Newspaper Page Text
4
FARMS AND FARMERS.
SHORT TALKS WITH THE MEN WHO
G VIDE THE I‘LO ’.f.
Many Questions About the Farm Answered
by the Agricultural Editor of The
Weekly Constitution.
Please look ahead and send in inquiries early—
ordinarily an answer may not lie expected under
three weeks, '.’ever request an answer by mail,
the editor has no time to spare lor writing private
letters. , .
Never ask where an article can be had or the
price. Editors have no bettersources ot informa
tion about these than other people. The editor
lias nothin*! for sale and is not interested in any
thing advertised in paper.
Ou<*»ti«iis of anv character concerning the
form will lie cheerfully answered by the
editor of this department, inquirers will
please make their quest ions cl«mr and to the
point. The editor of this department "Hi
give all questions close research an<l will
give the readers of The < (institution tha
benefit of any information that can be ob
tained on all questions propounded.
Address communications for this depart
ment to THE CONSTITUTION,
(Farm and Farmers’ l>ci>t-> Atlanta. Ga.
Spring; Flowing—Dead Grass. Etc.
The damp, falling weather we have had
Baring the past week may be accepted as
a sample of the two or three months to
come. At the close of the old year we
were ten or twelve inches “short” on rain,
the last three months being especially dry.
According to the law of compensation we
may reasonably expect a period, of greater
or less length, of rainy weather. It there
fore behooves every farmer to start to
plowing promptly and to keep “every ptow
going” whenever the weather is suitable
and the ground is not too wet. The latter
c mtion is, perhaps, needless, since every
intelligent farmer knows that to plow a
wet soil is to seriously impair its produc
tiveness for at least the current year.
The advice is generally given not to burn
Dff dead grass, cornstalks, etc., but to al
ways plow them under. This advice Is
based on the well-known principle that such
vegetable matter adds to the humus of the
Foil, improves its mechanical condition and
Increases its productiveness. The principle
Is a correct one, but in practice it must sub
mit to modifications according to circum
stances. If we were intending to bring
Into recultivation an old field with a strong,
rank growth of broom sedge on it, we would
turn the sedge and briars under wit a a
heavy two-horse turn plow, in the fall, as
early as possible, say in October or even
curlier. This would give time for the sedge
nnd weeds to decompose to the extent that
they w ild er but little ol>staele to cul
tivation the next spring and summer. The
came treatment would be in order if it
were a cornfield and the surface were cov
ered with a heavy growth of crabgrass and
c >rnstalks, especially the crabgrass. Hut
if such broom sedge land < r foul corn
fields have passeil through the winter until
uft r Christmas our e;p rience is in favor
of burning off the excessive vegetable mat
ter. thus modifying the rule above men
tioned. on the <l iim that thorough prepa
ration of the ground, the putting it into
Fuch < undition that the aft r planting and
cultivation can be perfectly done, is of more
importance loan the conserving of the dead
vegetable matter. A rule we have for
years followed in a general way is this.
If plowing lands before Christinas we do
not burn the grass and debris, the remains
of the previous crop, especially if it be not
}■• -ivy; but if the new year has come in and
particularly if such dead growth lie rank
i nd abundant, it it is thick enough to burn,
we burn it off and get it out of the way.
Any farmer who doubts the propriety ot
burning oft a rank growth of crabgrass
late in the spring, before plowing, may easi
ly convince himself by burning the grass
from half of stub a field and permitting
11 to remain on the other half and have a
tussle with it every time lie works
It, on until crops are “laid by.” If is be
as late as March, or even not later than
I'e-cua’hy, we would not hesitate to guar
antee a better crop on the burned off half
o the tie! 1. Now. if a’ large two-horse
plow and good weed hook or chain be used
It: the hands of a faithful and skilful plow
man. tl. • plowing may be done without
burning off; but otherwise, better get it out
ci’ the way.
A rank growth of dead cornstalks is
■ worth to the
land. In the fust place, a soil that will
produce a r; :.k grot ch of cornstalks does
not, as a r.;i-■. so much require the addition
of vegetable matter. But a good way to
g* t rid id corn-talks without burning them
is one of the following! 1. Let one or more
hands, as many as may be found necessary,
follow the plows as they go around, pull
them out and lay them straight in the 1 ar
row last run. Then, in addition, require
each plowman to do his work well and hide
c, ry stalk. 2. The other plan is to take an
ordinary sickle, such as is used by hand
lor trimming lawns, or harvesting rice, or
a long thin-bladed, slurp knife, and by
quick right ami left and downward strokes
cut the standing cornstalks into from
four to six pices each, letting th*' pieces
fall as they will. Most of these pieces will
be buried bj a two-horse plow, and, being
short, they will not be much in the way of
subsequent euliit ..lion.
R. J. REDDING.
FARM AND Ol ESTION BOX.
Various Subjects on Which the Farmers
Ask Information.
M. B. Turner, Coosa, Ark.—l will join
vour hog rat-dug exper ■ o*.*- .n-** ting. First,
i have eight hogs to kill this winter; they
will average 2-0 pound- dr-s.-. d: they have
run out on th • rance all their live.--; 1 gave
1 i slop to get them come up. i am
feeding some corn >- w to make their fat
linn; acorns : white oak and
; • • I - ■ s . in at has cost me
about cents per pound. They are Berk
frmro bleed.
To Subscriber, Resaca, Ga.—Your de-
F(-ription of th ■ symptoms ar - not sufficient
to enable a ch ar diugnoi s of the case.
For instance, you do rn t say anything
about the pulse .u the r<. ■ ira ■ ion. Ji may
ha*-e I" n phrinitis or inti; munition ot the
brain; or it may have been > re:-ro-spinal
menn -aitls, probably the latter. In menin
gitis t!:-* pupils are dilated, the pulse is
• ; and I 11, breathing rapid, a t witch
in . ot the muscles of the head and neck.
the f. ver in.- .uses blindness and deaf
dlo We do
Hot th irk it was a ease ot poisoning.
