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FARMS AND FARMERS.
Ehort Talks With the Men Who
Guide the Plow.
QUERRIESON FARM TOPICS ANSWERED
Winter Work.
After the crops are gathered there is a dis
position to procrastinate, to defer work until
toward spring. The result is that the farmer
Is usual!}’ very,much crowdedfin the spring ;' t his
■work gets much ahead of him and pushes him
hard. ' Especially is this the case in wet springs.
Imperfect work is the consequence, and the
evil effects of it follow him through all subse
quent cultivation of his crops. It is an old
and excellent adage that a farmer should push
his work, and never let his work push him.
To do this he must look well ahead and plan
judiciously; he must be vigilant and ener
getic.
Let him ask himself now: Is there any
necessary or desirable work which can be done
through the winter about as well as any other
time? A moment’s reflection will suggest
a good many. First, all those operations
which look to the stopping of injury done by
rains. Hillside ditching, terracing and tilling
of gullies. Second, removing obstructions,
grubs, rocks, stumps,, etc. Third, repairing
farm roads, bridges, etc. Fourth, repairing
implements, preparing duplicate parts to pro
vide for accidents, making axe and hoe helves,
single and double trees, wagon bodies, hay
frames, etc. Every one of these things can be
done during the winter, and leave the farmer
free in spring and summer to devote his entire
time and energy to the preparation for the
planting and the cultivation of his crops.
Hillside ditches—l f one has these, they are
quite sure to need some looking after. They
will bo found obstructed in places, perhaps
broken over in some, little washes may bo
farms just above where the water runs into
them. The sooner these things are corrected
the better, delay only increases the evils they
produce. An obstruction may soon cause a
breakover; the washes at break
overs will grow deeper with
every rain. Remember that the
cause cf a break over is always below the
point where it occurs—too narrow or too shal
low a place in tho ditch—a root or stump
which has collected trash, etc., etc. When
new ditches have to be run, the ground in
■winter is in*good condition for making them;
it is moist and soft. Tho plow alone can do
nine-tenths of the work. A two-horse hill
side plow is the proper one. Mark off the line
of ditch, then start the plow the distance of
five or six furrows below the marked-off Imo,
and plow up to it, throwing dirt down hill all
the lime. This done, go over and over again,
beginning each time one furrow nearer the
line of ditch than was done before. Finally
a wide, degp furrow will be formed along tho
line of ditch with a broad dam below it. Now
run in this furrow a V-shaped opener, mode
of stout plank, and two and a half feet wide
behind, and you will have a nice, broad ditch
without a lick of hoe or shovel, unless there
should be roots or rock to be removed.
But, except for cutting off water from un
cultivated slopes, etc., terraces are preferable
to ditches. Terracing is best done in fall and
early winter—partly because there is then
more leisure, partly because, more time is
given the terrace borders to settle and become
firm before the heavy rains of spring attack
them. Lay off border lines exactly on a level,
going down hill for the next one, just three
feet below (measured on a horizontal line) tire
one above. Make a broad list along the line,
leaving the centre of the list unbroken by the
plow. This is all that is actually necessary.
If this list is never disturbed it will grow up in
weeds and grass, and will filter out and catch
the dirt washing down from above. Unas
sisted, it may take years to make a level
terrace. By breaking land with a lullside
plow, throwing dirt down hill all the time
the result will be hastened. We commend
terracing with greatest confidence to ail who
have rolling lands liable to wash.
For filling gullies what bettor time can be
found than the present. The fields are in
great measure unoccupied by crops, and wa
gons and teams may pass over them without
detriment. All manner of obstructions, as
rocks, loose stumps, bushes and briars, which
should now be removed,famish material for tho
work. It is unnecessary labor to fill a gulley
along its whole length. Obstructions placed
at intervals answer every purpose. These will
catch and hold the dirt which finds its way
into the gulley, and that is the main point to
be looked after. If a gully is not too deep,
plow or cut down its edges so that a horse can
cross it. If good obstructions aro placed
across a gulley, and they are crossed in plough
ing, and the dirt and trash on plow shaken
off in passing over, it is wonderful how soon
it will till up. Plow the edges
of the gulley in crossing, but never
loosen up the bottom—let that
remain firm and grow up in weeds and grass.
When a gully is a necessity as an outlet for
waler, sufficient obstructions should be placed
in it to keep it shallow enough to allow cross
ing with the plow, if not with wagons. Whore
crossing is practiced, tho edges of tho gulley
can easily bo kept clear of bushes, which other
wise grow up rapidly and deface the field, or
else require much labor every year to keep
them down.
Where recks are present in cultivated fields,
it is true economy to remove them. They re
tard hoeing, and they interfere with plowing.
