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THE MONROE ADVERTISER VOL. XLII. NO. 22. II m A M IjJpri TrQuJ^ \ 1 CoftR'OMT <m Talk is Cheap, but not in the language that our clothing speaks for us. Each suit that we sell a man is strongest sort of argument in its favor, and those who wear our clothes are backing up these arguments every day. That’s the kind of talk that’s never cheap. We have an immense stock of Spring Clothing, custom made, to select from. Our stock of CICILIANS, SERGES, ALPACAS, LINEN and DUCK SUITS, cannot be excelled in quality and price in middle Georgia. BENSON & TODD, 408 Third St. Macon, Ga. SUMMER GOODS REFRIGERATORS, “Wisconsin Peerless” the only one scientificaally constructed. Keeps everything without contamination and uses less ice than any other. ICE CREAM FREEZERS “Shepard’s Lightning” the best made. “The Blizzard” also a good one but a little lower in price. OIL AND GAS STOVES “The Brooklyn” blue flame oil stoves. “The Brooklyn” gas stoves and ranges, also wickless blue flame oil stoves, the latest. BABY CARRIAGES “The Hey wood” has a national reputation. We have a big assort¬ ment, all prices. Cushion tires the latest novelty. HAMMOCKS Something entirely new. Stretches head and foot. They can be converted into a reclining chair or a chradle for the baby. BICYCLES Be a “Monte Cristo” and say “The World” is mine. Johnnie Johnson, America’s champion, rides it. The “America” with Truss frame is the strongest bicycle built. Baby Bliss weigns 502 pounds and rides a 24-pound America. The “Oriole” at $47.50 is the best wheel ever offered for the money. GARDEN “The Furniture Man,’’ 173 Cotton Ave., Macon, Ga. ESTABLISHED, 1848. D. A- ALTICK'S SON, Manufacturer of High Grade Buggies, Surries, Phaetons, &c. We claim to build, not the / All we ask is, • CHEAPEST, L a TRIAL but the BEST \ r\y i/i 7 ORDER. for the money. Send for catalogue, and by mentioning this paper we will allow you an EXTRA DISCOUNT. D. A. Altick’s Son, LANCASTER, PElVN. FORSYTH, GA., FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1807. r.Exioic. An epidemic prevailed i:t Plymouth, Pa., and was so violent that the town v as almost decimated — every one tied that could get away, excepting those who heroically determined that duty required their presence to nurse their families and combat the disease. Heroes who light battles and destroy armies, desolate homes and crush na¬ tions are lauded to the skies, but there is another heroism that should never he forgotten, that which stands at the bed side defying danger and death, soothing the sufferer. Such devotion was shown in Plymouth, and the fell destroyer was soon driven hack, and health smiled upon the doomed town once more. bers Having in our official capacity as mem¬ of the Plymouth Hospital Committee been asked to test and prove the effective ness of ma ny different articles to be used as disinfe - jcyants in sickrooms and as pre¬ ventives of infectious fevers, report that oughly Darbys Prophylactic Fluid has been Typhoid thor¬ tested during the recent epidemic in this place. It ved most effi cacious in staying the spread of the lever. F. H. Armstrong, S. M. Davenport, ). 1‘hos. A. Opp, Kerr, O. James M. Lance, Lhe, Jr, Several of the leading merchants of Ply¬ mouth, who had cases of the fever in their families who are personally known to me, used Darbys Prophylactic Fluid, to their entire satisfaction and have giv given the best of testimonials to tha t effect It is a most effective preparation. It should be used in every house as a preventive from Ty phoid F ever, or in any case where a dis infcctant is needed I would recoin mend it to everyone, having had a good oppor¬ tunity to know H. its excellent dualities G- Prindlk. Hospital Steward. MR. NESBITT IN SOUTH GEORGIA Tha Commissioner Writes of His Observations. FARMERS FORGING TO THE FRONT Only on Plantation* Where Tenant* Are Entrusted With the -Matia^ment of Af¬ fairs I* Evidence of Stagnation Noticea¬ ble— Kaining Home - s U|»plie*—Work For the Month Delayed. Department of Agriculture; Atlanta, May 1, 1897. A recent end rather extended visit to the southwestern section of the eta'-o has much encouraged our belief in the advance of Georgia agriculture. Farms, which for years have been given over to broomsedge and briars, are being re¬ claimed, and what were a few years ago trackless pine forests, are now dotted over with neat farm houses and well kept farms. It is only on the larger plantations, where tenants are entrusted with the management or mis¬ management of farm affairs, that one notices the evidence of stagnation. The watchword seems to be “Progress” and farmers as a rule are attaining to a comfort and independence unknown in the years immediately succeeding the war. Of course