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COMMISSIONER NESBITT. HIS MONTHLY TALK WITH THE GEORGIA FARMERS On Subjects of General Interest Per taining to the Farm and Garden--Good Advice. Atlanta, Nov. Ist, '93. The past month, with local exceptions, has been uniformly favorable for the Bowing of all crops, an 1 in this work our farmers have made fine headway. Tins COTTON crop is virtually gathered and, with few exceptions, never were its results more disappointing. At one time the crop outlook through the state, with the exception of northwest Georgia, was most encouraging. From unpropritious seasons in that particular section the crop has been almost uniformly unprom ising, and from the time it came out of the ground ail through the growing and making season, and until fully matured and gathered, offered little hope. In other sections, however, the crop at one time promised well, and the general failure in results, combined with un fortunately low prices, have brought disappointment and gloom to almost every farmhouse in Georgia. The per plexing and unsatisfactory condition of our monetary affairs has added its de pression of influence, and altogether our farmers as a class are troubled by anxious forebodings. More especially is this true of those who have neglected diversity of crops and ample home raiped provisions. ECONOMY has been the watchword and making the present cop, and its principles have been more generally practiced this year than for several years past. In many instances men have denied themselves and families necessary comforts. But the sacrifice seems unavailing, and farmers, in common with workingmen of all classes, are suffering, though it may be in less degree, • from the desig nated condition of the times. But, while much of the present un rest and dissatisfaction can be traced to defective financial laws, we, as farmers, must admit that, as a class, we have in vited disaster by ignoring some of the plainest and simplest business rules. We readily admit that in our efforts to cultivate much of our land, we are yearly taxing it beyond that point where could we expect even under tlie most favorablo seasons and with the most persistent and faithful work to realize more than the cost of production. No hope of profit, even under the bast sea sons and best management. With un propitious seasons the result is actual loss, and oftentimes suffering. Will we never learn wisdom from hard experi ence, or is the absolute loss of our prop erty and total inability to secure sup plies on time the only sure check on our SPECULATIVE SYSTEM OF FARMING? Our farmers should remember from their past experience that they cannot afford to start a crop in .the vain hope that after advancing it to a certain stage, someone else will he willing to risk the supplies to keep it going. The mer chant, like the farmer, lias drifted along in the same current, both shutting their eyes to the dangerous snags all along their course. He, like ourselves, has hoped against hope, striving each year to recover some part of the losses which he has borne in the shape of advanced and unpaid for supplies. Our mutual hopes have been built upon sand foun dations and the props seem entirely swept away. The lesson for us as farm ers to learn is, that under existing cir cumstances, it is worse than folly to at tempt to work our lands under the old methods, and w r ith supplies obtained on credit. It must be evidont to every thinking farmer, in the light of his own experience and that of hundreds of others who have bravely struggled and failed, that if we continue a, course so fraught with danger, nothing but a mir acle will save us from ruin. Let us arouse ourselves to our true condition, and realize at once that if we expect to make our farming successful and self supporting, we must follow legitimate and sensible business rules, and not the speculative plan, which has character ized our management for so many years. Let us LOOK CAREFULLY OVER THE GROUND and determine just how much of our land under favorable, or, I should say, average seasons, with careful manage ment, will give us home supplies, home comforts. \Ye but invite failure when we attempt to cultivate land which, de pleted by a long and continuous system of cleanly hoed and exhaustive crops, holds out little hope of remunerative returns unless a different plan is adopted. Our towns are today being filled with DISAPPOINTED FARMERS, who, despairing of success in their cho sen calling, ave been induced to em bark in undertakins in which they have no experien. and, in many instances, little aptitude. They forget that succeas in any business is usnally the crowing result of education, study and oftei* years of patient labor in * that special line. We see daily hundreds of cases where farmers have ventured their all in new and untried business and lost, and their condition calls for our warm est sympathy. The young man just' starting out in life without capital, hut fitted by tern' perament and education for some spe cial work, will find it to his . interest to engage in that work, because there his brain and muscle can be used for his ad vancement. To such the farm cannot hold out inducements sufficient. Other fields are more inviting and offer better pay, and one cannot expect him to fore