T. I’. It., Oconee, Ga.—l. I want to broad
cast four hundred pounds of fertilizer per
fi r melons, .o be planted the last
week in March. Please tell me the best
time to apply the manure so as to get the
full benefit.
2. Can you tell me what ingredients to
use, with fish, in order to make a com
plete fertilizer.
1. If the fertilizer is a commercial fertiliz
er we would not apply it until a few days
heft -r.■ ;nting time. Indeed, we
not sow it broadcast at all, but scatter it
in and around the hills to a distance of
two or three feet from the center ail
around. Four hundred pounds of fer
tilizer per acre, applied broadcast, would be
x ery light manuring; but would tell if ap
plied in and near the hills.
2. Acid phosphate and potash.
S. C., Gilmer, Tex. —I have a mule,
h\e years old, in good lix, has been for
tome time. When used the sweat, would
firop oft of him; now, in the place of sweat
• t is a kind of matter that comes through
the pores of the skin Eke sweat; appears
to be still all ov< r. Please tell me what
is the cause and give a remedy.
It is probably a case of “surfeit,” due to
high condition and rot enough regular
work. Give a purge of five drachms of
aloes ana half pint of raw linseed oil.
diminish the food and give more exercise.
After taking the purge feed him on bran
mashes for a couple of days. Then give
a tablespoonful of the following mixture,
night and morning, in his feed: Two ounces
of saltpeter, two ounces of rosin, two ounces
of linseed meal; powder and mix. Use a
brush to keep the skin soil and clean.
J. A. J. P.—Vanteen, N. C.—Please ans
wer the following questions for a subscrib
er: I have two Duroe pigs, about lour
months old, father and mother of the pigs
both registered. I ’nought them at about
six weeks old. Can J have them registered
and if so, how? If not, why not? Whose
province is it to have th -m registered;
mine or the former owner? When may
pigs be registered and v.tu-re? Please give
any information on the subject through The
Constitution.
Yes; they are entitled to registry, but
we don’t know the rules in detail. Write
to R. J. Evans, secretary National Duroc-
Jersey Record Association, El Faso, 111.,
for a copy of the constitution and by-laws
and other information. Tell him you want
to register and he will tell you what to do.
It is the duty of the present owner to reg
ister the pigs, unless it was a part of the
contract of sale that the breeder was to
do it. You will probably have to get the
affidavit or certificate of the original own
er—the man of whom you bought them.
Subscriber, Horn Hill, Tex. —I have a
young Berkshire sow that lias given down
in the loins; supposeci to be kidney worms.
Please give best remedy.
Little can be done in case of kidney worm,
or of trichina, one or the other of which is
the trouble. You can keep the animal in
good, comfortable quarters, turn it over
once or twice a day and give nutritious
food. It may survive the attack and re
cover after several weeks, but no medi
cines will reach the parasite. It is gener
ally best to kill the affected animal if it
shows no signs of improvement in two
weeks. If it is kidney worm, death will
be sure to result: if the other (trichina),
give one-half ounce doses of whisky three
times a day, and a teaspoonful of sulphur
morning and night.
James A. L„ Little River, Va.—T have
a colt ten months old. .About the middle of
last summer its nose from eyes down be
came covered with v.hat appears to be seed
warts. Will you please inform me u .nit
will remove them.
We have repeatedly given directions for
treating warts. The simplest remedy—but
not always effective —is to grease them once
a day with olive oil. This may be tried
first for a couple of weeks, and if it does
not succeed then the following: If the wart
is pedunculated, i. e., projects from the sur
face. chop it off with sharp scissors or lie
a silk thread tightly around the neck of the
wart. Then touch the surface with lunar
caustic, or with bluestone, or with a red
hot iron. If flat, so that the wart cannot
be clipped off or tied off, trim the surface
with a sharp knife, and then touch it with
nitric acid once a day until destroyed.
When well burned down with acid, grease
them daily with sweet lard.
To T. P. R., Reynoldsville, W. Va.—Any
seed dealer in Richmond, Va., will sell you
peanut seeds. We cannot tell you of what
farmer you can buy the peas you want;
possibly W. A. Dennis or John B. Gorman,
bo‘h at Talbotton, Ga. You can get them
of J. 11. Alexander, Augusta, Ga. But
you should be able to get anything in the
seed line from regular seedsmen near you.
Mr. G. A. L., Missis Jpi, wants us to
publish that he will send for $1 a perfect
cure for a certain horse disease. VVd can
not do this, as we do not personally know
him, and we are not willing to h t these
columns be used for private purposes. You
should either publish a r- i-ipe free (and we
will gladly do it free) or send your adver
tisement to that department of The Con
stitution that works for the money.
Y. & 8., Latta, S. (.’., wants us to refer
him to some house in Philadelphia, Pa., to
whom they could likely sell cypress shin
gles. We do not know. Have not been
to that village in some years and hav*> not
kept up with the shingle dealers. Please
do not ask for such information, as it is
entirely out of ot’r line and the- scope of
our undertaking. See head of first column
for what we propose to do and what not.
C. A. D., Nicholson, Miss.—l am entirely
ignorant in gardening and farming. I hivi*
an old ox-lot for a garden, ft is bottom
land, ami was considered good before used
for ox-lot. I am having it spaaed up to a
00l Slip si ’seiv'Ui OAV>.vq iiioqu jo ipdop
deep? I have a large quantity of whiteoak
aslms. Would they improve the land for
x-t:>l le.-. ami v.hat quantity would be
most beneficial- >ne-half inch, one inch or
two inches, i horn* to see your answer in
time to be governed by it.
