Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

56 THE SOUTHERN WORLD, DECEMBER 36,1882. POSSUMS AND PATRIOTISM. It appears that the legislature of South Carolina, moved by the wilful destruction of timber, by sportsmen, is contemplating the passage of a bill to prohibit possum hunting. The Athens (Ga.,) Banner- Watchman looks upon it as an insidious blow aimed at the in alienable rights of our “ free American citi zens of African descent." Our excellent co temporary gives us the following biograph ical and historical sketch of the free-booter of the woods—the’possum. “Every true bom southron well knows that a 'possum nev er climbs anything but a persimmon tree, and we dont suppose you could get a thous and feet of marketable lumber by sawing up every one south of Mason and Dixon’s line. We never heard of this species of tree being fit for anything but to grow ’simmons and 'possums, for it is a well-known superstition that to burn one brings bad luck on the of fending family. Again the average nigger had much sooner sacrifice one of his loving children than a good, healthy persimmon bush. In fact, this tree we have always be lieved to be the missing link between the darkey and the vegetable kingdom. He will unhesitatingly fell the stateliest giant of the forest to secure a little five-pound coon, but the darkey holds the ’simmon tree as too sacred for the touch of his axe. The lus cious ’possum is not captured in any such way. Sambo invariably ascends the trunk of the sapling and carefully unwinds the' caudal appendage of his game from a friend ly limb and drops it to the ground. The tree is in no manner injured, but is left to bear another crop some future night. We believe the Lord created the ’possuiu espec ially for the benefit of the nigger, and the persimmon tree for the benefit of the ’pos sum. If anything would give just ground for a general exodus of the darkies it is this ’possum bill, and we know of a good many whites who would follow them. There is no possible danger of exterminating the 'pos sum tribe, either. You can clear our forests of all manner of game, our streams of fish and even the air of birds; but the ’possum remains with us in undiminished numbers." Now, we opine that our cotemporary is moved in this matter, “not because he loves the negro less but the possum more.” Sad to contemplate indeed the fate of that Geor gia legislator who would havytho-hardiheoir— — to offer a bill of such a character. Evan Howell and Uncle Kemus of the Atlanta Constitution would rise in arms against it and call upon Gov. Stephens to declare martial law. The fact is, Gov. Stephens “ totes his own skillet” to cook the ’possum in. As a factor in politics the ’possum is not to be overlooked. Hhq Southern fforld. If your land is weak, why kalnlt and make it strong. Kalnlt. The address of Hon. Parish C. Furman at Marietta, Ga., has directed public attention to kainit. Prior to 1861, potash was secured from the immense forests of Canada, Russia and the United States. The salt works in Stassfurt, in Saxony (in the German Em pire) had been worked for salt a thousand years, at a depth of 1800 feet below the sur face of the earth. These mines are owned and run by the government. To provide against the contingency of a limited supply of potash, and with the hope of securing supplies at home, the government offered a reward for its discovery, within the limits of the Empire. This stimulated the chemists and they found the potash near the top of the mines, the strata having been cut through to get to the salt below. Working for salt ceased, and attention was thence forth directed solely to the potash. Kainit means new, or recent, and is more properly the name of a mineral. The stratum of this deposit is 190 feet in depth, and is composed of: common salt 65 per cent, kieserite or sulphate of magnesia (epsom salts) 17 per cent, carnalite, (a mixture of chloride of potassium and chloride of magnesia) 13 per cent,, chloride of magnesia, 3 per cent., anhydrite, (sulphate of lime, plaster of paris) 2 per cent, These minerals as they come rough and mixed from the ground are dissolved in wa ter, then the solution is evaporated in huge evaporators, and the sulphates of lime, pot ash and magnesia successively removed, and the residue is evaporated to dryness and con sists of a double salt, composed mainly of one