Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF TOE CITY. VOL XXII- . COUNTY DIRECTORY. Ordinary—J. F. Carmichael. Sherifl —J, O. Beauchamp, Deputy —J. W. Crawford. ►Surveyor —B. J. Jinks. Treasurer —T. L. Williams. Tax Collector —T. J. Cole. Tax Receiver —C. R. Carter. Coroner —Simon Hardy. Clerk Superior Court—Joe Jolly ; court 3rd Mondays in February au<l August. Roau Commissioners—6ls G. M., J. L, Barkley, H. G. Asbury, T. O. Woodward ; 613 G, M., J, Al. Ball, J. E. Hale, J. W. Fletcher; 609 G. M ,J. W. Winter, J. L. Pye, S. K. Smith; 014 G. Al , J. W. Holoway, J. 11. Cole, J. Van Wright; 552 G. i Al., D. B, Moore. R. Al. Harper, F. Al. Maddox; 012 G. Al., W. O. 1 Crawley, Cornelius AlcCluare, T. H. Nolan; 010 G, Al., T. P. Bell, R. Al. Fletcher, J. G. Coldwell; 616 G. Al., J. 11. Aladdox, J. J. Wilion, J. C. Barnes. Board of Education--W. Al. Mal let, A G Hitchens, J. T. Goodman, D. N. Carmichael, J. M. AlcMichael. E E. Pound C, S. C. Olhca in court house. Jury Commissioners—H. N. By at', T L. Williams, W. B. Dozier, L. .1. Balt, i P. Ball, AlexAtkm *on. Woodward, J. P.; J G, Kuubeli N i > (>l3 iLa 11 L. Brown, J. P.; H. I , 1 UrtXl Ul, i\ , P. 609 Di*> , W. A W a idrup, J P ; Bl***- Al- re. .V P. 552 Dom., aamt-s Jolly, J # P. ; Al Al ,ou- x, iN. P. 012 uipi., Howard Ham, J P.; r Z. t ory.N.P. Old Dust, T. J. Coiin.s, J P.; 1. P. Bell, \. P. 0)10 Dim , <B. KiiOWleS, J, P.; J i. I>.w et, N P. oi lDi , A H. Ogle.ree, J. P.; -V :■ Dou.l.ts/iN P ci i v directory. Major E. E. Pound ( oinn ilmen—'l'. J. Lane, J. W. Car michael, B. I'. Bailey, i’. Al. Eurlovv. CHURCHES ►vleilmditil—Rev. t. W. Bell, pastor. Bervices ever.* Sunday at 11 a.i., 7 pm. l’i as er meeting every Wednes day inahi. Baptist -Uev G. W. Gardner, pas tor. Services every e*miday-ai li a m. .tud 7 p.m. Prayer inee'iug every inghl. I’i‘esb) lerian—Rev. Mr. Pha.r, pas •.- Sui-vieet* every 3rd Buiiday at II a.rn. and 7 u.m . Shn.L, - - v SECRET SOCIETIES. . F & A. Al. —Chapter meets 2nd and 4tli Monday nights. Blue Lodge, Ist and 3rd M mday nights Itedmen— 2nd and 4tli Tuesday nights in each month. PROFESSIONAL. CARDS. M. V. McKIBBEN, Attorney at Law, JACKSON, GEORGIA. M. M. MILLS, ATTORNEY AT LAW• Office iu court kouse, Jackson, Georgia. W. W. Anderson. Frank Z. Curry. ANDERSON & CURRY, ATTOKKKYS AT LAW Negotiates loans on real estate. Office up stairs over the Yellow store, Jackson, Georgia. Dr.T. K. Tharpe, DENTIST, FLOTILLA, - - GEORG Li. Crown and bridge work and all the latest methods of dentistry. Teeth ex* tracted without pain. Prices moderate. Satisfaction guaranteed. Dr. O. H. Cantrell DENTIST, JACKSON, GEORGIA. CLEVELAND HOUSE. JACKSON, - - - ' G^. The only brick Hotel between Atlan ta and Macon. Board $2 00 per day. Miss Jennie JVallace. Prop. decl4-12m STOP AT THE Morrison House. £ VER YTHING NE W AELFIR ST-CLASS. Cenveniently Located, Free Eack to Depot, C. R. Gresham, Propriet r DEMPSEY HOUSE. SOUTHEAST CORNER PUBLIC SQUARE, JACKSON, GA. Ghep’.f, first-class i n all respects. •. -on 1 T na * when you come to Jack /IW&rantee’d 118 moderate - Satisfaction 118 ’ A * M mTER ) *rp. THE JACKSOH ARGUS. Sill, mm REPORT. What the Commissioner Has to Say to Georgia Farmers for the Month of February, 1894 PLANS FOR THE COMING YEAR. Experiments in Farming, Renova tion and Rotation, Success in Cottou Planting, Fertilizers. Orchard and Garden. Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, Feb. 1, 1594. In January the careful farmer has carefully mapped out his plans for the ensuing year, and having begun prompt ly to execute them, the present month should find him well advanced in his preparations for planting. The excep tionally dry fall and early part of the winter have been favorable to the deep plowing so important at this season. Where the stubble from peas, roots and stems, grass sod, clover, or the natural growth on the land has been turned un der, a supply of available plant food is now, by natural processes, being manu factured for the coming year’s crops— more or less valuable as the growth turned under is rich in the necessary el ements and easy of decomposition. Let it be borne in mind that the peas and clover are the only agents among those mentioiu 1 which have the power of appropriating and depositing the free nitrogen of the atmosphere, which fact should be remembered in selecting sup plementary fertilizers for each crop. THE NEEDS OF EACH CROP should also hear an important place in our