'The ashes v. ould be a good application,
but one-half inch would be too much. After
spading up the ground, twelve inches is not
I . jeep, then spi ead a coating ol the ash<
sufficient .o eour the surface tightly with
tlie ashes, which will require, say one-halt a
bushel to the square rod. But ashes is not
a comjilete manure. You will want to us.*
some stable manure, thirty or .forty loads
per acre, or 'tton st d m al an I -: >
phate. >
G. W. J., Chipley, Fla.—(l.) I have a
valuable mare that situ •* I brought her
to this climate becomes sick by overheat
ing or a little hard work. When she is
sick she wants to roll. Is it bots and
wliat is tiie remedy?
(2.) Jly chickens within the last month
l>la< k scabs on tin. ir combs with swol
len eyes; can you suggest a remedy?
(1.) Your mare is probably troubled with
indigestion from some cause, but it is im
possible to say, with any certainty, from
the meager description, what is the mat
ter. It is not bots, for it is rare that
they cause any pain. It is always a good
rule, when you cannot locate the cause or
exact character of the ailment of a horse
er other dumb animal, to change th'- food.
Step giving corn or reduce the allowance
of corn one-half, and substitute oats. (2.)
Your detail of symptoms is again very
meager. You don’t say whether theii
heads become sore, or whether th< re is
any discharge ol’ matter and its character,
it may be chigoes, or it may be -’roup,”
v> Inch is incurable. Grease the combs
and all exposed parts of the head. Look
lor insects.
J. O. L., Mt. Olive, N. C. —Will you please
give a recipe for pulling up beef for spring
use?
The following recipe for “corning beef’
is given by an experienced N irgmiu house
keeper: Cut up the beef in convenient sizes
and salt down as usual, adding a pinch 01.
saltpeter to each piece. Let it remain in
salt three days, drain off the bloody brine
formed by the salt, wipe each piece with a
clean cloth and repack in the tub—a mo
lasses or syrup cask will answer, but not
a whisky barrel. For the brine take as
much water as will cover the beef, add salt
until it will dissolve no more, a teacupful
ol ground saltpeter and a quart of molas es.
Boil this and skim well. When entirely
cold pour over the beef and keep it well
pressed under the brine. These propor
tions will answer for 200 pounds of beef.
Should the brine mold in warm weather,
rcboil and skim It, adding half pound of bi
carbonate of soda, and when cold return
to the beef. Corned bes should lie boil
el until the bones can be slipp'-d out. and
allowed to cool in the liquor in which it
was boiled. Do not cut until cold.
A Subscriber, Laurel Hill, N. C.— 1. I
have a young horse that eats bis dung.
phn.se give catis3 aii'.i. rprneuy. lie eats
wi 11 and is in good condition.
2 Will pea vine hay fed to horses cause
the disease known as “bellows?”
Ph'Use answer above Questions anti oblige.
1. This is called “depraved appetite,” and
is a form of indigestion or dx spepsia. Ihe
most obvious first treatment is to tie his
be*id up so that be caimat get such un
natural foods as dirt, etc. Change his food
completely. Give green food whenever
practicable. Give a lew’ sweet potatoes,
turnips, scalded oats and bran mashes.
Purge him with the following dose: Five
drams of aloes, one dram of ginger, one
dram of ginger root, syrup or soap enough
to form a ball. When purging is over
prepare the following: One and a half
ounces of copperas, one ounce saltpeter,
two drams foenugreek seed, two ounces
Ims -d meal. Mix and give a tablespoonful
night and morning in soft feed. Continue
this one week; then stop one week and re
peat.
2. No; there is no cure for “bellows,” but
all that can be done is to feed concentrated
food, and wet everything he eats. Pea
vine nay is good—better than fodder —be-
cause more nutritious and, therefore, wall
not have to give so much. A bellowsed
horse should never be permitted to eat a
large quantity of coarse or dusty forage,
which would distend his stomach and inter
fere with the free action of the lungs.
Clean oats, say eight pounds, corn six
pounds, and pea vine hay—not more than
five or six pounds—would be a good day’s
ration for a bellowsed horse of 1,000 pounds
weight, when at full work.
J. M. McL., Amite County, Mississippi—l
have a mule that has been stiff for fifteen
months. It first started like she was wex,k
In her loins and then seemed to get all over
THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION: ATLANTA. GA. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 189*.
her. Sometimes she is worse in the should
er or toot one, I can’t tell which. Stic will
lie down a great deal of her time, and
when she gets up she can hardly step
until she stands awhile. When she is
standing she will keep changing her hind
feet like she is in a great deal of pain
and she has siynething' like the big head,
bat it is too low down for that; and sue
has the big jaw and that is down just above
the fork of the jaw bone. This enlarge
ment of the head and jaw was first noticed
about eight or ten months ago. Please ad
vise and prescribe a remedy.
Your account of the symptoms is not
such as to enable us to judge the case with
any certainty; but it is probable that your
mule haS chronic rheumatism, which would
account for the stiffness and lameness. Give
the following: One ounce calchicum seed
(powdered), one ounce saltpeter, two drains
foenugreek seed. Mix and divide into
twelve powders and give one night and
morning in soft food. Foment the affected
parts—the fetlocks, knees, hips and should
ers—with hot water three times a day.
Then wipe dry and apply this as a lini
ment: One and a half ounces tincture ar
nica, one ounce tincture of opium, one and
a' half ounces liquor ammonia, water to
make one pint. Mix and rub well twice a
day.
Subscriber, Barnwell, C, IT., S. C.—l. If
a mule is wormy will it make him over-anx
ious to eat? <
2. Will they make his hair long?
3. Will it swell his belly?
4. Are the above a sign of indigestion?
5. What is good for indigestion'?
6. What is good for worms?
7. Which of the three is best for hogs —
peanuts, potatoes or chufas—to plant in
small quantity and do the most good?
