About Weekly Georgia telegraph. (Macon [Ga.]) 1858-1869 | View Entire Issue (March 26, 1869)
4BL1SHED 1826.} .j., Telegraph Macon. tlT u ok subscription: .rir-MPH-foKone year.. ...§10 00 i , :,;. lP n-forsix months. 5 oo v ' , or period* One Dollar per month. Wkebit Tklkoraph—odo year.. 4 CO i,«-TVicWt.T XitLKORAPu-jix m’ths 2 00 JffrtKi-'' Tiliobaph—one year 3 00 tstt-f Tf lbgbaph—six months 1 SO "fjPtpUt aheayt in advance.^* ^ and Joh Printing executed at reasonable prices, t.v mail with Postmaster's certificate a MACON, FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1869. Agricultural Discourse. AN address m pgroEE THE PIONEER AGRICULTURAL -OCIETV or W*** COUNTY, GA. p. STEVENS, M. D. charging tho functions of respiration, digestion and the assimilation or conversion of their food into flesh and vegetable fibre. Animal fibrin, albumen and gelatine, from which are made the flesh and blood of our bodies, are precisely sim ilar to vegetable fibrin, albumen and gluten, ont of which are constructed the different parts of plants. On analyzing the processes by which animals and vegetables live, we can comprehend how, by the exchange of certain gases, a due supply of healthy atmospheric air is maintained. We are well aware that the air we breathe is composed of definite proportions of oxygen and nitrogen gases and a trace of carbonic acid gas. In the process of animal respiration, oxygen gas is absorbed, as a certain portion of it»is neces- sary to the support of animal existence, and car bonic acid is thrown off, the inhalation of which in any considerable quantities by nnimnlq 13 de structive of life. We will readily perceive, that from the innumerable sources of carbonic acid, through the respiration of animals, the processes of combustion, volcanic eruptions, and many other sources, the atmosphere would become so loaded with this deleterious agent as to cause the extinction of animal life, was there not a counter balancing agency. Bnt mark the munificence and providence of nature: plants absorb car bonic acid and evolve oxygen gas. Thus we perceive, in these two great kingdoms of nature, a nice counterpoise is maintained, whereby what is regarded as an element of destruction to one is employed by the other as a source of vitality and nutrition. We, therefore, cannot look with contempt upon the humblest flower or the most noxious weed, for we are measurably dependent upon them for the blithesome countenance and elastic step of health and happiness. This fac ulty of atmospheric absorption by plants pre sents the only rational method of accounting for the manner in which vegetation was originally supported before the formation of soil by veget able decomposition: in the possession of exten sive leafy expansions, by which plants derived their nourishment chiefly from the air, and de manded but a limited supply from the soil. All fertile soils have a liberal supply of or ganic and inorganic materials; the former being the prodnets of the decay of vegetable and ani- mal matter, the latter resulting from the disin tegration of rocks in the original formation of the soil. It is rare that we find more than from J. :. tr l l) lie Society to Ike Macon Telegraph VlfflflftA.l The occasion which brings us to- one of unusual interest. ~ It is a har- . jjiore propitious times, especially to ^mth you are associated in concert of <”r julraiicing the agricultural interests Parian of our State. When the storm- inrpassed over us, in its desolating "far and wide the debris of shat- j. B es which required the energy, todus- Allof many years for their accomula- .u'omplished the disintegration of our .;*m whereby the beneficent relation of A slave has been forever sundered, and ^aiy consequence our labor system ■ r inced to n state of inextricable con- Iss brongbt us into a condition of po- Araptey. where, in lieu of a mild and :: j-uternment dispensing its blessings Arty and the pursuit of happiness” ;i teUie subjects of class legislation embarrassments and cruel tortures. Acut occasion inspires ns with hope, Ah prostrated by the weight of untold ~ y is vitality enough left to be galvan- wadition of activity and power. With tahsion to the inexorable decree of , r . _ eaHand which has shaped our destinies, [ ” . percent of vegetable matter; inorganic mat ing obedience to the powers that be ; ; ter,s found in variable proportions. The pres- ihudo, intelligence to guide and en- j en ?° °f many acids and alkalies is needed, not ..wnplish, we will yet bnild up the , only in contributing to the elementary constit- hcci and our stricken land will once ! U0nts °» plants, bnt in rendering many snb- -M in the garments of beauty and : sta nces soluble and assimilable which otherwise A i woald be valueless. Silica, potash, soda, phos- :a!lea>en. you have commenced the ‘ P bol * c and sulphuric acids are found in many ./ recuperation, by laying down one of : P.y? nr f ( l nlr ® a predominance of the which compose the broad foundation i to afford strength and durability to the itich rests the material prosperity of ev- ' All plants^ of the grass kind demand a □red country. I mean the advancement: ^ r ? e °* th® silicate of potash. Wheat re- &a*eof intelligent agricnltnral industry, i b supply of carbonate of potash, .acert of action w indispensably necessary t parts the stalks of which yield 15 per success of any great enterprise. Indi- ! ® en k °i asaea » w ™ e tj}® same quantity of the effort is slow and dubious in its progress. : —T stalks of barley afford but 8 per cent., and analysis of projected plans insures more ! , oa ^ on v ^ percent. It is evident, therefore, on and certainty of finnl results. The * that “ e same 80x1 wbicb would support but one iring of individual experiments conducted 1 C /°P °/ wheat would bear three ot oats. In i suggestions of minds diversified in their * ashes of 1000 pounds of the dry straw of iliu'es of natural or acquired powers of • wkcrU we find 28 per cent, of silicate of potash, piutfion in the use of means, will point * 1X1 that °* ^ per cent.; while in the burn! elicit truth. ■ same quantity of the dry straw of oats we have Itauer. of all men, is often tho most ' 45 P er ,£??