go a favorable opportunity or sacrifice his interest to a mere sentiment. Life work is too real, and we deal with issues too vital to be trifled with, and each one should select the work for which he is best fitted. But in selecting our busi ness, not only our fitness, but our indi vidual fancies and prejudices should be considered, and in every avocation there is one cstxtit h we can Tartiy Hope to climb nigh on the ladder to succ ss —that is. we must love our work to be willing to devote our time, our energies and such talent as we pos sess to its advancement. Having cn<>- -n our work we must not only love it, but hold to it in shadow as well as sunshine, in discouragement as well as when it goes right. As farmers we mu and yno opportunity for gain ing information, for improving our methods, to escape, and once we dis cover that we are on the wrong track, call a halt, consider the situation, and having decided on a different line of ac tion, follow it to tiie finish. Heretofore defeat has made us desp rate, and in the vain hope of bettering our condition we have pi mge l deeper i .to me; Which, upon 1-. and. iouaaoiHOurcniamr plishment. We have* -n working for immediate remits wrnoafc tvo* bring the injury to our land ; or our ability to execute the plans, which we have but partially matured. ii *cogni dug our mistake the only sound policy is to for the future. Permit me to emphasize some of the mistakes and to reiterate the warning, which I have so often ut tered. The first and most grievous, the one which has caused U3 the greatest number of disappointments as well as changed the character of our soils is planting the same land year after year m the same clean-hoed and cultivated crops, without rest or change. On this subject I quote the following from the American Agriculturist, showing how universal the practice and how impor tant to apply the remedy: “The farmer who owns his farm is concerned quite has much for its future as for its present productiveness. He cannot afford, even under pressure of seeming necessity, to seil the fertility of his land by the bushel until its decreas ing productiveness makes l inger cultiva tion impossible. Thousands have gone this road, and have only found their mistake when too late to retract their steps. “However important immediate re sults may seem, the careful farmer looks to next year and the year after. It takes exceptional crops to make the farmer in different to the future of his soil. But the true economy consists in combining both immediate and future benefit by applying manures chiefly to clover and other crops which themselves add to soil fertility, and thus make it serve both ends. It is here that grain farmers have an advantage over those who grow hoed crops exclusively. The farmer who grows grain can and should always sow clover with it. Then all the manure he applies to the grain crop serves a double purpose. Tlie hoed crop may make the most money per acre, but, if it is grown year after year, it demands the yearly purchase of a large amount of manure. That will take off the profits. The alternation of grain seeded with clover, and then after one or two years growth the clover plowed under as green ma nure for some hoed crop, secures both the immediate profit and tlie permanent benefit to the soil which every good farmer seeks.” In the more southern latitudes pc-as or rye take the place of the clover. A second error is the yearly purchase of large amounts of commercial fertili zer, stock and provisions, partly on time, in the hope of a few extra bales, forget ting that when the additional labor and various other extra items are calculated the expense account is largely increased, and when the crops are gathered the ad ditional results are sadly disproportion ate. The third mistake is included in the others—that is, the hazardous experi ment of planting a short provision crop and trusting to our merchant; or “luck, 7 ’ to keep us out. On a farm where plenty of provisions are planted there is always ample opportunity for “rotation and renovation,” and where the farmer raises his own meat and possibly his stock, the harmony of agricultural relations is ad justed and maintained year after year, and the land, instead of retrograding, is being constantly improved. We have EXPLODED THE OLD IDEA that debts can be paid or money made on borrowed capital when cotton brings only 7or 8 cents. In looking at this question from a business as well as an agricultural standpoint, we cannot afford to ignore some unpleasant truths. The crop producing capacity of our cultivated lands has alarmingly de creased; the facilities for reaching newer and more productive lands have so greatly increased as to draw off a large part of our best farming population; these two conditions, combined with our unfortunate financial status and the low prices prevailing for our principal farm products *Jiave caused a general agricultufal depression, and we south ern farmers will be compelled to so arrange the acreage, character and gen eral direction of our crops as to enable us to run our farms without incurring additional indebtedness. Many are seri ously cramped now, and with tlie de cline in land production and in prices their affairs are becoming more and more embarrassed. To such the error of attempting to