1. 2. 3. These are all more or Ass indica
tive of worms. An animal affected with
worms will ha.ve a capricious appetite, us
ually a ravenous one; emaciation, coarse,
dry, starving coat, and a pot-belly. Often
a whitish yellow mould will be seen around
the anus and more or less of lhe worms will
be seen in the dung. When the worms get
into the stomach the horse will turn up his
upper lip, and will rub his lips against the
wall of his manger, or will lick the wall,
and sometimes lick the hair off himself, and
often will persistently rub his tail or keep
switching it around.
4. Yes, but it is produced by worms and
over-eating.
5. See reply to “A Subscriber,” Laurel
Hill, N. C., .just preceding.
6. Give, for worms: 1 drachm copperas, 1
drachm tartar emetic, 2 drachms linseed
meal. Mix and give as one dose, repeating
it morning and night for one week, then
give lhe following purgative: 1 ounce spir
its of turpentine and 1 pint raw linseed oil.
Mix and give as one dose. Alter tmee
weeks repeat the entire treatment to catch
the young worms that may have hatched
since the first treatment.
To Mrs. Dr. McCown, Greenville, Ky.—
We do nut knew ot whom you can get the
“Guinea goat;’’ never before heard of such
a breed. Will refer your letter to barge
Plunkett.
rhe Fork Question.
C* 11, < iwen, Dundee, Miss., writes M>
bt itk.er and 1 st.artea January Ist witii
eixi head, valued as below, and also
l “" JANUARY 1, U».
Three barrens • ?
Two bomsJ2--
T . , 5110 oo
Fed 100 bushels corn
Total investment- •• ■ " :)
The following Is the account Januaiy .1, |
Sold fourteen sows, gilts and pigs.. ..$ 59 50 |
Sold 45 pounds of pork.. .. •• •• ••••
Have on hand 2,::oo pounds of poik.. W ...
Have on hand 150 pounds of lai ( L- •• ~
Have on hand seven head of hogs.. t._ 0)
, s3ll 50
Loss first CSsi’and’feed2l-
t'.."'"Yrnes vs .>■’ wi '
w.W.r, until fatten.ng Line Eighteen head
w. fattened; som-; v* ry small ‘ o '*.- !
line sow by an aecia'nt. v
rai nl D.e above number, st.n tin-, v■■ ■’
twenty-four hea l. This was she res •
pasturing our sows on cl°\ l ' ‘ .
ri, •• thu teaching that it yll i
i,, ;. t, sows in pig rim on <■:. ver. a.- it
causes abortion. Wo did not have a p
~,' ...nn*- a’ter turnine sows in clover,
i, s .,nie wore far tcivanced. WeeU-a,-
d. .on' will notice, M 54.50 We start Urn
car with seven head, valued al Will j
report success with these. |
( ‘ B , fid 1 vc :harj < d up the |
value ot’ the pasturage.—Editor.)
Thomas ]■' M.iguire, Littleton, N.
renlv to tl " questions in The Constitution
of liSth ultimo: 1.1 have twelve hogs to
ige ab >ut 125 pounds.
Phe’y ran in a pasture of twenty acres
in'low grouiui and twenty acres m white ,
oaks during the year.
4 'They are being fattened on corn homi
ny, wheat bran and middlings and a little
"'■"i estimate my pork will cost me about
from 4 to 5 cents’per pouinl.
r,. They are a. cross ot Jersey Led anil
I’olan l i ”nina. They are last year's pigs;
<|. 1 not have any corn or feed until penned
for fattening. Next year 1 am going to
.’.iiPoland China and Ohio
’linprow"! Gfieslers. I have a pair of Ohio
Imurov. 1 Cli .sters three and a half months
01/l th. t Weigh nin*'ty-six pouinl.-’ each. I
luiv' sold between seventy and WC pigs and
shoates this year. Now have on hand about
thirty. I run a two-horse crop, eat my own
meat, flour and corn meal. How is this,
brothers?
\ Better YV.-iy to Pickle Boric.
I am an old Georgian and was raised on
pickled p .rk, in.ma got about as Mr. Red
ding recently advised.
t 1c r>i .J a better way by accident. At
the time ot killing' I didn't think 1. bad a
suitable barrel, so I salt-d down as for
bacon and when ready to hang, cut in
I ■ >■ * a md pack las close
as convenient in a barrel; then filled with
water, adding a little more salt than would
dii lolve, put a piece of plank on .the meat~
weighted down with a stone, to keep cov
ered with brine. (If any leaks out add
more water and salt.) The result was so
satisfactory 1 have followed the plan sev
eral years and don’t expect to change.
The blood is all out before putting in
'pickle—the meat seems cleaner and has a.
fresh salt-pork ilavor the year round. I
m ver pickle any but sides and take out ies.ll
the lean parts I conveniently can. The lean
parts pay better in sausage. Try ibis plan
and be convinced. M. F. ROSSER.
Leesburg, Tex.
I?ome-Mado lle:tsures.
During more than twenty years of active
farm life, we never bought a. half bushel
or a peck measure. It is an easy thing
for a man who is handy with square, saw
and hammer, to make as many measures
as he will need for a half a. life time in one
HALF bushel \
HGME-MADE HALF BUSHEL MEASURE
rainy day. The figure shows how they
ar - made. l>r?:-sed lumber R inch or %
thick, a few nails and bits of hoop-iron are
ed. Os course, the lumber
must be thoroughly seasoned, or it will
shrink, and your measure will not do to
“sell by,” and the corners should be
strapped with narrow hoop-iron. A square
box like the figure 12x12 inches and 7.46, or
nearly in deep in the clear will hold
half a bushel. One 12x24, and of the same
depth, will hold a bushel; of, if a square
form be preferred, make it 16 1-10 inches
square and 7.16 inches deep, or 14x14
square and 11 inches deep.