*•* and in tiiat of ^ S*™ 1 10 P er [ :»ted in his prejudices. Taught from 1 cant * T “ 8 facfc ma ^ ln a measure, account for ^childhood to pursue a certain system ! the truth of the prevailing opinion with reference fc earned in the customs and manners of j to 1x16 exhausting nature of tho oat crop; by its Mors, guiding many of his important! extracting snch a large amount of a single in- tss bv the different lunar phases and ! ST edlent of 1110 3od » tha silicate of potash. We [logical observations which are to his i “ff cnabled arrive at these deductions by the sioas of good or evil, any suggestions ■ cb ®uiical analysis, and I may here ob- ay have a tendency to invalidate the ! ? er 7 e > j 4 ls . in a great measure, to chemistry r o!his faith are received with increduli- 111 application to agriculture, that we are «.'picion. Even when actual observa- lndebted for tbe astonishing results which have £tq*rience have tested the superiority fo!lowed tbe labors of the scientific agriculturist, nplans differing from his stereotyped , The fertilizing properties of arable-land are t is tardy in adopting them and giving d ependent upon many conditions of the soil ait to their results. Hence, there is i fr ? m tbe Presence of nutritive materials, ijtiidcred the most intense opposition to i Up° n porosity, its color, its ability to illed book-fanning. "What is book- 1 retam moisture, its friability and its suscepti- :ta an intelligent understanding of the ! blUt y of P erfect drainage. Pure sand alone we grating in Uie accomplishment of the ! know » 13 strictly barren; for, aside from the en- s ad plans of the most illiterate farmer? ! tire absence of organic matter, there is a lack of £8g to our aid tho wise generalities of i consistency in its texture whereby it is incapa- plants require alkalis, some in the form of sili cates,others in the form of carbonates, nitrates, oxalates, and tartrates.” Com delights in the phosphates of lime,magnesia, and in silicic acid; and an analysis of the cotton plant shows in matter soluble in water 44 per cent of the car bonate of potash ; the phosphates of lime and magnesia and the carbonates of lime are found in smaller proportions; silicic acid in com paratively insignificant quantities. Here, then, we perceive how chemical analyses and experi ments confirm the results of our own observa tion and experience, in the benefits resulting from rotation in the culture of our two staple productions,' com and cotton. In the older European countries, two success ive crops of a similar kind are seldom permitted to grow upon the same soil; and it is said, that by alternating with different kinds of vegetables for a series of years, the original fertility of the land may be preserved to a remarkable degree. We are informed that in Belgium, “the rotation of crops upon a portion of land remarkable for its fertility, which had not received any manure for twelve years, was as follows: Beans, barley, potatoes, winter barley with red clover, winter barley, wheat, oats ; the eighth year it was al lowed to lie fallow.” Theninth year it was sup posed to be as productive as when first in culti- tation. The benefits of rotation of crops are very evident, but not to the degree that was claimed by DeCaudolle; for tbe unlimited culti vation of any soil, however skilfully, will finally result in the complete exhaustion of its organic and inorganic constituents unless they are artifi cially supplied. The recuperation of land by resting, is a slow, imperfect and expensive pro cess, where the soil is naturally poor. We should commence to rest such land before it begins to fail; for where it is naturally deficient in vegeta ble matter, after having been exhausted, the crop of weeds and grass produced is so insignfi- cant that it returns to the soil, but a very small quantity of organic matter. It is doubtful whether the benefits resulting from resting such land, taking a series of years, will compensate for the expense of keeping the fencing in repair, as well as for the loss of the interest upon the value of the land. Moreover, we are strongly tempted to graze our stock upon our rested fields, and the small portion of their excreta left upon the ground does not supply the loss of vegetable matter conveyed away. The common custom of turning hogs upon lands not well clothed with grass or edible matter of some sort, I conceive to be highly detrimental, for they plough up the sterile subsoil to a great depth and throw it to the surface, thereby mixing with the small portion of vegetable matter a large preponderance of insoluble earthy matters, which require a long time of exposure to the action of rain and the farming demand a return to the soil of all the meetings, bv the different mender. chemical elements produced and abstracted by cietv ™ f y j the crop harvested; either by feeding the crude £& SSilS Zn ZdSXZ St0ck ’ and gently edge of the modus operandft prSudn^food their excreta, or we must for them. It would be exceedingly intefesthS artihciallj reproduce what has been earned to discuss the chemical and ® an the excrements of animals so rich in ammo- administering food in aScoXnffSVese Z,ZfhrX^ ahne f SaltS ’ Or8l i a l lw0 depeEd r^Pl 03 ; out I fearthat 0 ? have abeady tres^ upon the pm:chase of commercial manures.- passed too long upon your patience. 7 th P flXTt ar ® en f erta “ ed npon this sub- ; la conclusion, allow mb to congratulate you ndvncft^aZ 8t . ex P e . n ®“ ced formers. Son* upon the organization of a society which, if con- th JnZal P f n ^ d0 i? estac m 0110103 b ? dneted with zeal and a spirit of inquiry, will re- tbanwal pwey of saving them are so biuk,- suit in benefits to yourselves, individually, and cRS'l P'“f «* I-®’- SSiche, M on efery chase highly concentrated manures which are an Oasis spreading out its green pastorTs and r , offering its limpid* streams to the^hu^Z and tha * tbe ?*P el * e of employ- thirsty inquired after progress and knofSE ing the latter is so great that the benefits accru- In comparing tho results of different modes of mg thereform are comparatively triflmg. The cubivating crops, testing tbe value of improved ?PP h 0 n r °l- d0m f tlC mannres > T? P re PY ed agricultural implements; the relative superiority trust to the honesty of dealers, and m these pennants with a view to procress and nerfee times of moral obtuseness, mens consciences tionTrou will stimulate a smriWif innnmvnnd MttoZnd^lV 011 * and fle ^ ble » a ? dar0Tei 7 ‘resealh, habits of close aUention, minuteness apt to lend a listening ear to the whisperings of , of dotal in making experiments and accuracv fW the ?, not "“fr 0 - in sumning up results? Your deductions wiU ? 1 J h - at W0uldnot repay thereby be made with more confidence andsat- 11-3 f ° r f be trouble of applying it Hence, the lsfactitn to yourselves, and they will be of more conflicting statements that are made with refer- ; importmee to the world. 7 ence to the utility of foreign manures. Interest! in y 0lr deliberationsnone mav nlead the t and prudence dictate that we make as much of of ability to contribute the results of theiXf and 8n PP^ the d ? fic i enc y periencl You deal to flctef you search with the latter. Find out what your land re-, facts; TO wish the benefit ofyour observation Pt?uf«l,^f t5lerlt | 1S t% efiClen i, mm iS erfl J-« V6S * ' and experiments. The simple^ truth that our ’ b ° th - ; P w Cll ?i! 0 th0 dlfferent , ideas aroclothed to language, adorned with clas- ^e^ents and manipulate them yourselves, sical purty and rhetorical beknty, invests them ™ rera - T , of elements to ; with aettol importance only so far as they com- meet their demands. The production of gum, ; municatoor substantiate facts, sugar and starch, demands somewhat different j Let mduroe upon vou the necessitvforacnni- of'the"'sppdZ J' enters * nto ^ be coustituents i ring a knowledge of correct principles, byglean- f heans, peas and wheat. We mg the abundant harvests of truth to be reaped ‘A 6 !? ’ T T" “5 nu ^ 3 to , mee ‘ by the stidy of nature as well as art, from the on!m?i, t X^ Pt ° be ?J anted ' Tbe P h . 