calculations. We know that certain plants do well on certain kinds of soil, and that on special artificial foods they also thrive; and that on others they do not reach the lull measure of their pow ers of growth or yield. The soil, if defi cient must therefore he prepared for their growth by supplying what is lacking. We also know that judicious and abun dant manuring will enable the soil to grow almost any crop, and that this soil will, in succession, yield fuller .crops if these crops he so varied as to extract from the soil, one after another, the sev eral different elements it is known to contain. the land grows sick . ... wo nands of the skillful farmer it can be made to yield successive crops, and, at the same time, it's deficiencies he so supplied that it will he kept up to a high degree of product iveness. In establishing AN ARTIFICIAL ROTATION of crops. We but the precedent, which nature has set for us. How often do we notice that whore an oak forest once stood the pine saplings take it plac... All over Georgia the “pine thickets” a* test the localities where maj Stic oa once reared ther heads. By following these signs, which nature sets up ior us, we may, in MANURING FOR SPECIAL CROPS, attain a certain degree o s with out the aid of science, but .. \vj woul 1 learn the shortest, most simple, nu - economical, and at the same ;ime, tu moat perfect processes, we um w the help, which scientific print- o us. With this end in view w .mu lose no opportuity of studying tin agriqni tural laws of cause and effect, and of ma >- fng practical application of the knowi edge thus gained. The experiments a 1 : the various experiment stations bear di* rectly on these problems, and are of in estimable value to the thinking farmer. They throw light on questions as to feec lng. fertilization, composting, rotation, renovation, which he being often ham pered by unfavorable surronn tings, has not the time or the means to investi :a e for himself. For instance, c.-ireful e • periment has demonstrated ibat in s x months, hors manure. thrown into a loose p le, an . exposed to ra we t lie* will loseone-nah its fcrt 1 ?. ugqu ill si* s. Cow manure thus expos- lost two thirds; mix * with other ngredients. oi which muck was the. lea ling con-ti uent. the loss was not q l te one third, refer to tie s-! facts again because the presen 1 : imperative nee : on most farms is more care in gathering and con serving these precious eleti- nts of iert 1- itv, which, through carclessnt sand im proper methods, are allowed to waste. Experiment has also shown that the value of barn yard manure depends not so much upon its actual elements of plant food, these having in shown by analysis to be comparatively small, as upon its effect upon t:.e physical condition of the soil. It improves the mechanical condition of soils both light and heavy, and induces fer nientive changes, by which latent plant food is utilized. It also draws the water in the soil toward the surface, thus ad ding to the supply both of water and food for the growing plants. At the New Hampshire station the following experiment was tried: Three acres were s°t aside. On one the lot manure was spread and plowed under in the fall. On another it was spread in the fall and allowed to lie on the surface Undisturbed. On the third it was spread In the spring. In summing up results. It was found that the largest yield was from the acre on which the manure was allowed to remain on the surface during the winter. Again, some interesting ex periments at our Georgia Experiment Station go to prove, that the time and labor expended in mixing and fennent lug cotton seed and other be fore applying to the soil, could be better employed, as this plan causes no increase Meld oVer that in which cotton seed anaother materials were applied to the vary, and while these experiments are valuable in a general sense, their promulgation should not prevent individual experiment, where inch experiment is possible. •. these experiment stations to be consul- C toftaund rule., but as (umisbmg lata aa It ware by and Iron* which each man can work out his own conclusions. As evidence of what pluck and energy combined with careful observation and experimentation can accomplish, the success of Mr George W. Truitt, of La Grange, furnishes an illustrious exam ple. He has been phenominally and pre eminently successful. He says, “I have raised 100 bushels oats on one acre; 128 bushels corn on one