A box Bxß inches square and 8.4 inches
deep will hold a peck. A box 7x7 and 5
inches deep will hold a half peck.
CONSUMPTION CUR E D.
An old physician, retired from practice, had
placed in liis'liar.da by an l.ast India missionary
the formula of a simple vegetable remedy for the
speedy and permanent cure of Consumption,
Bron' hitis. Cat nrli, Asthma, and all Throat and
Lung Affections, also a positive and radical cure
tor Nervous Debility and all Nervous Complaints.
Having tested its wonderful curative powers in
thousands of cases, ami desiring to relieve human
suffering,l will sen l free ol charge to all who wish
it. this recipe in German, Trench or English, with
full direction ■ tor preparing and using. Sent by
mail, by addressing with stamp, naming this
paper, W. A, Noves, 820 Powers’ Block, Roches
ter, N. Y
TO THE FARMERS.
COMMISSIONER NESRITT>S VAEUA-
ItEE SUGGESTIONS.
He Favors the Intensive System Home-
Raised supplies Discussed —Timely
Advice, About Renovation, .Etc,
With the new year comes the ever-re
curring question to the southern farmer,
“What shall I plant and how shall I
plant?” At this time last year everything
looked propitious and the hopes of the
farmers of the state for a year of unprece
dented success ran high, but the low price
of cotton and various other reasons have
precipitated a period of unusual despon
dency. The department of agriculture is
daily besieged with inquiries from all over
the state as to what should be the policy
for the forthcoming year.
“Yes,” said Commissioner Nesbitt yester
day, “I have letters from all over Georgia
every day from the farmers asking what
is best to be done. My advice is in the
main; ‘a reduction in the eost of producing
cotton by securing a large yield from a
smaller acreage. By this and home-raised
supp.ies as far as possible meet lhe ex
igency of low prices and secure better
profits in the case of an advance.
"1 have just finished a letter of advice to
the farmers of the state, suggesting plans
for the coming year. Tills report 1 intend
to issue next week. In it I will say:
"A knowledge of the results from the
stale experiment farm at Grillin is (if great
value to tlie body of farmers. Put soils and
conditions on different farms and in differ
ent localities vary greatly, and even on the
same farm, different fields require different
treatment.
“On farms of waning fertility, and what
Georgia farm is not more or less depleted?
it is important to know in what deficiency
consists, and each farmer should make, as
it were, his own soil tests. Study the re
quirements of each crop, and then carefully
note the effect of each applied fertilizer. It
is true that in commercial fertilizers there
is what is termed the "perfect fertilizer,”
containing all thix'e elements of nitrogen,
acid and potash.
"But, supiiuse we have discovered that
there is enough of even one of these ele
ments m certain soil, or that by certain pro
cess we can draw them to the surface, v.hat
is the use of paying a high price for ma
terial already within our reach? Experi
mental plats need not be troublesome or
expensive, and they may be made io tell
us more certainly than any general soil
test, no matter how scientifically made, of
what plant element the land stands most
in need.
“For instance, one plant may be fertilized
with nitrogen alone, another with phos
phoric a -id, another with potash, a fourth
with nothing. Then combine these ele
ments, two of each, then try all three.
“These experiments bear directly on the
economical side of farming, besides being
full of interest and pleasure. To one who
has been accustomed to -ook upon the soil
as simply inert matter, tiiey open the door
for a fuller and broader view, and lead to
a more careful study of and more extended
interest in the beautiful yet. simple laws of
nature. To those who have never given
this subject much thought, the statement
that twelve inches below the surface of
each average acre of land in Gcoi-gia there
lies at 1 a 1 two tons ■ . phosphoric acid,
three times as much potash, and t.vcii more
than th it amount of lime, is almost beyond
belief, and at once lhe inquiry is suggesleil:
"Why buy these elements at all? Why
not plow deep, firing them to tie- surface
and add onlj 11 ogen ? The 1 ■ plj is, these
elements are not in soluble form, the ordi
nary crops cannot appropriate them because
plants do not eat, they drink. Therefore,
knowing these two I'-n-ts, i. e., that the
elements < an be placed in reach, and Vet
the i !a.iits le unable to appropriate them,
tt follows that our chief study sfiouid in-
E.Cv to put these important eh met ;s in
soluble form, that th'-y may enter into the
strueiure of our growing crops. And here
we have th>- broad field of renovating crops
opened for our inspection and thoughtful
study.
“Our ordinary eroiis of coni and cotton
and .'<■ 11 : rain cannot apt ' •
tores, but leguminou pl nl
can. in this class are peas and clover.
lien the routs and stems of either of
these are left to decay in the soil. 1i *■
" ' ■ natu ’ ■ ■.■ .
E.ii J- 'irelv to convert the stores of phos-
V »' *• 'i- I' ‘ ash an I nitrogen, which
itherod bj these plants from
', u and ■ i.iii l .. ;i!-.ero, iiivo available
that Is, ala e 1 r cent of the
. .. ' lenient are put in si iltible
form and made fit for plant food.
Fait and Winter Floivintg.