0S P bate |, many agricultural works andjeurrent periodical f nd rtjagrtesia, decomposed animal and literature of the day. In this mnnection, aUow vegetable matters and common salt will fulfill mo t 0 present to you the claims of the Southern aU the indications required 1 : Cultivlto.—tbe pioneer, as well as the advocato tn f qua ^. fa fi y ° f arumo “ a re 8113 M paunder, of Southern agricultural princi- fr ° m t0 h^enty-five per cent. If ; pi es f or nearly thirty years. It maintaiimd its 811 ° a ? - be ^ P roaured ^ blob rtill be war- existence throughout the war; and, though it ranted to contain from ten to fifteen per cent, struggled hardwiththe poverty of the times of ammoma, with the addition of the phos- j yet its plainly-clad pages were always filled with '■j and deducing therefrom important «reducing general, and, often, vague as of natural phenomena to die cer- srientific truth and of statistical accu- *• in short, simplifying and rendering an agricultural operations. Are has attained its highest degree of in those countries where necessity has ble of retaining a sufficient amount of moisture. Kato exerts a solvent agency upon many of the constituents of the soil, and instead of there be ing in the snksoil a mechanical obstacle to its further absorption, causing its invigorating in fluence to be retained around the roots of plants, it permeates too deeply, and is hence lost. Clay alone presents the opposite difficulty. By its :e aid of science for the support of ! j a ff en ye* b ?fo r . to water it retains moistaretoo rhere the usual productions of the ' *' " ~ r J *" dequate for this purpose. In propor- increose of tho population of a conn- tte be a demand upon its agricnltnral Hence, in Germany, Great Britain, France, and other countries, a large (ingenious and investigating minds jed in renovating the productive ca- soils worn out by perpetual tillage. >u are made by which the maximum i grain may be produced upon every romd susceptible of cultivation. It is ; io Great Britain, every thirty-four ffid raises food for every twenty of her *• Among the Chinese, their superior p °f the art of culture has enabled ia an area of 1,200,000 acres of land, ^population of 300,000,000 of peo- oomeen years, North Germany added ^sailers one million to her population. '*<4 this is attributed to the systematic t tgricnllural instruction of tho farm- T*® of Germany. North Germany JJW four royal academies to which practice of farming are taught i course. In addition to the Col- At ^JU1BO. AU UUU1UOU IO U1G AyOl- r^htoins nineteen provincial schools, received from the State $10,- jftrsander the direction of the edu- of th* district, and the simple 2rr tare em taught Teachers are BO from farm to farm to give *fcuethe crops are growing. Then schools for experiments to or- 2®“!; and throughout all Germany *pidly advancing in knowledge, faults in advance of every other prejudices, therefore, to an educa- rtseally tho result of igno- benefits arising therefrom. Be- . - cTtrv circumstance and routinist will often sne- fine a crop as his more intel- neighbor, is there any valid I “predating the value of knowl- long; there is not free access of air and warmth to tbe roots and the plant suffers from defective nourishment. Again: sandy lands radiate caloric very slowly and imperfectly: hence, in scorching droughts, the excessive heat absorbed from the sun's rays during the day passes off slowly at night. The radiating power of clay lands is doable that of sandy lands, and they cool much more rapidly. Lime, though not it self possessing any special fertilizing properties, is a valuable component of the soil, by giving consistency, neutralizing acidity, aiding to the decomposition of vegetable matter, and render ing soluble those snbstances which could not otherwise be absorbed by the roots of plants. Feat lands which possess more than 30 per cent, of organic matter, and produce nothing but a coarse, worthless grass, may be made rich and productive by drainage, and a heavy top-dress ing of lime well ploughed to. Thus we see that by the union of clay, sand and lime, we have a soil that maintains proper consistence to afford mechanical snpport to the plant, as well as a sufficient degree of porosity for watering and ventilation, and having enongh of the siliceous ingredient to afford strength and durability to the stalk. Clay land having a large percent audits alumina being m chemical union with silica, is better adapted to the growth of wheat and cotton; a considerable share of sand is re- J juisite for barley, and a decidedly sandy loam or rye and oats. It would bo interesting to dwell upon the effects of draining, ploughing, hoeing, rotation of crops, and manuring ; but each of those subjects should.be the basis of a separate monograph. A passing remark or two, however, may not be inappropriate. The ef fects of drainage are more perceptible upon tena- tious clay land than upon a light, porous, friable soiL It prevents the accumulation of stag nant water, favors tbe access of fresh supplies of rain water, and consequently, of fresh air to the roots, and it mokes the soil softer and more impressible by the roots. By effecually dissolv ing the hard lumps and rendering the subsoil more porous, it enables the plant to enjoy a Vaij hw audience into convul- ^fcm T ! Inder estimate the perspicuity s t /' dtction ’ rtielttog pathos, and (Iwr^rteM of the thoroughly edu- W .A* 8 wider tho inspiration of a • ima girtation, invincible * dtjjn. kjrie, he portrays with such the terrors of tho law, dis- NL “^tortucal faithfulness our nntu- a w rth such persuasive elo- *e the fountain of purity and Sub/ ffect5oa8 . and thertghts are A kb ev/nfj Reekie chain of sympa- avoca tions the planter T*kii or contemplation and study. fr 0111 the caverns of the ’ hie ocean, the invisible air, 5W#q d i “» 0110 yet he is ignorant of p. of tatue mploy6din utiUzi “fi tb ese in eppearance, yet ^ ^/“actions it bears a striking JjWeJSaSSi their germination 1116 elements of nutrition i,/^locoiAr nntil tb °y are provided »rtd forobtamtogthe The elementary sub- 5**e ar e y aro sustained to the tocu- . Wnc ipl-K^° St , identicaL Four ele- ** Pitre'fe ri n& f Ure ? X ^? e carbon, iff the oasis of ani- ^ “■ fiiev X 110111 Me or ganized be- Spring. The beneficial effects of ploughing and hoe ing are no less remarkable, by minutely divid ing the soil, encouraging tho plentiful supply of air and water, thereby affording a due propor tion of oxygen which isnecesary for the decom position of