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MB, 0. B, STEVENS’
INTERESTING TALK
Georgia Commissioner ol
Agriculture’s Hints.
The scientific farmer.
It is the Duty of Every Man to Aim
High—He Who Makes His Living
by Tilling the Soil Should De no Ex
ception to This Rule.
Talk of the Commiesioncr.
I have written many letters urging
the farmers of Georgia to take the ouo
step that will make our great Statu
absolutely self-supporting, "and some
times I have feared that my persis
tence would weary them. Hut when
one know* that ho is right, lie niu3t
persevere.
In recent ta.ks from this department
It has been shown that Georgia is not
yet the self-supiioitlng Slate that sho
was previous to the civil war. Tnough
there is in this respect great Improve
ment, much yet remains to be done.
Until every needed step has been tak
en, it behooves the Georgia Depart
ment of Agriculture to give line upon
Lue and precept u|k>u precept.
In many sections of our State tho.’
Is still time for the sowing of wheat,
rye and barley. By as much as w h
have, through unfavorable seasons,
fallen short In our crops of cotton and
corn, by so much is the necessity up- I
on us to make up the deficiency In the
abundance of other crops. Unflagging
energy is the price o' success, and
this Is as true of farming as of any
other business. It Is the diligent man,
who shrinks not at any necessary toil,
who makes his mark upon his day
and generation.
One of the beat signs of the times
1s the restlessness of the people in
every Industrial pursuit, the constant
striving after better things.
A scientific farmer Is a learned mart,
in that particular branch of education.
Time was when no man was called
educated who had not received a di
ploma from a college. Now the man
skilled in his proiesaion, whatever that
may be, is classed among the scientific.
It is the duty of every man to aim
high. He. who makes his living by
agriculture, should consider hlinsel!
under obligation to do his work in such
a way no will best promote the pros
perity and happiness of his family.
Whether ho believes it or not, he has
no right to go on In the old slipshod
way, making a bare living out of the
soil which holds within Its bosom un
told wealth for him who seeks It in
the right way. He is unworthy the
name of farmer, who sits Idly down,
winning about his bad luck. Instead of
•bestirring himself like a man to force
fortune's smile.
Of course, It la hard to be disappoint
ed and to have one's expectations cut
short by unfavorable seasons; hut the
remedy is his going right, at it. again.
"What If the ssy Is overcast?
The dark appearance will not last;
Expect a better day!."
But, It is folly to expect anything
to turn up, unless you make it turn up.
The following suggestions from "The
Southern Planter,” a farm journal
published in Richmond, Va., are so
practical tVat I take the liberty of glv
tbem to our Georgia, farmers:
"It should always bo home In mind
that all t.he cultivation that can ho
given either of these crops iwheat and
winter oats), except it may be a har
rowing of the crop in the spring, which
though oft an omitted, is of great use
in helping the crop, must ho given
before the nop is seeded; hence, tno
importance of leaving nothing undone
that can conduce to a finely broken
surface soli and a compact subsoil.
Plow deep, harrow and roll frequently.
Much good has been found to result
in the west from subsurface packing.
This is practically a reversion to a
practice that has been in use in Eng
land ever sli.ve we can recollect. The
roller used for the purpose In England
is one made with two large wheels,
having the rolling surface made V
shaped, the point of the V being leit
about one inch broad. These two
wheels are set on an axle, so as to run
one on each side of the furrow thrown
l>y the plow, so as to pack the seam
"between each furrow. A third wheel
is set on the other end of the axle to
run on the unplowed land. This
roller follows the plow, watting to
•tart until three furrows have been
turned. Ita use has been found of
great benefit, especially when plowing
•od land for wheat. The close pack
*ng of the seams of the furrow pre
sents seed from getting down under
the furrow, where It rarely germinates
or grows, and thus leads to a thin
growth of the crop. These subsurface
packing rollers can be had from West
era Implement dealers, but we have
not seen them advertised In the east.
■We have used the English form of
roller and can apeak favorably of it.
In Its alTsence, the corrugated Iron
roller advertised In our columns by
•a Charlottesville firm, which is prac
tically the same as the roller known
in England as a Cambridge roller, can
be usefully substituted."
.The same writer suggests that after
the toll has been packed well, the sur
face should be finely harrowed.
