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FARMS AND FARMERS.
Short Talks With the Men Who
Guide the Plow.
OF GENERAL INTEREST TO FARMERS.
Winter Work—The Farm Workshoj,.
Every farm should have a workshop. It
need not be expensive either as regards the
building or the equipment. A log cabin will
answer—anything that will keep out rain and
Wind. These last are important, for it is in bad
weather when out door work is stopped, that
the shop will bo most used. A dirt floor is
preferable, as a stove should bo placed in the
chop, that its occupant may be able to work in
Coldest weather. A farmer is entitled to com
fort as much as anybody else; in this case he
can have it at little cost. The equipments
may be greater or less, according to one’s
means. A large oak block sawed off square,
like an anvil block, is indispensable for chop
ping purposes. A work bench with vise—the
latter may have wooden clamps with their
jaws lined with plates of iron, for holding
small objects; or if one can afford it, he can
have a wooden clamp ■yse, and an iron one be
side. An old anvil will be very desirable, one
partly broken and worn can usually be
bought cheap. In its absence a piece of
steel railroad iron fastened securely
to the top of a heavy block and projecting be
yond its side will be found convenient. Os
tools, saw, hatchet draw-knife, hammer,
chisels, brace and bits, jack-plane, wood-rasp,
cold-chisel and punches will enable a farmer
to do most of the jobs that his farm calls for.
These tools need not cost much; $lO would
get a very fair equipment for a farm shop.
"With a shop thus equipped, the farmer is pre
pared to utilize all rainy and very cold days
most profitably. Much of the winter can bo
spent in it.
Let us see what he can profitably do. lie
can overhaul his plow stocks; a beam or han
dle may be broken ; he can put in new ones.
Extra beams and handles may be made and
laid aside to meet emergencies during the busy
crop season. Crooked trees and largo limbs
may often be found, which, sawed in two,
make excellent plow handles. The plow is
mentioned only as a sample. Harrows, rakes,
planters, etc., can all be overhauled and re
paired, and duplicates made of parts most
likely to wear out or give way. Pieces of
ash or other wood, with suitable curve
for cradle fingers, may be found, and
cradles repaired, and extra fingers made and
laid aside for future use; wagon bodies can be
made or repaired; false bodies for hauling
bulky articles, fodder frames—all such things
can bo attended to now, whilst little is being
done on the farm, much -better-than they can
in the crop season, when, if anything breaks,
work must be ptopped, valuable time lost, and
repairing done hurriedly and imperfectly.
Young pines, with bark peeled off and laid
aside to season, will make excellent hoe helves
by spring. A good supply of ax and grubbing
hoe handles should bo provided. These are
liable to break at any time, and if no extra
ones are at hand the farmer is very apt, in an
emergency, to go to the store and buy one. It
is against this incessant buying at the store or
shop that we are trying to guard the farmer.
Perpetual buying is the ruin of our farmers.
Much of it may bo avoided by utilizing time,
which they would otherwise spend in idleness,
by working in a shop. Looking ahead and
providing for emergencies is a most valuable
habit in all business—in none more so than in
farming. It saves time, it saves expense.
More than this, it secures efficient
work. An implement out of repair, or
imperfectly repaired (as when hurriedly done)
will not do good or satisfactory work. It is
true economy for the farmer to have the best
tools and implements and these in the best
possible condition. A hand can do more and
better work with a sharp ax or a sharp hoe
than he can with a dull one; and this is true of
every implement used on the farm. Put all
therefore in good condition now and make
preparation to keep them so during crop sea
son, having everything ready to repair quickly
and perfectly should an emergency arise.
If you haven’t a roller now is a good time to
snake one. Saw three blocks, a foot and a
half long, from the largest oak you can ’'find,
two to two and a half feet in diameter will an
ewer. Saw true, so the ends will be parallel to
each other. Take the center in each end and
describe a circle on it as large as the block will
allow, and trim or turn block down to these
circles, in same manner as the cylinders in a
wooden sorghum mill are made. Let the cir
cles on all blocks be of same size. Boro
through center of each block a hole an inch
and a half in diameter, boring half way
from one end and half way from the
other, so as to get it true. Got a
round iron or steel rod 5 feet, 7 inches long,
and inches in diameter, and put through
blocks; having a washer a half-inch thick be
tween the blocks, so they can turn without
rubbing on each other. Shrink a stout washer
on each end of the rod, close to the outside
blocks, to hold these in place. It.is better to
put two iron boxes (like wheel boxes) in each
block, for the rod to work in. As the rollers
will turn on the rod, the wood is liable to
wear. Make a four-sided frame to go round
blocks with a tongue framed to it. Put end of
rods through side of frame, and make a seat
directly over top of blocks, with legs resting on
frame, and the roller is finished. A scraper
should bo placed on back of frame, W’ith its
front edge nearly touching the rollers, to
scrape off any dirt which may stick to tho
rollers. A simpler roller may be made of a
single block, say three feet long, with gudge
ons in each end, and these let into the frame,
as above; but it will drag in turning round,
whilst that with sections turns like a two
wheeled cart. Every farmer ought to have a
roller. Land cannot well be
brought into fine tilth without
one. Plowing, rolling and harrowing are the
three successive steps to getting land in first
rate condition. The plow throws up clods and
turfs, the roller breaks or mashes them down
firmly in the soil so the teeth of the harrow
can cut through them. The roller is also very
useful in covering grain, whether plowed or
harrowed in many grains are left on the sur
face, Tho roller by breaking clods spreads
dirt over tho seeds or else presses them down
and firms the soil about them so that they
come np and grow off promptly. It presses
down the stumps of corn stalks or other like
obstructions that would interfere with the
cradling of low grain. It is indispensable in
smoothing tho surface for mowers or grass
blades. By all means make one, if you do not
own one. Having a work shop will enable you
to do it mainly at home, and during bad
weather when you have little to do. Replac
ing broken tongues, or hounds, or bolsters or
single and doubletrees on wagons,willjall come
in as handy jobs when you have a shop with
proper tools and seasoned lumber. One who
has never had a shop on his farm will bo sur
prised at the number of things he can, and will
do—saving money and affording him a pleas
ant occupation, attended with a most gratify
ing feehug of independence. W. L. J.
