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ATLANTA, GEORGIA, MARCH, 1874.
Agricultural Congress in Atlanta.
We call attention to the announce
ment of the meeting of the Agricul
! tural Congress in Atlanta. We earn
i <estly hope that this Congress will be
largely attended, as matters of vital
importance to the whole South will be
discussed and acted upon. Come one,
come all!
To Masters of Granges in Georgia.
We call special attention of Masters
of Granges in this State to the appoint
ments of the Worthy Master, pub
lished elsewhere of this issue. His stay
at many of the places will necessarily be
brief; hence, great promptness on your
part is desired, in order that our or
ganization may be put in thorough
working order, as speedily as practica
ble. Where numbers of you cannot
attend the appointments, delegate one
or more to do so, who can be empowered
to instruct the others.
Premiums for the State Fair, 1874.
The Committee on Premiums of the
State Agricultural Society have been
busy for several days past in perfecting
one of the finest and most valuable
premium lists for the State Fair, to be
held in Atlanta this fall, that has ever
been presented to the people of Geor
gia. In a short time, a full printed
list of premiums will be distributed to
the public by the energetic and accom
plished Secretary, Colonel Malcolm
Johnston.
Agricultural Bureau.
The measure of the late Legislature,
touching the establishment of an Agri
cultural Bureau for the State, possesses
more of vital interest to the planter
than any that has engaged the atten
tion of our law-makers since the war,
and will meet with the hearty approba
tion of all good people. Consequent
upon its becoming a law, we see the
names of many good and true men an
nounced for State Commissioner of
Agriculture. Among the more promin
ent are our friends Dr. T. P. Janes, of
Greene county, and Col. T. G. Holt, of
Bibb, both of whom would discharge
the duties of the position with marked
ability.
Direct Trade.
The responses to calls for subscription
of stock in the “ Direct Trade Union,”
are pouring in daily ; and, in a very
short time, we will be authorized to
order an election of officers, and put
this grand ball of reform and profit in
motion. Our indefatigable pioneer, E.
T. Paine, is ever on the alert to advance
this great interest. Let our brothers,
all over the State, rally as one man to
push forward this enterprise. Think
of it, Patrons, one share per member
of our Order, in this State, would ag
gregate $165,000. Your brothers of
Alabama and South Carolina are wil
ling and anxious to join you. Then
cheer on the good work with your aid.
The State Fair.
Extensive preparations are now in
progress for holding the State Agricul
tural Fair in Atlanta next fall. A com
mittee of able, experienced and pro
gressive agriculturists has been in
session here for the past week, arrang
ing the premium list. This list, when
announced, will create a deeper interest
in the State Fair, on the part of our
own people, and those beyond our State
limits, than has yet been experienced.
It will be comprehensive and liberal.
Every important branch of industry
and interest has received all proper
consideration. The initiative is the
step upon which hinges the success of
the Fair, and the Society in making up
the Premium List Committee from its
ablest minds, has given the best possi
ble evidence that that important step
has been properly guarded.
In this connection, we are glad to
learn, that Atlanta has responded most
L nobly to the requests of the Society,
® making appropriations fully eommen
surate with matured plans and pur
nL poses.
.y Talbot county, Ga., has over half of her cot
n > ton crop of last year still on hand, as well as
KP a considerable amount left over from former
y years.
National Grange Pronnnclamento.
We most cordially invite the careful
attention of every true patriot in the
land to the platform of principles enun
ciated in this document. We care not
whether the reader be Patron or other
wise, he can not fail to discover in it,
the teachings of an enlightened and
philanthropic statesmanship. Nor can
we for a moment, allow ourselves to
entertain the opinion that it is the
mere ad captandum utterance of party
platform builders. There is a deep,
underlying sense in the hearts of our
brotherhood to plant this standard in
the deep, deep soil of honest determin
ation and purpose, and water and nur
ture it with a Patron’s hopes, a Patrons
energy,and a Patron’s prayers. Though
like the mustard seed in the not very
remote past, yet we cherish an abiding
hope and faith that ere long the weary
and broken spirits of every laudable
industry shall rest under its genial
shade, gathering new life and thrift.
With the grand old ship of American
State riven upon the rocks of sectional
discord and hate—our people afloat
upon the polluted waters of the turbid
deep, frantically grasping at the shiv
ered spars of civil liberty and purity —
the genius of our noble Order launches
out the life-boat,and with manly wooing,
pleads for your willing passage to the
Shores of Deliverance.