vegetable matter, the germination of seeds, and by uniting with organic and inorganic matters preparing them for absorption by the roots of vegetables. One of the most economical and judicious methods of retaining the natural fertility of soils is by rating and by proper rotation of crops-. Chemical analysis and observation demonstrate that the constituents of tho soil are heterogene ous, and that different plants consume variable quantities of organic and inorganic substances. De Caudolle maintained that plants have the power of excreting or throwing off into the soil matters unassimilable by them to such a degree as to cause sterility, so far as they are concerned; but that this excrementitious matter may serve as healthy food for other plants, and.that by a judicious system of rotation the fertility of land may be prolonged indefinitely. This redundance of excrements by the slow action of the air and moisture again becomes fitted for food. On the principle of long continued and excessive excre tion of worthless matter we are induced to ac count for the fact, that when an oak forest is cleared and the land cultivated for a series years on being thrown out and permitted to reproduce another forest, pine is usually substituted for oak; on the contrary the destruction of a vice whatever. " experimental acquaintance with the application j a bill of faro annotivirnr fr. tV,„ The philosopher's stone which converts earth i of these manures can safely rely upon tho well ■ A long and intimate acquaintance with its edit- toto gold, the Cornerstone of the Temple of | ^ bb fed reports of others who have not any ' ors Ji cn J e Ceres, is manure. And, gentlemen, never in pecuniary interest in their manufacture as ar- • itji? ever maintain that Hoarpn nf ptwIIoh™ the history of our country has this subject pre- ! ncl ,e 9 of trade. Air. David Dickson of Han- : wh ich we alone can expect frSn such resources sented such an important aspect as now. In | cocL, whose experience in the use of comrner- 1 as are to bo derived from long and intelligent former times, when the planter had absolute j «al manures w probably greater than thatof experience of practical detaflsm the cultivation eontaihover lus laborers-lavmg exhausted the , ony one at least in our State thus writes: “It of g, 0 Btaple productions of our country and a fertility of his plantation, with his man servants, J 3 true, I made fine crops before I used guano, ! correct understanding of scientific truth. Every bones, salt and plaster; but_ nothing to.com- i planter who cultivates ten acres of land should Arw'If? 1 crops / 1 J? de * bem- } tell. be a subscriber to it, for there are none who will ^2t25S*? e JP i guano, etc., does- not be the wiser from its perusal, it is self-sustaining; it is punctual m payment, . Ikia beUeved that nin£tenths of the fixed E T±l te r EaS ?f an . 0ltension 1 of tlme ; I capital of all Civilized natiom iTemployed, and wants no stay laws or military orders; pays probably over two hundred million oirnen spena promptly, and, on an average, as mncli as^ one** their daily labor in the cause of Agriculture. It is hundred and twenty-five per cent.; sometimes the basis of the success of all great enterprises, a small per cent., and at other times as high as : Appreciate, therefore, the importance and dig- four hundred; it enables one to make double • nity of tho work in which you are engaged. Ap- the quantity of home made manures; improves ; plied science holds out her beacon-lights to di- the land; gives the one means of keeping more j rect your pathway, and personal interest and the and better stock; improves crops; makes tbe demands of your impoverished country loudly laborers more cheerful and willing to work; ' invoke the exercise of your best energies. It is lints money m hand to do fancy farming; pnr- ! true that the demoralized state of our labor sys- cliases good machinery and tools; will afford tern environs the execution of your plans with s ?? ae luxuries as well as substantiate, and en- difficulties which are often annoying and embar- deprived. This can be accomplished by turning j fbles you to work freedmen, when they would rassing. But is it not wonderful that, in tho you .in debt without it” . J midst of the chaotic condition of society, ou^ ISow this is an admirable summing up of evi- laborers are so efficient? Their sudden transit dence m favor of his cause; but although Mr. tion from a state of absolute servitude to the ex- r. C i 011 *? a ^ reabze these results, it is doubtful excise of almost unrestrained license, wouldhave whether there are many who can employ mate- severely tried the principles of any people poss- nals with the application of as much skill and essing infinitely more elevated moral and intel- « . * judgment as he undoubtedly possesses. If, lectual culture. The rule of passion must soon of dry vegetation, because, in tbe pro- j however, the half of what he assures / '°u be : give way to that of reason, when we will be able decay of vegetable matter, the plant j realized, we should require no stronger ice- to organize our system of labor, and make it an .n? Z At.., . -- «-• /• mnnlc fn nnnrmnma nts fa aa lit. I t . . * . - 7 - - - his maid servants, his cattle and moles—like the Israelite of old, he migrated to more abnn- dantjpastures and a virgin soil, and pursued the same ruinous system of butchering and skin ning his laud. In the altered circumstances -which surround us we can neither sell our lands nor move away. It will not pay to extensively clear up fresh lands, where wo have so much already idle. Necessity compels us, therefore, to resuscitate our exhausted soil, or we must be contented to become annually still more impov erished. It is a matter then of vital importance to know how we can mast economically and effectually accomplish our purpose. The object of manuring lands is to return to the soil the potash, soda, lime, phosphoric acid and nitrogenous materials of which it has been deprived. This can be accomplished by turning tinder green crops, or by supplying these acids, alkalies and salts, to a more concentrated form to artificial compounds, by composting rough vegetable matter and inorganic materials, and by the artificial admixture of the different sub stances that compose our commercial manures. Ploughing under green crops is preferable to judgment as he undoubtedly possesses, the use cess of throws off into tbe air a considerable portion of valuable gases. The sap, like the blood to an imals, contains all the elements necessary for the production of the different parts of the plant. The seeds, twigs and leaves possess a larger share of nitrogen than other portions, such as the bark and woody fibre : if, therefore, veget ables were allowed to pass through the process of maturation and decay before they were in corporated to the soil by being ploughed under, a large portion of these elements of nutrition would be