The time thus lost would soon pay the cost of
removing them. If too large to handle, they
may often be broken up by building a fire on
them and pouring water on them when hot.
Sometimes they may be quite readily broken
with a heavy hammer. 1 f neither of these are
practicable, a I vie n r by may be dug, and
the rock buried out of sight and out. of reach
of plow. No better use can be made of smaller
rocks than to make obstructions in gullies.
W. L. J.
J. A. 11., Please give meinfjr
mntion as to the following:
1. How would sai.'lu.-t Vlo to t;.k; the place of
leaves or str,<w in making manure in stable or lot
for composting.'
2. What is the best distance to plant cotton on
pxv land, to get the best yield; also on good laud to
get tile I c-t yield'
3. If you were going to try and see how much
coin you e .uld r.. sc on ' indy upl iud, using cotton
seed and (table manure as fertilizer,how would you
fix to plant ati acre?
1. Presume you rest r to pine sawdust. If
freshly sawn, the r- in it is objectionable
freely used it wot.ld be somew hat injurious to
vegetation. AV hen old and long exposed to
weather, it. >■ . ... obj.i tn liable. If dry it is »
goal absorbi u , and th.refers a good deal used
by livorystabfo men, who care little about the
quality <.f manure. But sawdust is decidedly
inferior to ]<■•»•.<or ,:-. V v as an ingredient of
the compart hem.. 11 ii i little or no manorial
value, .pt 11 ■ 1 .OSi oi .gup stiff toils, it is not
worth Ju: can J ng. B <th ha. is and straw
on tho con’rary 1.1 derided manurial value
—centamm r u.i;-. „ n, phosphoric acid, and
potash, not in -inti: yit true, but in
quantity i n ily -b. a n by ana!;,-.is. They have
the same w 1 ■ n.l properties of looming
soils that.' i -vd .i-,t has. and mamirial properties
besides.
2. The lar;.- st v , ].! j, obtained from close
planting. .' . .; .it tv -am;-a-l.alf feet
apart, and ]'.ut tho v. idth of hoe apart. On
Buch land each pivot will mako three or four
bolls alien crowded, and not many more,
however meh room it 1 s. Within reason
able limits (such a, above) the more stalks,
the more Lolls, therefore. But there is knottier
aspetu o fthc matter. The narrower the rows,
THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION, ATLANTA, GA., TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 29. 1887
the greater tho labor of cultivation. With
two-and-a-lialf feet rows as compared with
three feet rows, the cost of cultivation is one
fifth more. If, the three feet rows made 300
pounds of seed cotton per acre, the two-and-a
half feet rows would have to yield 300 pounds
to give equal profits. And clear profit is tho
thing which must bo kept steadily in view.
From the loose, unbusinesslike way in which
farming is generally carried on, this
rarely can ba done. Some vague
idea as to the final result of the year’s work, as
a whole, may be had, but it is rarely the case,
that a farmer can toll the profit or loss of this
crop or that—of this field or of another.
Qn good upland, rows four feet wide and
plants eighteen inches apart in the row is tho
most approved distance for cotton. On rich
alluvial soils, where the weed is unusually
largo, the rows have to be wider, not so much
for tho sake of increasing the quantity of
fruit, but to admit air and sunshine, and cause
the fruit to mature and open well. Five feet
rows are not uncommon on such lands.
3. If the supply of stable manure was unr
limited, we should broadcast thirty two-horse
wagon loads to the acre, after pulverizing it
well, and plow or harrow it in shallow in Feb
ruary. Then before planting time open drills
seven feet apart and put in 100 bushels green
cotton seed per acre and bed on it. Plant corn
on each side of the seed, in double rows, two
feet apart, one grain every foot in each row.
I’lant as early as possible to escape frost.
Surry Dobson, N. C.: First. I want to ask if there
is any difference in the benefit from lime ou free
stone or limestone soils. I contend that on our
freestone soils, where there is plenty of vegetable
matter that liming will pay just as well as ou the
limestone soils. lam differed from by a very old
gentleman and wish to hear from you.
2. I intended to use lime in my wheat drilling,
but did not, on account of being so late after haul
ing it in. Expect to turn land this winter to sow
oats with lime and phosphate in spring. What pro
portions would you use in drilling to get a stand of
clover?
1. Liming, where it does good at all, is benefi
cial on both kinds of soils, lime and freestone.
Lime has a great tendency to sink down in
tho soil, and in virtue of this, tho surface soil
becomes deficient in it in limestone countries.
But the action of limo is uncertain and doubt
ful in our southern climate. In cold climates
where the soil is filled with vegetable matter,
lime often produces most excellent results —but
we have no facts of similar kind in the cotton
states. Our advice is to go slow in liming
experiments.