To get rid of the ravages of the
Hessian fly he suggests that in sec
tion* specially annoyed by this pest,
wheat should not be sown until after
th© files have been trapped on a
atrip of wheat seeded early and then
plowed down, thus i. •r'lroying the eggs
and pupa.
About Cotton.
As to cotton, see that it is pic "ked at
fast as It opens, so that, it may not, by
remaining on the plants, be stained anj
wasted by storms. I would suggest
that farmers, who are able to hold
their cotton, should not be in too bij
a hurry to get their crop to market
end thus cause prior s to drop below
the point of good profit.
Shelter for Stock.
In vome portions of Georgia It if
necessary to provide shelter for sto r,
during the winter, and, in fact, over
a large part of the state stork will
thrive better, if thus cared for during
our cold spells. Now is a good time
to have all barns, sheds and pens thor
oughly cleaned, repalied and white
washed, so as to be in the beat possi
ble condition for housing your stock
comfortably.
Farm Implements.
The careful fanner saves himself
great loss by looking after his farm
Implements. This is a good time to
sec that all those not at this time in
use shall be thoroughly cleaned and!
placed under cover.
O. B. STEVENS,
Corn, of Agriculture.
Silk Culture In Georgia.
When the colony of Georgia was
first founded, it was intended to make!
It a great silk-producing country; hut;
when the cotton gin was invented, the
fleecy staple catne prominently to the:
front and King Cotton, mounting his
throne, for a long time ruled Georgia
with despotic sway, supplanting all
other industries. But the time ha 9
come for the old king to take a lower
place and share with other Industries
In promoting the strength and great
ness of our noblo commonwealth.
Efforts are being made to arous9
once more an interest among the peo
ple of Georgia In silk culture. North
Carolina has of Into years made somo
progress on (his lino. Thinking that
there Is something of promise to Geor
gia In the silk industry, we publish
ttio following correspondence:
“Tallulah, Falls, Ga., Oct. 18, 1902.
Mr. Ft. F. Wright, (Asr’t. Com. Dopt
Agriculture) Atlanta, Ua.:
Dear Sir;
Referring to our conversation of
recent date, I beg leave herewith to
en ase you a letter referring to the
organization of a "Silk Culture
League,” which you may print In your
monthly talks through the various
papers that you control.
I also beg leave to enclose list of
names to whom I have addressed a let
ter similar to the one sent to you Oct.
sth.
I will he glad to have you make mo
a list of about 25 to 50 prominent men
and women throughout the state to
whom l would like to address an Invi
tation to assist in the formation of the
proposed "Silk Culture League.”
Thanking you for many jvast favors,
I am, your truly, Ixiuls B. Magid.
Tallulah Falls, Ga. ( OOct. 5, 1902.
To tho Editor:
I note lu the press with much inter
est. that certain |>eople of Georgia are
making worthy efforts to honor Gener
al James Edward Oglethorpe with the
erection of a monument to his memo
ry. Tills noble work is commendable
within itself.
One hundred and sixty-eight yoara
ago when General Oglethorpe first set.
tied the colony of Georgia, he encour
aged and introduced silk raising.
Tne press lias given considerable
attention to my recent efforts to en
courage the people of Georgia to re
vive and reintroduce the raising of
silk. Since the commencement of ray
actual operations in the introduction
of silk-raising in this vicinity, 1 am
the recplent of a great number of let
ters from people throughout the state
and sister states with the general in
quiry, "How should we begin silk
raising?, a leading motive with them
being to improve their present condi
tions and circumstances.
Many of the writers tell me that
they are widows and some are In ill
health or other imperfect surround
ings which prevent them from earning
an uonest living. Silk raising is a
simple and light industry, lasting only
six weejos. but most people are ignor
ant of the art of producing the raw
•ilk. 811 k raising in Georgia would
diversify the product* of the farm,
and afford to many an aoceptabls in
crease of Income.
I t>eg to offer the following sugges
tions to the people of our elate, espe
cially to the more prosperous people
who have the Interests of the state at
heart and are able to assist those who
are not so fortunate, especially those
people living in the rural districts
who need some simple occupation, for
instance; widows, orphans and even old
men who are too feeble to do any or
dinary - field work. I will gladly answer
all letters and give all the Information
at my command, as it Is partly for this
puri*ose that I have located here, to
demonstrate the art of silk raising to
the people of Georgia.