lost by conversion toto different gases. While growing, the roots of plants descend be low the surface toto the subsoil, and extract from it inorganic matter. This enters toto the stem, leaves and woody fibre, and the latter, when ploughed under, while green, become thoroughly incorporated in the surface soil, and to the pro cess of fermentation the resulting gases are dif fused, form combinations with other snbstances already present, and thus are retained, and be come a permanent source of nutrition to any sub sequent crop. In stiff, tenacious clay or lime land, the vegetable matters make the soil more friable, and to time of drought act favorably by facilitating the access of air to the roots, and to time of protracted wet seasons, by conveying away excessive accumulations of water. AU sandy lands are vastly benefittedby this process of manuring, because they soon bepoine ex hausted of all organic matter. It is of the first importance to sow snch seeds as wiU produce the largest amount of vegetable matter, to the shortest time, and those which wiU be most readily produced by the soil to be renovated. Thus lucerne or clover would not pay upon our lands for this purpose, because they demand a large amount of potash for their growth and perfection. We would be compeUed to supply this ingredient actificiaUy before we could succeed to obtaining a sufficient amount of vegetable matter to be available. The em ployment of peas and rye would be far prefer able, both of which can be sustained upon a comparatively smaU quantity of potash; the farmer derives considerable nourishment from the atmosphere by the absorption of carbonic acid and ammonia through its leaves, and the latter wiU grow very weU upon a soil containing not over one and a half per cent of potash. Itwould repay the trouble and cost by sowing a crop of rye in the fall, and ploughing it under to the Spring, preparatory to planting a crop of cotton upon the same land; especially if a top dressing of gypsum or phosphate of lime, could be ploughed under with the rye. Green crops decompose very rapidly, and they, to a very short time, wouldimpart’a stimulating effect, thereby giving a good start to the young cotton. The sulphate or phosphate of lime would economize the fertilizing properties of the rye, which, during its gradual process of decay and fermentation, would impart its beneficial effects to the cotton daring the whole time of its growth and maturation. The proper time - for plowing under green crops is just as the plant begins to flower; for to this process it emits a consider able portion of nitrogen, which may be advan tageously retained. The rapidity of the decom position of green crops enables us to repeat the operation at least twice during our protracted season of warm weather, through the summer and autumn. Our lands are peculiarly suscep tible of improvement by this method, as well as by that of rotation and resting, on account of the presence of more or less lime to the soil, which greatly facilitates the decomposition of organic matter. The presence of lime is de- ducible from the fact that shell limestone rock underlies the whole of this section of the State ; and I believe it is conceded that the surface soil generally partakes of the nature of the sub stratum upon which it rests. Moreover, we can not in any other manner satisfactorily account for the ready response which is made to the ap plication of almost any kind of manure, even in very quantity; and it is remarkable for what length of time a stogie application of ma- will exhibit its beneficial effects. ments to encourage us to go and do likewise, j efficient element'of production. The principles Idle course usually pursued in tho manufacture ■ c f miscegenation will be illustrated only by such of domestic manures is most wasteful and ex- luminaries as Thad Stevens, Anna Dickinson, travagaut. Lot manure derived from animals : and their immediate satellites. The impress of abundantly fed upon com, fodder, oats and omniscience in inerasable physical lines has de- peas, is highly stimulating; abounding in those fined the relations of the two races to each other. a * 3 u S ? nd sa ™ ^kieh enter into the structure Socially they are as inimiscible as oil and water, of the plants which produced those grains. Am-j Let ns, therefore, in our deportment toward moma, one of the most volatile of salts, is con- the freedmen, by acts of kindness and uniform tmually passing off into the atmosphere, known ; justice seek to secure their confidence and by its peculiar pungent odor. There are many ; friendship, and elevate them in the scale of other soluble salts which are subject to the con- ' morality and intelligence. The immense physi- tinual washings of heavy rains and to the dissi- cal, resources of our noble old State will demand pating ellects of intense solarheat. The econ- for their development a large importation of omizmg of these valuable fertilizers would be foreign laborers. Our exhaustless beds of lime, greatly augmented by having our mules and coal, alumina, granite, marble, iron and gold horses confined under cover, and their stalls cannot fail to attract an influx of capital and made impervious to liquids by having the floors labor. The vintners of France and Italy will covered with clay well beaten and made hard adorn the “day galls” of Middle Georgia with and compact, and by the apheation of thin lay- * their smiling cottages and the luscious fruits of ers of land plaster and bone dust to the beds of vine. The music of ten thousand busy straw hauled m fcom time to time. The volatile spindles will awake to life and activity the ammonia in.the form of a carbonate would then slumbering energies of the desponding croaker enter into chemical umon with the land plaster * who wastes his nfe in useless regrets for the and bone dust and be permanently retained, past and apprehensions for the future. Many Moreover, the presence of these substances years will not have passed before the teeming would greatly accelerate the disintegration and . millions of China will pour in upon us over the fermentation of rough manures. We would, Pacific railroad; and by industry and skill in therefore, not only increase the quality, bnt the the mechanic arts, and their already trained quantity of manure. Composts made in the . habits in the production of cotton and rice, as open air should be treated in like manner, and we ll as their climatic adaptation to the cotton belt always covered with a layer of earth or charcoal, . the country, will add immensely to our agri- to prevent the escape of ammonia. Byem- cultural and mineral wealth. The spirit of the ploying one hand and a yoke of oxen, during age will demand liberal governmental patronage the year, at this business, we would be amazed the cause of agricultural education, and the at the quantity of manure produced, laden with development of Southern genius in the mechanic organic and, inorganic materials exactly suited ar ts. The field for effort is boundless, and the to the wants of our land, and equal in quality reward3 for labor are rich and. tempting. I can- to the best commercial fertilizers. not too urgently impress upon you the necessity The comparatively recent discovery of a phos- for pursuing your avocations as planters, not phatic deposits in the forin of fossil remains of me rely as a temporary necessity, bnt with a view animals in, so said, inexhaustible quantities, t Q permanency. near Charleston, we hope will, ere long, supply The mercantile and professional departments ns with a vmuable fertilizer. The ordinary su- of business are now overcrowded, and multitudes perphosphate of commerce usually contains about 0 f anxious aspirants after wealth and distinction o.