2. If we understand you correctly, you pro
pose to mix some form of lime and phosphate
together. If it be acid phosphate, it is not ad
visable to mix lime witli it—the effect will be
to destroy the solubility of the phosphate.
Liberal applications of ashes will be more apt
to secure a stand of clover, than any dressing
of lime.
F. G. M., Louisville, Miss.: First, I have a mule
colt about five months old that walks (on his
right front foot) as if the joint in the hoof was stiff.
He never puts his heel to the ground; foot doesn’t
seem sore nor is he lane. What must must Ido tor
him? Second. Have another two years old that I
castrated at One year old. The wound healed all
right, tut a few months ago I noticed an enlarg
ment; looks as if only one testicle had been re
moved. Suppose it is hernia. Will it injure him ?
Please give treatment and cure.
First. Nothing. Leave the case to nature;
it may get righted or it may not, but interfer
ence is likely to do harm.
Second. It may be hernia, though castra
tion usually cures scrotal hernia where it ex
ists previous to the operation. If it is hernia,
it may continue to enlarge, and may prove
very hurtful to the animal. If you cannot con
sult a veterinary surgeon, call in your physi
cian, throw the colt and let him see whether
it is a case of hernia proper which can be re
duced, or whether it is something else; water
in the scrotum, for instance.
Subscriber, Lithonia, Ga.: I have a plat of land
of six a res, admirably suited for cotton. Two
ami u half acres is poor land, but makes good cotton
by a heavy application of commercial manures.
The balance of the laud is good, witli a deep, rich
soil, and made this year one thoma id pounds of
seed cotton per acre. I wisli to bring the whole, if
possible, to the highest stage of fertility. I propose,
early in January to broadcast heavily with oak
leaves, followed with a heavy application of cotton
see-1 to the thinnest portion of the land, and turn in
witli a good turn plow. By the first of April lay off
in four-feet rows and apply twenty-five bushels of
cotton seed, followed with a mixture of one hun
dred and fitly lounds of cotton seed meal and acid
phosphate per acre, mixed half and half. I seems
to me if this course was pursued for several years,
and no stock al'owed to run on the land, so that all
bolls, stalks, leaves and stems were returned
to the land annually, with tho heavy application of
leaves and cotton seed, ete., it would make a soil
rich in humus and bring about results desired.
I would like to have your opinion, with such sug
gestions as you may deem proper.
Would not advise heavy broadcast applica
tions of cotton seed for a crop like cotton, or
for permanent improvement of the soil. Tho
predominant ingredient in cotton seed is nitro
gen, and that, in a form which soon passes into
soluble substances in the soil, that aro liable to
be leached out and lost. Cotton seed is ad
mirable for feeding a crop, but not for fertiliz
ing land. Applied to small grain, which leaves
a good stubble with its roots, ou the land, cot
ton seed may improve the land, but even then
not very rapidly. It would be bettor, however,
to alternate a small grain with a cotton crop on
your poor land, and apply most of tho
cotton seed to tho grain crop. Twenty
bushels of cotton seed in drill, and ono
hundred pounds of aeid phosphate, with fifty
pounds of meal, would be a better application.
Tho application of Heaves and tho keeping of
stock off the land are very desirable, and
would assist greatly in restoring fertility. As
the land improved and became filled with
humus the quantity of cotton-seed might be
decreased and that of phosphate increased.
When one’s object is to increase the supply of
vegetable matter in tho soil, it should never
be kept continuously under clean culture. The
plow is a great destroyer of humus. We omit
ted to state that the leaves (and cotton-seed if
they are applied) should not bo turned under
deep—not exceeding three or four inches. On
poor, thin land the soil has to be deepened by
degrees.
W. IL H-, Yorkville, 8. C.: Some time back a
gentleman of your stale invented, and had manu
factured, a cotton chopper. Was it or was it not a
success. If a success, have you seen <n: at work?
Will it actually put cotton in the row io a stand; or
do you have to go over it with the hoes? Do you
think, from your knowle Igo of the machine, that
it will reduce price of buoln; u cotton crop.
Do not know what machine is referred to.
But we venture to say that no chopper will
ever bring cotton to a final stand without tho
aid of the hoe under prevailing modes of pre
paration anil planting. On level land free of
obstructions, well prepared, carefully planted
and a good stand secured, a chopper can block
out cotton very well; but unless the seed could
be sown so as to have the plants come up one
in a place and at regular, short intervals apart,
a chopper will always leave too many plants in
tho hill. I lie first step toward < a successful
cotton chopper is securing a more regular dis
tribution of young plants in the drill. When
this is perfected, a chopper Will lieoome a pos
sibility.