H. K W. Areola, La.: 1. What will destroy lice
Cn pigs: what causes them, etc.
2. What Is the best treatment for hogs to prevent
them from getting lousy.
3. Wilt Holstein and shorthorn cattie thrive and
do well in the n >rthern jert of Louisiana.
4. What do they sell for up north.
I. Grease is the great destroyer of parasitic
insects. It stops up their breathing apparatus
if it gets well on them. Other substances like
coal tar and kerosene kill them more directly.
The usual practice through the country is to
THE WEEKLY COJiSTITUTIOH, ATLANTA, GA.. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13. 1887..
tar the hack of hogs, especially along tbo neck.
A mixture of grease and kerosene will answer.
Lice lay eggs attached to the hairs, and these
hatch from time to time. It is necessary there
fore to make the application more than once to
kill those that hatch out after the grown lice
are killed.
2. Lice infest hogs that are in poor
condition—fat, thriving hogs seldom suffer
much from lice. Feed well —keep salt, ashes
and charcoal within reach, and occasionally
give a little copperas and turpentine in food,
and you will not bo troubled with lice,
3. That depends almost entirely upon pasture
and feeding. These large breeds have been
perfected upon high feeding, and will die out
on poor pastures. If well fed they will thrive
south as well as north.
4. From fifty dollars upward. A noted short
horn cow was sold some years ago for $40,000.
A. A. N., Broad, Ga.: First—l notice a good many
farmers have away of putting ectton-seed in their
stables during the fall. Is there anything gained
by it? If so, what ? Second—l have a large pile of
sawdust near my house. I have been told that it is
good to put in horse stable. What do you think
about it ? Is it as good as straw or leaves ?
1. Putting cotton seed in stables is a con
venient method of killing the seed, without
danger of overheating and consequent loss.
To secure this, however, care must be taken
that tho seed do not get under the trough, or
in the corner and along the edges of the stall,
where they will remain dry and unchanged.
From time to time those in these situations
must bo thrown in middle of stall, where they
will get mixed with wet manure. The seed
make a very good absorbent for the urine, and
used in place of straw or leaves, lender the
stable manure much richer and more concen
trated. Moreover, it is always good policy to
mix together different kinds of manure: one
corrects some defect in the other. If properly
managed, therefore, the practice of putting
seed in stalls is a good one.
2. Sawdust has little or no manurial value;
is not worth the handling, except as litter to
keep stalls dry. Straw and leaves have de
decided manurial value, and are good absorb
ents also. By all means use tho straw and
leaves in preference to sawdust. Tho latter
may sometimes be used to advantage in loosen
ing up very stiff soils. Mixed with clay, it
opens it and lets air and water penetrate more
easily. When old and well rotted, it may be
used as a mulch for strawberries, Irish pota
toes, etc.
J.B. C., Milledgeville, Ga.: I have apiece of
land about eight ac: es, that lies in the form of a
basin; about four acres of it does not produce well
on account of excess of moisture or ponding, and it
is Impracticable to drain by ditching. I have been
advised to dig a well until sand is struck; that the
sand would absorb the excess of water. What do
you think of plan? Is there any fertilizer- that wilt
be ci advantage? Crops planted on it are very back
ward in spring and hard to get a stand of com or
cotton; oats and peas do best on it.
Sometimes basins are very thoroughly drain
ed by sinking wells. This is more likely to be
successful in limestone regions than in others,
because, in such regions there are numerous
underground streams which if tapped, or oven
approached, carry water off quite rapidly. In
all regions there are underground streams,
more or less. This is shown by the water
veins which supply wells. But they are not
as large and do not flow as freely as those in
limestone localities. It would not bo necessa
ry to sink a well of any extra size to test the
matter, and you are advised to try it. If you
do not encounter rock, tho venture will not
cost more than ten or fifteen dollars.