In the Southern State* silk raising
can be Introduced and made to pay.
I. therefore, appeal to the people of
Georgia in their own behalf, to form
an organisation to be known fte -The
Silk Culture League of Georgia." the
purpose of which shall be to collect
and acquire all proper information,
based on scientific methods, as to the
production and raising of silk, and
through this Silk Culture to
diffuse and encourage the knowledge
and art of silk raising in our state.
I have already mentioned this mat
ter to several prominent Georgians,
THE BARNESVILLE NEWS-GAZETTE, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1002
who have the intert -st of the farming
people of our state at heart, including
the commissioner and assistant com
missioner of the agricultural depart
ment. of the State. These have ail
assured me of their hearty co-opera
tion. I shall be glad to near more
from Georgians on the subject and re
ceive such suggestions as with their
co-operation will help to organize this
propos :A "Silk Culture League oi
Georgia.**
Such aa organization to revive silk
culture in Georgia which was th
dream of General Oglethorpe, would
he a second monument to the Gener
al’s memory. Respectfully,
Louis B. Magid.
The Department of Agriculture has
for many months been in correspon
dence with Mr. Magid on this impor
tant question and not only has given
him all possible encouragement, but
will continue to do so. Through the
agency of this department Mr. d
was present at the meeting in Nash
ville of the Agricultural Commission of
the Southern States, and made before
them an earnest plea for seri-culturs
In the South.
lion. R. J. Redding, director <i the
Experiment Station, in a recent letter
to Mr. Stevens, says:
“It strikes mu that it may bo well
for us to take up at this station a
line of experimental work in Silk Cul
ture, and if you, as Commissioner of
Agriculture, will handle the commer
cial end of the proposition, that is:
looking to the supply of mulberry
trees and silk worm eggs, i will attend
to the experimental part. What Jo
you think of it? * * * I can apply for
100 trees on the terms mentioned in
Mr. McCarthy’s circular, and have
them ready for operations when they
become large enough.”
The circular of Mr. McCarthy re
ferred to by Mr. Redding Is as fol
lows:
Free Mulberry Trees for Silk Growers!
The first season’s experience in silk
growing in North Carolina has proved
a most gratifying success. It has
demonstrated that the women and ch’l
dren of the State may, by light and in.
teresting work during six weeks of
early summer, earn, without interfer
ing seriously with their ordinary du
ties, at lest S3O. Those Who can de
vote more time to the work may earn
much more.
To place silk growing upon a permit
nent basis we must increase the out
put of silk cocoons to a volume which
will attract to the State silk reelers
and weavers, thus creating a home
market for the product of the Bilk
worm.
The first and most necessary step
is to increase the available supply of
silk worm food. We must plant mul
berry trees until each farm suited for
this kind of work has at least 100
trees. Every farm having dry soil,
lying betwen Goldsboro and States
ville or Asheville, can successfully
grow silk.
In order to encourage the planting
of the mulberry, the State Department
of Agriculture will distribute among
the farmers of North Carolina in lets
of 50 and 100 rooted seedling trees of
the varieties best suited for feeding
the silk worm. Not more than 100
will be sent to one person. Those
who want more will be supplied at cost
prices. We do not recommend the
planting of more than 100 trees by any
farmer. Recipients of trees will be
required to pay postage or expressage
at the rate of 1 cent per tree. This
must ho enclosed with application.
Trees will Lh delivered during No
vember, which is the best month for
planting in this Stare. Full direc
tions for planting and caring for the
trees will be sent to each applicant.
Silk growing will prove a valuable
nature study, and a remunerative art
in schools, and is well worth the ab
tention of all who havo supervision
over educational institutions. It is
also well adapted for charitable Insti
tutions. Public Institutions which
wish to experiment with silk grow
ing, will be supplied with trees at a
nominal price.
