Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

6 GEORGIA, FLORIDA AND SOUTH CAROLINA. ne:\vs of the three st\tes pi t T VPE. GEOHGI In the Onrroll county Free Press there are the announcement? of nine can<Jl<iates ’for oounty treasurer, four for ordinary, eight for *ax receiver, six for lax collec tor. two for state '•* iat\ two for coroner, ana one for clerk oi Superior Court. BalnbrMge Democrat: Cairo, we le-arn. is to have n sugar manufactory, which will manufacture crude sugar, and this in turn will demand a refinery. Thus do other towns grow and thrivo while we languish for the lack of just such enter prises. Wilkes Juhan, colored, was shot and killed by Henry Brooks, a marshal at Bo cunt Grove, while trying to escape from the officer, who wanted him under?a war rant charging a misdemeanor. The cor oner’s jury declared the killing was “will ful murder.” Brooks has escaped. A communication has been received at Fitzgerald from T. M. Goodman, grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Georgia, 'stating that as the Democratic fvrimaries are to be held on the day the Grand Dodge was to convene there, May 35, he thought the latter would be post- poned a week or two in consequence. It is estimated that more than ten mill ion dollars will bf invested in cotton mills In Georgia this year. The mills already under way in Columbus alone call for an Investment f more than a million dob lars. Then there is the new mil llon-do l lar mid in Gainesville, to say nothing of the smaller plants in a score or more of the towns of Georgia. According to advice received in New York, Payne Strahan Moore, the Georgia girl, who was the central figure in a cel ebrated trial about a year ago, charges being preferred against her by Martin Mahon, a proprietor, tdnee deceased, is now the center of attraction in George Edwards’ “The Messenger Boy.” now ap pearing at the Gaiety Theater in Dondon. Judge E. F. Lawson of Waynesboro, speaking of the race for solicitor of the Augusta circuit, said: “Sentiment in Burke is largely for Mr. Reynolds. Hav ing been born in Burke, his family con nections and influence will eventuate in giving him a large majority. I find after Intercourse with people from all parts of the county that sentiment in his favor is practically unanimous.*' The Travel! rr Prott stive At i-tioi to meet in Macon again this year, the dates being the ]9th, 20th nnd 21st of April. Macon has been preparing for this gath ering for the past year, and the nrnm* •- mente are now complete. The Chamber of Commerce will assist the local post In providing entertainment for the knights of the grip. Several large manufacturing concerns have prepared to give barbecues. A letter written by the late A. H. Kemp, ex-manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, who committed sui cide in Macon Feb. 14, addressed to his wife, was found in o,*ie of the bureau drawers in the room occupied by the de ceased Friday afternoon. Proprietor Hendrix of the Park Hotel made the dis covery while packing the furniture for shipment, tind recognizing tjie handwrit ing had the letter forwarded at once to Mrs. Kemp. The contents are unknown, but it is believed that it may contain an explanation of the suicide. FLORIDA. The lowest estimate of next seasons’ orange crop around Courtenay is 4,500 boxes. The coming summer will find Jackson ville on the greatest building boom in its history. Several large iral estate deals have recently been made, and the agents say that there are now several others which will soon be ijiosed. Starke Herald: Frank Clark is on a “stumping tour” through the state. Clark may fondle the baby, tell the old lady that she is bewitching and admire the hid man’s shoats, but that won’t prevent the old gent from sticking In a vote for R. W. Davis. Jacksonville Metropolis: President Purse of the Savannah Board of Trade read his annual report Wednesday at a meeting of the board, and in reviewing the ujany occurrences of the last year utterly ignored the effectiveness of artil lery punch and chicken salad to accom plish what the Spanish fleet and forts at Manila failed to do—to throw Admiral Dewey. Leesburg Commercial: The heaviest rains of the season visited this section this week. The fall of rain at times was very heavy and some damage has been done to growing crops and newly planted fields. In the flat woods. In the lakes and ponds there has been a very perceptible rise of ■water. The soaked condition of low lands In certain sections will delay planting some. Jim Beasley, the negro accuser} of at- j tempting to bum tlie Macfarlane build- ; ings. corner of Franklin and Bolk streets, Tampa, last Monday night, and also of 1 sealing six pairs of trousers from the tail- | or shep of A. Levin, where the incendiary , tire originated, was before Judge Kmlle ' Whitaker for a iireliminary hearing.Jurlge Whitaker held Beasley for trial in the sum oft 2,000 bail, which he was unable to give. Suwannee Democrat: There is a dog in this place that is fast becoming an in veterate toper. It is but a few months of age, and has taken quite a liking to Mr. T. V. Moose, whom he follows. “Jack." for such is his name, has learned to like ardent spirits very much, and ■whenever the opportunity presents itself he “fills up” and gets on a “jag” the same as any other of the boys who are guilty of such, and whether he enjoys it or not, he appears to, and furnishes considerable amusements by his pranks and antics. The Bryan Democratic flub of Jackson ville will use its utmost endeavors to have a primary election call' and, and if a conven tion is called they will urge the Import -ance of it being called at an early date. There Is one serious question which is al so being considered, and 11 is whether to allow all who will be vo:< rs In the Novem ber election to participate in the selec tion of delegates. The county committee Is said to he very much divided on the latter proposition, but It Is contended that a majority of the members favor an ear ly convention to elect the delegates to the State and Congressional Conventions. sot TH CAHOLIK a. Oen. Wade Hampton was H 2 years old Thursday. He still resides In Columbia, S. C. A commission for a charier has keen is sued to ihe Farmers' Oil Mill of Green wood. The capital stock Is ii,.. corporators arfM S. Halley iv l{ Mays and George H. Taylor. The First National Hank of Orangeburg has received Its certificate of uuthorlty . from the Controller of the t urren y t-> & open Imsipess and ns soon ns eer'Htn , ■ tail! can be uiranged litis new batik will Does your head ache? Fain hack of* youreyes? Bad taste in yourmouth? It’s your liver! Ayer’s Pills are liver pills. They cure constipation, headache, dyspepsia, and all liver complaints. 