> per cent, of phosphoric acid, whereas, that arQ eking out an attenuated existence upon which we have just noticed is said to contain “hope deferred.” It has been pretty well de from CG to 88 per cent. Extensive preparations temnned that foreign nations have failed to se- are now being made for the application of this curin g such a monopoly of the cotton supply, by manure to the soil. The facilities for its trans- producing a staple that will compete with ours, g ortation almost to our doors will enable us, we a3 •will depress the price to a stage that will make ope, to obtain it at a cost that will sustain us moremunerative to us. With a good constitu- to its liberal application. It will not only be an tion, steady and industrious habits, energy and admirable fertilizer for our lands, applied alone, ordtoarv foresight, any young man may carve but for incorporation with animal or vegetable otl (; c f the soil a foundation upon which to rear manures rich in ammonia or carbonaceous mat- a superstructure of wealth and influence. It is ter, not only enabling us to employ a smaller said that the staple productions of Massachusetts quantity of tlmlatter, but adding greatly to the ara granite and ice; and yet with her immense duration of their fertilizing properties. wealth and Yankee shrewdness, though most la- The profitable cultivation of our lands with mentably misapplied, she furnishes the prepon- free labor without the assistance of manure is derance of motive power that controls' the ma- very doubtful. We will soon be absolutely chinery of this Government. With our genial compelled to curtail the quantity and improve climate, mineral treasures, unlimited water pow- the quality, thereby increasing correspondingly er and fertile soil, and the use of propel* energy the productions of the soil. Experiments attest and skill to their development, we will yet re- the increased production of com and cotton to gain our lost political and commercial suprema- from 100 to 400 per cent, by the judicious and cy. Do your part, then,' to the great -work of liberal application of manures, as well as a very recuperation by engaging with diligence and material improvement in their quality. We zest to your noble calling. Let “exceMor”be can thus dispense with one half of the labor usu- inscribed upon your banner, and ever renf ember ally employed, and annually and materially that labor, physical as well as mental, is man’s addto the permanentimprovementof our lands, natural heritage, and the only road to prefetrment It is fair to assume that the diminished cost of and honor. You have as colaborers to thei great labor will enable us to supply the requisite cause of Agriculture some of the most brilliant amount of manure. We will thus not only mate- lights that have ever illumined any age. rially &du to our annual profits, bnt enjoy the the glorious achievements of generals and states- pleasure, during the process of cultivation, of men shall have been consigned to oblivion! the witnessing daily the results of our labor to the splendid discoveries and researches of Ifavy, strong, vigorous stalks of com and cotton, im- Liebig, Johnston, DeCaudolle, andBousstogiault, parting, aU the time, foretastes of the golden will be preserved to living charac$p>r /^mo- harvests. rials of their greato«— * Thus\f gentlemen, have I endeavored, in very hasty and imperfect manner, to throw out Miss Susan J. a few thoughts with the view of elucidating Jaokson Station, some of the principles involved in the art of ag- held to answer a < riculture. The subject is so exhaustless and money-letter coni full of interest, that those topics of which I have opened and five doll endeavored to present but a very faint outline, bag containing the le should be elaborated to separate essays. This wag found Muss 1 to do, at your subsequent grocer. A Sew Invention—Fibrous Compost Hon .Shahs and Pannels lor Roofs and Walls or Buildings, etc. A patent was obtained a few days ago by the American Fibre Company, for an entirely novel mode of constructing roofs and walls of build ings, water-proof floors, tanks, etc. A r The fibre used is made from the cane or reeds of the canebrakes of the Caroltoas and other States, disintegrated by the explosive force of steam, by the process which is to operation to this pity. Tho Biclimond Dispatch gives an ac count of the new invention, by which this fibre to now being used for roofing. As we are sadly to need of fire-proof roofs to Wilmington, and which are now constructed at great cost, we give it not only as opening a new branch of business, bnt which must result to great benefit to our city. The fibre as it comes from the steam gun is in the shape of long, fine tendrils, resembling oakum. This fibre is twisted or s Prtrt. into a stogie yam or strand, Several of which strands are interlaced so as to form a stout matting, which is charged with a composition of tar and palverizedslate or soapstone, limestone, etc., forced toto and amongst the fibres by great pressure, so as to make a solid slab. The fibre being thoroughly disintegrated and very absorbent, forms a good base for the mast. .A series of these slabs made with rabbit- joints are cemented and then another series of the slabs, made to the same manner, and laid oyer the others so as to break joints to every direction, the upper series being fastened to the lower with a mastic composed of the pulverized slate,etc., and tar, and the joints being cemented together. A light, strong, solid, indestructible slab is thus produced, thoroughly water-proof, and practically fire-proof also. A similar com position, used for roofs to Montreal and New Orleans, is unaffected by the heat or cold. As the steam-blown reed fibre can be supplied from Norfolk, Va., and Wilmington, N. C., to New York, Richmond, Baltimore, Boston, etc., for fifteen to twenty dollars per ton, and the pulverized slate can be obtained at about tho same price, and the tar is cheap also, it is claimed that this invention secures the cheapest as well as the best and mo3t durable roof ever made. The roof resembles a solid block of slate or