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INTERESTING HIT. What Commissioner Nesbitt Has to Say to Georgia Farmers for the Month of January, 1894. PLANS FOR THE COMING YEAR. Experiments in Farming, Renova tion and Rotation, Success in Cotton Planting, Fertilizers. Orchard and Garden. Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, Jan. 1, 1894. The year 1893, now numbered among the things of the past, was ushered in with many hopeful and encouraging signs. Southern farmers had more home raised supplies; their indebtedness had been reduced; cotton, their main money crop, commanded a fairly good price; average grain crops had been made; throughout the length and breadth of the land the farmers were at last aroused to the importance of supplying humus to the worn fields; acres upon acres of starved land were absorbing the renova ting crops, more especially of peas, often of clover and grasses. Other hopeful factions were the reduc tion of the cotton acreage and the wide spread sentiment in favor of home raised supplies of meat and bread. Encouraged and hopeful, our people entered on the work before them, believing, that with proper and well directed onergy and economy, success would crown their la bors. But, unpropitious seasons, short crops, the low price of cotton, and other reasons difficult of explanation, here have precipitated a period of dispondency and discouragement, from which we find it difficult to rise. Let us look these conditions squarely in the face. Let us frankly admit any errors we may have made and take steps to avoid such future mistakes. Let us also mark our successes, and build upon them for future prosperity. Every farm is or should be AN EXPERIMENT FARM. A knowledge of the results from the Etate experiment farm at Griffin is of great value to the body of farmers. But soils and conditions on different farms and in different localities vary greatly, and even on the same farm, different fields require different treatment. On all farms of waning fertility, and what Georgia farm is not more or less depleted? it is important to know in what the deficiency consists, and each farmer should make, as it were, Ins own soil tests. Study the requirements of each crop, and then carefully note the effect of each applied fertilizer. It is true that in commercial fertilizers there is what is termed the “perfect fertilizer,” con taining all three elements of nitrogen, acid and potash. But. suppose we have discovered that there is enough of even one of these ele ments in certain soil, or that by certain process we can draw them to the surface, what is the use of paying a high price for material already within our reach? Experimental plats need not be trouble some or expensive, and they may be made to tell us more certainly than any general soil test, no matter how scientifi cally made, of what plant element the land stands most in need. For instance, one plant may be ferti lized with nitrogen alone, another with phosphoric acid, another with potash, a fourth with nothing. Then combine these elements, two of each, then try all three. These experiments bear directly on the economical side of farming, besides be ing full of interest and pleasure. To one who has been accustomed to look upon the soil as simply inert matter,they open the door for a fuller and broader view, and lead to a .n jru careful study of and more extended interest in the beautiful yet simple laws of nature. To those who have never given this subject much thought, the statement that 12 inches below the surface of each average acre of land in Georgia there lies at least two tons of phosphoric acid, three times as much potash, and even more than that amount of lime, is almost be yond belief, and at once the inquiry is suggested: Why buy these elements at all? Why not plow deep, bring them to the sur face and add only nitrogen? The reply is, these elements are not in soluble form, the ordinary crops cannot appro priate them because plants do not eat, they drink. Therefore, knowing these two facts, i. e., that the elements can be placed in reach, and yet the plants be unable to appropriate them, it follows that our chief study should be how to put these important elements in soluble form, that they may enter into the struc ture of our growing crops. And here we have the broad field of RENOVATING CROPS opened for our inspection and thought ful study. Our ordinary crops of corn and cotton and small grain cannot, appropriate these locked up stores, hut leguminous plants can. In this class are peas and clover. When the roots and stems of either of these are left to decay iir the soil, the labaratory of nature begins at once si lently but surely to convert the stores of phosphoric acid, potash and nitrogen, which have been gathered gathered by these plants from the earth and atmos phere, into available plant foot; that is, a large per cent of the original insoluble elements are put in soluble form anil made fit for plant food. FALL AND WINTER PLOWING. In former talks I have urged the im portance of deep fall and winter plowing on stubble land, or on land where there