Dig well in lowest spot. Veins of
sand or gravel indicate underground streams.
Water flows through them, and has carried off
the finer earth originally mixed with the sand
and gravel. Tho water that flows and seeps
in your well will run off in these sandy chan
nels and make its exit from tho earth some
where as a spring. In this sense tho sand will
absorb tho water of tho basin. As long as tho
soil is undrained there is no fertilizer that will
correct tho trouble or do much good. If
drained, liming would probably be beneficial.
Oats want a good deal of moisture in tho soil,
and therefore do well —peas make their growth
late in the season, after the soil naturally dries
off a good deal. If you fail in your attempt to
drain the land, you might utilize it with profit
by sowing it down ih herds grass, which de
lights in damp soils.
W. 11. H., Yorkville, S. C: I wish to make a fer
tilizer for cotton tor the next year, to consist of
180 pounds pure acid phosphate, 40 pounds kainit
and 80 pounds cotton seed meal,the total,3oo pounds,
to be applied to one acre. Would it be best to run
a nine-inch straight shovel, and follow in same
row with four-inch scooter, and open after scooter
with same straight shovel and put 150 pounds to the
acre down, and bed on it, and at planting time put
in the other 150 pounds, or put all in at once as
deep as practicable? 1 think my mixture well
suited to the land.
Put 150 pounds in furrow first made and listen
it. Then put 75 pounds of fertilizer in each
list furrow and complete bed. This is prefera
ble to putting all in first furrow. If soil or cli
mate is such that cotton grows off slowly at
first, it is well to put a little fertilizer in drill
with the seed—so pounds to the acre is enough
in such case. 150 pounds might be put in drill,
50 pounds in each list furrow, and 50 pounds
reseryed to be put in with the seed.
J. 11. W. Americus, Ga.: What is the best way to
break Jweedland in spring. It seems to me that to
wait until; spring the weeds would not be decayed
enough, but what they would lea great deal of
trouble in rebedding. I want to put land in cotton
and fertilize w ith guano.
If tho weeds are very rank and much in the
way, take a heavy brush and run over them
until they are broken up. This is best done
during a hard freeze, succeeding rain. Tho
wet, frozen stalks are then more brittle than
at any other time. Land covered with a heavy
coat of crab grass can also be plowed more
easily after the passage of a brush, as tho grass
will bo quite decidedly cut up and commin
uted.
A. 11. W., Chestnut Grove: Please tell me
the l>est time to open silo and how,much ought to bo
exposed at one time. 1 built silo according to your
direction, no doors in the side, ensilage to be taken
from the top. Also in what quantity it should be
fed.
Ensilage may be used in a few weeks after
it is made. The only object in delay is to let
the mass settle fully and get compact, so that
air will not penetrate when it is being taken
out. About 40 pounds a day, in combination
witli some dry forage, the usual quantity
given a cow. This is about two-thirds of a
cube foot when in its compressed state. If the
silo is 8 feet square and ensilage to the depth
of four inches bo taken from the whole top
every day, it would at above rate feed thirty
two cows. The silo ought to be divided with
compartments, the size of each to lie regulated
by number of cattle to be fed, as the ensilage
should be taken from the whole top of a com
partment. If taken from a part of the top,
the side of tho part left is exposed to the air
for a long time ami will spoil to a greater or
less depth. It is more troublesome also to
take out by successive sections than to take
out clear across the top. Ensilage may bo
taken out at one time for two days’ rations,
but not longer.
J. W. 8., Altoona, Fla.: You will do me a great
favor by telling me whatls good or what will keep
cut worms off cabbage and do the cabbage no hurt.
Presume that by “cut-worm" you mean the
worm which cuts off tUe stein of young cab
bage plants. If so, begin some weeks before
tiie plants are to be set out and scatter over
the ground at distances of ten or fifteen feet
apart cabbage or turnip leaves which have
been sprinkled with Paris green or London
purple. The worms will eat these and bo
poisoned. Continue to do this at intervals as
long as any worms make their appearance
M rapping tiie stem of the cabbage plant with
thick paper, some distance below and above
the surface, when setting out, is effective but
troublesome. It is possible also that smearing
the steins with kerosene emulsion would keep
tho worms off, but we have never seen it tried.
X. Y. z., Milledgeville: Will clover eown after
oats are planted and harrowed or brushed in do
well? Land very rich and wish to sow down first of
February; have never seen clover with oats, and
would it not l.e well to mix a small quantity of blue
grass with clover?
Clover sown after oats and harrowed in does
well if the oats are not too thick, and if tho
ground is rich, as you say yours is. Tho
greatest danger lies in crab grass coming up
after the oats, and smothering the clover. On
rich land and with plenteous rains, grass will
grow faster than your clover. For this reason
clover does best with grains which are taken
off tho land early, and which are followed by
weeds instead of grass. If the weeds threaten
to smother the clover, a mowing will soon
make all right. Not so with grass. Tho
clover will not last more than three years,
unless allowed to mature a crop of seed on the
land, and the land is broken up again. Blue
grass takes several years to make a good sod.