there are exceptions, but in the main, where men have raised their home supplies and farmed on 6trictly business principles, the reward has been sure and it has not been long delayed. In many cases men who were formerly working for standing wages, or renting a one or two-mule farm, by this “open Sesame” of careful manage¬ ment, and of producing at home all the bread and meat needed to carry on their business, have been enabled to enter on the enjoyment of an independent home life whose equal for comfort and free¬ dom from the rush and struggle of the general business world is not found on the globe. One negro mau, who 13 years ago was hiring at $10.00 a month, today owns a 600-acre farm with com¬ fortable 8-room house and necessary outbuildings, among which is a smoke house containing 800 pounds of home raised meat and cribs stored with corn and forage for the coming year’s de mands. Another man, white, who was once a renter with only a small force at his command, today runs 30 plows and owns hundreds of acres of land. On inquiry we found that the inflexible rule in both cases has been ample pro vision crops and as much cotton as could be well taken care of. In the first case, the man’s own family of boys have helped him to gam . his , . position. ... t In the second, the goal has been reached by a strict adherence to agricultural business principles, coupled with a sagacity, which has enabled the owner to steer clear of speculation and produce his cot ton at a figure several degrees below the selling price. What is in tne land ^ZcT.»Te°a?,| equal pines ana energy. bere °“‘ CrS °' the work for the month has been very much delayed, more especially in the middle and northern sections of the state. The southern sec tions were not visited by the heavy r ains o f the winter and early spring, which the farmers farther north had to contend against, and as a rule work there is very well advanced. On ac oouut of numerous delays farther north, from the constant rains, many farmers were unable to -rive the corn laud the thorough preparation so necessary for a successful crop, and some have simply opened the rows, put in the manure, thrown two furrows on this and planted on the “list. ” Where this is the case, now is the time to give the corn land a thorough and deep breaking out. After this time it will be imposiible to put the plow in close and deep without breaking off some of the delicate, feed¬ ing roots, which begin to extend in every direction not very far from the surface. Where the laud has been thoroughly prepared and is in good condition, the harrow will be found a very effective implement pushing forward effective work. Run diagonally across the rows; it will not hurt the young plants, but will effectually kill the coming crop of grass, and by its rapid work enable the farmer to give his attention to other pressing duties. In the more southern sections of the state the corn crop will soon be ready for the second working. Our object then should be to conserve moisture as well as kill grass and weeds, and this is best accomplished by culti¬ vating as shallow and as flat as possi ble. has Oyer formed, the cotton the harrow beds, where a crust does most effi¬ cient work, and unless the “stand” is very imperfect, does not injure the cot¬ ton. After harrowing allow the plants to remain until they can be brought to a “stand” at the first hoeing. This ob¬ viates the expensive and needless “block¬ ing out” once so extensively practiced. This plan presupposes the land in good condition. On rough or poorly prepared land, resort must be had to the scooter or narrow shovel, using a fender to pre¬ vent the close siding from covering the young cotton and bolting on a half scrape behind the foot of the plow, to cover the young grass in the middles. FORAGE CROPS. All sorts of forage crops may be started this month. Sorghum, about which we have several answers in the inquiry columns, cow peas, Spanish ground peas, miliets, etc. Kaffir corn is attracting considerable attention on Account of its drouth resisting qualities. R. T. Nesbitt-, Commissioner. CONDITION OF THE CROPS. Increase In the (krto i Acreage—Heavy -Haiti* Ueturd Corn Crop. COTTON. The reports from the different sec¬ tions of tbe state wou’d indicate an in¬ crease of from 5 to 10 per cent in the acreage of this crop. Planting from ten to 20 days late. Not enough yet up to indicate the stand. That already up (in the lower portion of the state) look¬ ing badly, from the unusually cool nights. Long continued wet weather all over the state has caused a good deal of fear delay in farming operations, and I that much laud will be planted with but very poor preparation. ; CORN. The acreage is reported as about the same as last year, with preparation not so good. In