acre: four bales cot ton, 450 pounds each, on one acre.” In regard to his methods he says: “There are many, who believe that in clay there is no fertility, I would ask them, why such luxuriant vegetation on railro .and embankments, from dirt originally twenty feet under the surface? My con viction is ‘lucerne rooted,’ that just as deep as you turn land, just that deep will your land grow rich.” Surely, if one man can by industry and system bring up one run down Geor gia farm to this high degree of product iveness. others seeing his success can grasp the same means, and push forward to independence. One advantage the farmer has the present season, of which he has been de prived for several years, is more easily obtained and more steadily settled labor. This is one result of the general hard times, high mo-'t and low cotton. Where indiffere. _e as to airing once reigned, wo now find anxiety, even eagerness for employment, Tiiis is no small advantage, for with our class of field laborers it is not an unusual occur rence for the Christmas jollifications to extend far into January, and to obtain regular or steady work becomes a uiffi cult undertaking until the last of the month or the first of February. I be lieve it is my first experience since the war in which the plows were all ready, man, mule, and implements for a start the first day of January. Since that time we have had much bad weath er, often TOO WET too plow. Plowing when ihe land is too wet is a mistake to he carefully guarded against. One error in ju Igment tiere will cause trouble through the entire crop season. A rule, familiar to most experienced farmers, is not to plow land when a handful of tiie soil pressed t< Tier re mains a compart mass. Wh< oo wet for the plow to be at work there is always something to be done in the way of lepairs—fences, ditches, terraces, fence corners, and spots overgrown with briars and bushes, all to he put in order, compost to he hauled and spread, and, when the rains are too heavy for out oor work, tools to he overhauled and put in working order, plows made ready, in order that no time may he lost, when the sun is shining and work, in preparation or cultivation, is pressing. In this matter of farm implements, farmers should be on the alert, and as far as able, invest in well tested and im proved plows, harrows and necessary farm machinery. In the one item of feeding, a good feed cutter will more than pay for its price in one season, and by its use much valuable material which is otherwise watec u canape +v £ fSliabln cutaway harrow, besides put ting the land iu better order for the plow, is the agent by which every par ticle of vegetable matter left in the soil can he made to do duty in producing another crop. It is these lessons of economy in small things, in learning to judiciously invest in order to reap larger profits, that we all need to study. On the subject of economy our farmers could learn a most valuable lesson from our fertilizer industries. On almost all ordinary farms the most valuable ma nurial elements are allowed to waste. Much that could be saved and applied with profit, becomes valueless from neg lect. On the other hand, the fertilizer factory gathers refuse, apparently worthless material, and converts it into valuable manurial agents. OATS AND GRASS AND CLOVER. Now is the time for sowing the spring oats, better than in January, as there is less risk of killing. The land should he well prepared and liberally manured. Sow an early variety of seed and don’t stint the quantity. Remember that the spring crop has only a short time to ma ture. and should be given every oppor tunity, in preparation, manuring, in quality and quantity of seed, to produce a heavy crop. Grass seed and clover also should be sown now. Orchard, tall oat, rescue, red top and Bermuda, all suit our cli mate and soil. Plow and harrow, then sow the seed and roll, do not plow or harrow after the seed are sown, simply pass a heavy roller over the surface. It is best to prepare the land for this pur pose, but if preferred the seed can be sown on growing grain crops. If the latter plan is chosen, run a light harrow over the grain, sow the clover or grass seed, and roll. Where the seed is sown with a grain crop, the better plan, how ever, is to sow m the fall after the oats or wheat is put in, sow the grass seed on the freshly harrowed surface. By this plan, with favorable seasons the .oat crop, and two heavy cuttings of native grasses have been taken from the land during the summer or fall, before leav ing it in permanent possession of the sown grass. IN THE GARDEN.