IL J, 8.. Jam s Station. Jones Co.. G<i.: I wish
to |iut one hundred seres fu cutton next y i r. • rm
half of it is r--d laud, nu 1 the oilier gray randy. I
want to use cottonseed nieul, acid phosphate and
kaimt. Plea e tc.l me 1.0. rto pr pare it. How
much to put to on ner . when to put iu the ground,
etc. How many pounds to pit In a row i<-ve ly I
yards long. inorder to put one hundred and fifty
points to the acre. What wll be the cost p;r ton? !
The quality of land regulates to some extent •
the proportioning of ingredients in a fertilizer.
Foor lanes call for larger doses of nitrogen. :
Tho presence or absence of humus also deter
mines tho quantity of fertilizer that may bo
safely and profitably used. As yon give
neither of these, we are somewhat in the dark,
and in what we say, shall assume your land to
be of medium fertility and not particularly
rich in humus. Red land, as a rule, will bear
somewhat heavier applications of fertilizers
than gray land, but in absence of special
knowledge of your land, no difference will bo
made between the two. Tho following com
bination is suggested: 1.000 pounds acid phos
phate, 500 pounds kainit, 500 pounds cotton
seed meal. Alix thoroughly and apply in drill
like any other fertilizer when bedding land,
300 pounds per acre.
Tho cost should approximate s2l a ton,
based upon the supposition, that acid phos
phate costs S2O a ton, kainit sls a ton, and
cotton seed meal $24 a ton. The quantity put
in a row 70 yards long will depend upon width
of rows. If rows are three feet wide, and 150
pounds applied to an acre, then 2 1-7 pounds
must bo put in a row 70 yards long. If rows
are four feet wide, 2 88-100 pounds to row of
same length. It is not necessary to mix differ
ent substances much in advance of applica
tion. It may be done on the same day they
are applied.
W. M. G., Hazel, N. C.: I got a horse in ex
change, a month ago, that was warranted sound.
Now, when trotted, his breathing is audible, an I,
by some, ho is pronounced slightly windbroke.
while others judge him to be “thickwinded” and
sound. He does not breath hnid right after he
stops moving. What is your opinion of it? Can it
be cured by care and attention (he is but four and
a half years old), or is it incurable, and is it consid
ered not sound? If curable, how?
The fact that ahorse, when'exercised, makes
an unnatural sound in breathing indicates
some obstruction in his air passages. Tho air
cannot pass in and out as rapidly as the needs
of his system demand, and such obstruction
certainly constitutes a case of unsoundness; it
interferes with his ability to work. “Thick
wind’’ may be produced by several causes. A
thickening of the living membrane of the
windpipe, pressure from an enlarged gland un
der the jaw, or from paralysis of some of the
muscles connected with tho windpipe. There
is ono case in which a horse makes a noise in
breathing, without injury—it is where, in ex
piration, the edge of tho nostrils aro thrown in
vibration, as in snorting. This is not a defect;
it occurs in animals with strong lungs and
good wind. All other cases are
the result of serious defects and
aro difficult to cure. Palliative remedies, such
as feeding concentrated food—never distend
ing the stomach with food or water, especially
just before working—green and rather laxative
food, are pretty much all that can be relied on.
J. A. C., Cedar Rock, N. C.: 1. Is it too late to
sow grass seed for grazing, or would it be better
now to wait and sow on wheat next spring and har
row it in? 2. What is the best grass to sow for
grazing? My land is moderately rich; will make from
one-half to three-quarters bale cotton to the acre.
It is in cotton this year. I want to turn it into a
pasture for cattle and hogs. I propose sowing it as
soon as I get cotton off, in wheat and grass. 3. How
much grass seed ought I to put to the aero ? The
land has a good clay sub-soil. There are about fif
teen acres In the lot that I want to turn into pasture.
4. Is cotton seed good to manure grass and wheal,
and ought the manure to be applied when plowing
In wheat, or applied next spring ?
1. Too late to sow grass in your latitude,
the young plants would get heaved out and
killed by bard freezes. Sow early iu March
and harrow in lightly.
2. It is best so sow several kirn’s, for two
reasons. One that two different kinds, grow
ing side by side, do not interfere with each
other as much as two of tho same kind.
Another, because different varieties are at
their best at different seasons of the year, and
when sown together make a more continuous
pasture. Orchard, tall oat, red top or herds
and English blue grass make a good combina
tion. If your soil was rich limestone, wo
should add Kentucky blue grass. One portion
of your pasture should, by all means, be sot jin
Bermuda. No other grass will furnish as
much good grazing through the summer.
None stands drought, overflows, tramping
and close grazing so well as Bermuda.
It is a pest when out of place, but
in its place, it is a mine of wealth to southern
farmers if the would use it judiciously.