To our sincere opponents, who, with
more than mortal ken, have detected the
Trojan horse of Northern hate and
tyranny bearing down upon our sorrow
crowned homes to intensify the bitter
ness of our desolation, we must oppose
that unbroken array of hearty welcome,
hightoned liberality, Southland favor,
and entente cor diale which animates the
hearts of an intelligant band of
patriots.
To the sphinx-eyed, who see under
the Grange mask the hideous form of
agrarianism or communism, we say,
with all the burning heat of unutter
able scorn, that no true Patron’s heart
gives home to such dogma. We find
in no Delphic terms the denial of cru
sades against the rights and interests
of any class of our fellow-men.
We will not, however, farther pursue
this review. With malice toward none,
and in unshaken faith in the God of the
Husbandman, relying upon His protec
tion and guidances alone, and with no
ble resolve by every legitimate and
horn table means to reti i we our shattered
fortunes, to lend dignity and grace and
power to the humble tiller of the soil,
to develop his intellectual capacity, to
throw around him the purifying influ
ences of social culture, to beautify and
fructify his rural home, and make him
a wiser, better, happier man, we echo
to this resume of principles, as set forth
by our National brothers, a long re
sponsive—Amen!
The Agricultural Outlook.
The effect of the action of our State
Grange, and the deliberations of the
thoughtful and practical men who con
stitute the btate Agricultural Society,
relative to the necessity of a new era in
the conduct of our farming interest, a
“new departure” for the establishment
of strict economy and a wise diversity
of crops, is beginning to be felt all over
the State.
The necessity of reform is appreciated,
and it needed but the guide-post of
practical experience, and the plain,
practical teachings of men honored in
agricultural science, to engender a
spirit of wise emulation in the hearts
of our farmers in the race for general
prosperity.
It is pleasant to note that resolutions
full of wisdom have not only been
made, but they are being carried out to
the letter, and already a very healthy
tone in farming and planting circles is
observable. The lessons of the late
panic have not been without their good
uses, and from the nettle “Danger” we
pluck the flower “Safety.”
Altogether the present condition of
our farming interests give augury of a
coming healthy prosperity.
Macon District Grange Inion,
We see, from the published proceed
ings, that the above association was
organized in the city of Macon, on the
17th ult. There were seventy.eight
Granges represented. We find suffi
cient guarantee that business, profitable
and honorable, is meant in the array of
true and tried names that compose the
Executive Committee —A. J. Lane, B.
F. Tharpe. G.W. Jordan, J.W. Stubbs,
0. A. Horne, T. G. Holt and M. T.
McCullough. The next meeting of the
Union will be held in the City Hall of
Macon, on the 10th day of March, at
10 o’clock, AM.
GE®SOS &MK&W
The Southern Staple.
One of our New York exchanges,
commenting on the succesful efforts
which the Western farmers have made
to reduce extravagant freight tariffs on
the railroads of that section, and the
increased profit which will, in conse
quence thereof, flow into the pocket of the
producer from the grain exported to Eu
rope to supply the deficiences in trans-
Atlantic countries, calls attention to
the fact that it is estimated Great
Britian will require to import ninety-six
million bushels of wheat to make up
for the deficiency, while other author
ities place the deficiency at even a
higher figure. It is also estimated
that France will require forty-eight
million bushels to supply her needs,
beyond her own production, previous to
the harvest of this year. The Baltic,
Black Sea and Danubian grain-growing
provinces will have less to spare than
usual; consequently their surplus will
fall far short of meeting the demand
of Western Europe, which must natu
rally look to the United States for the
supply of a portion of its wants.
It is very probable that the United
States cannot spare more than thirty
millions of bushels, and, as a conse
qunce, the prices of grain will rule high
for some time to come.
The same argument, as to the desira
bility of larger profits going into the
pockets of the producer than has been
the case heretofore, holds good in rela
tion to the cotton crop, and the planters
of the South.
Our crop ought to realize for our ]feo
ple at least two hundred million dollars
net. We are as deeply interested in keep
ing this vast amount of money under
our own control, and out of the pock
ets of speculators, as the Western farm
ers are in the matter of their grain.
We can accomplish this and throw
off our old yoke of dependence upon
the speculative North, and her emissa
ries, by shipping our crops direct to
foreign markets, getting coin in return,
by direct trade generally, and by the
investment of capital and energy in the
cause of developing the inestimable re
sources of coal, iron, minerals and
other natural wealth in the possession
of our favored section. This will se
cure all that we ought to strive for
as a people.
A Lenon for Georgia Farmers.
A correspondent writing from Au
burn, Alabama, says:
“The cotton crop throughout this
section, as in portions of Northern and
Western Alabama,was an entire failure.