* Seeds of nearly every plant grown in our climate may be sown this month, either in the open ground or in cold frames; but it is not desirable that tne more tender varieties should be sown, unless one has well constructed cold frames or other ample means of protec tion in case of sudden cold. In the lati tude of middle Georgia, Irish potatoes, beets, cabbage, lettuce, carrots, leeks, unions, English peas, turnips, spinach, salsify, and corn can all be planted. In selecting your seed potatoes, get the very best, and use only those which you have found adapted to your soil. If your own sf and, from the fall crop do well, use them of course, otherwise the eastern seed cire the best. In closing I wish to meL'jion, that among the hun dreds (of letters received at the depart ment, the most cheerful and hopeful are those written by farmers who raise their own supplies, and diversify their crops. The tone of these letters is in marked contrast to others, breathing dissatisfac tion and distrust, because of the high price of provisions, and the general un profitableness of farming. In both I find strong proof of my oft repeated asser tion, that the bed-rock of successful farming is, raising home supplies and rotating and therefore diversifying crops. R. T. Nesbitt. The French farmer has learned that raising sugar beets increases the yield of the land. The process is an indirect one. The refuse from the beet roots enables him to keep more stock, and their ma nure improves the soil. JACKSON, GA., MARCH 1 , 1894. OTHER INQUIRIES, Which Are Answered by Some of Oar Exchanges. The following inquiries and answers are taken from the Southern Cultivator and Dixie Farmer: GROUND PEAS. I have a barrel of ground peas, left over from last year’s seed. Would they do well for planting this year ? Will be thankful for an answer as soon as pos sible. It is not likely that the peas are suit able for planting this year. They easily become rancid, which condition can only be detected by inspeceion. If not rancid, they will answer. GRASSES. 1. Please tell me all about burr clo ver, when and how to plant it. I want it for grazing. My soil is shallow with stiff clay subsoil. 2. What grasses would you sow for a general pasture? How would the clover do to mix with some of the grasses in Panola county? 1. Burr clover (medicago denhculata ta —medicago maculata) is a native of the Mediterranean region, which has been naturalized in most warm climates. It is widely distributed in California, where it is considered of great value. It was first introduced into the southern states by the late Bishop George F. Pierce in 1867, and planted at his home in Hancock county, Georgia. In Mis sissippi it has been grown by Mr. Ed win C. Reed, of Meridian, who states that it is all that could he desired as a winter and spring pasture. With stock it is an acquired taste, and they will not eat it when more palatable plants are offered. It is a good renovator, and while an annual, reseeds itself, if not pastured too late and too close. The burs make it very objectionable as a pasture for sheep. To sow, prepare as for common clover, and sow 20 pounds of clover seed to the acre early in the autumn. 2. It will be difficult to get a pasture that will answer for both winter and summer. For summer pasture, Bermuda and crab grass are the best. Red clover is valuable in early spring and autumn. On northern hillsides herds’ grass will give a fine summer pasture. White clover is exceedingly valuable for cer tain kinds of stock, but like red clover, after the maturity of the seed it sali vates horses. For winter pasture, meadow oat grass, orchard, blue and fenell gras’s, or wild riro end white clover. One bushel of orchara, moauuw oat anawna rye each; four quarts of blue grass, red and white clover. This is the com pound given by Howard in his Manual of Grasses. Meadow oat and orchard thus will do well. In latitude of Panola county is high enough, but we are not familiar enough with the soil to say whether clover will do well or not. improving land. Please let me know how corn stalks compare with pine straw for a stable; also which will be the better fertilizer. I can fill my stable with corn stalks about as quickly as straw, and it makes a good bed after a few days. lam after something to