be into simple and mixed
clouds. The cumulus, cirrus and stratus
might be regarded for the reasons given as
belonging to the simple division of clouds,
or clouds of one form. The force of tnis will
be seen in the second division or clouds of
two or more forms and which are mixed in
their character.
In this connection we have the nimbus,
or the cumulo-cirro-stratus. The formation
of this cloud out of the cumulus I have de
scribed. The cirro-cumulus is a collection
of white, small clouds considerably elevated.
They are described as flocks' of sheep at rest,
and resemble bushy tufts clad in snow.
These are often witnessed just before sunset
of a pleasant afternoon and give a varied
beauty to the sky. They are said to indicate
hot weather. When very closo, dense and
round aro supposed to presage a storm. The
cirro-stratus lay in long strips with undu
lated edges When these are plentiful, the
sky is called “ a muckerel sky ” on account
of the resemblance of these barred clouds to
shoals of fish, or the mackerel's back. Like
the cirro-cumulus it presages rain, snow or
storms; and when its tendency is to spread
out into a thin sheet sometimes exhibits in
a remarkable manner the solar aud lunar
halos, paraselenes and parhclios. The cu-
mulo-stratus is a bank cloud with a flat baso,
with overhanging masses of fleecy, bulky
knobs or protuberances. It has a leaden hue
at night and usually stirs the air. It exhib
its a tendency of the cumulus to form into
the stratus in dry weather. But if the at
mosphere is moist, it rapidly extends into
the stratus. It not unfrequently is attended
by sudden atmospheric changes, and for this
reason is considered an intermediate between
lair and rough weather. It imparts grandeur
to mountain scenery at sunset.
The cumulo-stratus and nimbus are the
real thunderers of the sky, and these also are
the local storm clouds. Whenever electrical
excitement is witnessed preceding or follow
ing a general rain or snow, it will always be
observed that the clouds are either in the
form of the cumulo-stratus or nimbus, or
will be assuming these forms during such
phenomena. There Is always a tendency of
vapors to condense or roll up into a more
compact form when thunder and lightning
ensue.
In overspreading mountains the cumulo-
stratus presents some of the finest displays
of electrical demonstrations, which, often
during night-time render the scenery arti
ficially grand. Frequently in the summer
when the heavens are clear, except on the
distant horizon, one of these huge forms, as
if lost in its wanderings about thehill-tops or
valleys, will sluggishly move over head, and
astonish a reposing neighborhood by the
commotion of its vivid flashes of fire, loud
peals of fhunder and the roar of its warring
elements, and there is usually a sense of re
lief when it passes out of range; for seldom
do they come without dreadful aspect and
seldom do they depart without leaving some
mark of tiieir dangerous character behind
them. They are the parents of spot storms,
or local cyclones and when several of them
unite their forces, increasing in darkness,
extent, irregularity and density, thus form
ing the nimbus proper, they are usually very
destructive.
Those pendent shaggy or fringe clouds, be
neath other clouds, are scuds, and the small
dense watery looking clouds usually preced
ing a more extensive range of clouds are
called water bearers or pickets.
Perhaps the reader can get an idea of the
various kinds of clouds and their formation
from what has been said. All these varie
ties may be seen in a day, and sometimes
there is such a commingling of the different
forms as to come under none of the descrip
tions given. This country is free-er of clouds
than Great Britain. The winter or early
spring is the season of most clouds in the
United States. No one can have failed to
have observed that the summer and autumn
nights are usually clearest of clouds. The
cumuli appearabont midday, and the months
of May and June are said to be the seuson'of
fewest clouds. This may be so, but I am
inclined to doubt it. Geo. R. Catiibr.
Ashvilie, Ala.
Hweet Potato Vulture.
Editor Southern World;
In the necessities for increased variety and
cheap food-products for the rapidly multi
plying millions of inhabitants pressing upon
the soil of this country, an effort is being
made to utilize one of the easiest made,
surest grown crops that can be planted in
an immense breadth of country stretching
from the Atlantic to the prairies of the
West.
When we come to estimato the possibili
ties of production in this cheap food-product
over so wide an.area, the question of supply
is at once admitted. Transportation and the
preservation of the article are the only diffi
culties that are presented to the producer.
The question of markets, of rapid and cheap
transportation at such periods as the article
is sought for consnmption, the exhibition of
it in good sound condition are the only ob
stacles to profit.
At one time it was hoped that dessication
or the evaporating process might enter into
a large profitable distribution of so weighty,
cumbersome a product to foreign demand.
