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THE 808-WHITE QUAIL, OR PARTRIDGE, And Its Value to Mankind By HERBERT L. STODDARD (This is the third of a series of stories by Mr. Herbert L. Stoddard on the “Bob-White, Its Habits, Pres ervation and Increase,” which will appear regularly each week in The News. These articles are sponsored by the Georgia Department of Game and Fish, and at their conclusion that Department will publish and distribute a pamphlet containing the entire series.) The bobwhite quail, or partridge, has a varied diet which includes a wide/ variiety of both animal and vegetable matter; in this article we will consider only that portion of the diet furnished by weeds, grasses and other ground growth, reserving the discussion of the insects, fruits and “mast” from trees for later articles of the series. Even with this division of the subject only a few of the most important items of diet can be mentioned. While quail are fond of cowpeas, soybeans, corn, millet, sorghum, wheat and other cultivated small grains, the greatest portion of such grains eaten are gleaned from the fields after harvest, and seldom is appreciable damage done to newly planted grains or to the growing crops. And even in country where much small grain is grown, the great bulk of the food of the quail is made up of the seeds of despised weeds and grasses that grow in the crops, or from wild plants of fallow or uncultivated ground. For instance wheat stubble is justly famous quail ground jp many cases, but the ragweed that volun teers in the stubble is of vastly greater importance to the quail than the wheat itself. The same is true of the cornfield. Small weedy corn fields, such as are common in south Georgia and Florida are recognized as about the most favorable of all quail range. This is not primarily because of the corn however, but to the weeds and grasses that mature heavy crops of rich seeds after {the corn is “laid by.” Bull, or water grass, an abundant and heavy seed ing Paspalum of rich, low spots in cornfields furnishes one of the most important of all foods of growing quail in late summer and fall, and of the mature birds later in .the year, while Florida beggarweed, which volunteers luxuriantly in many southern corn fields that are planted and “laid by” early, has no known superior as a quail food of winter and early spring. Other valuable foods of the weedy corn fields are ragweed, pigweed, rough button weed, Mexican clover, or “pursley’ and various grasses, weeds, morning glories and others too numerous to mention. Quail are very fond of a variety of green food and eat the tender green leaves of the sorrels, clover and other succulent plants; a form of food essential to their health. As a group the Legumes are ot outstanding importance to quail, and many species grow in open wood lands, around field borders and gul leys and elsewhere. Os these le gumes the beggarweeds (fifteen or more native perennial species) and the lespedezas, or bush clovers (four or more native perennial species and the introduced Japan clover) are of great importance as they furnish reliable, preferred and whole some food, especially during the cold months. Many species of small wild beans such as the downy milk pea, butter fly pea, hog peanut and others grow in partly shaded situations in open pimflandls, the small gray marked bean furnishes a preferred food of quail. Two kinds of partridge pea (Chamaecrista) are abundant in open woodlands and fallow fields all over the South. The hard, flat, black seeds furnish one of the most important of all winter quail foods. Like in the case of native wild le gumes, partridge pea is most abund ant on lands that are burned over in winter. Many measures may be taken on the average farm to increase or im prove the food for quail, and help to bring about an increase in their numbers. Small hard cowpeas, and Florida beggarweed can be planted in corn at the time of the last culti vation, especially in the outside rows near thicket clover, which will im prove conditions for the game. In case Japan clover is not widely distributed on the farm, seed can be broadcast in March around gul leys and washes, on roadsides, and like situations. Once started, Japan closer