improve the land. The value of either pine straw or corn stalks as a fertilizer is more in bettering the mechanical condition of the soil by the organic matter supplied, than as a direct source of the elements of plant food. Where used in the stable, the readiness with which they absorb the liquid manure must be considered. While not making so good a bed, the stalks decompose more rapidly, and therefore produce a better mechanical effect, and we regard them as a better absorbent, and for this reason would improve your land more rapidly. HOW TO COMPOST. Kindly answer the following in your next issue: 1. Don’t you thing the following form ula a good fertilizer for cotton, when composted in the order named: 900 pounds of stable manure or 900 pounds of swamp litter, 200 pounds acid phos phate, 100 pounds kainit, 900 pounds green cotton seed 200 pounds acid phos phate, 100 pounds kainit? 2. Don’t you think there is too much potash and not enough nitrogen ? How may I lessen amount of potash and in crease nitrogen? * 3. Is 500 pounds to the acre on poor land the first year a sufficient amount ? 4. Can you give me the chemical ele ments in well rotted swamp litter ? 1. If we are to understand that the applications of material are to be made in bulk in the order named, we do not con - aider it a proper method of composting. In making a compost, the material should be distributed in layers through the pile. Asa compost, your on this formula does not contain a suffi cient amount of phosphoric acid, and the amount of this element should be in creased by an additional amount of acid phosphate. For ordinary worn land we do not consider that the formula gives an extra amount of potash. The amount of nitrogen, if you wish to increase it, is added by putting in more cotton seed or cotton seed meal, 2. To reduce the potash, use less kai nit. 3. We consider 500 pounds a sufficient quantity on poor land; much more fer tilizer can be successfully used on poor land than on rich land. 4. Swamp litter contains phosphoric acid, nitrogen and potash in small per centages, with a large per cent of or ganic matter. All analyses vary very greatly. The French wine crop the past year was better than it has been in many years. The yield the present year is es timated at 1,225,000,000 gallons, against •50,000,000 last year. ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Relating to the Farm, Garden, Dairy, Stock Raising, Etc. HARVESTING PEAS. While I know that this is hardly a proper time "or the question, still I de sire to know what you regard as the proper time to harvest peas, and whether any analysis of their food value at dif ferent times of growth has ever been made. P. C., Lee County. We have previously stated in these re ports that as soon as the peas came to maturity was the proper time. This is when the harvesting includes vines, leaves and pods. Analysis of the whip poorwill cow pea at five different stages of growth verifies the correctness. As illustrative of practical and scientific study it will be noted that our farmers, have almost been universally correct in their idea as to the proper time to har vest. PEAS. What is a good fertilizer for peas ? W. A. D. The pea is a legumine, and therefore does not require a nitrogenous fertilizer. The mineral elements of plant food should be supplied. These consist of phosphoric acid and potash, all other mineral elements being found in suffi cient quantities in ordinary soil. On most soils acid phosphate should be the dominant, only a small quantity of kai nit being required. RED TOP. What kind of soil is required for red top? Will it grow on land too wet for corn ? When is the proper time to sow ? T. A. B. Bartow county. Red top is especially adapted to low bottoms and will thrive where the land is much too wet for corn. In seeding use two bushels to the acre. It is not too late for you to sow now for spring sowing; that is you can sow in February fir March. When sown in the fall Sep tember or October are the proper months. GRAFTING. How would crab apple roots do for grafting apples and pears? Would quinces grow and do well on them? H. I. L., Handcock county. If the crab apples have sufficient suit able roots, they could be used. We would advise you to obtain seedlings for grafting, as they are ot more ’ alue and answer the purpose much better. A quince and apple graft will unite, hut it is not permanent, as when growth pro gresses it will come apart. SWEET POTATOES. Please furnish me a formula for a sweet potato fertilizer. P. A. J., Burke county. The following would make a good fertilizer for sweet potatoes: Two hun dred pounds of, acid phosphate. 