“In former talks. I have urged the jr
f \ruinee of deep fall and winter plowing
oh stubble land, or on land where there
was an accumulation of vegetable mat
ter to be turned under. Recently there
b.as come under my observation an illus
tration so pertinent, that J give it for the
beneiit of those who are still disposed to
question tlie v, isdoni of this plan. In a
certain locality in north Georgia, and. 1
may as well mention, situated in the heart
of the drouth stricken region, a farnmr
began last January to turn under a broom
sedge field. He was a new comer in that
section, and when his neighbors saw him
burying deeply, with a two-horse plow,
the heavy mat of sed , r< and tops,
they assured him that lie was ruining his
luihl. ,
“But when they discover' d that he m
tented to plant corn on the land thus
prepared, their im-reduiity reached its
heigh', and various were the prophecies ot
faiiur-. In the spring the rains wore heavy
and long continued, but in June the drouth
began and for weeks not one drop of rain
fell' <.ii the parching plants. Tlie surround
ing crons almost dried up, lull on this deep
ly’plowed land lite corn remained green and
vigorous, yielding thirty bushels to the
stere, while the average yield on adjoining
farms was scarcely more than eight bushels.
Bear m mind that there- was an ample
supply of moisture absorbing vegetable
matter which was thoroughly burn d, and
no t hft on tlie surface in tufts to dry out
rapidlv after each rain.
•■The beginning of the year iiims mire
of olio r occupation.-' resuniitr- i l egular
duties and it is u. mistake for n farmer to
allow’one day to follow another ana each
continue to find his plans übir.’t * ’ ••• anil
immature. He should dec.de clu:.i' l .y want
he intends to do. realize tne difficulties to
be mi t, and s* lect Uk . best m< tn
them. !-■ t him keep ste: dily
in mind these factA: that tutuie ii.cess in
cotton planting depends on reaming tlie
cost of product ion, mid on iiome
'' l ‘‘Tb'■ first required sound judgment, a
knowledge ot the laws of piepaiation .inti
eultivalion, and u study of the ea.p-ieity ot
his land and th" eft’ei l of terld i < I >on. Dur
ing the P tst ' ar manj a farmer
-.•'itwl land which, umier most favo.able
conditions, was incapably ot reiuniing the
cost ol' preparation, fertilization and culti
vation. If the mtiinl cost id production
for an acre of cotton is less than ..he .'jeid
of tli.it acre, one-third of a. bale,_ wnieh
' i] average state of G
it requires only a glance to see that toe
result is on the losing side for the farmer.
:• ;m.i labor are to ■ - stly to
be expended on land which will produce
only a bah- to three acres. It tne lurmer
4 convinced of this, let him n solye to
leave Ills poorest land to the kindly officers
of Mother Nature. Give them an aosolute
and entire rest, and begin the renovating
C'oncentra.te on these labor ytnd f.iiilizeis
and manures; study plans ot
Ilenoviition stud Rotation.
“If necessary, terrace the uplands and
ick’s Floral Grdde,lß94,
(2? : ' '?'■ I The I'idßieer <'at alogtie of Vegetables and Flowers.
Contains 112 pages Bxlo 1-2 Indies, with descriptions
that describe, not mislead; illustrations that XOVEf-TIES.
Z 2" rr , . instruct, not exaggerate. Branching Aster,
iG' X \'v 11 ' "’ • ’ ' '..yof water (oftcn R<)ld f orC hryß-
liTfifr -r \ I color pniits m green and «im . w ’>> a old imckground,- anthemum.)
• nb'JlL J I a <:re.un ofbeautv. pages of Novelises printed m S dis-
' iferr ,„G I Lrani • ..!*.• •. Ail the 1.-I'bog novelties and the be aof the Hibiscus, >unset,
old varictiu 'Jo . !■. ~-d ,es you cannot afford to run Dahlia, Ethel Vick,
y I Miy buy HONEST GOODS where you will receive i. ar ., e Corningfilories,
full MEASURE. It is not necessary to advertise mat .
TGl.S.t.oos’" I Vicks’seeds grow, this is known the world over, and also Double Anemone,
; 'I that the harvest, pays. A verv little spent for proper seed Charmer Pea,
I '• • • Idoctoi Ibills. ’ Vick’s Maggie Murphy and
r- . > I Bieral (mi.'e m*'haiKl'erni '.t catalogue for j ).(. If you
iZf-SsStd L've a fii'c cari’- n send address now, with io cents, which 4
V.v,.rt --iCut'lel viay be deducted from first order.
l rn. n.y. JAMES VICK’S SONS.
Mention The Constitution. ,
-Ji- Why waste time, money and health •with‘‘doctors wonders ul cure
a".s” cneeifles,2tc.,v,hen Lvili semi FREK the prescription of a .
IY, 3 k J and positive remedy for the prompt lasting cure of
f JftiCTsl JRiN Lost Manliood, Nightly Emissions. Nervous Weakness in
r or voting men. Varicocele, 1 mpotency, and to enlarge weak,
mtW in Twn Weeks. 1 send this preset p-
I mfom Ami'’ tion Free of charge, nnd there is no humbug or advertising catch
jth'vv- it Anvffood dr ujjuißt or ptiysiciancftD put it up for you. as everything is plain and siniple. All
B Insk <nGSwill buy aßniull quantity of the remedy from mo direct or advise your
S frinnt’o ic so afh’T vgu receive therecipe and see tba. chore is no humbug nor deception. Lu v you
S™de m yon ? trktlv confidential, ana all lettero tent in plam
Mention The Constitution.
ditch the low, wet spots. An imminently
successful Georgia farmer advocates the
following:
" ‘Sow in small grain, grasses and clover
one-fourth of all arable land on the farm,
rest one-fourth, pasture one-fourth, and
cultivate in summer crops one-fourth. Al
ternate these annually.’
Another says:
“ ‘Let the oldest and poorest and most
gullied laiid lie out for the present, un
til we can get to mem in regular order.
On the best acres pl.mt corn, oats and
cotton; follow the oats with peas and save
the vires for hay; follow the peas with,
cotton, using the most prolific varieties,
and fertilize liberally; follow the cotton
with corn, add more manure, and then
oats again. Every yeat a little more of
the outlying or poorer lands may be taken
into the system of renovation and improve
ment thus inaugurated. Let these addi
tions be sown in small grain and then peas,
then cotton, then corn as before.’