3. Sow seed liberally; there is no economy
in stinting seed. Two bushels of orchard and
one each of herds, tall oat and English
blue grass will suffice for an acre. Mix the
seed thoroughly, divide in two and make two
sowings, one across the other to insure uni
formity of distribution.
4. Yes; very good. Plow in with the wheat,
and if in the spring your wheat is not as green
and flourishing as you could wish topdrcss it
at the time of sowing grass witli a mixture of
seventy-fivo pounds nitrate of soda and 100
pounds each of acid phosphate and kainit per
acre.
A subscriber from Kemper county, Miss.,
wishes to know where ho can get Yorkshire
pigs. Those having them for sale can reach
him through our advertising columns.
G. W., Benton, Miss., asks us to send him
our price list of grass and clover seeds. We
do not deal in these or any other agricultural
articles.
Tho advocates of tho use of Dr. Bull’s Cough
Syrup aro innumerable. Price 25 cents, su
People don’t like high priced liniments, but
they like Salvation Oil for 25 cents. su
■ ’ ...
Prosperous Koumania.
Bucharest, November 27.—Tho chambers
were opened today. The speech from the
throne was read by the king in person. Rou
mauia has maintained good relations with all
other powers, in spite of tho troubles near the
frontier. Roumania had kept out of the con
flict, and was gaining increased strength and
confidence on all sides. Its army had been
strongly developed, and the financial position
of the country was satisfactory.
Cancers Cared.
Dr. A. G. Wollard, of Richmond, Va., is
having great success in curing cancers. He has
cured hundreds pronounced incurable by other
physicians. Send for pamphlet with refer
ences and certificates. The doctor can bo
found at his office, No. 7 North Sixth street,
(where he is permanently located), Richmond,
Va. wkßt
CREMATING THE ELEPHANTS.
The Sacred White Elephant Had a Chinese
Idol hi His Stomach.
Bridgeport, Conn., November 27.- Peti
tions are being circulated among merchants
ams manufacturers asking that Barnum &
Bailey retain tlieir winter quarters in this
The bodies of two burned elephants were
cremut-d yesterday by placing legs upon them
and keeping them blazing until tho big skele
tons were reduced to ashes. Professor Ward,
of Itoohe- t.'-r. who mounted Jumbo’s hide and
skeleton, sent two agents here, and on their
arrival yesterday two of tho elephants were
turned ov< rto them. The scientific men cut
and sawed out the principal bones of the huge
animals, and they will be bleaehedand mount
ed tor the Koehc .ti-r museum.
A policeman who stood guard yesterday
during the cremation asked foi tin- si’oinu'-li of
the -aer-'d white elepliant. as he bad heard of
the finding of four dollars In pennies in Sam
s >m’s stomach. His -ru-st was and
lie at once set at work to cut <p< n the stom
ach. H's delight knew no bounds when,
arming a lot of ettrious things, ho fished out a
genuine Chinese idol of i-.-ory, about eight i
iiu-l e , iii length air-1 cla oraluly carved. The
rein is one winch no doubt tho sacred beast
swallowed while some of his attendants were
devoutly worshipping.
At'arty of Harvard Mtudenta
A isited Cape IJod la .t summer to study tho
natural history of tho coast. Tlieir amusing
experiences have been described by one of
their number for tho Youth’s Companion,
which will publish tho article in ito coming
volume.
GEORGIA AND OHIO.
The Buckeye Compared With
the Empire State.
IMPORTED STOCK AS BEEF CATTLE
Americus, Ga, November 24.—From grass
to live stock is a natural transition, for with
out grass there can bo little profit in stock
raising, and without live stock there can bo
but partial profit in grass.
It is probable that tho reason that there is
so little live stock raised in the south is be
cause so little attention has been paid to grass.
Whether that bo tho reason or not, tho fact
remains that in the Gulf states there has, for
tho past twenty-five years, been little or no at
tention paid to the raising of stock.
There is no means of accurately arriving at
tho amount of money paid out by tlie farmers
of these states for horses and mules, and 1 re
gret it, for lam sure tlie figures would be So
startling as to arouse our people to the import
ance of at least raising enough for home de
mand.
From the number of horses and mules an
nually sold in Americus I should judge that
not less than one hundred thousand dollars
per year is paid by tho farmers of southwest
Georgia for live stock to run their farms. No
wonder that our farmers complain that there
is no profit in farming.
Not ono farmer in ten raises a single horse
or mule. Not ono in a hundred raises enough
to keep his farm stocked. There is not one
who could not raise enough to stock his farm
at comparatively no expense.
The hundred thousand dollars paid out by
farmers of southwest Georgia for horses and
mules each year, at ten per cent, represents
the interest on one million of dollars. Ono
horse or mule represents the interest on ono
thousand dollars. A live-mule farmer will,
on an average, buy one mule a year, or pay
the interest on one thousand dollars of his
capital. That mule could bo raised by him at
an expense of not exceeding twenty-live dol
lars, and even that I consider a largo esti
mate.