was an accumulation of vegetable mat ter to be turned under. Recently there has come under my observation an illus tration so pertinent, that I give it for the benefit of those who are still disposed to question the wisdom of this plan. In a certain locality in north Georgia, and, I may as well mention, situated in the heart of the drouth stricken region, a farmer began last January to turn under a broom sedge field. He was anew comer in that section, and when his neighbors saw him burying deeply, with a two horse plow, the heavy mat of sedge, roots and tops, they assured him that he was ruining Ids land. But when they discovered that he in tended to plant corn on the land thus prepared, their incredulity reached its height, and various were the prophecies of failure. In the spring the rains were heavy and long continued, but in June the drouth began, and for weeks not one drop of rain fell on the parching plants. The surrounding crops almost dried up, but on this deeply plowed land the corn remained green and vigorous, yielding 80 bushels to the acre, while the average yield on adjoining farms was scarcely more than eight bushels. Bear in mind that there was an ample supply of mois ture absorbing vegetable matter which Was thoroughly buried, and not left on the surface in tufts to dry out rapidly after each ram. The weight of the deeply turned fur row held it firmly and evenly in plaoe, and the vegetable matter absorbed and retamed-the moisture, ready for future Qr.utS from The crop. Of course he placed fertilizer in reach of the growing plants. The failure of sucli ventures is too often-due to the fact that the turn ing is improperly and hastily done, or that the land is destitute of vegetable matter. There could not be equal ben efit in thus turning under a perfectly clean field having only a thin layer of top soil. • JANUARY In farming is essentially a month of preparation and planning. The begin ning of the year finds more of other oc cupations resuming their regular duties and it is a mistake for a farmer to allow one day to follow another and each con tinue to find his plans unsettled and im mature. He should decide clearly what he intends to do. realize the difficulties to be met, and select the best means of overcoming them. Let him keep stead ily in mind these facts: that future suc cess in cotton planting depends on re ducing the oost of production, and on raising home supplies. The first requires sound judgment, a knowledge of the laws of preparation and cultivation, and a study of the ca pacity of his laud and the effect of fer tilization. During the past year many a farmer cultivated land which, under most favorable conditions, was incapa ble of returning the cost of preparation, fertilization and cultivation. If the ac tual cost of production for an acre of cotton is less than the yield of that acre, one-third of a bale, which is a full av erage for the state of Georgia, it re quires only a glance to see that the re sult is on the losing side for tlie far mer. Fertilizers and labor are too costly to be expended on land which will produce only a bale to three acres. If the farmer is convinced of this, let him resolve to leave his poorest lands to the kindly officers of Mother Nature. Give them an absolute and entire rest, and begin the renovating processes on the more re sponsive soils. Concentrate on these la bor and fertilizers and manures; study plans of __ RENOVATION AND ROTATION. If necessary terrace the uplands and ditch the low, wet spots. Anemminent ly successful Georgia farmer advocates the following: “Sow in small grain grasses and clover one fourth of all arable land on the farm,rest one fourth,pasture one fourth, and cultivate in summer crop3ono fourth. Alternate these annually.” Another says: “Let the oldest and poorest and most gullied lands lie out for the present, un til we can get to them in regular order. On the best acres plant corn, oats and cotton, follow the oats with peas and save the vines for hay; follow the peas with cotton, using the most prolific vari eties, and fertilize liberally; follow the cotton with corn, add more manure, and then oats again. Every year a little more of the outlying or poorer lands may be taken into tlie system of renova tion and improvement thus inaugurated. Let these additions be sown in small grain and then peas, then cotton, then corn as before.” The question of suitable fertilizers should now be decided. Numerous in quiries have been received at the depart ment, and there seems some dissatisfac tion and some complaint as to the grade of goods sold in the state. THE PRESENT STANDARD of 10 per cent of available material was settled upon after careful study and ma ture deliberation, as the proportion best suited to the generality of our lands. It is an axiom in agriculture, that the richer the land the more fertilizer it will bear. On our worn fields exhausted of humus, it is a hazardous undertaking to apply large quantities of highly concen trated fertilizers. But this is a point each person must decide for himself, keeping in view the fact stated above. If he wishes the es sential elements of potash, phosphoric acid and nitrogen combined in different proportions, he can have it done at the factory. Or, better still, a number of farmers cap. 