25c. All druggists. , "nut your InonstachA or hwTnla bu&ulilul brown or riNi black ? Then use I BUCKINGHAM'S DYE Whiskers ) ft' l - <**■._ Of riw<MHT3, on R P Hail A S H, | commence operations. For s me t4pie the movement for the establishment o 4 a na tional bank at Orangeburg has been in operation. The Republicans of the Fifth congress ional district met in convention at Rock Hill on the 27th. All the big lights were here. Joseph Clark was chairman. There was no business transacted except the election of delegates to the National Con vention. They are as follows: John F. Jones of Blacksburg, W. K. Boykin of Camden; alternates, J. S. Atkinson of Chester, F. R. (Massey of Lancaster. In the office of the state superintendent of education preparations are being mad? for the snmmer schools for teachers, which will be held on the same plan as last year. The state school will open on July 17, oas not to conflict with ih<? meeting of the National Educational Asso ciation-fit Charleston, which closes on July 13. Prof. Pattlson of the Chicago Art In stitute has consented to teach drawing again. Mr. WV H. Fienniken of Winnsboro, rep resenting Alex Sprunt & Sons of Wil mington, has Within the last ten days made two large purchases of cotton in Newberry and Union. These two transac tions covered over $200,000, and Were made through the Winnsboro bank. The priefe paid was cents, and put in the pockets of the sellers some $75,000 more than a sale In the early part of the season would have done. Greenville News: A telegram received here yesterday announced that tjie Su preme Court has decided the case of the city of Gaffney against the Gaffney Cotton Mills, involving $16,500 in back taxes in fa vor of the mills. Inasmuch as a similar case was recently decided by the same tribunal against the Da urena Cotton Mils i/i favor of the town of Laurens it is pre sumed that the Gaffney # ca-e was decided upon a technicality, the defense putting up the plea that there had never been an as sessment against the property. DEATH OF MRS. H. E. WILLIAMS. $ Brantley Wns nl Wap-proa*—Ollier News From That I'll)’, Waycross, Ga., April I.—One of the sad dest deaths occurring here in a long time, wa® when Mrs. H. E. William® died at 3 o'clock yesterday morning. For six weeks she had made a battle for life, oc casionally rallying so that a spark of hope would encourage her husband and loved ones. She was the wife of Hugh E. Will iams, ticket agent of the Plant System. Mrs. Williams was formerly Miss Ger trude Maupus of Wrightsville,' a member of one of the best fumilies in Johnson county. Her sister, Mrs. Kent, and her brother, Joe Maupus, are here now. Only a few days ago her little baby went to jqin the angels, preceding the Christian mother. * I Hon. W. G. Brantley, congressman from ! the Eleventh district, is in the city, in ; conference with Hon. J. C. McDonald, | chairman of the Democratic Executive j Committee of the district. J. Riley Strickland of Patterson, is | erecting a saw mill near the Cason bridge in this county. ! The Waycross Rifles are drilling two i nights out of each week, preparatory to their trip to Albany, when the Chautau ! qua assembles. About twenty new mem ! bers have: been enlisted recently. | The houses of Jesse Williston and John ! Merritt, both colored, were burned in. | “Old Nine" last night. j With reference to the colored !>a!l and cakewalk that was given here last week the .statement was made that it broke up in a row, in which razors were used. Tile name of Prof. Snelson was also mention ed in connection with-the difficulty. The information, it is s*nu. turns out not to have been correct. There was no row in which razors were used, nor was Prof. Snelson involved in any difficulty. CRIMINAL CASES ON TRIAL. Dennis Paulk Charged With Murder. Other Douglas News. Douglds, Ga., April I.—State School Commissioner Glenn on Friday delivered an address at the Institute building in the interests of education. James Kornegay, a colored hack driver, shot and killed Tom Bonie, colored, at Dr. Cockrell's place, eleven miles out Friday, for no just cause. It is Ihe same old story —a woman at the bottom of it. Yulin C. Killebrew, a sewing machine agent, was found guilty in the Supreme Court Friday, of larceny after trust, and sentenced to pay a fine of $l5O and costs, or serve twelve months. The* case of D. O. Taylor, assault with intent to murder, resulted in a mistrial. Rosa Beil, Bill Beil and Llze Collier, as sault with intent to murder—verdict, not guilty. L. C. Crosby, bigamy, discharged by demand. Dennis Paulk is now on trial for the murder of Marion Floyd. One and a half days was consumed in securing a Jury, 121 names being exhausted before the panel was secured. Paulk has a host of wealthy and influant'al relatives in the county. His beautiful young wife and two little children sit with him thioughoul the trial. 