Now w here do these horses and mules that
our farmers purchase come from?
Principally from Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois. All grass growing states.
Now let us look at tho manner in which
these horses and mules aro raised —it may give
our Georgia farmers some idea of how they
can raise their own stock.
Iq tlie states named above there aro very
few exclusive stock farms, and they aro de
voted to tlie raising of blooded stock, so that
no portion of our supply comes from them. It
is from tlie small farms, ranging in extent
from eighty to two hundred acres, that tlie
horses and mules we buy come from. Your
small farmer iu Ohio has from two to four
brood mares on his farm, and each of these
mares produces him eacli year a colt. These
brood mares are used in working the farm, so
that their colts can bo considered as clear
profit, except the cost of their raising, which
amounts to but little. As soon as tlie colts are
weaned they aro turned out to grass until
winter, when they are stabled ami fed on hay,
the next spring are again turned into tho pas
ture. When they aro between two and three
years old they aro broke io harness, but not
put at heavy work. At the age of three years
they are ready for market, ami bring from SBO
to SIOO, according to size and style. Remem
ber, now, that I am sneakihg of common farm
stock. A farmer with two brood mares will
sell, say six horses in five years mid keep up
his stock ou tho farm. These will bring him
in SSOO, or tho interest on SI,OOO for five years,
so t hat the fanner in Ohio receives the interest
which his Georgia brother pays.
Tho Georgia' farmer could, if ho would,
raise his horses and mules cheaper than can
tho Ohio farmer. 'With a little thoughtful
caro ho could have pasturage tho year round,
so that food would cost him comparatively
nothing. He would not bo obliged to shelter
and feed his stock for from three to live
months in the year, for at no time is the
weather go cold in southwest Georgia as to
make it warm shelter necessary. A rough
shed would answer all purposes for a shelter.
That horses can be profitably raised in this
section has been demonstrated by Captain John
A. Cobb and others of this county and tho
Salters of Dougherty county, and their influ
ence is being slowly felt. As an instance of
the profit of horse-raising hi this section, I
mention the fact that Captain Cobb was of
fered SSOO for a two-year-old lillv which took
tho premium at the state fair. The colt is of
good racing stock and bids fair to show extra
ordinary speed. Captain Cobb has several
large plantations, and is recognized as being
one of our most intelligent and successful
farmers. Jfe has become convinced that grass
and stock-raising is more profitable than cot
ton, and is stocking his farms as fast as prac
ticable with grass, and has purchased a lino
stallion and a number of brood mares.
A few years ago a coit show was hold in
Americus, and at it were exhibited some
twenty colts, rind they were as tine as I have
ever seen at county fairs in the north. And
yet I have had intelligent men tell mo time
and agaifi that horses could not be raised in
southwest Georgia. I once asked ono of these
men why horses could not be raised here. Ho
answered me that it was because tho colts all
got the “bighcad,” Upon inquiring as to the
nature of this disease, I was informed that it
was an enlargement of the jaws caused by eat
ing dry corn before they were able to properly
masticate it. “Well, then, why don’t you
feed them on grass?” said I. "We can’t raise
grass,” was tlie reply.
Os late years there has been considerable
improvement in cattle in this section. Many
Jerseys have been introduced and there aro
some fine herds. Those who first introduced
them were laughed at as “fancy farmers,” and
were considered foolisii and extrava
gant for paying SIOO for a
cow, when a “scrub” could be bought for from
$lO to S2O. But those who laughed tho loud
est are now willing to pay even a larger sum
in proportion for the calves of these Jersey
cows. The difference between three gallons
and three pints converted them. But Ido not
regard the quantity of milk as being entirely
due to the breed of cattle, for 1 notice that
while the owner of a “scrub” cow lets her run
at large and look out for herself, tho owner of
a Jersey keeps her up in good pasture, and sees
that she is well taken caro of. In this respect
the Jerseys have been good educators, and to
t hem we owe much of the good butter which
is now plentiful in our market.
But what we need most in this section of
largo farms and cheap lands is a better grade
of beef cat tle. The Kimball house in Atlanta,
the Lanier in Macon, the Mitchell and J'iue.y
Woods at Thomasville, and all the winter re
sort hotels of the south import their beef from
the north; and yet you can find plenty of
Georgia farmers who will tell you that it does
not pay to raise cattle, because there is no
home market for them. That some of them
do find a homo market, however, I can jaw
fully (not joyfully) testify, and had I been a
colt in years, I should have been afflicted with
the “big-head.” In tho first place, but few of
the. cattle aro properly fattened for tho butcher;
and in the second place you can’t make a
“scrub” weigh over six hundred pounds gross.