Recently the Southern railroads have been
attracted to this heavy freightage and are
offering increased inducements to growers to
avail themselves of the profits of a crop,
hitherto considered a mere appendage to a
farm support.
Your writer has for many years given at
tention to the cheapest mode of tillage, the
proper food, the best varieties, and the best,
surest way to keep here perfectly during
winter months so delicate a vegetable. I
have “boxed the compass" as it were with
every plan suggested to keep sweet potatoes
from harvest time to harvest again. The
difficulty is not so great in making as in
keeping them sound and edible.
As to varieties best to ship. There are
early and later varieties planted in our State
of Georgia. I have planted not less than a
dozen varieties myself, and find that early
kinds planted in the warmsandy soils on the
sea-board counties from a time “the memory
of man runneth not to the contrary" need
not be eschewed for Jersey sweets, Jersey
Reds, Virginia Nansemond or Essex county
potatoes where the character of soil here
seems so admirably adapted to this crop.
A recent suggestion for the earliest to be
found in Jersey and most palatable is not
borne out in my experience. Thereisannu-
ally marketed in Savannah by the Bulloch
and Effingham farmers, the fellows (alias)
(Cracker) who ride their cart shafts still to
market as in the days of “King George III.”
a small red potato—that is ripe to dig by
first of July. This I have thought was the
identical variety changed by soil and climate
to Jersey reds. With' this soon comes the
white and yellow yams,the Spanish varieties
of pumpkin and white Spanish being still
later. No one lias ever seen the perfection
of this esculent, unless he has eaten it a day
after being taken from the clay Dutch-ovens
of some farmer who prepares the Spanish
pumpkin variety for market, presenting it
thoroughly done, with an exudation of sac
charine juice around it, as if cooked in su
gar. But we need not dispute about tastes.
“De gustibus nil disputandem.”
As in the grape for good wine, it requires
just so many days of sun heat, under favor
able circumstances, to mature a good wine
grape, or sweet potato, with sugaT enough
for its alcohol. The Germans on the upper
Rhine make Rhine (sour) wine, but they
know the excellence of Spanish and South
France perfect wines. They will be glad to
make their products pay for these other
kinds.
The potato revels in a light, rich soil, with
manures containing a good per cent, of pot
ash and vegetable mould. Thus about a
a dung-bill or old sites of settlements are
grown the finest specimens. The pine lands
of South Georgia produce as fine as the
world can exhibit if enriched by the tread
ing and manures of stock.
The earlier varieties are not the best keep
ers, nor do they sweeten and improve by
parting with excess of water by evaporation.
The later maturing sorts are preferable as to
late shipping. They lose much in weight,
become solid and are justly worth more as
food. Every season, therefore, from harvest
time ought to exhibit good, edible sweet
potatoes, until even mid-summer.
The mode of propagation and seeding must
vary somewhat, with the variety and the
climate. The Spanish variety are best grown
here by planting the cut potato, (as the
Irish potato is managed). Other sorts are
best propagated by the draws or plantings
and afterwards by vines. The yam varieties
from the vines or draws keep best, and ap
pear healthier and give best results. If
grown from the potato, the yams are more
liable to rot. This is the experience of
those who grow extensively for market.
As to shipping qualities, the late maturing
varieties mav not pay best, but will com
mand in February and March, and during
spring months the highest prices in North
ern markets. I have seen account sales of
the “pumpkin yam" at $5.00 and $7.00 per
barrel in Now York in spring, with pressing
enquiries for further consignments. This
is “par excellence" the best table potato
grown, Jersey sweets not excepted.
In this latitude this crop is best kept in
the same covering in which it matures,
land, dry sand. We need have to keep the
potato cool and dry ; never to reach a,tem
perature over 00° nor lower than 45° if pos
sible. My plan is to dig after first frost, or
earlier if ripe. Put them in hillocks or piles
25 to 30 bushels on dry sand on the ground
in a ventilated log or framed house. There
let them remain a month or longer (if air is
not too cool) to undergo evaporation or the
sweating process. If the weather is cool, a
light covering of dry hay (to be removed
again). When this process of drying off is
over cover all well with dry sand. They are
then safe and convenient to handle. Bank
ing fails herein a warm, wet winter or a
very cold winter. In a more Northern clime
my plan might not answer. Here it is per
fect preservation until mid-summer. Whilst
they would have to be kept warm in cellars
and under earth banks North, here they
would not keep two weeks in my cellar dry
and ventilated.