200 pounds of cocton seed meal, and 50 of muriate of potash, with the usual per centages which these ingredients run. This would give you a fertilizer running 4 per cent ammonia, 7 per cent phospho ric acid and 10 per cent potash. Like the Irish potato, the sweet potato re quires a great deal of potash. LUTTGRUS SYLVISTRIS. Can you tell me anything in regard to lutgrus sylvistris? J. C. M., Hampton. Sylvistris is a perennial forage plant, the value of which was first ascertained in Germany. It is a legumin that sends its roots deep down into the earth, and it is said will enrich land more than any other crop. It has great ability to with stand severe drougths. The growth is slow for the first two years, but after ward it has produced as high as eig't tons of good hay to the acre in a single season. If it is all that is claimed for it, it will be found of the greatest value in reclaiming worn lands in the south, an l at the same time providing permanent meadow and pasture. HOLLOW HEARTED POTATOES. What is the cause of hollow hearted potatoes? A. S. Y., Talbotton, Ga. The cause of hollow hearted potatoes is rich, moist ground. When soil of this character is dry early in the season and later abundant rains cause it to produce a very rapid growth of the potato, re sulting in its being hollow. OATS. What do you regard as the best time to sow spring oats? B. C. L., Baldwin county. The spring oat crop is very uncertain, and fall is by far the best time to sow in the south. , We regard the middle of February as the best time to sow spring oats. FORAGE PLANTS. Which will generally yield the most forage per acre Millo maize or Kaffir corn? H. M. T. Madison county. While we have made no accurate ex periments on this subject, yet the expe rience of others is that Millo maize will make about double the quantity of Kaffir corn. At the state experiment station the yield of Millo maize of dry hay was 14.092 pounds, that of Kaffir corn 6,864. These figures may be regarded as large and above an average yield per acre. PRUNING PEACH TREES. In my peach orchard I have frequent ly suffered great loss by overbearing, and would be glad if you* would suggest a remedy. If I can prevent this by proper pruning please give me the best method. L. J. TANARUS, Spalding county. To prevent overbearing by pruning peach trees, the cardinal principle to be j remembered is that the tree bears its fruit on the wood of the preceding sum mer’s growth. In addition, a compact round head is desired as giving symetry to the tree, strength for the future, and therefore more fruit-bearing capacity without danger. To secure this result the young wood should be evenly dis teneded, for if the ends of the branches contain all the bearing wood, the weight of the fruit has a great leverage and either breaks the tree down or necessi tates the propping up of the limbs. Ev ery winter one-third to one-half of the young growth on the long and stronger branches should be removed and the shoots through the tree thinned, so as not to interfere with each other. If this method is pursued in there is little danger of the trees breaking with an over load of fruit. ROTATION OF CROPS. The value of the rotation of crops I emphatically recognize but would like to know the general rules or principal upon which rotation rests. H. A. P., Sumter county. Nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash are the important element of plant food. They are all taken from the soil in varied quantities and proportions. One crop will demand large qualities of nitrogen, of another phosphoric ac® is the domi nant, while a third demands more potash. Again there are crops such as the legumine which restore nitrogen while supplying the soil with organic matter so necessary to a high state of fertility and fertilization. While the general rule is applicable, that crops de manding the same plant food should not follow, still other considerations enter into the rotation. We find, for example, that parisites living on certain plants will be increased by a rotation of these crops necessitating a change to such a crop as upon which they will not feed. Again thc-consider ation of a clean culture crop as prevent ing the land from becoming foul with grass seed and rendering