cultivate large areas in cotton on borrowed capital is pain fully apparent. We should cultivate only such land as experience has taught us will produce well, and in such crops as are suited to our soils and the demands of home and available markets. We should resolve not to be swerved from this position by any favorable or sudden change in the general market prices, for it is the policy sanctioned by experience, common sense and onr natural surroundings. At this season, when the crops are nearly or about gathered, each farmer should determine upon the PROPER PLAN for him to pursue for another season, and then direct his energies to their ac complishment. The fall and winter plowing should go on wherever the land is in proper condition. Very little at tention has heretofore been given to this work, because of she character of our crops, they occupying the land until late in the season; because we have never realized the importance of a thor ough stirring of the subsoil, and because we are such creatures of habit that it is difficult to fall into new lines o£ thought and action. In some cases, where there is an ab sence of vegetable matter and the land is disposed to “run together,” tins plow ing may have to be repeated in the spring, but in the meantime the land has been put iu condition to yield up ad ditional plant food, when needed. A sufficient area in small gn.in should be put in each year to meet home demands. This, dressed with a phosphate and fol lowed by peas to be turned under or cut. as the farmer may decide. By this pro cess we will build up our lands and gather a supply of pla it food which, combined with the prep tred fertilizers, will produce astoni Ling results. Build up pastures, and provide for the comfort of stock. Keep one or two good brood sows, and watch and attend to them carefully. Give them the benefits of the slops or surplus milk from the kitchen and dairy. Shelter cattle and stock properly. All of these dumb crea tures, which contribute so largely to bur comfort, suffer intensely from the effects of cold, and when unnecessarily exposed require more food to promote health and growth. Humanity and economy both demand that w ■ ’ -viully to the coiuldrc or The Turin animuis. “Fences and terraces are to be looked after; leaves and litter to be hauled for bed ding; implements, plow-gear and wagons overhauled and repaired. In these small matters we are too apt to procrastinate, and when too late, that is when the spring work opens in earn est. we realize the time we have lost, and regret our inaction. R. T. Nesbitt, Commissioner. COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Their Percentages of Valuable Plant Pood. We are often asked by farmers why it is that so much unnecessary material is found in the ordinary fertilizers on the market. A common composition of these goods is about 10 per cent of avail able phosphoric acid, about 2 1-2 per cent ammonia and about 2 per cent pot ash. This is a total of 14 1-2 per cent of available plant food, or 14 1-2 pounds in every 100 pounds of fertilizer. This may appear a small percentage, yet when the source of the materials and the urgent demand for low priced fertilizers is taken into consideration, there are excellent reasons for such a condition of affairs. There are certain materials offered upon the market which contain plant food, some of them are sold at very low prices which make them available as fertilizers. Bones, phosphate rock, cot tonseed meal, blood, tankage, sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of soda, muriate of potash, sulphate of potash and kainit are such materials. Phosphate rock is our cheapest and most used source of phosphoric acid; cottonseed meal is one of our cheap sources of nitrogen, and kainit is largely used as a source of potash. Now 100 pounds of phosphate rock only contains about 30 pounds of phos phoric acid, and to render this 30 pounds of phosphoric acid available as plant food requires in round numbers about 100 pounds of sulDhuric acid added to it. Then the 200-pound mixture will con tain the whole of the 30 pounds of the phosphoric acid, or 15 pounds in 100; or, ih other words, it will be a 15 per cent “acid phosphate.” Phosphate rock is a combination of lime with phosphoric acid, and it also contains some impuri ties such as sand, etc. Sulphuric acid when added to phosphate rock seizes a large portion of the lime and forms sul phate of lime, leaving the phosphoric acid available as plant food. If it were possible to secure a perfectly pure phos phate rock we could only make about a 23 per cent “acid phosphate ’ with it by this process.