9' —M. Guillaume of the International Bu reau of Weights and Measures at Paris has succeeded in obtaining a nlckd-steel alloy wllh on exceedingly low coefficient of expansion. In his experiments a sK-et rod 1,000 millimetres In length expanded 1.085 millimetres on heating to 100 degrees centi grade. When alloyed with nickel, the ex pansion grows greater wllh a maximum ai 24 per cent, of nickel. Increns ng <Ho amount of nickel from this ]>olnt, the ex pansion becomes less, amounting to but .0877 millimetres In the r use of an alloy of 35.7 purls nickel and 84.3 parts steel, which is one-twellth that of steel, or one-eighth • hut of iridium, which heretofore |n>- esecl the lowest expansion. With a grealer amount of nickel, th* expansion again Increases. w. F. HAMILTON, Artesian Well Contractor, OCALA. FLA. Am prepared to drill wells up to „y depth- h c us 1 llrst-chiHH machinery, cj,ij do work cm short nutlcu and guarantee rails faction. THE MORNING NEWS: MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1000. THE FARM AND THE GARDEN. MATTERS OF INTEREST TO Atißl <T I/It HIST NND HOI SEW I EE. Tlio llimy Month of April, and the Work to He Done— Prepnrlnir the I.iiikl for Heeding:—Garden Work for the Month—**A Crop Well Put in In Half Made," There is no busier month than April, both in the garden and on the farm. Neith er the farmer nor the gardener can afford to love a single day. The days ar hard y long enough to allow of doing all the de sired work of the day. Still the stesdy going worker can do all that is proper, if he is supplied with the best implements of work. It does- not take many days for a farmer or gardener to plant a good deal more than he is able to cultivate well and that is a serious failing all over the South —planting a larger area than can be prop erly cared for afterwards. It is the gcoi farmer, the intelligent farmer, who finds use for much extra labor at this season and all along during the year, in fact, for the reason that one can plant in a few days as much land as a half dozen can cultivate and gather afterwards. Preparing the Land for Seeding.—rt is an old saying that a crop properly put in is half made. It certainly pays to have a, good seed bed—land deeply plowed wher ever necessary and well pulverized. The roller is a very essential implement in the South for putting in crops just right, both in garden and field. Most of our soils are light naturally and these, after being deep ly plowed, require a certain amount of "firming” after the seeds have been placed in ihe soil. -And then any soil that has any undecomposed vegetable matter in it is sure to be too open and porous for the best growth of plants unless re*firmed, and this can be done to the best advantage only with a toller. It is not always necoseary that the whole surface be rolled, but it is desirable to roll at least to the extent of a foot or two along the seed rows. A garden roller one foot wide will firm the soil six inches on each side of the seeds and this foiling will secure prompt germination of however dry the soil may be in the spring To that width the clods will be all and the pulverized surface will allow of the absorption of the dew to an apprecia ble extent. For certain crops, where the seeds ate dropped in hills, such as corn, beans, squashes, melons, cucumbers, etc., the foot may be used to firm the soil over the seed even better than the ordinary roll r. For twenty-five years we have never fail ed to secure perfect stands of all the*e crops and with the very smallest quantity of seeds as the result of learning the true value of the foot of the planter. It is only a question of good seeds when this plan is followed of having perfect stands. “A Crop Well l*ut In In Hnlf Made.** Perhaps there is no proverb relating to farm work that expresses a truth more forcibly than the one that says a crop w’ell planted is half made. It is a pity that it is not better appre ciated by our farmers. Everywhere in our Southern farming we ece the most careless methods prevailing. The ma jority of our farmers do not seem to un derstand that a good mechanical condi tion of the soil bears a closer relation to successful results usually than a mere moderate application of manure. Very rich soil, it is true, may produce large crops without regard to preparation or manipulation, but that is no reason why it should not have produced still lajrger if both conditions operated together—rich ness of soil with perfect preparation of it. Since the days of Jethro Tull, who was one of the earliest to testify to its value, many intelligent cultivators have appre ciated and borne testimony to the fact that a thorough pulverization of the soil to a depth of five or six inches just prior to planting the crops and then cul tivating the crop afterward In such a manner as to keep the surface pulver ized could be made equivalent to a very liberal application of fertilizers. In other words, thorough preparation of the soil with intense cultivation without manure, would produce more profitable results than poorly prepared soil and inferior cultivation would, even with the liberal application of manure. It is not to be doubted that In no sec tion of the civilized world is so little re gard paid to the preparation of the soil before plating a crop as there is here in our own South country. So the soil is given the appearance of having been broken up a few inches deep is all that is necessary for the beginning of planting Operations. It may be left ever so rough and cloddy and there may he hundreds of square feet of unbroken soil concealed by loose soil that the plow threw over it. as the hasty plowman gave the plow a flirt id clean it of accumulated debris, hut to the average farmer it is all suffi cient preparation to secure the maximum of his expectations—ten bushels of corn or 166 pounds of lint cotton. Let him bless the Lord his expectations are no greater. There is a great deal of money expend ed upon fertilizers, much of which is of a very doubtful character. If one-half of this were spent in putting the soil in "apple-pie” condition to receive the seeds there would he a. vast difference in the resulting crops, and until we come to realize more fully the great advantage of growing our own