If. therefore, you do not wish to perpetuate
tho clover, but let tho land remain unplowed,
sow blue grass with the clover.
Seeing an Inquiry for a remedy for ringbone, I
give mine: Cne oz. corrosive sublimate, 1 oz. gum
camphor, 1 pint spirits turpentine; mix; clean the
part affected with soap and water, and rub dry; ap
ply tho liniment every other day for three applica
tions; wash off and grease. If need be, after a few
days repeat. This is the remedy for any enlarge
ment of the bone. John Moore.
WITH BIRD AND BEAST.
Curious Stories About Animals ricked up
Here and There.
Mexican Ilogs.
From the Denver News.
Mexican hogs, which are a cross between
the Spanish aud tho wild hog of the Mexican moun
tains, are raised with profit in Mexico, Lut notin
any considerable numbers. They average 175 pounds
in weight, and are killed chiefly for their lard,
which is worth twenty cents a pound.
Fresh pork is worth twelve and one-half cents a
pound, but is eaten very little, for most persons
can’t afford it. It is said that Monterey, which has
50,000, eats only about five hogs a day.
The Highest Cow on Earth.
From El Dorado Independent.
A Galloway cow next season is to make her
homo on tho top of Pike’s peak. She will be tho
highest cow on earth. A stable will bo built for
her, and a borro will pack feed to her. She Is to
be kept there for her milk. The reason a Galloway
has been selected .is because it is thought she has
flic best lung power of any of tho breeds, and the
thickest jacket to protect her from the cold.
A Bug Dug the Grave.
From the Newburyport News.
A party of young people witnessed a very
interesting pcrlb.-mance in a yard on School street
on Fiiday afternoon. A dead mouse was thrown
out into the yard by a party residing in a house, the
body falling near a large beetle bug which chanced
to be strolling through the grass at the time. The
bug seemed to be somewhat surprised at having
something come so suddenly upon him, and stopped
on his way to investigate. Finding there was no
life in the body, the Insect at once commenced
operations to bury it. It dug a hole near the under
pinning of the house, and then walked around to
the opposite side of the dead mouse, aud putting its
head under the inanimate body it worked his body
slowly in, and in this manner got the mouse over to
the place dug. Alter getting the body to the hole it
found that it was too big to go in, so it commenced
to heap dirt on it until it was all covered up. When
the work was done it crawled away, seeming per
fectly satisfied with its job. Whether the burial was
out of sympathy or for further use the party who
witessed it could not tell, but Le that as it may it
was an interesting event.
Birds that Drink Beer.
From the Globo Democrat.
New York, December 3.—The little hotels
beyond tiie end of the cable road, with big-win
dowed pavilions overlooking the placid Harlem
and pretty Fordham Heights, were quite de
serted by visitors, even in the wqrm days of
last month. A couple drinking beer in one of
them one day, and reviving recollections of
more lively times, were astonished at the ac
tions of a couple of birds that fluttered about
their heads, finally alighting on tho table and
greedily drinking from the beer puddles there
on. Again and again were tho wet spots on the
table replenished from tho glasses. At last tho
birds satisfied their thirst anil flew contentedly
up to high perches among tbo timbers of the
roof. The boy who serves tho beer said they
were cedar birds, and that ho had trapped in
the back yard. He kept them caged for three
weeks, and after that gave them tho freedom
of tho pavilion. He does not know how they
came to find out that Leer was good, but they
now seek it with avidity. It does not affect
them at all in the direction of tipsiness.
“They arc a nuisance,” said tho customer.
“I suppose if it were not for them you would
have some windows open.” The boy laughed
and said:
“No, they don’t go out if I wake tho win
dows all open.”
Then he throw’ open some of the windows,
but the birds paid no attention to them.
Dogs That Were Faithful to Death.
From the De nver Republican.
“I like dogs,” said a venerable physician
the other night, “because of all creatures
wearing hair on their hides they arc tho most
honest—you uiay always trust them to do
what is right in the canine economy.”
The remark recalled the memory of two in
cidents occurring recently. Itwillbo rcmcni
bcred that about two months ago Mr. .John
Dollof, of Boulder, was killed. Dr. Dolloff
was the owner of a fine dog—his almost insep
arable companion. From the time that the
body of tiie unfortunate man was brought
home the dog maintained his station near the
corpse. After tho funeral the dog was missed,
and, a search-being instituted, was discovered
stretched at length on the grave of his master.
All efforts to induce him to take food or leave
the grave were unavailing, au< to day his
desiccated body still keeps watch and ward
over the spot where his beloved master lies.
About two years ago Air. Devlin, of Boul
der, lost a son—killed by being thrown from
a buggy. A few days after tho funeral it was
noticed that a favorite dog of the deceased
had not been seen since the. funeral services.