'Combine, purchase "a car load of material and themselves mix in the proportions, which after careful study, they decide that their lands most need. These ingredients are guaranteed, and the farmer, with his scales and rich scrapings from lot and fence corners, can save the cost of both freight and manipulation, and he then knows exact ly what he is using. OATS. * In the more southern portion of Geor gia it is well to sow oats in January. I have seen very fine crops raised from such sowings. In view of the fact that a large portion of the corn crop was cut off by drouth, it would be advisable, where practicable, to sow largely of small grain, and later of millet and such other food crops as will supplement this deficiency. A GOOD GARDEN Is an important auxiliary in the econom ical management of the farm. Those who would enjoy its benefits during the coming year must begin to prepape for it now. If the manure has not already been distributed and plowed under, no time is to be lost in doing this, remem bering that a garden can scarcely be too “rich.” If the manure is coarse, cover deeply, if well decomposed, shallow cov ering is best. High culture is the only system to be pursued in the culture of vegetables. Good seed, deep and thor ough breaking, plenty of manure and rapid cultivation are essentials. The plots for Irish potatoes, buds, early corn and cabbage should be put in condition for planting, so that when the proper time in February arrives, there will be no delay. PRUNING of trees and vines and shrubs, if not al ready accomplished, should be finished this month. Cut out all dead wood, take out unnecessary- stems and shorten branches that are too long. Don’t prune too severely, as this will diminish the yield of fruit, but cut with judgment and care. FRUIT TREES should have suitable quantities of potash supplied to the soil in which they grow, if it is not already there. A good plan with young trees is to draw the soil away from the upper roots until they are nearly exposed, scraping away any borers that may be found. This, how ever, should be done in November. In January bank fresh wood ashes around the stems, and later draw the soil back to the tree. In supplying potash spread around the tree for some distance, the rains will carry it to the roots. REPAIRS. In former articles I have urged the necessity of attending to needed repairs, fences, ditches, terraces and buildings, of “righting up” matters on the farm ready for the coming year's work, of clearing away, as it were, obstacles which might hinder our success. Let us take fresh courage. We have much to be thankful for. In the almost univer sal distless, we find that the farmer,who has his food supplies, and this is true in much larger proportion than usual, though he has little money, is in far bet ter condition than the majority of labor ing men. Besides a certainty as to food, he has his house, his fuel, his garden and hope, which seems denied to his less for tunate brother of other avocations. FARMERS MUST STUDY All that relates to farming. We cannot afford longer to waste our capital. The school of experience is valuable, but it sometimes takes more than half a life time to get through, and we pay a high | price for our ulploma. Subscribe To ' some good agricultural paper. The low price of subscription is returned over and over again before the year is out in valuable information. The three great essentials are, first, the theory—true plan— of farming; sec ond, the art of controlling labor and of executing all work to the best advantage with least labor; third—last and best— success depends on quick perception, wise judgment, that seldom or never errs. How is this to be acquired except by the use of books, in conjunction with practice? R. T. Nesbitt, Commissioner. FORMUL AS FOR MANURING. For general purposes, i, e., for use on corn, cotton and other summer crops,the following is a good formula: No. 1. Add phosphate 1,300 pounds Cotton seed meal s<o pounds Kainit 2uo pounds Total 2,000 pounds If cotton seed be used instead of the meal, then the following: No. 2. Add phosphate 865 pounds Cotton seed, 3314 bushels 1,(00 pounds Kainit 135 pounds Total 2,000 pounds If muriate of potash be substituted for kainit, then— No. 3. Acid phosphate 1,400 pounds Cotton seed meal.... .. 510 pounds Muriate potash 60 pounds Total 2,000 pounds If cotton seed be substituted in No. 3 for cotton seed meal, then— No. 4. Acid phosphate ... 