Fortunately, many farmers in this
vicinity did not risk their ‘all’ in cot
ton, but planted produce generally.
They, consequently, realized good crops
of corn, potatoes, turnips, and, in some
cases, a good supply of wheat. The
land is very poor, but by good manage
ment, and the use of cheap fertilizers,
such as cotton seed and stable manure,
the wheat crop averaged twenty bushels
per acre."
Direct Trade Economy --- Diversified
Crop*.
The principles of direct trade, close
domestic economy, and diversification
of crops, will assist our getting out of
debt with marvelous potency. The old
system of Southern vassalage to North
ern speculators and money magnates,
will be abolished in that way, and only
in that way, and, in becoming freer of
debt our people will necessarily become
nobler and stronger in every respset.
This economy leads to riches, and
the richer we become through legiti
mate profits accruing from the sale of
the products of our own labor, the bet
ter will we be enabled to attend to our
domestic affairs.
We will be enabled to build up our
home prosperity without the fear of
danger, the wiles of selfish speculators,
or of the financial collapse of the purse
string holders of the country.
The time haa come for the power of
the Farmer to be felt!
Thanks.
w e are indebted to the kindness of
Col. Malcolm Johnson, the efficient and
popular Secretary of the State Agri
cultural Society, for two interesting
articles, in this issue of The Georgia
Grange, on the culture of corn.
The sworn statements and valuable
details of the experiments, as made by
Mr. K. H. Hardaway, and also Dr. Jas.
I S. Lawton, is profitable reading to every
intelligent farmer in the State, and we
commend both articles to the careful
perusal of our readers.
The Ohio State Grange ha-i passed stirring
resolutions endorsing the Western women’s
1 temperance movement.
Meeting of the Cotton States Agricul
tural Congress.
At the session of the Cotton States
Agricultural congress, held last Novem
ber, on motion of Mr. Berry, of Missis
sippi, the following resolutions were
adopted :
Unsolved, That this convention, when it ad
journs, will adjourn to meet under the call of
the President on sixty days notice, through the
newspapers of the Cotton States, at such time
and place as he may designate. Delegates
composing said meeting shall be appointed by
the State Granges when in session or in vaca
tion by the Master. Each State shall be en
titled to one delegate for each Representative
and Senator they are entitled to in the United
States Congress and the Masters of the State
Granges, and that the State Agricultural So
ciety of the Southern States be requested to
send delegates to said convention.
Resolved, That in view of making our farms
self-sustaining by sowing down one-third of
the available lands in small grain and grasses,
and plant one-third in corn and one-third in
cotton, we hereby recommend the Masters of
the respective Cotton States Granges to submit
this policy to the subordinate Granges for their
adoption, and that the Masters of subordinate
Granges be requested to urge the voluntary
pledges thereto, and report result to the Mas
ters of their State Granges, who will then re
port to the President of this Convention the
number of subordinate Granges in each State
that have pledged themselves to this policy,
and such information will be diffused through
the public press by the President.
The representatives, designated in
the above resolutions, are hereby noti
fied to meet in the city of
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, JUNE 3d, 1374.
Each of the organizations named will
see to it that there respective delegates
are duly appointed.
It is expected that this meeting will
result in much good to the farmer, and
the agricultural interests of the South
generally.
Important matters demand your at
tention. Many, and serious evils are
in existence, and the condition of num
bers of our people presents a subject
worthy of profound consideration.
By the time you assemble, the crops
planted will be well in hand, and the
information as to the acreage of each
will be valuable to all. The barley,
rye, oats and wheat will be nearly ready
for the harvest, and reports of the
probable yield will be of general inter
est.
The progress then made in the cul
ture of corn and cotton will be not less
important.
It is now demonstrated that the
overproduction of cotton has ruined
thousands of the people in these States.
As in Hindoostan, this excess of cotton
at the expense of provision crops, will,
in a few years, produce a. famine. Al
ready, by reason of the low price for
the crop of 1873, the resources of many
farmers have been exhausted, their
credit destroyed, and bankruptcy is the
inevitable result. This statement is
believed to be true as to all the Cotton
States.
May not the hope be indulged, that,
this spring, before an acre is planted in
cotton, every farmer will fill his fields
with corn, and then the “patches” will
be the extent of cotton culture. By the
authority of general consent, in harmony
with general necessity, let a partial em
bargo, and a blockade (slightly open,)
be laid on cotton —a questionable
friend, at least, if not already a publie
enemy.
All newspapers in the Cotton States,
friendly to the proposed Congress, will
please call attention to the subject, and
give notice of the time and place of
meeting. D. E. Butler.