manure right on the ground and then fitting the soil by a thorough fining of it, according to the principles of Tull, we will never know how profitable cultivating tbe soil can be made to be. A crop well put in is cer tainly half made. Garden work for the month consists chiefly of starting the tender crons that could not be put out earlier. Tomatoes, pepper, egg plan), squashes, melons, cucumbers should be put out as soon as possible. Above the 3nth parallel of latitude we have froat now and then severe enough during April to kill or seriously Injure all of these crops, but it is rarely the case that plant ings after the 10th of the month are In jured. The first transplanting of sweet potatoes should be made toward the last of the month. Tlie Pencil Borer. The peaeh tree borer is an Insect enemy which needs looking after very carefully during the next two months, says Dr. "W. L. Jones. The mature moth will begin to come out in April, and It is very import ant to kill the borer before It develops Into the moth, for the latter will lay a great many eggs and thus multiply very rapidly. The moth continues to appear through Ihe summer, and the destruction of Ihe borer should go on through, Ihe whole warm season, nut the most vigor ous action Is called for In the spring and early summer. The moth In general ap pearance resembles a wasp a good deal It Is steel blue, with some yellow hands But little can be done In attacking the moth Itself, the successful attacks are to be mad® on Ihe borer Rself, and on th* pupa or transition stage between the borer and the moth. These pupae will he found near or at the surface of the ground near the laxly of the lr,< The pupa Is incaaed In a rather rough looking ,’asing about in Inch long. It Is very ImpoMnnt to dislroy these, as they soon develop into the egg-laying moth. Avery extended c-1 rles of experiment?, running through four year?, at Cornell Experiment Station, in dicate that the moat effective means of fighting' the borer are cutting it out, de stroying the pupae, mounding up the trees,, protecting them with tarred patter and pulling on a wash of gas tar. The last tijree should be applied by April 1. as they ore Intended to prevent the moth from laying its eggs on the tree, and the moths begin their laying in April. There is no marked difference in the efficacy of the several preventives meniione,L None of them are absolutely perfect. The gas tar has been reported by some to be injurious to trees, but was not so in the slightest degree in the Cornell experiment. It may be well, however, to test it on a few trees before employing it largely. After a tree has been established for one year 11 i? thought there is no danger whatever from It. Tlic Home and Habit of Cassava. A The following is contributed to a Flor.d.t paper by D. R. Pillsbury: "La Mandioca, Manihot utilisslma, fam ily Euphorbiacea. is a vigorous semi-her biferous plant, native in Paraguay and Brazil, having a fusiform tuber res ; mbling the roots of a dahlia. The stem is erect, simple, cylindrical, of tjuish color and from two to three meters high; leaves palmate with from three to seven lobes, which resemble in form the body of a guitar; green on the upper surface and ash-colored beneath; flowers, masculine and feminine, in corymbs at the ends of the*branchee, small, greenish yellow. The fruit is a capsule of a centimeter and a 'half diameter, slightly rough, ash-colored, with small reddish-colored spots. “There is a sa.ving that the potato is the tuber of temperate countries, the sweet potato of warm countries, and the mandi oca of torrid zones. “It forms the base of the alimentation of the 11,000,000 inhabitants of Brazil, and is as agreeable a food as the potato or sweet potato; many persons even prefer it to eitOier. It has the great advantage of be ing capable of transformation into a fool material, healthy and nutritious. “The farina, which will keep indefinitely, is easily transported, and is in general use in this country. “JSandioca grows wild and is sad to fcro&per in all parts of Brazil; nevertheless, the plant prefers a loose, fertile soil, more moist than dry, and deeply worked. The planting season is in spring, in the follow ing manner: After the earth has been well worked and pulverized, it is leveled with the harrow and parallel furrows a meter apart are traced and crossed in the opposite direction at the same distance apart, as is advised for sweet potato cul ture on a larger sca’.e. .The mandioca reproduces from cuttings. The shoots wtofch give the best results are those from twelve to eighteen months old. Cuttings for planting should be from nine inches to one foot long. Place the cutting at the intersections of the fur rows, with the assembled buds facing the center. When started it is necessary to revise the rows, replenish the missing plants, and If a setting has more than 'one shoot keep the most vigorous and de stroy. the rest. Moreover, it is necessary to begin to cultivate early, the first work ing having a groat influence cn the har vest. It should be done with great care; a second cultivation should be given if weeds invade. Generally tw r o are suf ficient, but if the soil be very rich a third weeding may be given, taking care not to disturb the tubers which are now partly grown and scattered about beneath the surface. Some varieties of mandioca suit able to the soil will remain unaltered for three or more years, while others after two years begin to suffer decomposition. Although the tubers can be used at six 'months, experienced cultivators admit ithat as a rule no manioc, to obtain best 'result, should be used before ten or eigh teen months from planting. In Brazil, the harvest Is after three years. For digging a hce or plow is used; with either method vigilance must he used or many tubers will be left in the earth. Preparations of farina and tapioca, ex tractions of starch and alcohol. Mandi oca is consumed in many different ways. Roiled