In too many cases the preparation of cattle for
the butcher consists in a cow getting no
old she won’t give milk any longer, and I have
seen cattle driven in for sale to tho butcher
that looked like dried beef on foot. As an ex
ception, 1 mention that a few days ago I saw a
steer with shorthorn blood in his veins that
weighed a thousand pounds, and a couple of
hundred more could have been added to his
bones.
The fact that the large southern hotels send
north for their beef naturally lends us to look
in that direction for tho reason, and as our
comparisons have all heretofore been with
Ohio, will iin go to that state and see!
what kind of cattle they raise.
II the Ohio farmer i.s not engaged in the I
dairy business, and <mly has a few cows to I
raise calves and supply the family with milk I
and butter, lui pris.ures a thoroughbred Dur- I
iiain or Hereford bull, and by using this bull ,
to low grade‘ir common cows, secures a class !
of thrifty heifer; and steers that will fatten I
readily at an early age and make arich carcass |
of lieef. These young animals aro turned ;
upon pasture in tho summer, housed and gen- '
eroiisly fed in the winter, so as to keep them ,
growing and in a healthy condition. When I
they aro twenty-four to thirty months
old they are generously fed with corn, in addi- !
tion to their pasturage, for a month to six ;
weeks, and will weigh from I,2<X) to '
1,100 pounds each. The beef of these cattle |
is of the best quality, and realizes tho I
highest price in tho city markets, generally |
from one to two cents per pound more than j
beef from poorly fattened common cattle.
With a little caro there can bo selected from
these grade cattle cows that will gii e as much
and as rich milk as the average Jersey, so that
the farmer realizes both from his milk and his
beef. Witii ordinary goodpasturagejit costs no
more to keep ami fatten tho-e cattle than it
does common “scrubs,” which at three years
old cannot be made to weigh more than half as
much, and whoso beef always brings a lower
piice. A few figures will more clearly show
the difference in tho matter of profit. A
grade steer twenty-four months old will weigh
1.200 pounds and brings six cents per pound,
or $72. A scrub steer thirty-six months old
will weigh 700 pounds and brings live cents
per pound, or $37. Here is a loss of a year
and $37. Can you see it now?
As I have shown, the beef cattle of Ohio aro
of graded stock, nothing more than a cross of
good imported stock upon tho common cattle
of tho country. I can remember well, what
that common stock was—little, lean “lime
backs,” scrawny, big-boned brindles, white,
spotted andspeckled, that could run like a
door and gave less milk than a goat. 1 can al
so remember when the neighbors thought my
father was crazy, because he naid fifty dollars
for a six-tvceks-old Durham bull calf. Those
neighbors were very much like some Georgia
farmers I know, and yet at the time they
represented a great majority of tho Ohio
farmers.
Now, what Ohio farmers have done Georgia
farmers can do, and do it in tlie same way. It
need not involve much cost, but it will fake a
little caro. Tho first thing is to buy a good
bull, a Durham ora Devon. Don't, take tho
owner's word that ho is full-blood or thorough
bred, for many a one has been sold for full
blood that was only a grade, but make him
furnish a registered pedigree. .Such a bull
will cost sonic money, it is true, but all your
efforts at improvement depend upon him, and
if you mistake at the first that mistake will re
peat itself and grow greater every year. A
few dollars saved in tlie outset will be many
dollars short iu tho outcome, if you cannot
afford to purchase a good bull alone, get sonic
of your neighbors to go in with you. Tlie dif
ference between four high grade steers and
four common steers will more than pay
for a good young bull. Keep in mind that
grade bulls arc of little account, as there is no
uniformity in their offspring. After you have
secured your bull, your herd will bo vastly
improved by the first cross, and soon, by con
tinuing to reject all heifers that go back iu
quality to some scrub ancestor, the stock will
not only be morn uniform, but you will have
secured a grade that will increase in value and
satisfaction each year. By this crossing you
secure not only the beef-producing qualities of
the sire, but tho hardiness of tho dam. It was
by this crossing that the farmers of tho north
have secured a grade of beef cattle that has
made them a market not only in every section
of this country, but in Europe. With all their
facilities for raising beef cheaply, the owners
of tho big cuttle ranches in Texas found it
necessary to cross their native cattle with the
shorthorns, so as to secure finer beef.
But don’t forgot to remember that first of
all, and above all, cattle raising means grass.
1 had intended to say something about hogs
and sheep in this letter, but want of space
compels me to defer it to my next. In tho
meantime you can do a little figuring on
horses and cattle. W. L. Glessner.
f
From an Expert.
Sbi.ma, Ala., November 16, 1887— NV. L.