000 pounds Cottonseed 1,060 pounds Muriate of i>otash 10 pounds Total 2,000 pounds The foregoing formulas comprise the commercial ingredients mos f generally used in composting or mixing at home. As already indicated, these ingredients when provided in the proportions given may be mixed with stable manure and other crude or bulky home materials in any convenient proportions of the latter. The larger the proportions of stable ma nure, etc., the greater the dilution, or weaker the resulting mixture, and a cor respondingly larger quantity should be applied per acre. EXPERIMENTATIVE FARMING. The above formulas are given for gen eral use. They may be varied accord ing to the particular crop, or the ciiarac ler of the land on which the crop is to be produced, in reference to the particular crop, we are better informed, both by the known analysis of such crop and its power of supplying itself from the plant food already contained in the soil, or in the air, than we are in reference to dif ferent soils. The same plant, corn for instance, always contains tlie same well known' elements, in substantially the same known proportions, and always be haves exactly the same under the same conditions. But [soils differ very widely from each other, not only in their physi cal condition and analysis, but also in their chemical composition. Even where a chemical analysis and a careful physical examination of a soil has been made and is before the eye, we camiot say in just what proportion the elements of a fertilizer should be mixed in order to give the best, results on a given crop. Tlie only absolutely relia ble method of finding out what elements and in what proportion they should be applied, a given soil requires in order to produce the largest and best results in a given crop, is to apply to the soil in com petitive plots, or test rows, the several elements combined in different propor tions, sometimes suppressing one alto gether. In this way, and in this way alone, many a farmer will find how to fertilize his land so as to get the best crops and the largest profits. It is the plan that has long been adopted by the experiment stations of this country and Europe, and already much has been learned in regard to the wants of particular crops and the requirements of different soils. Fortu nately this method may be adopted by the careful and intelligent farmer. Why write to an agricultural journal a thous and miles away to ask if potash is re quired by your soil? Only a general an swer can be obtained in a majority cf cases. The more obvious resort would be to ask the soil whether it needs the addi tion of potash, by applying potash in some form to one set of rows, and with holding it from another set alongside of the first, the other conditions being as nearly as possible the same. The ques tion may also be asked of a particular crop what it most needs; in fact the same experiment will often answer both questions. If it be found that any given element increases the yield of every one of several different kinds of crops plant ed on it, it may be safely concluded that the soil is essentially deficient in that element. If it be found that nitrogen increases the yield of cotton, but does not affect the yield of corn, then it is at once sug gested either that the soil fbrnishes enough nitrogen for the corn or that corn does not require so much as cotton. The same is true in regard to any and all of the elements of Jplant food. Indeed, the same principle of experimentation will apply to all the operations on a farm, and have long been applied to many of them. All intelligent and pro gressive farming is made up largely of experiments. BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Relating to the Farm, Garden, Dairy, Stock Raising, Etc. TEOSINTE. Can you give me any information in regard to Teosinte as a forage plant? J. L. Z., Conyers, Ga. Teosinte is a tropical plant closely re sembling corn. It suckers or tillers to a remarkable degree, and is a rapidly growing plant, with 50 suckers some times springing from a single plant, and in warm climates attaining a height of from 10 to 15 feet. In this country, ex cept in the extreme southern portion, the seasons are not long or hot enough to permit it to seed. While not seeding in Georgia, it will do well as a forage plant. It stands drouth well, much bet ter than corn, and the yield is enormous in this state about 19 tons to the acre; stock like it, and there is little waste as the stalks are very tender. It will require one pound of seed to plant an acre and it should be- planted in rows three feet apart. and thin seed until the plants are about a foot apart. It is said to have been introduced in this country from South America where it is perennial, hut iri’this country, while permitting more than one cutting it must be treated as an annual. , MANURE. How much does manure lose by being exposed? H. T. L., Barnes ville. We have endeavored a number of times to call the attention of our farm ers to the great loss they suffer from not taking proper care of their barnyard manure. Your question brings this loss pointed to mind. Experiments on a large scale demonstrated that under or dinary conditions of piling and exposure during the course of the summer ma nure loses of its fertilizing constituents about 50 per cent of its original value • A comparative test of the value of leached and unleached manure conduct ed at the Ohio experiment on corn and wheat, and mixtures of clover and timo thy, showed a very wide difference, and indicated that the margin of profit on open yard manure is extremely small. In experiments at the