- It is possible to leach out the phosphoric acid from the “acid phos phate” and evaporate the solution down, and thus produce a remarkably high grade of “acid phosphate.” This, of course, increases the cost of the goods very much. It is possible now to buy goods running from 40 to 50 per cent available phosphoric acid, but the de mand is limited, as everyone wishes cheap fertilizers. Such an article is in trinsically worth three times as much as als per cent acid phosphate. With 15 per cent acid phosphate selling at sl3 a ton, a 45 par cent one should bring $39. Even at this figure the higher priced article would be the most eco nomical on account of freight, as it would be only one-third of that of the lower grade goods. Another factor comes, however, into the matter, which is tlie additional cost of producing the more concentrated article. An actual pound of available phosphoric acid sells at a higher and higher price as it becomes more and more pure. While it is worth 4 cents a pound in an ordinary “acid phosphate,” it sells for $2.50 a pound in a perfectly pure condition as used by chemists. Cottonseed meal is one of the large sources of nitrogen, yet as it is put upon the market it only contains nitrogen equivalent to 8 1-2 per cent of ammonia. The raw cottonseed itself contains a still smaller percentage before the removal of the hulls and oil. This partial concen tration of nitrogen in the cottonseed meal is too expensive to undertake for fertilizing purposes alone. It is the ex traction of the valuable cottonseed oil upon which the industry chiefly depends to make the business remunerative. If agriculturists could afford to use the most concentrated ammoniates which it is possible to produce, such ammoniates could be made far cheaper from other materials than cottonseed. Blood is a bj'-product from the slaughter houses, and contains nitrogen equivalent ti about 1G per cent of ammonia, and while higher per ton. usually costs less per pound for the nitrogen it contains than the cottonseed meal. If cottonseed meal was worth nothing except as a fertilizing material, this might not be the case, but cottonseed is also a valuable cattle food. Nitrate of soda is also a very concen trat and form of nitrogen. It can be bougut containing nitrogen equivalent to over 18 per cent of ammonia. Perfectly pure nitrate of soda contains nitrogen equivalent to t*ely between 19 and 2W per cent ef ammonia. Perfectly pure nitrogen and ammonia are both gases and for fertilizing purpo ses must be fixed by combination with some other body. Ammonia gas is now sold in a liquid form compressed by heavy pressure into iron cylinders for the manufacture of ice. Such liquified ammonia gas it is, of course, impractical to use. Sulphate of ammonia is ammo nia gas comtfined with sulphuric acid, which holds it. Pure sulphate of am monia contains over 23 per cent of act ual ammonia. Kainit is an impure potash mineral, only containing about 12 per cent of pot ash. muriate of potash containing 5!) per cent of actual potash. It c m be bought at very low figures, con-idering its contents of potash. The sulphate can be bought at a little higher figures, containing also about 50 per cent of potash. If we consider “acid phosphate” in an unadulterated state as containing 15 per cent of available phos phoric acid and cotton seed meal as con taining nitrogen equivalent to 8 1-2 per cent of ammonia, and Kainit as carry ing 12 per cent of potash, fertilizers can not be made to run very high from such materials in their crude form. For Di stance, 60 pounds of 15 per cent aciu phosphate contains 9 pounds of availa ble pno-Tphorio acid (;hat is, it contains 6-10 ot 15 pounds), 23 pounds of cotton seed meal contains 1-4 of the 8 1-2 pounds of nitrogen equivalent to ammo nia in 100 pounds of cotton seed meal, which will be about 2 12-100 per cent, 15 pounds of Kainit will contain 1 8-10 pounds of potash—as 15 pounds is 15-100 of the 100 pounds of Kainit containing 12 pounds of potash per 100 pounds. By using greater or smaller propor tions of each ingredient the percentages can be varied, but such formulae cannot be expected to contain more than 13 or 14_per cent of plant food. - IT 16 per cent blbou or 16 per cent nitrate of soda is used all the percent ages can be increased if desired. By the use of such material as the high grade acid phosphates, which can be bought running as high as 18 per cent available phosphoric acid, sulphate of ammonia containing over 24 per cent of ammonia and of sulphate or muriate of potash running over 50 per cent of potash, very much higher grades of fertilizers can be produced than the ordinary average of those on the market. Fifty pounds of an 18 per cent “acid phosphate” would give 9 per cent available phosphoric acid, 25 pounds of 24 per cent sulphate of ammonia would give 6 per cent of ammonia, and 25 pounds of sulphate or muriate of potash containing 5U per cent of potash would give 12 1-2 per cent of potash. The demand, however, is for low-priced goods, and many buyers do not stop to consider the quantity of plant food in a fertilizer, but tiiink the cheaper they buy a ton the better the bargain. If one desires to buy a gold ring of a cer tain size, he finds they become cheaper and cheaper as they contain less gold, though to the eye they appear equally well at first. One has to take the jew eler's word or go to a chemist to decide the matter. A farmer has to either take the manufacturer's word or go to a chemist also. Some may think they can tell the quality by the smell, taste or color. They are badly mistaken. A fertilizer running 9 per cent availa ble phosphoric acid, 6 per cent of am monia and 12 1-2 per cent of potash costs a manufacturer $7.20 for the phos phoric acid, $15.60 for the ammonia and $lO for the potash, and $2.60 for mixing, sacking, inspecting, etc. This will be $33.40. Such goods can be purchased if desired. If low percentage goods are not desired one should not buy them, as higher