stone about an inch thick. A coating of sand is forced into the composition so as to lighten the color and make it resemble stone. The cost is less than that of a tin roof. The inventors propose to make the same slabs available for tbe onter walls of buildings to lieu of bricks, stone or wood. The same company have also obtained a patent for a substitute for lath and plaster. For this purpose fibrous com position panels are made by the above method from the steam blown cane fibre, to combination with silicate of soda (liquid flint), lime and clay. These, panels are fire proof, and well adapted for ceilings, toner walls and floors, also cabins of steamboats and railway cars. It is claimed that the fibrous composition panels are much cheaper than laths and plaster, and that they do not warp, crack, peel crumble or decay and that they keep out heat and cold. Certainly these inventions open a wide field of usefulness. They seem to be the most prac tical ideas, and to fact have been tested to a sufficient extent to establish their utility. As already stated to this paper, it is designed to erect to the city a manufactory of boards out of the cane fibre.— Wilmington Journal. ength, lepresi at alcoholic f circumat Cornfield Peas. We are in a happy mood, dear reader, in the fullness of our heart, we are content to lay aside the divining rod of politics and betake us to a tamer, but more inviting subject. We confess to an inordinate fondness for those delicious [lobules, known as Cornfield Peas—yea, Com- ield Peas! Best easy, Shade of Epicurus, while we twit you with the name! Bacon and greens will answer for those un lucky mortals who have not a cultivated taste; hog and hominy is prime to its place, and “ dev illed ” ham is delightful: but how coarse—how tasteless—how insipid, O unprejudiced gorman dizers—are these articles of diet, when com pared to a dish of savory peas! We envy the fortunate individual who sits down to his first plate of pear. How exqusite must be Ms enjoyment! Header, if you are of this class, make haste to open unto yourself a new world of Epicurean delights. First, eat them boiled—cooked to a nicety; add a modi cum of salt and red pepper, and corn-bread, as an accompaniment; then, with a spoon, fall to, not with coyness, but with right hearty good will, and we promise you, beforehand, a meal such as potentates might envy. Gentle husbandman, raise peas; allow no gre garious beast to tear the trailing tendrils or de stroy the fruitful pod. Pod, did we say ? Nay! the wortMer name were Ollapodrida ; for are not these the combination of all tbe excellencies and virtues of vegetables! are they not at onee bread and meat and dessert—at once substantial and delicious ? We imagine it was not altogether modesty wMch impelled that Mstorical young woman, whose fame was heralded over our grandmothers’ tea-cups, to carve each of her peas to two. How estatio must have been her enjoyment at dinner —an enjoyment fully realizing Milton’s idea of “sweetness long drawn out,” and utterly beyond the appreciation of this materialistic age. Perhaps the legend wMch Ulysses has written upon his sMeld may mean something, after all. We call upon our agriculturists to respond to it. If there remains a spark of patriotism to this re bellious South—a remnant of “{esthetic culture” among those Confederates who vexed their stom achs with mule meat and hard tack—we know they will appreciate our interpretation of Presi dent Grant's motto: “Let ns have peas!” [Mbnroe Advertiser. Remarkable Marriage—Betrothal to Three Brothers. Prom the Americut Courier.] We have been given the particulars of a case to this county, to wMch the bride was betrothed to three brothers, and married two of them wMchis rather remarkable: On the 6th of August, 1866, a young man came to Americus and procured license to marry an estiraeble young lady, residing several miles from this city; went home, and was married to the afternoon of that day. He was attacked by a congestive chill, wMch terminated to his death the following Saturday—the stricken bride fol lowing his remains to their last resting place, clothed to the same suit to which her heart had been made glad by becoming his bride. On the following August (1867) the second brother of the same family came to Americus for the same purpose which had brought the de ceased one year previous. On Ms way home— rejoicing to happy anticipation of .making the worthy widow of his lost brother his own bride —he was caught to a heavy rain, and arrived at home with Ms clothing thorougMy saturated— from wMch he was taken with a congestive chill the same evemng and died the evernng previous to the marriage, which was to have taken place the following Sabbath.. Again, instead of list ening to the merry ringing of the marriage bells, the death knell was heard, and a funeral procession took the place of the marriage feast. Some time during the month the third brother of the deceased procured license and was hap pily married to the twice-bereaved lady. Don PiAn;—Duns — Divoeces.—The New York Evening Mail cracks a joke at tbe ex pense of my poor name to saying that I donned the Don to avoid the duns. I could join hearti ly in the laugh if it were only true; but as I had nothing to do with the naming, and as it has failed to save me from the duns, I fail to appreciate the fun of it. The vexatious abuse of one’s name makes a fellow sigh for that of Smith, or Johnson, or Jones. I remember once, when I was on the bench, I relieved the divorce docket by running through twenty cases to one day. Items were rare, and the papers took it up. For two weeks they came back to me, (at first correctly enough,) stating that Judge PiaU had divorced twenty married couples to one day. Then it got to*be Platt, then Pratt, then Spratt, and at last one fellow spelled it Splitt, and made him self uproariously funny over the propriety of VOL. XLIII.-N0. 