proper cultiva tion more difficult must be borne in mind. The method by which the roots feed also has an important bearing upon all questions ot rotation. From the varied matters presenting themselves it is easily seen that even general principals may be varied such as while one crop many consume the same elements in about the same pro portion it may be in such less quantity and by roots of so different a character as lo rentier tlie rotation eminently piupci. A. sluglo system of rotation io not adapted to, or the best for every lo cality and experiment should demon strate the most successful in this impor tant study as well as in other questions which present themselves to the farmer. In planning judicious rotation it is well to follow or alternate broad leave plants, sucl as clover, and peas with narrow leaved cereals, such as wheat, rye and oats. To let perpendicular root ptants and horizontal root plants suc ceed each other. To follow exhaustive plants with those that are least exhaust ive. A good three years’ rotation is corn, wheat, clover, or with cotton, clover or peas. Cotton, wheat. Wheat will, however, make an excellent crop after clover or peas. Peach borer. Please inform me how to rid my peach trees of borers. I am aware of the method of removing them with the knife, but want to know if there is any appli cation I can apply this spring and when to apply it? L. N. TANARUS., Fort Valley. The winged insect that deposits the eggs from which the borer comes usually appear in the orchard soon after the leaves begin to put forth. The female deposits from 50 too 100 eggs. One or two on each tree on the base of the trunk and as the grub of last year is the moth of this the borers rappidly increase. The following liquid preperations have been found very effective. They should be applied with a stiff brush thorughly from 18 inches above the ground to four below the surface: Soft soap, 10 gal lons; corosive sublimate, 1 1-14 ounces, alcohol, 1 pint. Disolve the sublimate in the alcohol and mix thoroughly with the soap. The sublimate should not be used in a quantity large enough to injure the tree. It is very poisonous and care should be teken in having it in the house. The mixture should be applied immediately after tae first fly appears and every two weeks thereafter until they disappear. The weak grub is killed at the first mou.hful of the mix tuse by the sublimate and the remedy is excellent. The other application is to mix 10 gal lons of sour milk and 10 pounds of Port land cement. The cement forms a coat ing through which the grubs cannot penetrate. It should be applied every two or three weeks, otherwise it will crack from the growth of the tree and the grubs may enter. formula for compost. When is a good time to compost? Please give me a formula for corn and cotton. A. L. C., Warren county. December and January are good months to compost, though you can com post later. The following formula will answer for both com and cotton: Stable manure, 650 pounds; cotton seed, 650 pounds; acid phosphate 700 pounds. In mixing I have the ingredients well watered and worked with hoes in small piles and then thrown on the main pile, which I fix up in conical shape and then put on a layer of dirt from four to six inches, completing the work. composting. I thank you for the valued informa- OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE COUNIY. tion so kindly given, permit me to tfbu ble you this once more, for it is a ques tion in which lam vitally interested. I have about 1,500 bushels of cotton seed and some good stable manure which I am anxious to so mix with acid phos phate a-' to get the best possible results. I was anxious to mix at the proper time to allow sufficient decomposition, but I see from your advice that I am a little late for January is gone, so I will go at the work immediately. Now I would like to know whether the heap should have water poured in when the heat caused by decomposition and fermenta tion becomes too great, and how am I to judge when heat is great enough to pro duce injury or fire fang. Some say in sert a rod andby drawing it out judge by the heat of the rod,but how warm should it be to water. A. L. C., Warrenton. We do not thin 1 ' that you will be too late with your compost and that suffi cient decomposition will take place to obtain good results. Fire fang only re sults when the heap or any part of it be comes perfectly dry. Its effect is to per