in water, taking the place of bread much more fully than the |>otato. nnd in different culinary preparations it can be employed! inhere neither potato nor sw-eet potato can be used; and, as has been dis covered. It can be transformed into farina and tapioca. Following is the mode of preparation In use In Brazil: The motor is a wheel buckets with y-ertical axis which utilizes about one-tenth of the water power. To the axis is fixed a grater. This grater is a species of drum formed of slats, bearing teeth riveted in. To prepare the roots each one is push ed against the grater, a bag receives the pulp which is pressed with a lever or screw’; it is moistened and pressed again. The pulp is constantly agitated in a flat bottomed drying pan over a fire. The wa ter obtained from the press contains starch, which is made into tapioca. To prepare this starch for commerce throw it into a well-heated copper cask. To realize anything from this Industry it must be done on a large scale with a I central factory, and with modern machin- I ery. such as is used in Europe, and the cultivation consigned to small farmers, j who sell their crop for half the cost of producing the farina. tlrnpe Growing. No line of horticultural work has given more general satisfaction during the past quarter of a century than grape growing, says the Homestead. The grape used to ba a great luxury. The time is not far distant when, during the grape season, almost every child wished it could have, for once, all the grapes it wanted. Owing to un equal distribution there are still some sec tions where grapes are a rarity, but the quantity annually grown has become very largo In the aggregate and they are han dled and sold by thousands of carloads. Heavy planting twelve or fifteen years ago resulted in over-production of the grape In places, and this caused low prices which were followed, very naturally, by discouragement and nqslect. Last winter there was a general freeze out, whi-h put an end for ths time to any very ex tensive production. The misfortune that has befallen grape growing Is not yet realized, nor will it be until several sea sons of scarcity have passed and the pub lic finds itself deprived of the former abundance and oblißod to pay stiff prices for such grapes as do come upon the mar ket. Grape growing will then he resumed along more conservative lines, perhaps, than those pursued during the boom days. The indlcati ns now are that during the coming season a very large number of farmers and fruit growers will set them selves to work lo get Into the market first with grapes. Many of these will have the advantage of starting fresh with plenty of experience, which, after all, ts the best capital. They will also have the ad vantage of starting on fresh ground, con taining fresh material to draw from, with none of the Insects that infest old vine yards. and no spores of rot or other fungi to contend with that were so abundant in the old vineyards. Reaulia can be reached In about three years If vines ar.' managed properly an I properly cultivated and pruned. Vine man agement is uasy lo learn and ihe <ul,or is no> expensive The expensive feature of trelllsing need not he rnei unlH aft r Ihe sale of the first erop, whl"h will ni re than pay for the trelllsing. Wlih a clear field in the West and over a quarter of a century of experience. Western grape growers will now have an oppoi tunhy for commercial gripe culture ui a profit, or oouree many Will say that iti farm p a.uer will pn.lwibly overdo the w a-k nnd fill ihe town markets with gratis at once o i.x lo again make prices lliwemuneialive; hut , the (arm (rower has not so good a kno*l edge of ihe grape'nor is he likely, when engaged in diversified farming, to give it the same attention that ihe fruit g.ower gives it. fio that he is likely to lave a num ber of failures andreplantings before farm vineyards are again established. Of course there are many farm planters who will make a success cf the grape at once and quickly re-establish the old farm vineyard, but if they have something good the neigh borhood will absorb the product, home consumption of fruit will be increased ani there will be little surplus to find a mar ket for. With a proper selection of vari eties the season for eating can be made to cover over three months, and this will take from I.COO to 2,CtK) pounds of grapes per family. Watermelon Culture. In the multiplicity of the Southern farmers’ crop the watermelon is very apt to be somewhat over-looked and not re ceive the attention iis importance calls for, writes C. Q. MeQuaries. Take it all in ell there are very few crop® that give a better return than this crop. But to insure the best success, a proper begin ning must be made. In selecting a loca tion for this crop it Is essential that the field have a southern exposure and located so that the morning sun shines directly on the crop, for there is all the different imaginable between watermelons grown where they get Ihe full benefit of the morning sun than those grown where this condition does not exist. After selecting a location it is neces sary that the nature of the soil shotild be such that it will y-ield the proper qual ity of melon; a light, sandy loam, and of a warm nature Is the best soil for the crop. Another prime essential is thorough preparation previous to planting the seed. The land should be thoroughly plowed with a good turning plow and everything in the shape of vegetation plowed under, and after plowing, the land should be thoroughly worked with either harrow or harrow-teeth cultivator. If the previ ous crop has been such that It got clean culture, the land will be in good shape, but if in stubbie, considerable pains must be taken so as to get all clods thorough ly pulverized. My favorite crop to pre cede watermelons is sw*et potatoes, for in the digging of this crop the land Is put in almost perfect condition for a suc ceeding crop of melons. After putting the soil