percentage fertilizers can be se cured if one is willing to pay for them. Where freights are high considerable money can be saved by using high grade goods. To increase the standard would be to lessen the use of cotton seed meal and the lower grades of phosphate rock in manufactured fertilizers. This would, of course, make fertilizers proportion ately somewhat higher in price. Pure phosphoric acid and pure potash quickly take up water from the air, nnd they would be difficult to manage as fer tilizers. They could not be kept pure unless sealed air and water tight. Pure ammonia is a gas under ordinary condi tions, and, of course, would be unman ageable in such a form. These bodies, however, can be combined with each other and thus, be handled more readily. Phosphate of potash can be made from phosphoric acid and potash, and phos phate of ammonia from phosphoric acid and ammonia. These two white sub stances would look very dissimilar fiom the ordinary “guanoss” blackened with lampblack, and even if there was no in creased cost in ridding the crude mate rial of their impurities, the market value would be very high. At the low valuation of 4 cents a pound for availa ble phosphoric acid a ton of pure phos phosphoric acid would be worth SBO. A ton of pure potash valued at 4 cents a pound would be SBO, and a ton of pure ammonia at only 13 cents a pound would be $260. The freight on such chemicals would be proportionately low according to their concentration, but they are, of course, out of the question, as they can not at present be manufactured except at considerable additional cost per pound of plant food. At equal prices per pound for plant food a high grade fertilizer is cheaper than a low priced one, as the freight is less, it does not take so much bagging, and it takes less work to handle it. Far mers should buy their goods on analysis, as the manufacturers do theirs. No reasonable man should expect to buy a fertilizer containing 27 per cent of plant food at the sasue price as one containing only 13 per cent. George F. Payne. CAKED BAG IN COWS. I want to know how to cure caked bag in cows. Will you please give me the information ? S. B. C. Rub the middle well every night with cod liver oil, and give the animal 2d grains of iodide of potassium in half a pint of water ever morning before feeding. SCRATCHES IN HORSES. How can I cure my horse of scratches? W. F, F., Cass Station. Mix white lead and linseed oil in such proportions as will render the applica tion convenient. Two or three applica tions should effect a cure, BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Relating te the Farm, Garden, Dairy, Stock Raising, Etc. CHICKENS. We are pleased to be able to add the valuable experience of Mrs. W. E. 11., of Milledgeville, as a further answer to the inquiry as to how to rid the henhouse and chickens of mites. Mrs. H.’s letter also contains other valuable suggestions. She says: “Seeing in the weekly paper here in one of your recent reports an inquiry for cure of mites and lice on chickens I send the following, which I know to he sure, as my chickens have been free from mites for over five years: Two teaspoonsful of sulphur to a pint of com meal nfixed well together to every seven fowls; given twice a week to get rid of mites; given once every 10 or 12 days to prevent. Mite3 will never get on roosts made of sassafras poles, and they can be used several years. Onions cut fine and baked in dough prepared for biscuit and fed to fowls once or twice a week when cholera is around is a sure preventive. Little chickens just a few days old can he ted with both prepara tions. Three drops of sweet oil on the heads of ducks will kill the lice.” Respectfully, Mrs. W. E. H. TEA VINES. What is the best way to save pea vines for hay? P. C., Lee County. The vines should be cut just as the pea is developing in the pod, when you can find an occasional fully developed pod. Mow or cut down the vines early in the morning, as soon as the dew is off. Leave vines on the ground until next morning, when you scatter the cocks and leave as before. Throw two cocks together in the afternoon, and go on in this way until the vines are dry enough for the bam. Do not handle the vines in the heat of the day, when very dry, or the leaves will fall off. The vines should, if not prevented by rain, be left in the field for four or five days. Place them loosely in the barn, and never pack them away. In this way you cun se cure very fine hay. WEEVILS IN COHN. Can you give me a remedy, or, rather, a preventive, that will keep weevils out of corn? J* L. H., Adel, Ga. In answering your question on this subject we reply to several other in quiries relating to the same matter. Experiments with bi sulphide of carbon prove it a must valuable remedy. As practical experience is the best test, we give what Mr. John W. Rice, of Su wanee counts, Florida, says on the sub ject: ‘•Last winter, after I had housed my corn, I obtained of Evans Brothers, of Live Oak, a few pounds of bi sulphide of carbon. I took a long tube and worked it into the corn to bottom of barn on one side, and poured in one pound of the stuff, stooped upper end of tube and let it remain two weeks. I then made the same operation m the other side of the barn. The we4fns were pretty thick i: the corn, hut they soon