New York station it was demonstrated that cow manure exposed to the weather lost 65 per cent of its weight. There was a loss in per centages of each fertilizing constituent, except phosphoric acid, amounting in the aggregate,to 2.50 per cord. A large number of other experiments might be mentioned showing the great loss incurred by improper exposure. It has been well said that “the true foundation of all successful agriculture is undoubtedly the manure pile, and when assisted by clover and commercial fertilizers, roses can be made to bloom in the place of thorns; hay can be made to grow instead of briars and thistles; grain instead of weeds, and wealth in stead of poverty.” Let us resolve at the beginning of. the year more to L isband our resources, and by the use oi cowpens, manure and a proper appreciation of commercial fer tilizers bring our lands to a higher state of cultivation. RAW BONE AND STEAMED BONE. We have previously been called upon to give the difference in the value to the farmer of pure raw bone and steamed bone. Tlie Southern Planter thus answers a similar question: This inquiry from a subscriber is a very pertinent one at this season of the year when farmers are ordering their fertilizers for the wheat crop which us ually largely consist of bone or acid phosphate. If our subscribers will refer to the January, 1893, number of The Planter they will there find an article from Dr. DeClialmot, the assistant chem ist of the department of agriculture, fully explaining the different kinds of bone meal fertilizers and their compon ent parts, which will supply a complete answer to this inquiry. For the benefit of those of our present readers who may not have the January number,we would say that there is practically no difference in the percentage of phosphoric acid in raw and steamed bone meal. * The steamed bones, however, nave lost the larger proportion of their nitro gen. This loss, however, is attended with a gain in the availability of the phosphoric acid, and as the phosphoric acid is the principal object for which bones are applied, the steamed ones are more valuable for this purpose than the raw ones. The loss of the small percen tage of nitrogen is more than counter balanced by the gain in availability of the phosphoric acid; at least, we think this to be so wren used for a fall dress ing for wheat. FERTILIZERS REMOVED BY CROPS. I note in your reports where you give the amount of the elements of plant food removed by several crops. In order to practically apply your answer I would he glad if you would give in dollars and cents the amount removed by wheat or some other crop. D. A. L., Woodlawn. In a report of the Pennsylvania state experiment station the amount of ferti lizing materials carried away by ordi nary farm products, is give in tabulated form. And from these tables the an swer to your question is thus given. “We learn from the aboue table that the farmer who seels a ton of hay, for example, seels in this ton of hay fertiliz ing ingrediants which if purchased in the form of commercial fertilizers, would cost him about ss.lo;that if he sells 3,000 pounds of wheat, he sells an amount of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash which it would cost him $7,75 to re place in his soil in the form of commer cial fertilizers (Or looking at it from a somewhat different standpoint) a far mer who sells for example, $lO worth of Wheat sells with it about $2.58 worth of fertility of his soil. In other words, when he receives his $lO this amount does not represent the net receipts of the transaction, for he has parted with $2.58 worth of his capital, that is, of the stored up fertility of his soil, and if he does not take this into the account he makes the same mistake a merchant would should he estimate his profits by the amount of cash which he receives and neglects to take account of stock. Tfie doctrine of compensating and re storing to our soil what has been re moved is here strikingly illustrated. The farmer, like the merchant, cannot encroach on his capital each year and expect the same profit from the next year's labors. His soil stored with the elements of plant food constitute bis wealth, and if he succeeds he must see that his soil is not depleted of these ele ments. SOIL ANALYSIS. In view of the many questions relative to tfie value of soil analysis in addition to what we have said on this subject we quote the following from G. E. Morrow, of the Illinois experiment station: “An examination of a soil by a chem ist will show with great exactness of what it is composed and the relative pro portions of the elements. It may show that there is evidently a too small sup ply of some essential ingredient, or it may show that some substance or some combination present which will be in jurious to plants. In these ways such an examination may give most valvable suggestions as to manuring the soil or other methods of improving its fertility. A chemical analysis, however, will not show with certainty whether the sub stances of which the soil is composed are in condition to be available as plant food, Often it gives very little