Madison, Ga., March 5, 1874.
Economy is Liberty and Eaw
Swift said : “ I have no other notion
of economy than that it is the parent
of liberty and ease.”
Does not common sense and history
prove the truth of the saying?
Do we not, ought we not, as a people
desire the blessings of “ liberty and
ease ?”
Certainly we do. Then let us act
like wise men, and, in our daily lives
and business transactions, live up to
the principles of “economy” faithfully
and consistently.
We have neglected the invaluable
prize too long; let us strive to secure it like
sensible and patriotic men and women.
It is within our reach. We must blame
only our own indolence, or stupidity,
should we fail to secure healthful ease
and desirable liberty.
Central Railroad.
In another column will be found the
schedule of this splendid railway, and
connections. The road is doing a heavy
business. Under the personal watchful
care of that capital railroad man, Col.
Wm. Rogers, it could not be otherwise.
Col. J. G. Foreacre is the efficient and
accommodating Superintendent of the
Atlanta division. Indeed, we believe
no line in the land is more perfectly
officered or freeer from accidents and
I delavs.
Diversified Farming.
The following excellent advice, em
braced in a memorial to the Patrons of
Husbandry in the Cotton States, was
signed by the Masters of the State
Granges of South and North Carolina,
Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Arkan
sas, Louisiana and Tennessee, and was
not only heartily approved by the Com
mittee on Resolutions, but endorsed by
every member of the National Grange,
at its recent session in St. Louis :
“ During the past seven years our
cotton fields have added to the wealth
of the world two thousand million dol
lars, and caused prosperity to smile upon
every one who has handled our crops
save those who struggle for its produc
tion annually. The energies of the cot
ton planters have been exhausted in at
tempting to produce a maximum crop
of a single sample whilst quite as fre
quently he has reduced his means in
supplying his necessary wants. A sys
tem based upon such policy, and produc
ing such results, must be radically
wrong, and, if persisted in, will lead to
bankruptcy and ruin. No people can
become prosperous who are not self
sustaining. Our exhaustless mineral
wealth, abundant water-power, and gen
erally salubrious climate, avails us
nothing if annually we expend mil
lions for subsistence. It is generally con
ceded that home grain bread is cheaper
than purchased supplies, and the ob
servation of every planter is, that the
Southern farmers who live within them
selves are more independent and less
encumbered with debt than those who
have relied solely upon the cotton crop.
Were it otherwise, it is hazardous for
American people to rely upon others
for a supply of those articles which are
necessary for their daily consumption.”
It then refers to the famine which
has occurred more than once in India,
owing to the attempts of the people to
grow cotton to the exclusion of bread
stuffs, and adds :
“During the past year portions of
lowa, Minnesota and Dekotah have been
invaded by grasshoppers, and they de
stoyed every vestage of vegetation.
Imagine your condition, should a simi
lar invasion become general in the north
west. Couple with this idea the total
failure of a cotton crop, either from the
worm, drought, or any other unavoid
able cause. Improbable as such visi
tations may appear, have we the power
to avert them, and is it wise to subject
ourselves to the possibility of becoming
the victims of such calamities ? Our
wisest and safest policy is, as far as prac
ticable, to produce at home our neces
sary supplies. Is there a farm in the
South upon which this cannot be done,
and at the same time produce an aver
age cotton crop as the net result of the
farmers annual labors ? We believe
there is not. Annually, four millions
bales of cotton are produced upon
Southern soil, but what proportion of
this vast amount is returned to indicate
our prosperity ? One-half of it is ex
pended for necessary supplies, whilst
the remainder is divided between labor
and taxes. Hence, the cost of produc
tion has exceeded the value of the ar
ticle produced. Shall this policy con
tinue ? Extensive cotton crops have
evinced our unity of purpose and en
tailed poverty upon us. An equally
fair adhesion to mixed husbandry
would secure our recuperation.
“Cotton is a necessity, and the extent
of the necessity can be calculated with
exactness. If 3,500,000 bales are
grown, they will be consumed before
another can be gathered, and a remu
nerative market price will be sustained
by the consequent demands. If 4,500,-
000 bales are grown, the large margi
nal excess will control and 'depress the
market. The alternatives for success
are numerous, but we need to rely upon
the single one of co-operating in the de
termination to subsist at home. With
this end attained, there is no reason
whv we should not be the happiest,
most independent and prosperous peo
ple on the earth.”
Grumbling.
The business does not make the man,
it ,’s the man that makes the business.
Grumbling and complaining is not
going to help the farming interests of
the State. Give the various crops the
thought and labor they demand, and it
will be found that the cry, “farming
don’t pay,” is all moonshine.