volunteers year after year unless killed out by burning the land over after the seed germinates m late February or March. When harvesting small grain a few rows on the outside near cover may be advantageously left for the birds. On game preserves, where the largest possible surplus of quail is desired, small patches of Florida beg garweed, Japan clover, millet, cow peas, soybeans, sorghum and other small grains are frequently planted especially for the birds, but this is seldom really necessary where “old fashioned” farming still prevails. It is evident from the foreging that while quail are an ally of the farmer in his -fight against insects and weeds, they would disappear if the battle were won, and the weeds especially are desirable where quail are highly regarded as a supple mentary farm crop. After all, weeds are just as necessary for quail as are grains for man and his do mesticated animals. HISTORICAL DATA -OF- EARLY COUNTY (At various times data will ap pear in this column that will be of interest to the citizens of Early county. Every one who is in pos session of items that should go into the History of Early County will please send same to Dr. J. G. Stan difer, the County Historian.) The following taken from Histor ical Collections of Georgia, now long out of print, gives this summary of Early county: Laid out in 1818, part set off to Decatur in 1823; part set off to Ba ker in 1825, organized in 1825 and named for Governor Peter Early. The census of 1850 gave Early county 656 dwellings, 656 families, 1907 white males, 1807 white fe males, 1 free colored male. Total free population, 3,717. The census further records that there were 3,529 slaves, 55 deaths, 367 farms, 11 manufacturing establishments. Value of real estate, $757,005; val ue of personal estate, $2,067,717. The Chattahoochee is the chief stream. Various creeks water the county. The face of the country is gently undulating, almost without an ele vation worthy of being called a hill, and two-thirds covered with forests of the tallest long-leaf pine. This section of the county, except in the lime-land valleys, is decidedly healthy. There »are no diseases peculiar to the country. Among the original settlers of this county were: Isham Sheffield, West Sheffield, Arthur Sheffield, James Bush, John Hays, Joseph and Richard Grimsley, Richard Spann, Frederick Porter, Joseph Boles, John Roe, Abner Jones, Nathaniel Wea ver, James Jones, Solomon V. Wil son, John Dill, Alexander Watson, James Carr, John Tilley, William Hendrick, John Floyd, D. Roberts, Andrew Burch, B. Collier, J. Fowler, Martin Wood, George Mercier, Wil liam Dickson, A. Hays, James Brant ley, E. Hays. Blakely is the county town, named after Captain Blakely, of the Navy. It is 180 miles from Milledgeville. Fort Gaines is on a high bluff of the Chattahoochee and is a place of considerable business. It derived its name from a fort built against the Indians in 1816 by order of General Gaines. . Six miles north of Blakely, on Little Colomokee creek, at the plantation of Judge Mercier, are some ancient earthen works. In Pickett’s History of Alabama and Georgia, they are thus described: “The large sacrificial mound, sev enty feet high, and six hundred feet in circumference, is covered with large forest trees from four to five hundred years old. A shaft has been sunk in the center to the depth of sixty feet and at its lower portion, a bed of human bones, five feet in thickness and in a perfectly decom posed state, was passed. “There are two more smaller mounds, which, like the former, have earth stones in the summit, with charred wood around them, which would show that they, too, were used for sacrifices. “There is a wall of earth sur rounding the three larger mounds. There are also four other mounds Will Fire Rob You Os Your Home? Because you waul your savings secure you put them in a sound hank. For the same reason your equity in your home and business should be protected against loss by fire. Make your property safe by building, repairing or improving it with fire re sistive materials; remove all rubbish, avoid careless habits AND INSURE ADEQUATELY! FRED H. BROOKS BLAKELY, GA. R. O. WATERS BLAKELY, GA. R. H. STUCKEY, JR. BLAKELY, GA. MRS. W. R. STEWART