19 Senatwr Thnrman on the Suspension Oi the Tennre-of«offlee Act. Senator Thurman, of OMo,' with great ability and clear logic, exposed the fallacy of the whole measure. • If, said he, “the constitutional power of the President to remove from office was absolute. Congress had, of course, no right to restrict it • and if, on the other hand, according to the theory of the Tenure-of-office Act, the Constitu tion provided that the joint action of the Presi dent and the Senate should be necessary to or der to remove, then Congress had no right to evade that provision by suspending the law. If the Tenore-of-office Act was a good and consti tutional law, to suspend it would be to disre gard the Constitution, and the people would na turally come to tho conclusion that Congress to- terprets the Constitution to mean one when one man is President, and another when another man is President. Congress must impale itself upon one or the other hom of the delemma. _ 'repeal it is at once an acknowledgement of its wrong. To suspend it is a declaration that Congress is the supreme power, and that laws are to be en forced or held in abeyance according solely to its own will and pleasure. The fact is suspension means General Grant under the surveillance of the Senate. [Charleston Courier. Homan Letters. HOW THEY DUTEB FKOM THOSE OF MEN—WHY THEBE ABE SO MANY IT ABIES. No strong, muscular fingers, hardened by grapling with circumstances, could ever make those, long,, delicate, hoop-letters—the h’s and the g’s—while the y’s, long and slenderly drawn out, the shapely o's and the well-proportioned a’s, all speak of hands used to leisure—delicate, soft hands, used to trifling with skeins of silk and bits of bright stuffs, and which trifle with letter-writing, too to their graceful, half-aimless manner. And if the hand-writing didn’t tell you all about the hand that wrote, the composi tion of the letter would. Her tricks of expres sion, and even the way she begins it—“My Dearest Georgie,” or My Darling Caroline,” or “My own Dear Will.” Those are all a woman’s terms of endearment; and “I lone, love, LOYE YOU !” fill A writde in o rtrvrfanf eonn** pressed sentiment. When she want’s to set for the ardent affection, italics find themselves put into^ the most active service to her [lands. No man uses italics as a woman does, or feels the need of using them as she does. She can’t for the life of her, help making that all- expressive and all-expressing dash of the pen' under the word that only half expresses what she wants to say.- She is especially fond of italicicing the mysterious “he." When she writes it thus:you may know that she has especial designs on this particular “he.” By that single stroke of the pen, she sets Mm apart from all the other hes to the world. She does not know any better way of expressing it, • however, than that. TTia name may be Tneo- ' dore Algernon Howard, or Adolphus Gustavos * Jenkins, or plain John Smith, but he is only “he,” to her adoring thoughts, when she sits down to write to Laura Matilda about him. Eight pages, and one or two of them crossed! Not a page less, on my honor and responsibil ity as a commissioner in the little ins and outs of the sex! Then again, what man ever crosses Ms letters? ?ontelmi 0 ?&I^S«5fe£ r ba !% and despise and disgusted Fitz-Floss to the “city, v ’ whence - writes to his dutiful and bepaniered spouse at Saratoga or Long Branch, “don’t cross your letters when you write to me. It’s too hard on a fellow this hot weather to have to make ’em out, and I can’t stand it. I couldn’t read your last, it was all scribbled over so.” Yet Ms Maria Louisa still persists to crossing her letters to her “dear, darling hubby.” Why do women do it ? The fact is that a woman’s letter,, like a woman’s work, is never done, and she does violence to her natural self when she finds that she has left only one fraction of a comer available for writing* her name in, and must, perforce, fold up the economically written sheet, and slip it toto its tiny envelope; and even then, some last thought occurs to her, and she is tempted to scribble on the inside of the wrapper-flap. What does she find to write about so much? She tells you of Annie’s new dress, and Mrs. Wheedlenm’s last crush; about Julia's flirtation and Alfred’s engagement; something about her own heart affairs, if she is writing to a confidential friend. Set a man down to the same sort of work, give him the same range of subjects, and he will whisk you off a two-page letter to a jiffy—say one word about this, half word about that, and two words abont the oth- and sign himself “Yours sincerely,” • and . have done with it, while a woman correspond ent, writing the same sort of letter, is ‘."Your own Lucy,” or “Lovingly yours, Sallie.” Does anything tend more to show the great differ- ' ence to the mental complexion of the two sexes in general ? And then, a woman’s letter never looks qnite like a man's. For her, (he stationers' shops spread the choicest fancy assortments. For her, . are the faithfully printed monograms, the three- cornered note-envelopes, the dainty, scented note-paper. Women use these things as a rule, men use them as an exception. Lay the man’s letter beside the woman’s; the one to its large,. plain, wMte envelope, its strong, clear, free writing on the address; the other to its dainty trickery of crest or monogram, or embossed let ter, and its delicate superscription, not half fill ing the tiny envelope. There yon have the epi tomes of their characters—the man’s and the James T. Ellis, a Representative from Spald ing, who voted for the fifteenth amendment. In an address to the people assigns these reasons for the act: Then first. The fourteenth amendment settles upon the States of North Carolina, South Caro lina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida, the ques tion of suffrage, as fully, to all intents and pur poses, as the fifteenth. Then these States have nothing to lose by its adoption. This every well informed man knows or should know. _ Second. In the Radical Constitution of Geor gia, made under and to harmony with the four teenth amendment, the question of negro suf frage is not to be denied and I, as a member under these, State and Federal Constitutions, be ing sworn to snpport them, did it Third. It gave me the chance to fasten on the Northern States by the ballot, that law they had fastened on me with the bayonet and bullet, and if we were bound to live under that law, it af fords me pleasure to fasten the same on them. Fourth. It makes ns master of the situation by pinning Bullock’s nose to the grindstone of the law, and making Mm as subject to the law as other men, and by spuming the fifteenth amendment, we should doubtless have been placed at Ms mercy, the negroes reseated, and the machine run entirely by him and his com peers. This I am opposed to. Fifth. I went for, introduced, advocated, and voted to adopt the fifteenth amendment, because I was anxious to keep Bullock from ruining the State, and I was fully satisfied, from their own mouths, that they, the Radicals, opposed it, be cause they thought it would enable them to prostitute the State for their own lust- of power. r.) \ \ »• * ’ S' jfc An Actress’ Drawing-room. —When Mina Lo gan was playing at the South, a short time ago, her manager happened to be a veritable cockney, with a chronic habit of omitting Ms h’a where they should be, and inserting them where they should not be, as “ art” for heart, “ hedge” for edge, and the like. Oo arriving at the place, Miss Logan was indignant at finding that no room had been prepared for her, and eaid as much. At this the manager bawled out- at the top of (his voice: “ Miss Logan’s room Is bell! ’Ere, boy, make a fire in hell (L\ and put Min Logan to there!” “After suffrage, what?” was the subject of a lecture recently given in Crawfords vine, lad., by Uiss Lixxie Boynton. . She received the an swer by Express—a pair of trowsers, s jacket, sadadid: ,v.