He was found at the newly made grave, upon
which his paws were resting, emaciated with
fasting, with great difficulty, he was induced to
return to his home, and with careful nursing
was restored to his normal condition. Several
times he was reclaimed from his station in tho
cemetery, and finally became weaned from his
post-mortem attachment, Every Sunday tho
parents of the young man visited his grave,
the dog always accompanying them, until last
summer, when Mrs. Devlin, through a serious
accident, became incapacitated for making
her usual Sunday visit to tho'cemetery. Tlio
dog on the first day of her omission became un
easy, and after several efforts to attract the at
tention of bis mistress, went to tiie cemetery
alone, spent about two hours at the grave, and
returned. From that time to the present, as
regularly as Sunday comes around, he goes'to
the cemetery, remains about two hours, and
returns home. The question as to how ho de
termines the return of Sunday is open for tho
discussion of students <il natural history.
TV lid Dogs of the Mountains.
Wind River Mountaineer.
The writer has had occasion one or two times
prior to this to tell of the fierce nature and
savage practices of the wild dogs which infest
tho mountains of the Upper Wind River.
These dogs are not the common wolf of the
western prairies and mountains. They are
something far more powerful and dangerous.
Several years since a male Scotch stagliound
and a female English bulldog ran away in
company from Fort Washakie, made their
home in the mountains, and these wild dogs of
the Upper Wind River are tlrcir savage off
spring. With such ance-storship how can this
wild offspring help being a canine terror?
To the speed and endurance of the Scotch
staghound is mated the ferocity and tenacity
of the English bulldog and these wild dogs
are evidently worthy in every way of their
origin. Speedy, savage and stubborn, these
animals are deterred by no pursuit, are re
strained by no fear and are daunted by no
difficulties. They pursue, slay aud devour;
such is tho simplicity and efficiency of this
native code of canine ethics. Tho latest ex
ploit of these canine marauders of which wo
have any account is tho destruction of a small
herd of bears. It appears that about two
weeks ago a dozen bears of tho dreaded and
largo silver-tip variety camo down from tho
surrounding mountains to enjoy themselves on
tho sunny slopes of tho Warm Spring Basin.
In tho course of the day those bears all got to
gether, and while thus massed were attacked
by about 100 of tho wild dogs.
The conflict was terrible. Tho bears fought
with all the courage and ferocity for which
the silver-tip is noted, but the mingled strain
of staghound and bulldog supplied a courage
and ferocity greater still, and at the end of
half an hour every bear had died where ho was
brought to bay.
The dogs suffered severely, twenty-five of
their number perishing in the fight. The sur
vivors wasted little time, however, in mourn
ing over their dead companions, but begun at
once on the banquet their own powers had
provided, and in an hour from the time the
combat ceased only the clean-picked bouey of
tho twelve bears remained to tell of the Htrng
gle to the death which had taken place aud
the savage feast which had followed it.
Tire Pictured Kocks of Virginia.
A Reader;
A reader of tho Blade would like a descrip
tion of tho pictured rocks of Virginia.
These famous rocks are in Grant county, in
what is now West Virginia, along the road
known as tho Evansville pike. They have
been a source of wonder ever since they wore
first discovered by white men, over a century
and a half ago. They are on tho face of a large
cliff situated near the road. Tho rock is a
white sandstone which wears very slightly
from exposure to tho weather, and upon its
smooth surface are delineated outlines of at
least fifty species of animals, birds, reptiles,
and fish, embracing in tho number panthers,
deer, buffalo, otters, beavers, wildcats, foxes,
wolves, raccoons, opossums, bears, elk, crows,
eagles, turkeys, eels, various sorts of fish, largo
and small snakes, etc. In the midst of this
silent menagerie of specimens of tho animal
kingdom is the full length of a female form,
beautiful and perfect in every respect. Inter
spersed among the drawings of animals, etc.,
are imitations of tho footprints of each sort,
the whole space occupied being 150 feet long
by 50 wide. It is believed that these figures
wrore engraved many ages ago, but it cannot
be even conjectured to what tribe tho artist be
longed , and how he made the remarkable draw
ings is quite as much a mystery.
As to Rabbits.
Tho rabbit, is a common article of food, and
about these days and later in tho early snow
falls is most vigorously hunted with dog and
gun. In Australia and New Zealand, where
this animal was introduced for sporting pur
poses, he quickly became acclimated and
spread over the land until he is recognized as
a first class pest. The rabbit threatened to
obliterate those colonies, and measures were
taken to effect his destruction. In ono year
in New Zealand more than 500,01)0
acres of sheep pasturage wore surren
dered to—tho rabbit j— the losses in
exports are estimated at $2,500,000 a year;
in three years 180,OIK),000 wore killed. It
has cost $115,000 to clear a single estate tu Aut
tnil:n,Tiid from SSO,IKK) to $75,000 is no unusual
tribute for tho expulsion of these animals. Al
ready we have a dozen native species which
inflict great ravages on field and farm. In
California they gnaw the grape vines aud de
stroy pasturage and meadows. Tu Utah they
devastate tho cereal crops and in, that territory
a few years ago they wore found to wear in
their backs, as cattle some times do, a death
delivering grub, whose operation was fatal,
and under whoso benignant auspices the land
was saved from disaster. In fact, in all ■parts
of the union, tho farmers report the ruin by
the teeth of these innocents, of fruit trees, ma
ples, garden vegetables, grain crops, clover
pastures, and indeed, when driven by cold, of
everything herbaceous. They gnaw and bark
ami girdle, pursuing their destructive work
under the convenient concealment of snow.