help to an un derstanding of whether or not the soil is in good physical condition. The chem ist is able to state not only the actual and relative quantity of each element found in the soil, but also the percentage of this which is soluble in water and sol uble in acids. This information helps greatly in estimating the quality of each which is probably in suitable con dition to be taken up and used by plants.” After 35 years' study of this question on a great variety of soils, Professor Hil liard (Cal. R. 1889, p. 163) concludes that “in no ease has any natural virgin soil showing high plant food percentages been found otherwise than highly pro ductive under favorable physical condi tions, * * * but the reverse is not true, viz, that low plant food percenta ges necessarily indicate low productive ness.” Improved physical conditions in the latter case may more than make up for the deficiency of plant food. “It is then absolutely indispensable that both the physical character, as to penetrabili ty, absorptive power, etc., of a soil should be known, as well as its depth above bed rock, hardpan. or water, be fore a judgment of its quality, product iveness and durability can be found from its chemical composition.” One kind of examination is the necessary complement of the other. The processes by which soils are formed and plant food rendered availa ble are constantly going on in the soil, oO that both the chemical and physical conditions of soils are constantly chang ing, and frequent examinations are ne cessary if we are to be accurately in formed as to the chemical and physical properties of any soil at any given time. In actual chemical analysis only the fine earth (never larger than 1 mm. in diameter, preferably 1-2 mm. according to Hilgard) is examined, it being assumed that this fine earth contains all the plant food readily or immediately available to plants. This fine earth is submitted to diges tion with acids which separate it into two parts—an insoluble residue which affords an approximate measure of the sandiness of the soil, and a soluble por tion, which is further examined. THE GARDEN. The secretary of the North Carolina state horticultural society gives the fol lowing calendar for January work in the garden: “Cleanup the garden; prune all woody plants, burn all prunings and trash; re pair fences and tools; provide poles and brush for running plants; overhaul hot bed and cold frame; send for the seednien’s catalogues, hut beware of their “novelties;” procure the latest bulletins of the state experiment station relating to horticulture, noxious insects, fungi and weeds; order your seeds and test them; get your seeds directly from a reliable seedsman, and not at the near est grocery or drug store; consider well what particular varieties seem best suit ed for your particular purpose and order these.” In the southern portion of Georgia work can progress much more rapidly than is here indicated. For economy on the farm if not for profit, there is noth ing better than a good garden, supply ing. as it does, an abundance of health ful food. ALFALFA. What is the proper time to sow alfal fa? What character of soil does it re quire? Does it make as good hay for horses as for cattle? G. T. W., Whitfield. Alfalfa, or Lucerne, should he sown in the spring, It requires a deep, rich soil, which should be naturally well drained. If cut at the right time and well cured, it will make good food for horses, but is hot so satisfactory as well cured clover. THOMAS SLAG. What is Thomas Slag? and what is your opinion of it as a fertilizer? H. I. L., Blakely. Thomas Slag is a hi-product of the Bessemer steel process. It contains from 10 to 14 per cent of phosphorio acid, but is so affected by the iron with which it is combined as not to be readily avail able. At the Georgia station it is re ported next in effectiveness to acid phos phate. CATTLE BREEDING AND FEEDING. The Southern Planter gives* some in teresting information oh this subject which will be read and appreciated by farmers: For several years past there has been going on a gradual, but nevertheless, certain and sure diminution in the num ber of range cattle, and an absorption of the ranges into enclosed farms. As this has progressed, the value of the beef has risen, until now it stands, on the aver age, more than $1 a hundred higher than a year ago, and nearly $2 per hundred higher than two years ago; and yet, at this advance, there is no over-supply of the best animals. We see no reason to suppose that this over-supply is likely to be forthcoming for some time, c n ac count of the fact that for many years past, owing to low prices and the com petition of range stock, the' farmers throughout the country have neglected, to keep-up the quality of their herds by breeding to pure-bred bulls. In addition to this local scarcity, there is now superadded the certainty that there will be a large export demand for Europe. Owing to the failure of the hay and fodder crops on that continent, thousands of cattle, and even horses, are being slaughtered to save them from starvation. In England, half-fed beasts are