disappeared, and I have them no more. My barn is freer from weevils in August than it has been in March before. I must say it is a de cided success. I would not be without it, though it cost me fa a pound. I have a supply for the present crop, and shall put each bottle in a box slatted on top to prevent the breaking of the bottle, place the box on the floor of the barn and throw the corn on it—the bottle un stopped, of course. I shall use one bot tle to one hundred bushels of corn. My stock have eaten both corn and shucks treated with carbon and it had no inju rious effects. The stuff is worth millions to the south, where the corn weevil is so destructive and annoying/’ GREEN CROPS. I notice that you advise turning under crops just as matured. I would like to know whether the character of the soil should have any influence in deciding whether the crop should be turned under green or after matured. C. C. S., Bartow County. The general deduction tliat crops ben efit the soil most when turned under just when matured rather than when green is due to the fact that when plowed under green they produce an acidity in the soil from the decomposi tions that Js hurtful. This being the case, it is evident that where the soil abounds in alkaline matter, such as pot ash and lime, no such injury can result On this character of soil it may be ad vantageous to turn under the green crop, as the acid is then harmless, and uniting with the alkaline may release plant food that otherwise might be useless to vegetation. In the experiments con ducted at the state station, no marked results in favor of any particular time of turning under crops was secured. In our previous answer to the question we gave only the general deductions drawn by experienced and scientific agricultur alists without the qualifications that arise in special instances. It is the duty of every farmer to insure success to study the best methods, or rather, the method that will secure the best results on his land. This can be done in all matters, especially those involving fer tilisation by experimental work. IRISH POTATOES. Can you give me a good method to keep Irish potatoes? I). G. W. Cartersville. To keep Irish potatoes through the fall and winter, select a cool, dry, airy situation —a cellar where the atmosphere is not damp and the temperature not too low or very high, is the best place. M'x two bushels of charcoal with one bushel of air slacked lime for every 5) bu ■ii ds of potatoes, and sprinkle this mixture through the potatoes immediately after removing them from the field. See that your potatoes are well dried before stor ing away. They should be dried in the shade, and all cut an . mused tubers re moved. A common method of storing potatoes —a ditch cut for too pu . >s *. Where this method is adopted it is . o select a hillside where goa l Jin ,o an na secured. Place straw in ah, a. a which place the potatoes. 1 1 • ■ with straw, covering sufficient eartii just to prev -at All the potatoes shoul lno bes. n i > gether, but separated inm lots of i o t 25 bushels each, by eartn or sun v r . Your seed potatoes and o h r.s a 1 oe excellently preserved by placing ue n m a bin in a dry, cool place, aal sepn .n.i.jg the potatoes by sand so that they do not come in contact with each other. GRASS SEED. To sow reel clover liow much seed should I use to the acre, also how much clover and orchard grass mixed? It. P. Milton county. How much seed to sow depends on tho purpose for which you desire to use tlx; land. For pasture it should be sown thicker than for meadow. Mach will also depend on the character oiphe .-oil. If the soil is very lumpy and not very fertile, twice as much seed will be need ed as is necessary per acre wu :n the soil is mellow, free from lumps and covered with a fine vegetable mould. The fol lowing is the quantity for general seed ing, whieh may be varied to suit the soil, or for meadows and pastures: When red clover and orchard grass are sowed together four quarters of the for mer and 16 of the latter will be suffi cient if the soil will produce one and a half tons per acre. If sowed evenly and nothing but clover is used, six to eight quarts will seed an acre. With orchard grass alone use from two to three bus , els—better sow three than less than two. PEAR TREES. What is the best way to train pear trees? L. F. TANARUS., Thomaston. It is best to train your trees so that they will branch at a distance of only a few feet from the ground. This method has these advantages: The fruit can be easier gathered and the trees easier trained; the fruit doe.s not injure so much in falling; the branches being sturdy, will not be strained by overbear ing or over weight of fruit; the soil will be kept shaded and moist, and the trunk protected from the scorching sun. STUMPS. Can you give me a method to de stroy stamps? F. D. U., Hancock County. Bore with a two-inch augur to the heart or center. Fill the hole with sul phuric acid or with crude petroleum. In the first place the acid destroys in a few months; in the latter, when the stump becomes saturated with the oil it is fired and will hum to the roots. Where oil is used two or more holes will hasten the time for 'burning. Place an Iron weight on the stump when fired, and it will render the result more certain. The iron retains