in as good shape as possible lay it off in furrows eight feet each way, and where these furrows dheck scatter for three or four feet each way about a pound and a half of a high grade fertilizer, and mix thoroughly with the soil. Tile fertilizer should analyze about 7 per cent, phosphoric acid and 8 per cent, potash and 2or 3 per cent, nitrogen. Fail ing to bo able to get this grade of fertil izer, mix 600 pounds acid phosphate,' 250 pounds sulphate of potash and apply a couple of weeks before planting time, and when the plants are well up apply about 150 pounds nitrate of soda in the immediate vicinity of the hills and work in. This is just as near a complete watermelon fer tilizer as one can w'lsh. In growing watermelons for shipping one must try to avoid too nitrogenous a fertilizer; stable manure and compost fertilizers never give the high grade mel ons that commercial fertilizers produce In fact, all this classes of fertilizers to be avoided is the solid shipper is wanted. For home use compost is used with mineral fertilizers, such as phosphate and poiash, and will give fairly good results, but if the season is wet, the vines are apt to eclald very badly after heavy rains. In melon growing, as in everything else, one has to study his market, study the variety of melon requested in that mar ket and act accordingly; and this being one of the recognized cash crops, ripening in eighty to 100 days from planting the seed, one can afford to give it a little ex tra attention. At 3 cents each there is more money in watermelons than in almost any crop the Southern farmer cVtn make, and, therefore, the crop should not be neglected, but given the first place, and if this is done and the shipping properly man aged, the returns will prove very satis factory. Kltrogen. Nitrogen is the most expensive element of all the plant fooefc, costing in the open markets from three to four times as much as either phosphoric acid or potash, pound for pound, says an exchange. It is found to exist in three forms, namely, organic matter, ammonia, and as nitrate. Organic nitrogen exists in both animal and vegetable matter. The more rapidly the materials decay in which organic ni trogen is present, the more valuable it is for fertilizing purposes, because they must decay and change their forms be fore the nitrogen can be used for plant food. The most valuable sources from which organic nitrogen cau be obtained and the substances in which it so richly exists, are dried blood, dried fish and cot ton seed meal. These materials are also quickly available, because of the rapidity with which they decay when brought in contact with the soil. Dried fish and cotton seed meal furnish a goodly per centage of phosphoric acid in addition to their nitrogen, while a fair percentage of lKitash also exisis in the meal. There are other sources from which nitrogen is ob tained, such as ground leather scraps, horn and hoof meal, wool waste, etc. While these substances obtain a high per centage of nitrogen, they are so slow to decay as to render them unfit for the uses of farm crops. Nitrogen in the form of ammonia is secured almost entirely from sulphate of arSmonia, when used for fertilizing purposes, and this is the most concentrated substance from which nitrogen can be obtained. Sulphate of ammonia will analyze 20 per cent, nitro gen, dried blood about 15 per cent, and cotton seed meal 8 per cent. All of these elements are exiremely soluble in water and beeopie rapidly available as plant foods. Nitrate of soda and nitrate of potash furnish a nitrogen which is imme diately available, no change in it being necessary to render its quick absorption by growing plants when applied for their use by surface broadcasting. Nitrate of soda will average in analysis 16 per cent, nitrogen and differs from ammonia jn that it possesses no insoluble compounds to mix with and be held by the soil con stituents. It will, therefore, leach rapidly through soil If applied in large quanti ties, especially in the absence of growing vegetation. Nitrate of soda may be used with splendid results as a surface appli cation to growing vegetables, wheat or oats, but should never be used under any crop where rapidity of growth is not es pecially desired. Tlie Scrap Hook. rermanmt hog pens are an abomination that should not he tolerated on any farm. Buch plague spots are disease breeder* and a nuisance. If hogs must be close penned, use poriable pens and move them often. They are easily made In four sep arate panels, and may he permanently hinged together and folded for removal, or they may be entirely separate and set up and attached by clamps made for th* pur pose. Any man with a fair use of tools and a little Ingenuity, can make In less than half a day “the best thing of the kind he ever saw." Don’t Flow Wet Soil—Many farmers are too much In a hurry to do spring plow ing. It does not iwy to plow soli where there Is much clay while the furrow I* wet and the soil sticks to the plowshares. The pressure against it makes the furrow very compact, and when this compacted muss dries out by exposure to the air It h®<omes almost as hard us stone R 1* common for farmer* lo run the harrow over the field soon after It Is plowed, to break the furrow into small piece*. But lids 1s often done while ihe aoll is so wet that the result Is making a great mimle-r of Uy lumpn a I moat as hard as stone, and which cannot possibly be raade*nto i a good seed bed. If the clay soil turns up wet leave it unplowed until something < growing on H dries it out as deep as you j want to p;ow. When a c ay field has once been plowed while tco wet It often injures its productive capacity for several years thereafter.' Spraying—iA knowledge of why we spray and how to spray is coming to be Regard ed as essential to successful farming, or charding or gardening. Formerly it was considered a fad. but now it is rapidly be ing recognized os a necessity. Spraying is often ineffective because applied too late. It Is a preventive and must ba resorttd 'o early In Ihe season before Ihe enemy has made its appearance With insect and fungus pests the old maxim that pre vention is better than cure specially ap plies. Nearly all the experiment stations in states where fruit culture is at all prominent r.ow issue spraying calendars, telling when, how and with what mixtures of spray for various Insect and fungous enemies. Reade in the subject should write to the experiment stations of their respective states and secure a copy of the spraying calendar that nearly all now issue. Feed Roots to the Hogs.