third common salt, one third chloride and sulphate of magnesia, and one third of the sulphate of potash, forming a fine grain ed mass of yellowish or grey color j it be comes moist in the air and effloresces over sulphuric acid. The per centage of sulphate of potash varies from 14 to 37. Twelve per cent, of potash equals about 24 of the sul phate of potash which all agricultural chem ists agree is the most available potash salt. All lands need potash, more or less, and kainit affords it in perhaps the cheapest form. It was first placed on the American market in 1869, we believe and has gradual ly worked its way. Dr. Thomas P. Janes, soon after being appointed Commissioner of Agriculture (in 1874 if we mistake not) rec ommended its use to the planters of Georgia. So little was known about it, however, that but very few were induced to use it. Mr. Furman having used it successfully, has pointed the attention of farmers to it. Kai nit is an article of real value, and those dis posed to test it will read with profit the ar ticle elsewhere on “Compost Formulas,” from the pen of R. J. Redding, our contrib uting editor. _ The Growth of oar Country, The Columbus (Ga.) Enquirer-Sun, notes the following interesting illustration of the growth of that city: “In September, 1880, a young man, who could see a few years ahead, but unfortu nately without cash, saw some property to the north of the city he wished to buy. He thought it over and concluded he could spare ten dollars a month of his salary. Then he took ten shares of stock in the Chattahoochee Building and Loan Association. He prompt ly borrowed about one thousand dollars on these ten shares. His purchase was twenty- seven acres of land in the territory soon to be incorporated in the city. Last week he sold to old real estate men one and three- quarter acres of this land for one thousand dollars. The balance sheet stands thus: BOUGHT. September, 1880, 27 acres $ 675 sou>. November, 1882, 1% acres $1,000 Leaves him ahead 25K acres. $ 25 These 25K acres will bring him a comfort able income, for this property is rapidly ad vancing. He has paid the building and loan association.” This advance in the value of the property is due in a great degree to the manufactur ing enterprises of the city. We are inclined to believe that it was a perversion however of the prime object of the Association, to assist worthy men to build and own houses. Loan and Building Associations are properly not organized for speculative purposes. How ever, In this instance, it may be, that the young man may build on his remaining land. We would caution our young men against being seduced into such aassociations for speculative purposes. Our advice to young men is: first learn a good trade and if you have not the ready cash to buy or build a house, secure one through the means afforded by these associations. Production of Wool, The production of wool east of the Rocky Mountains, in 1870, was 87,407,107 pounds; in 1880,120,801,992 pounds; increase, 34,304,- 795 pounds. West of the Rocky Mountains, 1870, 13,605,190 pounds; 1880, 34,878,601 pounds; increase, 21,183,311 pounds. This disposes very effectually of the asser tion that wool-growing east of the Roctry Mountains is declining. We pass from this matter to make one or two counter-state ments. Basing a computation of consump tion upon the domestio clip and the net im portation, the consumption of wool in the United States increased from 1870 to 1880 at a rate six times.as great as did the consump tion of wool in Great Britain (1); the in crease in amount of wool consumed, com paring 1880 with 1870, was nearly three times as great in the United States as in Great Britain (2); and (3) the amount consumed in this country in 1880 was more than three- fourths as much as the British consumption. The facts to prove this statement are these: The production in the United States in 1870 was 100,000,000 pounds, and the importatlou 49.000. 000 pounds. In 1880 the production was 165,000,000 pounds, and the importation 128.000. 