heat, and by its weight re moves charred portions of the stump. HUMUS. How does humus benefit land ? S. B. N., Brooks. Land is bene fit tel by liumus princi pally by its mechanical effect-;. It stiff ens sandy land and loosens clay soil; it gives power to the soil to absorb and re tain moisture and its solvent powers renders available mineral substances in the soil. When the vegetable matter is from liguminous plants, a considerable contribution of nitrogen is directly made. Carbonic acid is the principal element evolved from humus. ASHES AND STABLE MANURE. Will it do to mix ashes and stable ma nure? F. M. W. 1 It is injurious to mix ashe3 with stable manure, as they cause the escape of the ammonia, which is the most costly of plant foods. If the material is perfectly dry and you wish to use the compost immediately by the use of dry earth or plaster, you can mix them without loss. WHEAT AND OATS. How can I separate oats from wheat ? F. li. E. Oats may % e nearly entirely removed from wheat by putting tlio grain in a tub of strong brine and skimming. The wheat must then be spread thin and dried quickly and well limed. It pays to have pure wheat seed, and you should do this if you wish to sow the wheat WHITEWASH. In your next report please tell mo how to make a good whitewash. L. H. T. This is a simple recipe: Mix up half of lime and water; take half a pint of flour and make a starch of it and pour it into the whitewash while hot; stir it well and it is ready for use. In suggestions and information for farm ers issued by the department, you will find another valuable recipe. TICKS ON SHEEP. Please give me a remedy for ticks on Sleep. H. L. T. Mix sulphur and salt, seven pints of salt to one of sulphur, and feed or salt the sheep with the mixture given to them several times. It will drive the ticks off. DEAD LEAVES. What is the best thing to do-with dead leaves, so as to use them for manure? S. S. P., Hartwell. Throw them in the pig pen, or use them as a litter for cow r s. Hogs will work them into manure in a very short time. JANUARY SHERIFF SALS. GEORGIA— Butts Oountj . Will be s<<!d before the courthouse door in the town of Jackson, said county on the first Tuesday in January next. 1894, within th legal hours of sale,the following descriDsd property to wit: One tract, or parcel, of land situated, ly ing and being: in 552 district G. M,, Butts courty, Georgia, containing in ali fifty acres of land, more or less. Where on W. A. White now resides, and bound ed as follows: East by the lands of J. A. Pitman, north by lands of A. F. Moss and J. A. Dodson, West by landsofL M. TANARUS, Mayo, guardian of J, B. Hoard, south by lands of M. 0. Duke. Levied n s i e property ot W, A. White ? by virture and to satisfy two fifas issued by justice < ourt of the 552 district G. M., Paid county and state in favor of W. O. Clai k against W. A. White. Property pointed ut by plaintiff* attorney. Ten ant Hi possession giien written notice. a hi.- December 4lli 1893, J O. Beauchamp, Sheriff B (J. FOU LEAVE TO SELL. GEORGIA —Butts County. To All Whom Ii May Concern: J. 11. O ru.icha 1 , administrator of E 3. V\ ynn, having m proper form applit and to me ioi least to seil <>ll the stock in incorporated oompan es, belonging to the estate of E. <>. Wynn, late of said county this is to cite all mid Mogul r the credi tors und next of kin ol E. fi. Wynn to be and appear at my office within the time allowed >y 1 w and show cause if air> they ca.< any leave n> se 1 sai l stocs shorn not, be granted to J H. Cairn ei *l, administrator of E and. vVyun ibis tne 6th day of Dec., 1b93 J F. Carmichael Ordinary. GEOKGAd—Butts C-iunty . I'o All Whom It May Concern, himantua. at Wed. T er, almn trait ix ui F >j. Weave , having in proper form applie i to me mr leave so sen tin; ..uni Del .ig.ng to tile es ate o. Saul leoe&.-ed. i’.n , is to cite >d .ud smguGr tin cred 10. ami next oi km oi F. M. Weaver, ic be a >0 appear at my office within the time allowed iyja ~ and show ea se, u any they can, win cave should not be granted Samantha V eater, admtois trait ix, to se i tne 1 and .*• icayeo l J F. Carmichael, Grainary. LEi XE SO* ID.UIAISTRA riO\. GEORGIA—/Tut s C unty. Jo ail whom it may concern: J ii. Caimn na a n proper lo,m app.ien tome- i pe o. .r.ent ie- ers o administration n tne est-aie of .C, Kii.ard, late ot sai i county, this is to cite ad and singular the creators and next oi k.n of L.C Kinar to be and ap pear at my office wit.an the time allow ed bv law and show cause, if any they can, why permanent of ad inis traiion should not be granted to J. H. ,aimichael on B. C. Kinard’s estate. Witness my hand and official signa. ture,this the sth day of Dec., 1893, J. F. Caemtchael, Ordinary. GUARDIAN SALE, Rv virture of an order from the court of ordinary of Butts county, will be sold, on me hist Tuesday in January, 1894, at the <*oui tin>us door in said county be tween the legal sa e hours tne tract of land containing 18 1-3 seres, more or less, ad joining lands of John B. Cole, and L. \ Goodrum. as the property of S. P Good rum and Lucy Goodrum. Terms c: sh. This the 4. day of December, 1893, L. L. Goodrum, Guardian of S. P. and Lucy Goodrum, GEORGIA —BaIts County To All Whom it May Concern- The appraisers appointed to Bet a £ the. widow aud minor child of F ver, deceased, the provision allowed 1 law, aud reported the same to the ord J of said county, this is to eve all and tinl lar the creditors aud next of kin off ■ Beaver, to be aud appear at my c within the time allowed by law. and cause, if any they can, why said allow ; ,1 should not be confirmed. Witness my official signature, Nov. 1 1893. J. F. Caumioiuel, 1 Ordinary, JS, q 1 GEORGIA—Butts County. 