There are many details I might mention
as to preparation of soil, bedding for draws,
cultivation, etc. These vary in different
latitudes und in different soils. But let us
not go out of Georgia for seed potatoes. We
are entitled to this by tradition and inherit
ance. We might go to India or Egypt for
upland cotton, seed, but let the Georgia
“cracker” have his sweet potato undisturbed
in a dozen differentsorts,colors,sizes, tastes,
that will satisfy any reasonable improved
taste. He has parted with his bacon and
bread too liberally for his progeny’s comfort*
He parts freely with his cotton; let him keep
this boon, and independence smiles when
home-made bacon, bread, coliards and pota
toes grace the table of Georgia's yeomanry.
Eemdon, Go. W. B. Jones.
BROOK COBJf.
Mode of Preparing the Ground, Plant
ing, Cultivating and Harvesting.
The ground should be thoroughly broken
with a two-horse turning-plow in the fall
season so as tp secure all the benefits of the
winter frosts and left in that state until the
month of April, when it should be again
plowed and thoroughly pulverized. As soon
as danger of frost is over the land can be
laid off in rows (see below,) with a scooter
plow, thus giving the land another working
and making it in good condition for receiv
ing the seed, which can be planted by any
common seed drill at the rate of about three
pints to the acre. Now, as to the cultivation
which is necessary, the more work it rej
ceives the faster it will grow, and, conse
quently, the sooner will be off the ground
and ready for market.
When the plants reach the height of say
four or five inches, it should have a good
plowing and immediately after the hoes
should be put in to chop it out, leaving
some two or three inches for a hill two
to two and a half feet apart without
disturbing. In.two or three weeks it should
again receive a good, close plowing, and
final hoeing, when the hills left at the
first hoeing should be cleaned out to one or
two stalks at the most, which would leave the
stalks every eight inches or thereabouts. At
the last plowing, which should be in two
or three weeks, according to the judgment
of the farmer, it should then be plowed, the
dirt being thrown well up to the plant. A
three-hoed cultivator has been found very
acceptable by the writer in taking care of
the crop.
The next thing to be considered is the
mode of saving or harvesting the crop, and
any carelessness or mismanagement at thl-
point is very liable to take away all the
profit of the foregoing aultivation. The first
point with the manufacturer is color. It
matters not how good a growth the crop may
be if it is red from too long standing in the
field, or dark from mould or wet, its value is
damaged. It should be saved while green
and cured with a view to preserving it in
that color.
Just as soon as the milk in the seed thick
ens and becomes dough or starchy, cut it,
leaving six inches of the stalk. It should
be gathered the same day as cut and thresh
ed, as the weight of the seed will soon heat
and stain the brush if allowed to lay in piles
any length of time. It should then be
placed on racks or scaffolds, not over four
inches thick in the layers, with a space of
aboutsix or eight inches between layers, un
der a shed or shelter.
It should then be shaken up in the layers
once or twice in two or three days, accord
ing to the weather, so as to insure a free pas
sage of air, when in two weeks of fair weath
er it Is then fit and ready to be baled up
and marketed.
Land that will make a bale of cotton to
two acres will produce 1,000pounds of broom
corn, and so on up or down according to the
quality of the land. The price varies from
three cents per pound to six and seven and
also as to the quality of brush. The market
at this writing is at from fifty to one hund
red and fifty dollars per ton.
A. S. LENFE8TY,
of Falvey & Lenfesty, Manufacturers of
Brooms, Atlanta, Qa.
Concentrated va. Diffusive Farming,
Editor Southern World.—In your issue
of Oct. 16th there appeared an address deliv
ered to the farmers of Georgia at the meeting
of the State Agricultural Society on “Inten
sive farming.” This is the best thing that
has appeared in the agricultural press of the
country for a long time, and should be
issued in pamphlet form so that every farm
er in the Southern State scould have a copy.
The address is so replete with common sense
and practical suggestions, and shows such
astonishing results in the recuperative
and renovating power of home made
fertilizers applied to lands literally
worn out by ignorant farming, that we
stand amazed when we think of the millions
of dollars annually squandered by Southern
farmers for commercial fertilizers. The
point to be noted particularly in the address
is the “intensive” part, which directs espec
ial attention to the importance of concen
trated effort on a limited number of acres.
How many farmers spoil all their efforts
and labor by diffusive instead of intensive
farming? in other words, how many farmers
endeavor to cultivate too much land ? In
this address on intensive farming, we find the
entire secret of the success of the farmer lies
In operating only such a number of acres as
he can thoroughly cultivate and manure.