000 pounds. The increase of the two combined was 134,000,000 and 90 per cent The consumption of Great Britain in 1870* estimated in exactly the same way by the London Economist, was 325,000,000 pounds; in 1880, it is put at 370,000,000 pounds; in crease 46,000,000, or less than 14 per cent Moreover, in giving the figures for 1880, the Economist says that the increase over 1879 is wholly apparent, since the unused stock at the beginning of 1881 was much larger. “In reality,” it adds, “the consumption of wool in England has been no larger in 1880 than in the depressed year of 1870;’’ that is, 321,- 000,000 pounds, or an amount less than was consumed in 1870. On this showing the United States has increased its consumption 90 per cent, while the British industries have been at a stand still. PablUbml on the Ut and uUtofeaeh Mouth BT TUX SOUTHERN WORLD PUBLISHING CO., ATLANTA, GEORGIA. Incorporated—Paid up Capital, $29,000. D. C. BALENTINE, President and Manager T. B. CARTMELL, Secretary and Treasurer. W. G. WHIDBY, Editor. LR NEWMAN,’ J Contributing Editors. TERMS OP SUBSCRIPTION! Oneyear, postage paid, ..... fl.00 Subscriptions can commenos at any time during Sample copies sent tree to all who send ns their address. CIRCULATION, - - 20,000 COPIES. BATES OF ADVERTISING! Legitimate advertisements will be inserted at the following rates; Inside pages, each Insertion, per line - « Sets. Outside page “ “ n “ - - 35 eta. Reading Notices 60 eta. All ad vertlsementa charged by solid Agate measure ment, 14 lines to the Inch. No extra charge for cuts. The Southern Would has the largest circulation and Is the best advertising medium In the Uouth. TO CORRESPONDENTS.—It Is our aim to make the Southern Would a medium for the diffusion of S radical information upon all Agricultural and tecbanlcal subjects, and to this end we Invite com munications upon all rural subjects, experimental results, crop news, domestic economy, etc., and upon topics of Interest to Mechanics, Manufacturers and Miners. Address al letters to SOUTHERN WORLD PUBLISHING CO., Atlanta, Georgia. ATLANTA, GA., DECEMBER 15,1882. Table of Contents. Forty-ninth Paou.-Lexlngton, Va., by W. P. Woolley; Munich Electrical Exhibition; Facts About old Violins. FumAn Paoe.-Agricultural Schools, by C. M. Clay; Georgia Gold Mines; A Voice from Middle Florida; Why Farmers do not Take Agricultural Papers; Practical and Suggestive; Flowing In Green Crops; Crops In Alabama. FiSTY-riBST Paok.—Compost Formulas by R.; In quiry Column—Russian White Oats; Fertilisers for Small Grain; Furman’s Formula; replies by R. Firry-second Paoe.—Crops in Texas; Care of Animals and Rome-made Manures; A Grain of Wheat; Tin In Alabama; Fine Sheep. Firrr-TniRD Pas*^-Poland China Hogs, (with ..illustration) t- Cattle Feeding;' Washed aud Un washed Rutter; Indications of a Good Cow; Corns In Horses. Fifty-fourth Paoe.—Homo Life In Florida by Helen Harcourt. Fifty-fifth PAOE.-Changes of the Climates, by Prof. George R. Cather; Annual Growth of Trees; Advertisements. Fifty-sixth Paox.-Tableof Contents; Agricultu ral Clubs! Kalnlt; Possums and Patriotism; Edi torial Paragraphs. Fifty-seventh PAOK.-Our Round Table; Voice of the People; Sorghum Sugar; Southern World Premiums. Fifty-eiqhtk Paoe.—The Dying Year, (poetry). Bachelor Brindle's Christmas; Recipes. Fifty-ninth PAox.-Fasblon Notes; Health Items by Dr. J. Stalnback Wilson ; Advertisements. Sixtieth Paoe.—The Christmas Time, (poetry); Grandma's Lost Pocket Book, a Christmas Story ; Kitty’s Bate Refuge, (Illustration). SixTY-FtitsT PAOE.-Grandma’s Lost Pocket Book, (Concluded); Child’s Christmas Prayer, (poetry). A Poetical Conundrum; Little Black Eye's Letter! Bixty-Seoond Paoe.—The Markets; Advertise ments. SIXTY-THIRD Paoe. —The Methodist, (poetry); Brother Gardner Puts Down his Foot; Bpring Over coats ; The Oar-Driver's Theory; Advertisements. Bixty-fourth Paoe.—Advertisements. The Kentucky Military Institute New* asks the momentous question: “ Was man made for his stomach 7 or was the stomach made for manT” It pointedly says: “Prob ably more make shipwreck of rational hopes right at this point than at any other. Then when dyspepsia of mind and stomach come, we find fault with all and everything as if we were the special sport of the hatred of our race while all the trouble, is our enslave ment of ourselves by our stomachs. Begin early to train for the mastery of your stom- achs.” The Southern World has shown an inter est in the agricultural affairs of our country which should be appreciated by our live farmers, and we hope to see its circulation increase rapidly. It Is one of the best agri cultural journals in this or any other State, and is published at the remarkably low price of $1.00 a year.