“The question of suitable fertilizers
should now be decided. Numerous inquiries
have been received at the department, and
there seems some dissatisfaction and some
complaint as to tlie grade of goods sold in
the state. »
“The present standard of 10 per cent of
material was settled upon after
careful study and mature deliberation, as
the proportion best suited to the generality
of our lands. It is an axiom in agriculture,
that the richer the land the more fertilizer
it will bear. On our worn fields exhausted
of humus, it is a hazardous undertaking to
apply large quantites of highly concentrated
fertilizers.
“But this is a point each person must
decide for himself, keeping in view the fact
stated above. If he wishes the essential
elements of potash, phosphoric acid and
nitrogen combined in different proportions,
he can have it done at the factory. Or,
better still, a number of farmers can com
bine, purchase a carload o£ material and
themselves mix in the proportions* which,
after careful study, they decide that their
lands most need. These ingredients are
guaranteed, and the farmer, with lus
scales and rich scrapings from lot and
fence corners, can save the cost of both
freight and manipulation, and he then
knows exactly what he is using.
Hepnirs.
“In former articles I have urged the
necessity of attending to needed repairs,
fences, ditches, terraces and buildings, of
'righting up’ matters on the farm ready
for the coming year’s work, o< dealing
away, as it were, obstacles which might
hinder our success, tat us take Resh
courage. We have much to be thankful
lor. in the almost universal distress, we
find that the farmer, who has his food
supplies, ami this is true in much larger
proportion than usual, though he has bttle
money, is in far better condition than the
majority of laboring men. Besides a cer
tainty as to food, he has his house, his
fuel, his garden and hope, which seems
denied to his less-fortunate brother ot
other avocations. . , ,
’’Karmers must study all that relates to
farming. We cannot afford longer to waste
our capital. The school of experience is
valuable, but it sometimes takes more than
half a lifetime to get through, and we
pay a high price for our diploma. Subscribe
to some good agricultural paper, lhe low
price of subscription is returned oyer and
over again before the year is out m valu
able information. , „ .
"The three great essentials are, first,
the theory—true plan- of farming; second,
the art of controlling labor and of executing
all work to the best advantage with least
labor; third—last and best—success depends
on quick perception, wise judgment, that
seldom or never errs. How is this to be
acquired except by the use of books, m
conjunction with practice ?”
STEALING COTTON.
How It Was Done in the Days After
tlie ii r.
“Railroading is not what it used to be.”
said the veteran knight of the rail, Thomas
Lincoln, as he leaned back in his chair and
became reminiscent a few days ago in the
office of Hie Terminal Association. “Just
after the war I was running on a freight
in Mississippi. Vie had a crew of ten —an
engineer, fireman, wood passer (for we
burned wood), a conductor, four brakemen
and two guards. The conductor got $l5O
per month, the engineer $l4O and the rest
of the men sf'O per month each. We made
a round trip a week between Jackson and
New ns. i
“Cotton was about the only freight .and
we hauled that loaded on tlat cars. We
took the guards along, as the natives were
in the habit of lying in the brush beside
the road, throwing out a grappling hook,
which made itself last to a bale of the cot
ton as we passed by, and yanking that same
bale into tlie wilderness. The cotton was
then loaded on a wagon, driven to the near
est station and sold to be agaitvharpootuid
and resold. Some of the natives drove a
prosperous business In this sorb of thing.
“One night about 9 o’clock we stopped for
water at a sort of out of the way place,
and as we had to wait for some time to
let another train pass we all went to the
engine except the guards, who remained in
the rear, ff’he gentlemen of the harpooning
y watcht J this chance to comi t >
the center of the train and carry off a
few b.ib'S of cotton. We discovered the
theft before we were ready to start and
made up our minds to hunt up the rais
ing cotton. The whole crew started out,
armed with revolvers. We easily found
the track of the wagon but a few rods
from the railway, and succeeded by the a d
of a lantern in following it through the
woods to a hut a halt mile or so away,
Tin re was the wagon standing under a
ti’ci-, but the mules w( i e unhitched and the
cotton had disappeared.
“We walked noiselessly to the cabin and
stepped in with drawn revolvers. There
were two men playing seven up with a
pack of greasy cards. They did not seem
alarmed, but a little argument from be
hind the guns persuaded them to hitch the
mules to the wagon, and we found the
stolen bales under u pile of straw. The
ball.-: were loaded on the wagon and hauled
back by th*' very men and mules that had
carried thetx off a couple ot hours before,
and we were troubled no more by that pair
of robbers.”
Drop II in tlie Slot.
From The Americus Press.
There is plenty of everything. Plenty of
Clothes. Plenty of food. Plenty of money.
If folks would turn their dollars loose, ev
erything would be all right.
Turn them loose, everybody. Drop a dol
lar in the slot of investment and see the
smiling face of good times bob up serenely
from below.
Plenty of Wiiile Heat in Randolph.
Cuthbert, Ga., January 7.—(Special.)—
More hogs were raised in Randolph county
last year than in any other year since the
war. These hogs are of fine stock and are
in the greatest abundance. Very little meat
will have to be shipped to this county this
year. The beauty about the matter is tl .it
those who usually have to buy are the ones
who are doing the raising. The venture
is one of the great goods resulting to the
farmers through “hard times.”
The Chinese language is spoken by the
greatest number of people, over 400,000,000.
© Wliat a wonderful tbin;,' is :t Jive seer., J?
E) Immature, old or'lead it. may /"o/. !n** same.
{) Mow to know? Old gardeners say that Os
I I
.