being rushed into the market and sold for what they will fetch. With such a prospect, why should not our southern farmers give attention to this business of breeding and feeding? We have the grain, the cotton seed, and the fodder to bring up and feed the stock, and it is certain that these can be fed to pay a better price than to sell them on the market. Besides all these advanta ges, we are close to the great markets of the east and the north, and near to the points of export. Another advantage to be gained, and that not the least, is the improvement to be made on our farms by The manure which is made by feeding stock. Thousands of dollars now spent in buying fertilizers can be saved, and yet the fertility of the farms be not only conserved, but increased. Recently a farmer from Piedmont, Virginia, came into this city, on his way home from Philadelphia. He called to pay for some farm sup plies, and pulled out a pocketlook wad ded to repletion with currency, contain ing many hundred dollars. The mer chant had the curiosity to ask him how he came to be carrying about so much money. He replied, “I am just on my way home from Philadelphia, where I have been to sell the cattle I fed last winter and spring, and this money is the proceeds of my sales. In addition to this,” he said, “I have sold a heavy crop of lambs this spring at $4.50 per head in the field, and have a rich farm upon which I have just harvested the largest wheat crop I ever grew, and I have not paid, and do not owe, a dollar for fertil izers. I make mine at home by my cat tle and other stock."’ Now, why cannot this be the position of more of our farm ers? It can, and we urge that it shall be. BERMUDA AND WIRE GRASS. There is a radient difference between Bermuda and-wire grass which South ern Cultivator thus explains: Bermuda is a low, creeping grass, rooting at the joints of the genttc cynodon. Wire grass belongs to the genus aristeda, of which there are nine varieties. It is a dr}’, harsh perennial grass with narrow leaves. FROM THE EXPERIMENT STATIONS. In an experiment continued through three seasons at the Utah station a com parison is made of deep- and shallow tillage and no tillage for potatoes. The average of duplicate plats for three years gives the yield of large and small potatoes on shallow tilled plats as 206.88 bushels per acre; on the deeper tilled plats, 205.87 bushels, and on the untilled plats, 153.7 bushels. J. W. Sanborn, director of the Ul_h station, reports that two years’ exp, , - ments in sowing oats at different dates showed a marked advantage in early sowing. W. H. Caldwell, of the Pennsylvania station, recommends as of most promise the following potatoes: Freeman, Green Mountain, Burpee Superior, Ben Harri son and Monroe County Seedling. L. R. Jones, of the Vermont station, advises the hot water method of treat ing oats seed, not only for the immediate benefit, but for the eradication of smut from future crops. Experiments bearing on the two meth ods of tilling and check rowing corn were made in 1891-92 at the Utah sta tion, Corn checked, tilled both ways and not hilled, yieled, 39 - 64 bushels per acre: checked and hilled both ways, 36 bushels; checked, then tilled and hilled one way, 42.84 and 43.5 bushels; drilled and tilled one way, 43.5. FEBRUARY SHERIFF SAEES. GEORGIA—Butts County. Will be sold before the court house door iu said county, on first Tuesday in Febru ary next, within legal sale hours, for cash, the following described property, to wit: One black horse mule name .Bill, about len years old, also one black mare mule about twelve years old. One Queen Dex ter buggy made by .1, It. Carmichael, also one one-horse wagon made by J. If. Car michael, also six thousand pounds of seed cotton, more or less; one hundred bushels of corn, more or less; fifteen hundied pounds of fodder, more or less. Levied on by virtue of and to satisfy four execu tions issued from the county court of said county. One mortgage fifa in favor of B. C. Kiuard & Aou transferred vs. C. A. Bearden and J. G Bearden. Cne distress for rent in favor of B. C. Kit.ard vs. C. A. Bearden. One landlord’s special lien in favor f B. C, Ivinard & Aon transfer red vs. C. A. Bearden. One fifa in favor of R. IF. dfays vs. C. A . Beardea and John B. Evans. Property pointed out by plaintiffs inf if as. Propertj in possession of C. A , Bearden and John G. Bearden at the time of levy. This January 4, 1894. J. O. Beauchamp, Sheriff B. C. FOR TW Ef-VE MOSITHS) SUPPORT. GEORGIA—i-utts County. 