—Many feeders who believe in root feeding to stock, and practice it, are prejudiced against feed ing them to swine. For some reason they believe that any food which will not add to the weight of the swine Is not suited to them. This is a decided mistake, for until a hog can make the proper growth of bona and muscle it is not in a condi tion to take on fat properly or profitably. It is not that roots have any great amount of food value, for they do not, but they act. on the digestive organs and increase Ihe appetite for the food of a fattening nature; hence fop this purpose alpne they are valuable as a part of the winter ration. Hogs that have been corn fed for many weeks in succession fre quently get off feed, and one of the best correctives for this trouble is a mess of roots fed daily for two or three weeks. Sugar beets and carrots contain more sugar than most any other root crops, but mangle wurzles are not to be despised as, giving variety in the ration for swine. . Just So.—Market gardening is a good business when in charge of the right sort of man. Any’ man of industry and ordi nary intelligence can grow or learn to grow the garden truck, for this is (he easiest part of the business. But there is a business feature as important as production. The gardener must know what the market requires, when it re quires this, that or the other, and have it of proper quality end at the proper time. All this is easily learned. But he must know how to market his produce, and here again he must study his mar ket, for the purpose of pleasing his cus tomers and thus loosening their purse strings while catering to their alimentary pleasures. This requires business talent and tact, and this talent is not possessed by nil men, nor by all gardeners. Many of the best gardeners, and best men In all ages of the world and in every country’ have been sadly* deficient in business tal ent. The market gardener needs business talent to make his business successful. Quick Insures Clean Milking.—A cow when slowly’ milked will not only tend to reduce her yield in quantity and thus go prematurely dry, but it has been fou and from experiment that as between pl:w milking versus quick milking there was a difference of 10 per cent, in the butter fat in favor of the quick milking, and that this difference continued during a greater part of the period of lactation, says ih - Market Basket. A cow to yield’ the larg est quantity of the richest milk must be quickly milked and cleanly m iked, for if this is not done the animal’s yield is very much reduced in every respect. The above from an exchange cannot betoo fully impressed upon the owner of a single cow or of a herd. The slow milker makes the cow tired, and she withholds her milk little by little until she dries off. In the strippings are double the butter fat con tained in the milk first drawn. Therefore milk clean. Quick and clean milking ;dd lih to quantity of milk and am unt cf butter, and consequently to the profit of the dairy. And with tflean and quick milk ing have clean hands and clean utensils. How to Make a Hotbed.—Hotbeds a-e best made In sunken pits below the leve 1 of th ground, so as to protect the sides of the bed from cold winds. Without pro no tion of some sort the best mate beds soon become cool. The soil takpn out the pit can be packed around the outs de o' the frame to shelter any of the bed that is above the ground level and also the sde* of the frame. From two to two and a half‘feet of manure firmly packed together will hold the heat for a long time. In the management of hotbeds a point of the first importance is to provide for the escape of steam from the freshly made bed by tilt ing or raising the lights at one end. Steam Is deadly In its effects upon vegetation while it lasts. A little air should be left on at night—say about half an Inch—and of course by day the amount must be giv en In accordance with the strength of the fui. The back of Ihe frame is the pro; er place to put on ventilation, as it is the highest point, but if very cold, cutting winds are blowing from that direction it is safer to put air on the front of the sash until the wind moderates. Cover up the frames at night with mats or stram. etc., to preserve the equability of the tempera ture, but in doing so see that the exit of the steam Is not prevented. J. H. Don't Feed Too Much Corn—There is 100 much feeding of cforn <o stock generally on farms during winter. It seems almost Impossible to convince some farmers that a plump or fat animal is not receiving the proper food. Corn is without doubt the most excellent of all grains for fattening purposes, but the corn-fed cow is not the milk giver, nor is the corn-fed ewe the one that drops her lambs and suckles them ■without trouble. W’here corn is used as a grain and corn stalks for a roughage, it is simply a c'ase of too much corn. If one feeds corn sim ply because he has plenty of it, there is even less excuse for him than for the man who must buy his grain. Take some of the corn to the mill and trade it for wheat bran, or sell some of the corn and buy wheat bran, it you cannot trade. Then get hold of some oats as well and fix up a ration of one-third wheat bran, otic third oats and one-third corn-meal. Give a pound of this mixture to each Dow for every hundred pounds she weighs, and let her have hay and