Gloesner, Esq., Americus, Ga.—Dear Sir: I
have just read your letter of November Ilin
this week’s Constitution. I came here from
Illinois twelvoycars ago ami have been raising
tiro Johnson grass hay ever since, and indorse
every word you say about grass raising in tho
south. I have been trying to induce thosoutli
orn farmer not to bo afraid of liis best friend,
but plant griqis; for I truly believe we have in
the gulf states possibilities in stock raising pos
sessed by no other part of tho ( tilted States.
The first year I camo hero I sold iny hay at
SI.J) per ton in Atlanta, and have gotten good
prices over since. Tho southern people aro
peculiar in tho belief that anything purchased
away from hero is superior to southern-raised.
1 hope to live long enough to see tho south one
of the best grass countries in tho world.
Success to you in your letters, for I know they
will do good. Truly yours,
Herbert Post.
♦- —“—
Tfot-ic Villa. La., Nov. Ist, 1880,
Messrs. A. T. Shaluenbhrgkr & Co.
Rochester, Pa. Gents.- I received a
sample bottle of your Antidote fur Malaria last
spring, and have tested it fully inmyown case.
After falling utterly with quinine, ii: has cured
mo permanently, and I would take it before
any remedy whatever. There is no unpleasant
effect while using, and it leaves none. If yon
could sell at a lower price, if for introductory
purposes only, it would bo "bread upon tho
waters” later, when tho world finds it must
have it. Very truly yours,
_ J. S. Webster.
PREACHING PEACE.
England and America Khuuld Arbitrate In
stead of Going to War.
New York, November 27.—Chickering hall
was tilled last night, with people, who camo to
hear the views of the deputies from tlio Brit
ish parliament and eminent Americans on tlie
subjectof a treaty for the settlement of differ
ences with England by arbitration. Charles
H. Hutchinson introduced the chairman of
the meeting, Mayor Hewitt. Tho mayor said
it was his pleasant duty to present the
members of tho British house this city
in a meeting which had never had a
of commons who had come to people of this
parallel in tins country. They had come to
say they hoped tho common blood flowing in
tlieir veins and ours would never bo shed by
one nat ion or other. 11 was to bo hoped tho
word “war” would soon become unknown in
the English language. Between Great Britain
and America there should bo no difference.
The arbitration which tho gentlemen would
explain might make it advisable to take tho
vast sum at present consumed for a standing
army, which was now productive of no result,
and distribute it among poverty-stricken peo
ple and it would bo much better invested. The
mayor extended a hearty welcome to the emi
nent visitors and commended them Io the
president and to congress. Ho then introduced
Sir George Camtibell.
Sir George felt, when he heard these words
of tho mayor, that the object for which ho
had crossed tho ocean had been almost accom
plished. It was gratifying to him, as a mem
ber of the British parliament, to appear before
that assemblage representative or tlie city of
New York. lie paid a strong compliment to
Mayor Hewitt, and then continued by saying
that they bad come here in pursuance of tho
object which tlie mayor had made easy. Tho
mission of the deputation, to which the speak
er belongeif, was to help to put aside war from
tho human family. Ho was glad
that in this country people had not
given much time to the military craze.
War between nations could bo avoided and
their disputes settled by arbitration. It was
with this design that the deputation had come
before the audience. They hoped that bo
tween this country and Great Britain, there
would be made an agreement by which dis
putes would bo settled in this way alone.
[A voice: “How about Alabama?”] Tho
sjieaker said that he was glad that was referred
to. Ho thought that tho experiment would
not be tried again. Ho thought England de
served punishment badly and if the dam
ages were excessive, and nil would agree
that she got it. He thought Britain was at
fault and the result was beneficial to the prin
ciples of arbitration. To some extent it was
true that England only advocated arbitration
disputes with strong nations. But England
was not quite as bad as she had been repre
sented. i’ortngal was a week nation, and
even in that case it was Great Britain which
suffered most. I’ortngal was given Deloyoa
bay, which was tho most important point of
entrance into Africa. Hfs nation comes,
nevertheless, before tho American people
in favor of arbitration as proposed by
Americans. There was no question
which could not bo settled In that
way. "Take tho fishery question for in
stance. There was Mr. Chamberlain, (hisses
and applause intermingle) of whom ho was
sure there could not be a more capable man.
Mr. Cliamberhdn dt<l not como here as an arbi
trator, however, but as a negotiator. If ho hail
gn at difficulties would have, been removed. A
tribune should be. established for tho purpose
of arbitration, in c mclusion, Sir George said :
“f have no authority from tho house of com
mons to lay down any nlan, but I wish this
scheme we propose could bo an accomplished
fact, I think the moral force of some such
tribunal, as suggested, would bo sufficient to
settle all difficulties which may arise between
the two nations.”
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