Applications will be filled In the or
der of reception. Address, General
McCarthy, Biologist, N. C. Department
of Agriculture, Raleigh, N, C,
~ „ * - -;! 9
In ‘‘Georgia Historical and Industri
al." published by this department in
the fall of 1901, is found the following
paragraph (page 847): |
"Silk industry which
in the last few years has grown rap
id ly in the United Statee ie the manu
facture of silk. In 1890 there were
718,360 spindlea and 20,822 looms. In
1900 there were 1,426.246 splndlee and
48.246 looms. It is mostly confined to
the Northern States; but Virginia and
North Carolina havs entered this field,
each with 30,000 spindles. North
Carolina has also 1,455 looms, and Vir
ginia 350.
"Although Georgia was originally In.
tended to be a silk-producing country,
at this time the State Is taking no part
in tnls bus ness. Yet the founder*
of the colony of Georgia thought that
its chief industry would be the pro
duction of raw silk. General Ogle
thorpe in speaking of the possibilities
of the colony said: 'lt must be a
weak hand indeed, that cannot earn
bread where ellk worms and white mul
berry trec6 are so plentiful.’ Perhaps
at some future day Georgia will real
ise in this industry the expectations
of its founders.”
The Department of Agriculture of
Georgia heartily indorsee every effort
to Introduce anew industry into our
State.
GA DEPT, of AGRICULTURE.
L. O. Benton, W. B, Smith, J- A. McCrary,
President. Vice-President. Cashier,
THE
First National Bank
Barnesville, = Georgia.
ESTABLISHED MAY Ist, 1902.
Capital Stock . . . $30,000.00
Stockholders’ Liability . $30,000.00
Deposits .... $45,000.00
-Jf JI Profits, Less Expenses . $ 1,777.58
"We take care of all customers.
Plenty of money and easy to get.
Investigate our condition and you will then give us your
account.
MEANSVILLE.
We have at last had hog killing
weather.
Mrs. J. Luther Aldredge has
returned from quite a pleasant
visit to her former home in Mon
tezuma.
Mr. S. D. Holsey, of Atlanta,
was with us several days last
week.
Messers T. E. Whittle, J.C.
Slade and J. C. Collier spent last
Saturday in Barnesville.
Mrs. J. R. Mangram died at her
home near here last Frsday on
the 28th. She has been quite ill
for some time.
Mrs. J. L. Aldredge has returned
home from Fort Valley, after
spending several weeks with her
granddaughter, Little Miss \\ illie
Harvey.
Mrs. J. M. Means and children
spent Thanksgiving in Zebulon
with Judge and Mrs. J. M. Means.
JiThe family reunion of Mrs. B.
M. Taylor on her 75th birthday
on Thanksgiving was very much
enjoyed, Dr. Hannah, ofThom
aston, Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Mat
thews. Miss Willie Branner, of
Atlanta. Mrs. B. M. Taylor and
Misses Julia and Laura Taylor
were present.
Misses Susie McGinty and Lil
lie Fackler spent last week in Zeb
ulon the guest of friends and rel
atives.
Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Whittle are
entertaining a fine boy that has
come to make his home
with them.
There has been a lodge of the
Woodmen of the W'orld” organ
ized here.
Mrs. R. M. Williams and chil
dren visited Mr. and Mrs. R. W .
McGinty on last Saturday and
Sunday. “Cogie.
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No Bad Effects.
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DIRECTORS:
W. B. SMITH, of J. G. Smith & Sons.
F. M. STAFFORD, of J. W r . Stafford & Sons.
A. P. KEMP, Physician.
OTIS A. MURPHEY, Insurance.
W. H. MITCHELL, with Robt. Mitchell.
L. O. BENTON, Merchant and Banker.
.T. A. McCRARY, Cashier.
Your" Choice 2 for 25c.
Ladies, you should see our line of beautiful Lamps,
Vases, China and other Holiday Goods before you
buy. We have everything you can think of for the
little ones.
B. F. REEVES.
GROCERIES!
I atft hot a “cutter.” I can’t afford to bate you, and CUT
it out of the next article. I expect to continue business in
Barnesville, and sell goods, instead of my customers.
I Handle Only the Best
of everything in my line, and do it on as small margin as is
consistent with business principles. My trade i9 increasing
every day, tnd I attribute it to the above facts.
Try some of the new....
Cereals, Presto, Ralston’s
Health Oats, etc.
Pride of Barnesville Flour
makes the best biscuits. South Georgia Cane SYRUP—the
best sop. But don’t take my word for it.
JOHN T. MIDDLEBROOKS,