They are slain by thousands, but they are
a fecund race and increase by millions.
The sufferers by their ravages invito govern
ment aid, especially in the prohibition of tho
importation of new and untried varieties.
This is seconded by tho department of agri
culture which suggests that if experiments
are to bo made, even with beneficial birds
and animals, that they bo assigned to an is
land habitant, and there be quarantined until
it can be certainly known whether they fill tho
bill as harmless additions to the roll of Amer
ican denizens.
The bobolink wears sundry aliases, as reed
bird, rico bird, butter bird, rice hunting and
skunk blackbird. His range is from Labrador
to Mexico and tho West Indies. His name
changes with his locality. He opens his cam
paign in South Carolina in April, and times
his return to the 21st of August, so as to vex
the rico planter when that crop is in the milk
or in the first hardened grain. He devotes
tbo interim to the production and care
of a family of destructives, and visits
New Jersey and Pennsylvania for a short
time anterior to his raid on the rice fields.
Ho is a lively and pleasing bird, rich in color
and in voice, during tho season of domestic
care and comfort. He is a dainty dish for a
king, and in truth is more beneticlent in bis
death than in his life. The gathered rice crop
is worth six million dollars, and before the
harvest this bird levies a toll of two millions.
The planters try to circumvent this bird by
planting so early as to forestall him, both in
the milk and the ripened stage. In the two rice
bird seasons, tho South Carolina plantation
is a great battlefield. “Bird minders,” armed
with the requisite munitions of war, encom
pass and invade the area occupied and destroy
the birds in great numbers, but tho feathered
depredators tly from place to place, only to re
new their ravages when out of range. The
government has sent circulars to the rico
planters, and a personal investigation was
made in the disturbed districts. A fiat of de
struction has gone forth and bobolinks are ex
pected to “sing very .small.”
In 1850, a year when the “measuring worm”
was most wantonly active in New York and
Brooklyn, crowding the trees of parks and
streets, lifting his slow length 'dong in the
promenades, some philanthropic citizens of
Brooklyn imported eight pairs of English spar
rows. They were carefully housed in winter
and lot loose in tho spring. From these
sprang unnumbered woes. A few
square feet then bounded their
ambitious flight. Now, after a lapse of thirty
five years, they range over 1,000,000,000 square
milesof the United States and Canada. They
"spread themselves” slowly at first, bnt soon
set* out to undertake the conquest of a conti
nent. They now occupy all the states from
Maine to Mississippi, and possesses Kansas
and Missouri. They are found in detached
setlements along the Gulf in Toxas, and will
soon cover all the area in which are their out
posts and colonies. At Halt Lake city they
overrun an elliptical region as largo as Ver
mont and form a cordon around the golden
gate. For the last fifteen years they have spread
at the rate of (>O,OOO square miles a year.
They adopt all routes and means of travel.
They entered the eastern provinces and Can
ada by iitjt; rides on boats and cars, and made
themselves at home at once.
Tho statistician ot the ornithological divis
ion furnished some appalling figures anent tho
increment of these birds. A pair of sparrows
produces five or six broodsja year with four
to six young in a brood. Assume tiie product
to bo twenty-four, half males and half fe
males; with tiie old birds, thirteen pairs in all.
These thirteen tho next produce 312 birds; add
tho thirteen pairs and you have 338. Go on
with this calculation for ten years, assuming
all live out that period, and the result is thus
given, sanctioned by tho executive, published
by congress and distributed to a long suffering
people.
End of tenth year —Number of pairs of
young, 127,253,992,470; I number of
pairs breeding, 10,1XM ,499,373; total of pairs,
137,858,491,811; number of birds (total), 275,-
710,983,098.
Fancy the gross weight of this product at
two ounces lor each bird —17,000,000 tons of
2.000 pounds—twice tiie annual through freight
tonnage ot tho New York Central. Compute
their food at one ounce per day.
By circulars sent to all parts of thocountry
the government invited information as to tho
habits of the sparrow. The statements re
turned are made tho basis of an indictment,
of which the following uro the loading points:
The English sparrow Ims expelled native
songsters, which are unable to maintain their
ground against his determined belliggereuey.
Among tiie familiar birds once visiting our
garden and fields, but now less fre
quently seen, are robins, bluebirds, song spar
rows, wrens, yellow birds, OtMIM
and others. These have been frightened away,
often killed and their eggs and young destroy-
ed and even eaten by these feathery cannibals.
Gardens, fields and fruit trees suffer in tlio
absence of insect-rating birds, and the sparrow
cats birds, fruit, berries, grapes, peas, beans,
grains, etc., and allows insects to prey at will
upon them. If ho over had a relish for insects
ho has lost it and feeds instead upon the
products ho was expected to protect.