some counties in South and Southwest Georgia corn has had to be replanted on account of the excessive rainfall, by which many fields were completely drowned out. Too early to estimate the stand. Laud in many cases poorly prepared, because of the time lost by continued rains. OATS. The acreage 10 per cent greater than last year, and the condition very much better. Quite 50 per cent of the oat crop was sowed last fall, and as nearly all of it escaped winter killings, there is a good prospect for a fine crop. wheat. More wheat plauted than for several years past. The crop is reported as looking unusually well, but I feqr it will yet be seriously iujuted by rust, which is reported from several counties in the middle and lower portions of the state. No rust yet reported from North Georgia, where wheat is largely planted. 1 FRUIT. The reports vary very much as re¬ gards peaches, ranging from 10 per cent in some counties up to a full crop in ; others. After a careful study of re¬ ports, I conclude that the shipment of peaches from Georgia this season will be while there will be plenty for home consumption. p The same may / be said of pears . Apples and Krapes p om . i se a full crop. Plums, cherries and strawberries are all more or less injured, but make fair crops, stock. condition an^num^er^ com pares favorably with last year, showing a slight increase. No diseases counties. - CASTORIA. ^ siails s/t?/} l * “ g -s-*;-' s . e e SANDERS & EVANS, Pubs. *5* CTT U -dL **-0 AQ lx. A FORAGE CHOP Preparation, Time of Planting, Fertilizing, Etc. NOT INJURIOUS TO THE LAND Drouth Much Hotter Than Corn. Howto Destroy 'Veevil.s—Valve of Salt and Lime as Kertlltzars—A IMtm to Save Pea Vine Hay—Many Other Inquiries Answered. Question. — I sea that yon advise planting sorghum as a forage crop. Will you please advise me as to prepara¬ tion for, time of planting, fertilizing, feeding etc.? I have raised this crop for syrup, but not for forage; indeed, have always been told that it was dan¬ gerous as a stock food. Answer. —The variety of sorghum to be chosen for a forage crop differs from the syrup making varieties, in that it should be hardy, quick growing and maturing, with abundant seed of soft quality and free from astringency. For this purpose the Amber varieties are extensively used at the south as well as the north and west, but many southern farmers prefer the Orange varieties. These are rather later than the Amber, and are of coarser growth. As a gen¬ eral rule the same preparation should be given to the land as that required for a crop of corn or cotton, If the laud is rough or cloddy it should be smoothed with a harrow and bedded as for cot¬ ton. The seed should be sown much thicker when the crop is intended for forage than where syrup is the object. If planted in drills it should be given about the same cultivation as corn, cul¬ tivating shallow and often. The time of planting should be decided by the season, any time from the middle of April to the middle of May, after the ground is well warmed. The plants grow slowly above ground at first, but the root growth is rapid, and as soon as these are well established the stems be¬ gin to develop very rapidly, and owinpf to their abundant and loug roots the plants resist droutl* more successfully than corn. Thejeutting may begin us soon as the heacra begin to formAbut the best time is when the seeds are half ripe. After the first cutting, if the field is again cultivated, a second, a third and even a fourth cutting may, under favorable conditions, be obtained. Often peas, beans, corn or millet is sown with the sorghum broadcast, and the field may be pastured, or the crop cut for hay. The practice of sowing legumeB, as peas, beans, etc., with the sorghum is a most excellent one because the legumes furnish the muscle making materials, while the sorghum is rich in fat-forming substances, and the two combined make a more perfect feed. Another advantage is that, although the sorghum draws very little upon the nitrogen of the soil, the peas will re¬ place whatever of this element is taken off. This would indicate that a fertil¬ izer running very low in nitrogen, with a full per cent of potash and phosphoric acid, should be selected for this crop.