BLAKELY, GA. J. E. FREEMAN BLAKELY, GA. W. R. PULLEN DAMASCUS, GA. EARLY COUNTY NEWS. BLAKELY, GEORGIA outside of the enclosure. These mounds are some 20 feet high and were probably used as watch towers. “There is an entrance to the en closure between the two joentral watch tower mounds on or near the west side. In the rear of the larger mounds is a creek and from the largest mounds there has been con structed an arched passage, three hundred yards in length, leading to the creek, and probably intended to procure water for religious pur poses.” At the present lime there is only the largest mound, which still re tains its original shape and size. Another smaller mound is directly west dF the large one. There are also traces of a third mound in line with these two. Slight elevations flanking the large mound show where smaller mounds have been. Time and weather have reduced them to mere rolling ground. No trace of the earth wall remains, al though Dr. W. B. Standifer, as a little boy, recalls distinct traces of it. From observations, it has been determined that, at the equinoxes, the sun rises over the center of the largest mound and sets about over where the smaller westerly mound was situated. Therefore, the line was originally due east and west. It is supposed that this series of mounds, one of the largest in Geor gia, was built by pre-historic peo ple who were sun-worshipers. The Indians, however, appropriated them as a camping ground and general rendezvous in their treks north and south. Arrow heads and much pottery of many shapes and designs, denoting several different tribes, have been found, especially at the western part of the former enclos ure. It is believed that the mounds were built by vast numbers of men carrying the dirt in baskets on their heads. It must have taken them several years to erect these mounds. WEEK END EXCURSION FARES Between All Points Within The Southeast Fare and one-fifth for round trip tickets on sale Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. Good returning Tuesday. Travel safely, comfortably, lux uriously. Ask any agent or representative. Central of Georgia Railway, The Right Way. CITATION. GEORGIA —Early County: Whereas, T. P. Clemons, Execu tor of Last Will of William J. Clem ons, represents to the Court in his petition, duly filed and entered on record, that he has fully administer ed William J. Clemons’ estate: This is therefore to cite all persons con cerned, kindred and creditors, to show cause, if any they can, why said Executor should not be dis charged from his administration, and receive letters of dismission on the first Monday in July, 1931. H. H. GRIMSLEY, Ordinary. 6 6 6 LIQUID OR TABLETS Relieves a Headache or Neuralgia in 30 minutes, checks a Cold the first day, and checks Malaria in 3 days. 66 6 Salve for Baby’s Cold GA.-ALA. LEAGUE OFFICIAL SCHEDULE FIRST HALF Thursday, June 18 Blakely at Colquit. Arlington at Cuthbert. Donalsonville at Columbia. Tuesday, June 23 Blakely at Columbia. Cuthbert at Donalsonville. Colquitt at Arlington. Thursday, June 25 Columbia at Blakely. Donalsonville at Cuthbert. Arlington at Colquitt. Tuesday, June 30 Arlington at Blakely. Cuthbert at Columbia. Donalsonville at Colquitt. Thursday, July 2 Blakely at Arlington. Columbia at Cuthbert. Colquitt at Donalsonville. SECOND HALF Tuesday, July 7 Blakely at Donalsonville. Colquitt at Cuthbert. Columbia at Arlington. Thursday, July 9 Donalsonville at Blakely. Cuthbert at Colquitt. Arlington at Columbia. Tuesday, July 14 Cuthbert at Blakely. Arlington at Colquitt. Donalsonville at Columbia. Thursday, July 16 Blakely at Cuthbert. Colquitt at Arlington. Columbia at Donalsonville. Tuesday, July 21 Arlington at Blakely. Colquitt at Columbia. Donalsonville at Cuthbert. Thursday, July 23 Blakely at Arlington. Columbia at Colquitt. Cuthbert at Donalsonville. Tuesday, July 28 Blakely at Colquitt. Columbia at Cuthbert. Donalsonville at Arlington. Thursday, July 30 Colquitt at Blakely. Cuthbert at Columbia. Arlington at Donalsonville. Tuesday, August 4 Columbia at Blakely. Cuthbert at Arlington. Colquitt at Donalsonville. Thursday, August 6 Blakely at Columbia. Arlington at Cuthbert. Donalsonville at Colquitt. BLAKELY CHAPTER 44 R. A. M. Blakely Chapter 44 Royal Arch Masons meets on the second and fourth Monday nights of each month at 8 o’clock. Visiting companions invited. W. T. Bodenhamer High Priest. J. G. STANDIFER, Secretary. O/ Flag Day By Ted Brown ' i 74 '' ■ w, w Jordan’s Market P ?