We must help ourselves and not de
pend upon sympathy, and resolutions
and newspaper articles of complaint.
Men who think a great deal and work
earnestly have not much time to waste
on grumbling.
State Fair Premiums, 1874.
Below w r e give, from advance sheets,
a few of the premiums offered by the
Georgia State Agricultural Society for
its Annual Fair of 1874, to be held in
Atlanta, in October next.
For most economical result, with full
report, on the following crops :
PROVISION CROPS CEREALS.
Corn, one acre uplandsso 00
“ “ lowland 50 00
Wheat, one acre 50 00
Oats, one acre 50 00
Rye, “ “ 25 00
Barley, one acre 25 00
HAY CROPS.
Clover hay, one acre, minimum 2| tons, SSO 00
Lucern hay “ “ “ 2| . “ 25 00
Native grass hay, one acre, minimum
11 tons 25 00
Timothy hay, one acre, minimum 2 tons 25 00
Red top hay, or herds, one acre, mini-
mum 2 tons 25 00
Pea vine hay, one acre, minimum 2J tons 25 00
Corn forage, “ “ “ 6 “ 25 00
ROOT CROPS.
Sweet potatoes, one acres2o 00
Irish “ “ “ 20 00
Turnips, “ “ 20 00
Ground peas, <c “ 00 00
Beets, “ “ 20 00
Chufas, “ “ 20 00
PEA CROPS.
Field peas, one acres2o 00
Beans, “ “ 20 00
Cotton, one acre. 50 00
Largest and most valuable yield cultiva-
ted by boy under t 2O years old 50 00
Cotton, one acre, by boy under 16 years, 25 00
Corn, “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 25 00
SMALL EARMS.
For the best rosults from a one-horse
farm with affidavits as to cultivation,
production and expense, etcsso 00
Eor the best results from a two-horse
farm with affidavits as to cultivation,
production and expense, etc 50 00
For the most ample and generous sup-
port sufficient for a family of eight
white persons to be produced on the
lowest number of acres and at the
least expense. This support to include
provision for the work and milk stock
used. The amount of breadstuffs,
meats, fruits, butter and milk, honey
and garden stuff to be given, and also
the details of culture and manuring... 250 00
The Profit of Sheep Raising in the South
The raising of sheep in Georgia is
one of the rich sources of domestic
wealth which has been too long neg
lected. Efforts are being made by en
terprising and thoughtful men to intro
duce them more liberally upon our
farms, and to explain the beneficial
effect of their more general introduc
tion upon the farming interests of the
State. In this connection the experi
ence of a planter in Fairfield county,
South Carolina, is an ample illustration,
and the results are as applicable to
Georgia as they are to South Carolina.
This gentleman, in January, 1866,
bought thirty-eight sheep which he
turned into his pasture, and soon after
bought a Bakewell ram, and afterward
a Merino and then a Southdown ram.
This was the total of his purchases. In
November, 1873, he had 350 sheep
worth SI,OOO. His wool netted him
S9OO, and his mutton netted $376,
besides what his family consumed, and
mutton has been their only meat during
summer and fall of every year. No
care was taken of the sheep except to
salt them and to give them a little cot
ton seed in the winter. The manure,
with very little effort to save it, has
enriched thirty acres, of land so that it
now averages one thousand pounds of
seed cotton per acre, instead of two
hundred pounds previously. The sheep
have a little more than doubled in
number each year except last year.
This exception was caused by the fact
that one hundred of the flock strayed
off in December, and when found late
in January they had lost alUheir lambs
but sixteen. The experience of this
gentleman proves that sheep would be
very profitable in the South with care
ful management. The profit would
arise not alone from this mutton and
wool, but in supplanting commercial
fertilizers on all hands lying at a dis
tance from railroads.
Our Worthy Master.
Colonel T. J. Smith, of Washington,
honored our sanctum with his presence
to-day. We were glad to find him so
full of the good things he witnessed at
the National Grange meeting, in St.
Louis, that he couldn’t help running
over. If our brothers could only hear
him “ relate his experience ” while in
that grand body, we know they would
take fresh courage, and vow to make
more faithful Patrons in the future—
and pledge more unswerving adherence
to the principles of the Patrons of Hus
bandry. He and sister Smith received
most cordial demonstrations of friend
ship from our entire Northern Brother
hood, betokning the near dawn on
American soil of peace and goodwill.
The whole soul of our Worthy Master is
engaged in his work, and we bid him
God speed!
A very fatal and unknown disease is killing
the cattle in Washington county.