7o all whom it may concern: The return of the appraisers, duly J pointed to set apart twelve months' allol ance for Prudence J. Kinard, widow j B. C. Kinard, late of said county, deceal ed, and filed according to law. This iH c3e all and singular the creditors and nej of kin of B. C. Kinard, to be and appej at my office within the tiid allowed by law, and show cause, if an they cau, why snch allowance should J be confirmed. Witness my official signature this, l',t December, 1893. J. F. Carmichael, Ordinary ■ MORTGAGE S*VLE. By virtue oi the power vested in ml by a mortgage deed made by E a Fml her t j Eenneli, Thompson & lo , m til tFh day of February, 1892 uni tuer -at cl ewii : On ihe Bih day ot Fcbr iarv, FSIIjJ at. 9 o’clock a. m filed for reo ml au |fl ecorded in the clerk’s office if the I nor court ot Butts county, on 111 a book “G” on the 23rd day ol Februal iy, 1892, and by them regularly trails! ierred by writing th. re in to me u ; th J fill day oi Nov., 1893, and by vir urc oi uecree rendered by the Superior court ol Butts < oimty at Chambers l.<.| ii. 1893. 1 will sell beiure tile t our hulls! d>or in ihe town o! Jackson, ;’ a ; "ii:ty, e'g a, on the Kith -lay ol ~ 1894, between the legal sale hours t act of ia,nd described in yciu wi. : Due tract oi land iy ng aim he i:j a Lut s county Georgia a.e .-vain one bundled and twenty ii , e acres in or less. Bounded on the n >rth bv ia m ot me widow Stroud, eas by lands ol Goodman amt *JooF , west by iai is : A, C. T ncbei and South bv ian ■> o .1 i., Fincher. These lands aein a high -m u of cultivation. The terms ot -ate v. I be cash. Title deeds will bv m.-tm m the name of E. A. ihnehav with . o os tee of same by virtue ■ a • id . J. i . i INCHfiK. '.Oflt’E TO DIIUTOKS .t.VDCililil - Milts. GEO/i’GIA —Butts County. Notice is hereby given to ah persons having demands agaius. E. S lUynn. la e of said county, deceased, to present ihein to me, properly made out, within the time prescribed by law, so as to show their character and amount. Aud all persons indeb ed to said deceased are hereoy re quired to make immediate payment to me. J. II Carmichael, Adm’r. of E. S. Wynn. GEORGIA —jtfutts County. iVotice is hereby given to all persons having demands against F. Hi. Weaver, late of said county, deceased to present them to me properly made out, within the time prescribed by law, so as to show their character and amount. And all per sons indebted to said deceased are hereby required to make immediate payment to me, Namantiia M, Weaver, 6t Adm’rt.rix. of F. M. Weaver. APPLICATION FOit CitAUTEB. State of Georgia ) To the Superior Coun'y of Butts. ( Court of said county. The petition of James A. King, J. M. McMichael, John A. Pitman, S. C. J/c- Candless, Wilson /Smith, .It. W. Mays and all other members of the Formers Alli ance of Butts county, Georgia; who are in good standing as the rules, regulations, and by-laws prescribed; respectfully show that they and their associates desire to be incorporated under and byJhe name of the Farmers Union for the term of twenty years with the privilege of renewal at the expiration of said time, with the power to sue and be sued, to hold and purchase property, both real and personal, to have and use a common seal, arid all other pow ers usually granted to like corporations. 2he object of said corpora'ion is finan cial gain- The business your petitioners propoes to conduct is a genet al mercantile, manufac turing warehouse, and commission busi ness with t icir principal office in the to vn of Jackson, county and state aforesaid, with the privilege of doing busines in any county in said state and other states. Tne capital stock of said company will be ten thousand doilars, divided into four hundred shares of twenty five dollars each, with the privilege of increasing said capital stock to one hundred thousand dot htra. That no stockholder shall be liable for any debt, or obligation whatever of said coiporaton, except their unpaid stock. Petitioners a k that they be permitted to begin business when ten per cent of said capital slock is paid in. Petitioners ask that they be empowered to make such rules, regulations and by laws not in conflict with the constitution and laws of the state of Georgia, that shah be binding upon the stockholders. Your petitioners ask that they be permitted to issue investment bonds and stocks and buy and sell bonds and stocks and other securities and charge a commission for their services. Wherefore your petitioners pray that an older may be granted in terms of the law investing and clothing them and their successors in office with the corporate au uhority aud power above mentioned' And your petitioners wilt ever pray, etc. lUy & Ray, Pecs, and Mttys. GEORGIA—Butts County, I do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original petition for charter now on file in my office, 1 his .December 4, 1893. Joseph Jolly. C. S. C,