mit the escape of the ammonia and while we are unable to give you any certain rule as to the temperature can safely say that moist heat will not have an injurious effect, and if the pile is kept damp no ammonia will escape. A simple chemical test to ascer tain whether any loss is taking place is to hold near the manure a small rod that has been touched or dipped in nitrate acid. If a white vapor arises the am monia is escaping. No loss of other ele ments of plant food takes place except by leaching. REDUCING PHOSPHATES. I note in report of United States de partment of agriculture Vol. V. No. 2, pages 228 and 22‘J, a method for the re duction of phosphates and for the prepa ration of commercial fertilizers from the same which is represented as being sim ple and cheaper than by the plan now in use of reduction of sulphuric acid. This new reduction is by carbonic acid. I am not able to under stand how the carbonic acid is generated and controlled, neither do I understand the characters used in showing what it produced in the different stages of reduction. This process seems to be applicable to phosphates rich in lime or corbonate of lime, you are aware that southwest Georgia contains a great deal of this lime phosphate rock. Here on my farm are large quantities, also on adjoining farms. This new method is also recom mended for the preparation of nitrogen ous fertilizers such as hair, hoofs, horns, leather, wood, slaughter house, etc. Now this strikes me as being something of vast importance to farmers; a plan perhaps that they can put into opera tion, have a mill, or buy the floats, and a plant with but little cost in every Oi? oouww at firut a /Vllftin ist would have to be employed until a foreman of. the works becomes posted. I would be glad of any information from you on the subject at any time. J. W. B. Leslie, Ga. The department is now investigating the process named and we would prefer to give no positive informntion on its merits without thorough study. Our casual opinion is that it will prove of great economic value and especially so to southern Georgia, where such large deposits of carbonate of lime are to be found. IRISH POTATOES. We have about 12 acres of new land being planted to grape vines and other fruit at Tallapoosa. We are thinking of a spring crop to plant between the rows; perhaps potatoes. Will you please in form us as to the variety, mode of ship ping, market, prospect of profits, etc. ? And can you let us know where we can get bags or sacks suitable to ship pota toes in, etc.? We would suggest early rose and beau ty of Hebron. Your location is such that you will not be able to secure the large profits of the early market gar dener, and you would be compelled to rely largely on home consumption and the Atlanta and Birmingham markets. Ship ments can be made in bags or barrels. You can purchase them in Atlanta. POLICY OF SOUTHERN FARMERS. The business policy of southern farm ers is changing, according to a large number of letters from bankers in all parts of the south, recently published in The Manufacturers’ Record. The farm ers are growing more diversified crops, producing more of the needed and here tofore largely purchased food supplies, thus saving some of the money formerly paid for the latter. These letters also show that farmers are doing more of a cash and less of a credit business. The farmers are paying off their debts and spending at home the money that for merly went to the north and west to buy provisions. These letters say that south is less in debt than at any other time since the war. Agricultural News and Notes. The poultry buildings on the farm of Honorable Levi P. Morton recently burned dawn are almost rebuilt, and it is estimated will cost about SIO,OOO. The incubators and brooders will be run by electricity, while a number of other fea tures will be introduced which have heretofore been unknown in poultry fix ings. For the best show pea English gar deners recommend President Garfield. We want a good table pea and as early as it can be had. Sow any of the first earlies as early as you can prepare the ground in spring on heavily manured land, and you will get peas good enough and early enough. The London Times estimates the wheat area in Urreat Britain at 1,798,869 acres and the crop at 46,429,407 bushels. More land is devoted to barley than to wheat, or 2,257,293 acres, and still more to oats, 4,435,944. The peanut crop is reported light. NO 9.