Mr. Gurney, an English etomologist, says
sparrows in their best estate, do one-fifth of
good to four-fifth of harm, and in many in
stances “they do nothing but harm.” In Eng
land tde damage caused by sparrows dirrectly
is put at several million dollars annually.) The
department of agriculture suggests various ex
pedients for disposing of this bird, his nests,
eggs and young. They are to bo attacked by
day and by night. Their colonies may bo easily
destroyed by the free use of water, or by tear
ing them down with rakes. They may be fed
in some convenient spot for a few days, at a
regular hour, and then, when they are gniassed
together, they can be killed with small shot.
Nets may be spread for thorn, or grain may bo
watered tn a solution of mix vomica or arsenic
ami disposed in their feeding places.
A CRUSOE IN PETTICOATS.
The Thrilling Experience of a South Sea
Missionary's Daughter.
Talking to a reporter of tho San Francisco
Call, Miss Hannah Durston, tiie daughter of a
Fiji missionary, said:
“It was on a Christmas day that I remember
so well my father telling mother that he had
decided to change his residence to the Island
of Kandavu, and their work in harmony with
tho Wesleyan ministers, who are numerous on
that island. We made tho change ere another
month had gone by. I did not like Kandavu,
although there is a pretty bay and some fine
island scenery. Wo lived in a hut made of
cniie, several miles away from where the
colony was located.
“It was very lonesome, and many of the na
tives had ugly dispositions. They professed
disgust and contempt openly for missionaries.
Mother’s soft and kind words seemed'to have
no effect upon them, and quite frequently
they stole, things from us. Theft, I would say
though, is not a common practice among tho
Fijians. One day father reprimanded a sub
chief called Ko-Ko for stealing a jack-knife,
aud in reply tho chief threatened to wreak
vengeance on us. Father had but little fear of
him doing anything, but two days afterward a
friendly native camo and -told us that Ko Ko
and some of his friends would pay us a visit
that night and probably murder father and
mother and carry me into captivity, for Ko-Ko
had an evil and licentious disposition,
□“Father became alarmed at this. As the
beach was near by wo resolved to take a few
things and seek safety on tho ocean in our
largo bark canoe until the next day, when wo
could reach tho colony overland, as Ko-Ko
and liis men would surely bo on the lookout.
From tiie door of our hut to the sandy beach
was only a few stops. Hero was our canoe
which father used in visiting adjacent islands.
In the bow was a capacious locker, where food
and a few other necessaries could bo kept. To
wards, sunset, wo hastened to the beach,
placed our tilings in locker
and father pushed the canoe Title the"
water. It would seem that we were none
too soon in getting away, for tho canoe was
hardly 100 feet from tlio beach when tlio
treacherous Ko-Ko and six other natives camo
bounding to the water’s edge, brandishing
their spears at us in a threatening fashion.
Ko-Ko, with an imprecation, hurled a spear at
us, but it fell short and dropped into tlio water.
Father breathed .i fervent prayer over our
narrow escape, and hoisted a sail upon tlio
slender mast. Under tho impetus of a gentle
breeze the canoe soon left tho shore far behind.
“Mother mid I wrapped ourselves up in
blankets, at father’s request, and lay down in
tlio bottom of tho canoe to rest while he
watched. It was some time before tho lapping
of the water against tho sides of tlio canoo
lulled me to sleep. Ido not know how long I
slumbered, but I was aroused by a sharp cry
from father, and a fearful tossing of tlio canoe.
My mother was already sitting up. The stars
which had studded tho sky when I dozed off
was obscured by b!ack|inas“es < I clouds, gusts
of wind woro shrieking in a dismal way about
us, and tlio waves woro largo and high, at
times rolling into the canoe. Wo knew that
one of tho o terrible storms which spring up
so suddenly in the islands was about to break
upon us.
“ 'God help us,’ murmured my father rever
ently, and ho offered up a prayer for our de
liverance. I shall never forget what followed.
The black clouds seemed to open and belch out
lire and loose batteries of thunder. Tlio
shrieking wind had tho velocity of a gale, mid
the canoe was tossed like a chip upon the tops
of angry white waves that gleamed like tho
white fangs of a devouring monster. Tiie sail
was rent asunder and tho rain began to pour
down in torrents.
“Suddenly, above tho roar of tho thunder,
wo could distinguish a continuous rumbling
sound.
“ 'Those are the breakers, and wo will soon
bo among them,’ whispered, my father, adding
words of comfort at tire same time.
“Tho next thing I remember was a deafent
ing crash and a sharp cry from mother. I wa
struek by something and consciousness lei's
mo. I can recollect opening my eyes as if
from a profound sleep. The sun was smiling
down from a blue and cloudless sky. 1 raised
myself mid found tlio ocean at my foot. It
was as placid as a lake. I was lying on the
wet beach not three feet from where the wnv< s
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THE CONSTITUTION, ATLANTA, GA.
' were rippling on the sand. My clothes wero
dripping wet. Tho occurrence of the storm
came to mo like an electric shock. 'My first;’
thoughts were regarding father and mother./
Mere they safe or—but I reached the horribla!
alternative. About thirty feet away I saw tho
canoe cast high and dry upon tiie beach. ItJ
s do was stove in where it had struck the rock.’