—DeKalb (Ga.) News. The third annual session of the American Agricultural Association was held at Chica go on the 12th, 13th and 14th inst. The at tendance was fair and the proceedings of great interest. Sidney Root, of Atlanta, was elected Vice-President from Georgia. The season has impressed our readers doubtless, with the frequency and sudden ness of the changes of the climate in our geo- tion. Prof. George R. Cather contributes an excellent article on that subject. Merry Christmas to all the readers of The Southern World. Farmers will read with interest the article on “Compost Formulas.” The American Agricultural Association should thrive now, as it took root in Chi cago. Cannot every reader of The Southern World send us a new year’s gift of one new subscriber ? Of 140,000 known species of plants, a man eats only 300, and leaves 139,700 to the doc tors to make medicine. Our gifted contributor, Hon. Cassius M. Clay, of Kentucky, discusses agricultural schools with gloves off. Great is the force of habit, and great are the excellence, variety and popularity of the Esterbrook Steel Pens. M. H. Zellner, a practical farmer of Ala bama, gives some valuable suggestions to his brother farmers on the subject of taking agricultural journals. The “Health Items” from the pen of Dr. J. Stainback Wilson, will be found valuable, coming as they do from a physician of stand ing. The present year has been signalized by glorious crops. Let every farmer see next year if he can solve the problem of how much an acre of land is capable of produc ing. 1882 is fading from sight and 1883 will soon be in view. Forget the sorrows and troubles of the one, and nerve yourself for the duties, the responsibilities and the possibilities of the other. Begin the new year with an earnest resolve to meet every obligation as a man and citi zen honestly and promptly. It is to your interest as well as your duty to take the best paper, and therefore begin the year by sub scribing for The Southern World. The advertisement of Messrs. Duhme & Co., of Cincinnati, appears on the fifty-ninth page of this paper. This firm is entirely trustworthy, and orders for watches, jewelry or silverware sent to them are sure of giving satisfaction in the goods returned. AGRICULTURAL CLUBS. We know that there is a deep-seated preju dice against “book-farming” as it is called, and yet we would call the special attention of our agricultural readers to the succinct report of the Central Farmers’ Club of De- Kalb county, Georgia, which appears else where. Read it carefully and note the points in farm economy brought out. The mem bers are all farmers and discuss matters in a friendly and colloquial way, each giving his views freely and fully for the benefit of all. It is not “book-farming” in the slightest degree. It is the result of the brain and brawn of farmers; the result of their experi ence told by themselves in a plain, unvarn ished way. That these clubs are beneficial cannot be doubted. Look at the practical results in DeKalb county as evidenced by well-authen ticated reports! What has been done in that county can be done in every county in the South. Let our farming friends then form Agricultural Clnbs in every county, have meetings regularly, discuss questions of practical interest, bring out the experience hf members, and the results achieved by them. An agricultural journal is valuable as it is suggestive; it furnishes the precept, the farmers supply the example. Farmers should not be so selfish as to “hide their light under a bushelhence their views and experiences as detailed in these club meetings should be given to the public in a shape somewhat like that in which the meeting of the Central Farmers’ Club is given. Of course it Is wise and proper for this report to appear in the columns of their county paper (for we would have them encouraged and sustained,) so that all their neighbors in the county can be benefltted by their experience if they will, and in an agricultural journal of wide circu lation so that what is practical in these re ports can be utilized by every farmer in the South. These meetings might be made ex tremely pleasant and social it a basket din ner is added to it. What we need are the views and experlencen of praotlcal farmers and not mere theories. We yrant fact and not fancy.