% E Free Delivery Fishing Time = For your fishing trip you will find a large variety of Cold Meats, Sandwich Spreads, Fruits, Etc. In fact, anything you need to make your trip a success. SOME HAPPENINGS IN BLAKELY A QUARTER OF A CENTURY AGO Clippings from the Early County News of June 14th, 1906. MISS LUCILE SKINNER is visit ing relatives in Albany. MR. O. J. ENGLISH was over from Dothan last Sunday. REV. B. W. DAVIS is on a trip to Camilla and Savannah. MISS BLANCHE HAYNES is vis iting relatives in Attapulgus. MISS JETTA WOMACK is visit ing in Milledgeville and Atlanta. MR. E. A. EVANS, of Jakin, has been a visitor in Blakely this week. MR. BYRD ODUM and family, of Albany, are visiting Mrs. W. C. Odum. MISS NELLIE BUTLER, of Whig ham, is the guest of Mrs. Clara Butler. MISS ANNIE HALL, of Mont gomery, is visiting her brother, Mr. W. A. HALL. DR. W. H. ALEXANDER has sold his automobile to Mr. C. H. Baugh man," of Cedar Springs. AMONG the graduates from An drew Female College last week was Miss Eva Hill Johnson, of Blakely. JAMES & CHANCY again occu py two full pages telling of their “Gigantic $40,000 Stock Sale.” MISS KATHLEEN ODUM has re turned from a visit to Pelham. While there she was maid of honor in the Baggs-Parker marriage. MRS. JULIAN PERRY has sold her house on Liberty street to Mr. W. F. Johnson, the jeweler, who will move his family to Blakely. NEWS FROM ROUTE 5, by Dan Tucker, tells us: “Mr. J. B. Sirmons was over to Sardis Sunday.” “Mr. E. B. Hudspeth visited at Cedar Springs last week.” “Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Sirmons, of Rock Hill, were the guests of Mr. and 'Mrs. T. J. Wolfe last Sunday.” TUESDAY, June 12, 1906, will be a day long remembered in this sec tion of the country because of the severe wind and rain storm which swept over the country. Much dam age was done by the wind as well as the rain. Mill dams were washed away. One little boy was killed. Judge Creel, the weather observer, reports a rainfall of 7 inches. MISS NANNIE LOU DAVIS is up from Valdosta on a visit to friends. MESSRS. R. T. Williams, Tom Jones, R. C. Folsom and John Ken ney have gone to Bonifay, Fla., to work on the new court house there. DR. STAFFORD RAMBO, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is up on a visit to relatives in Bluffton. He and Mr. Marvin Rambo were in Blakely last Saturday. MR. JACK STANDIFER returned from Staunton, Va., last Saturday, where he has been attending the Staunton Military Academy for the past year. TEACHERS have been elected for the Blakely Institute for next year as follows: Co-Principals, L. J. Fowler and W. R. Lanier (Dublin), Bth, 9th and 10th grades; Miss Mag gie Whitaker will teach the 6th and 7th grades; Miss Nettie Hilton will teach the 4th and sth grades. The teachers for the Ist, 2nd and 3rd grades have not been elected. BLAKELY lost three games the past week to Florala. Monday, 9-8. Fred Miller pitched for Florala and Emmett Irwin for Blakely. Tues day’s game was rained out, but Wed nesday morning the score was 8-3. McLeod pitched for Florala and Curt Williams for Blakely. The aft ernoon game went 6-5. Jones and Hall for Florala; Irwin and Under wood for Blakely. ROUTE 4 NEWS, by White Rose, says: “Messrs. J. W. and J. T. An derson went to Blakely Thursday.” “Messrs. Swann Brunson and Moses Freeman were here Sunday.” “Mr. Wilk Roberts and Mr. Jerry Shaw, of Elmo, were in our burg Sunday.” “Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Strickland, of Centerville, were visitors here Sun day.” “Misses Mary and Clyde Harris, of Lucile, visited Miss Mat tie Anderson this week.” HILTON ROUTE 1 DOTS, by [Kid, says: “Mrs. Joe Ritchie was in : Cedar Springs Sunday.” “Miss Lau ra Wiley visited little Miss Edna Reed Sunday.” “Miss Eula Lane is visiting relatives in Blakely this ! week.” “Mr. J. W. Lii.'dsey, of ■ Blakely, was in Hilton Monday.” “Mrs. Mattie Chambers, of Blakely, is visiting relatives here this week.” “Eugene Martin and sister, Miss Lorena, visited in Sardis Sunday.”