This is the proof of life. When grown wr* give
our word you will bp satisfi' *’ your success cj
Xis ours. BURPEI FARM ANN! AL 5
By for J G 94, 172 pa;ir.-, ufi ■ :iil about 7>c.u
Kfedfth'it Gt-W . The m.-" * * < -id! :h, ‘ f 5)
3. /.'O'lmv .ii :-n.'i . ' *Z Gi.'l curs
Jp /ree for the asking if you Frmt: -'■<!
h- W.ATLEC BURPEE & CO..Philadelphia.
; s&soßcsau ahjsi?* .■ i k&o
. ■ . • ■ t.
Y'V
How to got the host, and
how to grow them suc
hut's lhe test
Ku of o u r e e w
Guide to Rose Culture
■Brisk forß'it. It tells you how
Kl-i top?tth-'famou-D.A-C.
K’S i.. ' 1 Wi n -b ’'.ith' iro'.vn roots;
K® ’W-i wHk :• tne very lat*-tand
fifes; ' r **4 VxJwi b'"-t 1 t'l'irinatiun forthe
VIIO culture of all kinds of
flowers. VZesendit free to imyoiii'. t with
a sample copy of our interesting floral Magazine
“.SUCCESS WITH FLOWERS.”
THE DINGEE &. CONARD CO.
Hone. Growers and• dsmen. West Grove.
Mention The Constit.uton.
A Don’t Lose
If 1? A *A M
W, PLANT FERRY'S SEEPS
i&A this year, and make up for io. ■ tin, . . 27
Ferrj ’><Sc.nd Armnal ’ r i.- t...
MA. give you many i :>■ t." .•.*■» NzJ?
about what to rais: and how to 4*8(7
raise it. It <tn::ains im:•** 'oi- J&f
to be had from no
source, i*Tce to ail. /rtEe
p. M. Ferry & Co. / p
Mention The Constitution.
E
z -
L"-! bp® &■ ■ V*"-.’?; ~ I
EiKS . ' V'ce// .. ... ■ s;i
A Complete f i";!ej*.n•> of .- . >r<Hrd
varieties .'*.ml tb* m-v •fiuxgi < i ir. ■ . , •.1
fn ~ : ( : e
Farming. Y..u iv . iw ' ;a
purity or vital
Ou r 1
PLANT SEED C‘?.
P7 r North Ith '
Mention The 1 oustitutiom
SEEDSI
FOR TRIAL. I have £ md tl
vertise good Seeds is to giv • nw.-ty ° r->r
If you will send in » c 2-crot T f ■’ ’ ill
ziiail frrr one your ’ ■ ;'«n. • /•*-
< 'arrot,
■
Sq!»n.sh,To’ni! »Torni't or of L vr
Coiosia. Cana’ion. out ty ■' : • -‘y,
•
Until you .see ir.. fir Ic.'ni - ive ’ i t.u - Over ’2’ <0
: ■
earliest vegotab!eg on r ' ->r ’ •< >e ?t. •- •? 1 p-i'es
i.* ' ■
Mention The Constitution.
1 U/ i e N A : ■>’” al - ’ F*Q
V,G 'A ■>, : ~*!F-OK-’I.>O CC.-
CSi iet-’t'm Si., Chiiago, 111,
Mention The C-.m-ticu .i.
HORS *\ND O/ ' .
■ 1 11 ■’ 11 ’ \ ’
any r i .a 11 r i • ■ 1 ’’’ ''' • ’ /
scription to nur
Till-: FARMER S t-. il.’i 'b ' I- CGa.I/usIUN.
St
THE GUII
Mt utlon '3 Co: ii • hi. _
pn FOR ’ -toiler
!>SIf Uz • - - -•' -v
GRIFFITH & SEMPLE, 540 Main St., Lo n
.Mention The C ■.• st.'t' ‘.' ;i.
■
U: . '.■/J
—-IL--.. St-, - j-y.- —4
BEST FARM ’FENCE, yrmde of CALVAN
IZED STEEL Wllfi!. FENCES and GATES
Snr all purpose®. Write fcr froe e-talogcj#
giving particulars aud prices, Ad-irces
&SDGWIGK BS3S. CO.,
Mention Tl * Constituli n.
high
feV'-y |S-/ . ■ ' ,
I A- ■'
.*».’V.-.-*n>. n> . V, upjvit-o
- ' '-,.4 i ■ ,t. No '-I. ■ ,■' aln r ia
a.tvmce. : •nd -» or- '• • ‘•.•-•"i.il*
■ , ■ ’
if/f-jS". ‘A’, V- n r( -’t. Oept. 63 Chica<jo,ill.
Mention The Cenfititution.
tav,sp Lvcrr caknct see nr ■.* yql* co
MlgklM II > 0 PAY FREiSHT.
i.
ii : 7’, Vr y.i.p’ 1 , ;Lt: ,’ xlc ,
tWird If-. Co., 32 Ave., CM.'ago. 11l
Mention Tho Conetiiuiioa.
|
"" - ■
AGENTS WANTED
MEAT
I
(
■ iVt I’l 1 ; St.”* «’f, .
Mention The Constitution.
S2G : .•/Vr’.pfFi.C ?.bT»’I.V '..a. -;■ . •*-T y-.y
s,
. .' ’l!’*. c*B” '-nl
P: .. ■ • ...
g L~... ■ ' '
*i t emxGi’iEi
Mention The Constitution,
BID’S FAIRS
* “lEDALandDIPLOMA,
3
• ’ ■ o
.■' ' - LF* i’oult'.j. t* ’ ’ iy yMJ ( j C”11 *. -1 .'CB ’ U
ft S £nx ’«' s Vi'.ue. ■ v&iuabk
x. oaPoultry Culture. Adircas
Reliabl»lneubßtorCo.| Qolney, Ill»
Mention The Constitution.