cornstalks for roug hage. This will keep up the milk supply all winter. If she is with calf, feed half Ihe quantity of the mixture, and she will come through the winter in good shape. This same ration will do well for any of the stock that is not to be fattened, but simply kept In good condition to win ter well. Notice. We solicit article* for this department. The name of the writer should accom pany the letter or article, not necessarily for publication, but as an evidence of good faith. Questions ana communications relative to agricultural and horticultural subjects. If addressed to Agri. Editor, Drawer N, Milledgevlile, Ga., will receive immediate attention. % —“We found the other day,” says a Boston hotel clerk, “that there was a company doing business here in the city, consisting of five men, who had made tlieir headquarters in our billiard room for eighteen months. All their reyiil was delivered there. They met their custom ers there. They sent their messages and their telegrams from there. And never a cent of revenue to us! I call that the most expansive gall up to date. And when we discovered the thing and h,]d them to get Out they unan'inouMiy agreed to hurt the hotel all they could by re Mflit'' Ocean SteamsniD Gx ■ —FOR- Wew York, Boston -AND- , , THE EAST, Unsurpassed cabin accommodations. A I the comforts of a modern hotel, E ectm lights. Unexcelled table. Ticket® include meals and berths aboard chip. Passenger Fares irom Savanna!!. TO NEW YORK-FIRST CABIN S2O; FIRST CABIN ROUND TRIP, 132; IN TERMEDIATE CABIN. sls; INTERME DIATE CABIN ROUND TRIP. s3l. STEERAGE, $lO. ' TO BOSTON—FIRST CABIN. $22; FIRST CABIN ROUND TRIP. S3B. IN TERMEDIATE CABIN. sl7; INTERME DIATE CABIN ROUND TRIP, S2B; STEERAGE. $11.73. The express steamships of this line ara appointed to sail from Savannah, Central (90th) meridian time, ns follows: SAVANXAII TO NEW YORK. LA GRANDE DUCHESSE, Capt. Hanlon. MONDAY, April 2, 7:00 p. m.- CITY OF BIRMINGHAM. Capt Berg, TUESDAY. April 3, 7:30 p. m. KANSAS CITY, Capt. Fisher, FRIDAY, April 6, 10 a. m. CITY OF AUGUSTA, Capt. Daggett, SATURDAY, April 7. 11. p. m. NACOOCHEE, Capt. Smith, MONDAY. April 9. 1:30 p. in. LA GRANDE DUCHESSE, Capt. Han lon, TUESDAY. April 10, 2 p. m. CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, Capt. Berg, FRIDAY. April 13, 4 p. m. KANSAS CITY, Capt. .Fisher, SATUR DAY, April 14. 4:30 p. m. CITY OF AUGUSTA. Capt. Daggett. MONDAY April 16, 5:30 p. m. NACOOCHEE, Capt. Smith, TUESDAY, April 17, 6:30 p. m. LA GRANDE DUCHESSE, Capt. Han lon. FRIDAY. April 20. 8 a. m. CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, Capt. Berg, SATURDAY. April 21. 9:30 a. pi. KANSAS CITY. Capt; Fisher, MONDAY, April 23. 11:30 a. m. CITY OF AUGUSTA, Capt. Daggett, TUESDAY. April 24, 12:30 p. m. NACOOCHEE, Capt. Smith, FRIDAY, April 27, 3:30 p. m. LA GRANDE DUCHESSE. Capt. Han lon. SATURDAY, April 28, 4 p. m. CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, Capt. Berg, MONDAY. Anri! 30, 6 p. m. SAVANNAH TO BOSTON—DIRECT. CITY OF MACON. Capt. Savage,THURS DAY. April 5. 9:00 a. IE. CHATTAHOOCHEE, Capt. Lewi*. THURSDAY. April 12, 3:30 p. m. CITY OF MACON. Capt. Savage,THURS DAY. April 19. 7:30 a. m. CHATTAHOOCHEE, Capt. Lewis. THURSDAY. April 26, 2.:30 p. m. This company reserves the right* to change its sailings without notice and without liability or accountability there tor. Sailings New York for Savannah daily except Sundays and Monday* 5:00 p. m. April sailings Boston for Savannah Wed nesdays from Tyewis' wharf, 12:00 noon. W. G. BREWER, City Ticket and Pas®, enger Agent, 107 Bull street. Savannah, Ga. E. W. SMITH. Contracting Freight Agent, Savannah, Ga. R. G. TREZEVANT, Agent, Savannah, Ga. E. H. HINTON. Traffic Manage?. JOHN M. EGAN, Vice President. MERCHANTS AND MINERS’ TRANSPORTATION CO. STEA3ISHII' LINES SAVANNAH TO BALTIMORE. Tickets on sale at company s offices M the following points at very low rates: ATLANTIC CITY. N. J. BALTIMORE. MD. BUFFALO, N. Y. BOSTON, MASS. CHICAGO, ILL. CLEVELAND, O. ERIE, PA. HAGERSTOWN. HARRISBURG, PA. HALIFAX, N. 9. NIAGARA FALLS. NEW YORK. PHILADELPHIA. PITTSBURG. PROVIDENCE. ROCHESTER. TRENTON. WILMINGTON. WASHINGTON. First-class tickets include meals end ■tale room berth. Savunnah to Baltimore. Accommodations and cuisine unequaled. Freight capacity unlimited; careful han dling and quick dispatch. The steamship® of this company are ap pointed to sail from Savannah to Balti more as follows (standard time): ITASCA. Capt. Diggs TUESDAY, April 3, at 7:00 p. m. ALLEGHANY, Capt. Billups, THURS DAY, April 5, at 10:00 a. m. BERKSHIRE. Capt. Ryan, SATURDAY, April 7, at 12,00, noon. MILLER, Capt. Peters, TUESDAY, April 10, at 2:00 p. m. And from Baltimore Tuesdays, Thurs days and Saturdays, at 4:00 p. m. Ticket Office 39 Bull street. NEWCOMB COHEN. Yrav. Agent. J. J. CAROLAN, Agent. Savannah. Ga. W. P. TURNER, G. P. A. A D. STEBBINS, A. T M. J. C. WHITNEY. Traffic Manager. General Offices, Baltimore, ild. FRENCH LINE COIUPAGNIE GENERALE TRANMAWO'IL DIRECT LINE TO HAVRE—PARIS (France) Sailing every Thursday at 10 ; m. From Pier No. 42. North River, foot Morton st. La Uretaene ...April 5 l.a Tou tame. April 2*l L’Aquitame ...April 12 La Bretagne May 4 La Gascogne. ..April 19 La Champagne, Mav 10 Accommodations reserved in me Grands Ho* telsda Trocudero during the Paris Exposition i leneral Agency for United States and Canada 32 Broadway. New York Messrs. Wilder&Co — -rr r—J WIRT till RESORTS. DE KOTO HOTEL. Firm-class accommodations for 800 quests Anion* the improvement* the past summer 6® new hath rooms were added. Tourist* Und Savannah ihe mast Interesting city in tluJ South An ideal winter resort. Seolal rat<a* for families remaining week or more. CURE YOURSELF! TTun Big U for unnatural ti* haw*, inflammation** rritationa or uk*ratiuui >t mucous tuctuhraiiM. I’oiulOM, and nut Ml rill* , v t or poi(unou. Nol* ... llratrliU, or soot in ylutii wrapper, I’V fuf tl 111, ..r s.,rs. Circulu nut vu m*rt