— State Agricultural Department. Sorghum In Severe Drouths —Doos It In¬ jure Laud ? Question. — Does sorghum resist drouth more surely than corn or other forage crops, and is it as injurious to the land as millet? Answer. —Both the sacharine and nonsacharine varieties of sorghum resist drouth much better than corn. This has been proven in those sections of the south and west where severe drouths sometimes occur. The sorghum has been found to remain fresh and green, when the corn was almost ruined. Dry weather may somewhat check its growth, but when the supply of moist¬ ure is renewed it will recover and grow as luxuriantly as ever. This is perhaps owing to its deep feeding roots, which, unlike corn, extend far below the sur¬ face. Owing to this peculiarity it is also less exhaustive on the soil than millet and many other crops, which draw their elements of growth from the upper soil. It is also a small consumer of nitrogen. When planted late, or sown with cowpeas, if it is cut before the seeds ripen and the field plowed as soon as the cr0 P is taken off > the land is left in splendid condition for succeeding crops. Where the canes are lar^e and ~~ - <• «*• — *"■. the crop «. planted for syrup, it is important that this plowing-be deeply and thorough./ done as soon as the crop i 3 harvested, otherwise the stubble might interfere with working other crops. If the cane is sown thickly in drills or broadcast .y, &AKIN* POWDER Absolutely Pure. (Vlobrntod for Its great lonvoningstjvngili an ud healthtuluess. Assures t he food against all mi and all forms of adultertition common to cheap brands. Hoyal Making Powder (’o., New York. for harvesting or pasturing,little trouble in this res»ect is experienced. In all cases it is best, however, to plow the land as soon as the crop is gathered. Experienced farmers know that cotton, small grains and potatoes do well after sorghum.—State Agricultural Depart¬ ment. Sorghum its a I*«*t*ter of Drouth. Question. —I have been informed thqt sorghum is a good resistor of drouth and also a splead.d forage plant, for soiling and for curing botu in the silo and in tbe field. I am thinking of put¬ ting in quite a large area to supplant other food crops, bur as I have had only a limited experience in the usual small “patches” for green feeding and syrup making, would be glad if you would tell me something of the methods if harvesting and curing. Is it sale to rse the second and third growths for any purpose? I have been told that they are very dangerous for feeding to any kind of stock. Answer. —Sorghum is successfully used for soiling, pasturage, hay and en¬ silage. For soiling it is usually sown in drills, and should lie out when the “heads” are forpied. For pasturage the best plan is to sow broadcast, and if peas are $own with it the feeding value of both crops is greatly* increased, th6 peas furnishing the muscle making and the sorghum the fat making elements. The best hay is obtained by cutting tha sorghum soon after it begins to bloom. For ensilage the crop should be cut when the seed is in the “dough.” The usual plan of harvesting the drilled grain is to cut with a scythe, but the mower may be used. In our climate, where there is not much moist¬ ure during the late summer and early fall months, the crop may be cured very successfully. Where sown broad¬ cast cut with the mower, and allow the hay to cure thoroughly, which will re¬ quire more or less time according to the weather, from four to six days usually. It may be then stored in the barn or put into stacks, topped off with coarse grass. The following plan is reconi, mended by the Texas Experiment Sta¬ tion and is an excellent one-: After mowing, allow the sorghum to lie upon the ground sufficiently long t > dry out at the ends of the blades. If the crop is thick it should be turned over upon the ground to expose the bot¬ tom portion of the crop to the sun for a short time; usually one full day’s suu is required to dry it sufficiently to be put into the “cock.” These haycocks may be 5 feet high and 4 in diameter, of the shape of an oldfashioned beehive. All of the hay that is put up in this manner should be well settled as it is laid on the pile. After having con¬ structed it to the proper height, rake the loose sorghum away from the sides, leaving a neat pile of hay that will turn water in case it should rain. Allow it to remain in this shape for two or three days for fermentation to take place, which is evidenced by the “heating” and the deposit of dew upon the inte¬ rior parts of the cock. When thoroughly warm and before the hay loses its natu¬ ral color, open the cock and expose the hay to four or sir hours’ sun, according to the weight of the crop per acre and the size of stacks; then the hay is ready to haul to the barn or be placed in stacks, where it may safely be expected to remain without moulding or heating further. If the hay is allowed to re main in the cocks to ° longl the fermen - tation proceeds too far and the hay sours and tben rots i 11 tbe de ld. If will re main io„ g or in the cook, withoni dam. a 8 e the less of wafer or sap it contains when put up. * * * Use no salt or other applications to preserve the hay. The ba 7 ma 7 be baled safely if given six to ten hours’ sun from the cock, de pending on the size of the s talks.