7o all whom it may concern: The return of the appraisers, duly ap pointed to set apart twelve months’ allow ance for Prudence J. Kinard, widow of B, C. Kinard, late of said county, deceas ed, and filed according to law. This is to cite all and singular the creditors and next of kin of B. C. Kinard, to be and appear at my office within the time allowed by law, and show cause, if any they can, why snch allowance should not be. confirmed. Witness my official signature this, 15th December, 1893. J. F. Carmichael, Ordinary, NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDI TORS. GEOi?GL4—Butts County. Notice is hereby given to all persons having demands against E. S. IFynn, late of said cofinty, deceased, to present them to me, properly made out, within the time prescribed by law, so as to show th*" ff character and amount. And all persons indeb ed to said deceased are he’Moy re quired to make immediate payment to me. J. H Carmichael, Adrti’r. of £ •• S. Wynn. GEORGIA—.ButIs Count J .Notice is hereby gi T jf n having demands F- JPeaver, late of said county, and p ** e< * t 0 present them to me properly t L -*de ont, within the time prescribed by e o as to show their characM n4n and a*-n cunt. And all per sons indebted deeased arte hereby required to make iifumediat© payment to me, M. W *av*, 6t Adm’rtrix. cf F. M Weaver. MORTGAGE SALE. By virtue of the power vest i w a by a mortgage deed made by E A Jv w cher to Fennell, Thompson & Cos., on t| 4 6th day of February, 1892, and tin-ivj..l towit: On the Bth day of Fcbruurv. 1 at 9 o’clock a. m., filfid for record a - I recorded in the clerk’s office of the Suj,... 1 rior court of Butts county, on page }pi I ot book “G” on the 23rd day ol Februa-1 ry, 1892, and by them regularly trai s . I ferred by writing thereon to me x I 6tli day of Nov., 1893, and by , inure oi a 1 decree rendered by the Superior court 0 f I Butts county at Chambers ]> tc 11, 1893.1 will sell before the courthouse door in the town of Jackson, Butts I county, Georgia, oil the 16th day of J an 1894, between the legal sale hours tract of land described in sc id mortgage to wit: One tract of land lying and be u , in Butts county Georgia and contain, n s one hundred and twenty-live acres m , re or less. Bounded on the north by land? of the widow Stroud, east by lands of Goodman and ook, west by lands oi A. 0. Fincher and soulh by lands of .1. |„ Fincher. These lands are in a high state of cultivation. The terms of sale will be cash. Title deeds will be made in the name of E. A. Fincher, with guar antee of saint by virtue ol said decree. J. T. Fincher. ADMINISTRATOR’S SALE. Agreeably to au oroer of the court of ordinary of Butts county, will be sold at auction, at the court house door of said county, ou the first Tuesday in February uext, within the legal hours of sale, the following property, to wit: Bive shares Southern ,1/utual Building and Loan As sociation stock, Atlanta, Ga., ten shares stock in the Carmichael Cos., Jack.,on, (.a. Sold as the property of E. S. Wynn, late of said county, deceased. Terms cash. J. H. Carmichael, Adm’r. of E. 8 ll’ynn. By virtue ot au order from the court of ordinary of Butts county, will he sold on the first Tuesday in February, 1894, at the court house door in said county, be tween the legal sale hours, the tract of laud m said county whereon 8. M- Wea ver resided at the time of liis death, con taining 100 acres, more or less, adjoining lands ot J. E. Weaver, J. F. Thai ton, J. B. Evans and W. R- IFeaver. Fresh lands and all in good repair. Terms cash. Samantha M. Weaver. AdmTtrix, of F. M. IFeaver. NOTICE. GEORGIA—Butts County. Beginning Ist day of January, 1894, all cost* due by executors, administrators or guardians, and all costs due in cases tried before and under and by virtue of the sev eral statutes of this state must be paid when work is done, or judgement entered. J. F. Carmichael, Ordinary. FOR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION GEORGIA—Butts County. To all w’hom it may concern : Marj E. Mackey having in proper form applied to me for permanent letters of administration on the estate of Henry Mackey, late of said county, this is to cite all and singular the creditors and next of kin of Henry Mackey, to be and apoear at my office within the time al lowed by law and show cause, if any they can, wiiy permanent letters of ad ministration should not be grauled to Henry Mackey’s estate. Witness mv bend and official signa ture this Ist day of January, 1894. J.F Carmichaei, Ordinary DISSOLUTION NOTICE. The film of Fennell, Thompson & Cos. have this day dissolved by mutual consent. W. G. and R- L. Thompson having bought out the old firm and will continue the business under the firm name of Bhompson Bros. In retiring we thank our friends and customers for their kind ness to us in the past and ask a conlinu anee of their patronage to the ne w firm. All parties indebted to the old firm are requested to call and make immediate set tlement as business of the old firm must be settled by the 15th of this month. R< spectfully Fennell, Thompson A C’o. January 1, 189a. 4-t RipansTabules. Ripans Tabules are -com pounded from a prescription widely used by the best medi cal authorities and are pre sented in a form that is be coming the fashion every where. TtfuiMs act gently promptly upon the Tiv7 stomach and intestines; cure dyspepsia, habitual constipa tion, offensive breath and head ache. One tabule taken at the first symptom of indigestion, biliousness, dizziness, distress after eating, or depression of spirits, will surely and quickly remove the whole difficulty. RipansTabules may be ob tained of nearest druggist. Ripans Tabules are easy to take, quick to act, tnd save many a doc-^^^y!^