Running up to it, I saw it was empty. Along'
tho stretch of beaeli no other object was dis*
cemible. |
“I eyed the expanse of water and perceived!
a dark object bobbing up and down in tho 1
surf. A closer view revealed what caused myi
blood to almost freeze in my veins. That
which was tlio sport of the waves wero the*
bodies of my parents They wero clasped to
gether. Overcoming the feeling of horror and'
sickness that came over mo I dashed into tho!
water up to my waist, and with almost supcr-j
human strength brought the bodies out of the!
water. Dragging them to a dry spot I fell
over tlio cold forms in a deathly faint. I re-
■ covered my senses only to faint again. I will
i not dwell upon what followed. I
“Four days passed, and I learned that I was
on a small island, which appeared to be unin-:
habited except by a nasty looking species o£
bat and small pigs and rats. Tho pigs wero
» wild and savage, and I had to evade them to'
avoid being attacked.
, “My only sustenance was coacoanuts and »
, species of wild berries. Tho nuts I had found,
on tho ground, where they had fallen durin.!'
. storms. According to my reckoning about;
three months of this monotonous expericnco
passed away. My clothes were worn into tat
ters. Every morning I bathed in the sea ami
made a frugal meal on fruit. Tlio rest of tho
. day I spent in exercise and reading a stained
copy of tho Bible, which I found in tiie locked
of the canoo. Tlio. canoo, when turned over,
made a comfortable abiding place at night, t
crawling into it through tho holo in tho side.
J here were three storms during mv stay there.
Os course, I was drenched. 1 think that if my
existence as a Crusoe had lasted much longer
1 would have cither gone crazy or died. As it)
, was, the consolation afforded one by reading
tho Bible gave mo strength.
“Ono day I saw a party of natives land from
a canoo. I hid and watched them, and soon
recognized among them several friendly faces I
had seen at the Wesleyan school at Kandava.
I called to them, and on coming up they knew
me. I cannot tell how glad I was to bo taken
in their canoo to tho colony at Kandavu, where*
, 1 was heartily welcomed. Tho doopest regret
was expressed over tho death of my poor pa
rents. This is all I have to say in relation to
, the subject. I determined to follow up tho
good work of my father, and I have been suc-
, cessfiil. The treacherous Ko-Ko was banished
from the island, and died in a leprosy colony a
year or so afterward. Iliad my parents’ re
mains removed from the lonely island and de
cently interred at Kandavu.”
MARRIED IN GEORGIA.
Tn Sandersville—Mr. Charlie Hood to Miss Mnltlo'
Mills; Mr. Charles M. Fulghum to Miss Tillie Slade.
In Griffin—M. T. J. Hightower to Mias Georgia A.‘
Nicholls.
Beavers.
In Columbus—Mr. .George Brown to Miss Lucy
Watt. T
In Atlanta—Mr. Robert I). Roberts to Miss Sallio)
E. Miller.
In Toccia—Mr. James O. Faulkner to Miss
Vlckory.
In Atlanta—Mr. Hucslon Boyd to Miss Halt'd
Hardin; Mr. Hunter I’. Cooper to MLss Henrietta'
Tucker.
In Atlanta—Major Toni Williams to Miss Mary!
Chit Hurdle.
In Dawson—Mr. T. F. J. McGill to Miss Edna)
Enrl Brown.
In Atlanta—Mr. J. B. Wright to Miss Lueh Livings’
ton Coiissen.
In Fort Gaines—Mr. W. R. Graham to Miss NelUo 1
Speight.
I 1,1 Atlanta Rev. B. E. 1,. Timmons to Mrs. Wil
liam T. Woffor d.
i In Atlanta-Mr. Robert H. Roberts to Miss Salllc’
, E. Miller; Dr. J. 11. Reeve to Miss Jennfo Ellis.
' In Atlanta—Mr. Harry Wilson to Miss Louise
Weaver.
DIED IN GEORGIA.
In Sandersville—Mr. James Deegan; Little Mary
Lula Daniel.
In Atlanta—Miss Rosa Kelly.
In Augusta—Mrs. J. W. Roberts.
In Atlanta—Little Blanche Logan; Miss CoraW’ellf
house.
In Emory College— Mrs. J. W. Roberts.
In Macon—Mr. Hur ly Craig.
In Atlanta—Colonel W. M. Lowry; Mr. William G<
King. >
In Covington—Dr. T. N. Pitts.
In Atlanta—Major J. N. Bruiley.
Mr. J. T. Trowbridge
Has been called the Thackeray ot writers for,
boys. Ho will not only contribute a serial
story to tlio Youth’s Companion for 1888, bufli
also a4rue narative of bis own boyhood and'
bit early struggles for literary distinction.’ 1
Tho latter will'be supplemented by a similar'
p iper written by M iss Aleott, in which she will
give the autobiography of her girlhood, fiomdif
of her “Little Women” will appear here with?
: out any of the disguises of fiction. I*
7